Another FOUR moths added to the year list.

Monday 29th July 2024.

Dawn broke over the village this morning.

Day 3 of our North Devon Holiday and this morning, I was up with a bang and after making myself a cold drink, I headed off with the dogs into the garden to check the Moth Box. Four more moths were new for the year which included a Foxglove Pug, Flame Carpet, Brussel’s Lace and a Rustic. Up to 11 Common Footman were present and the only micro moth was a Tawny Grey. I checked on the Moth Box late last night and there were a lot of Moths buzzing around the Box, which looked promising for the following day.

Above, a Flame Carpet moth and below, a Brussel's Lace moth. Both new for the year.

Above, Foxglove Pug and below, a Nut-tree Tussock moth. The Foxglove was new for the year and the Nut-tree Tussock was my second for the year having had one in Andy's garden earlier this month.

The Moths present this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHS

• Small Yellow Wave
• Riband Wave
• Foxglove Pug (New for Year)
• Nut-tree Tussock
• Flame Carpet (NFY)
• Common Footman 11
• Willow Beauty
• Brussel’s Lace (NFY)
• Rustic (NFY)
• Uncertain

MICRO MOTHS

• Tawny Grey

My first Rustic moth of the year.

After a delicious cooked breakfast that was cooked by the ladies here in the Cottage, we took a drive to Fremington Quay, near Barnstable, as recommended by a couple Becky and I met in the Bell Inn pub. Apparently, it had a nice Tea Room overlooking a large harbour which was actually the River Tor and a nice walk for the dogs. We eventually arrived there around 11am and kept an eye out for anything interesting to look at. The tide was near high when we arrived, but a sandy spit held a small Gull roost that held both Black-headed and Herring Gulls. A Mediterranean Gull was seen later on our walk here. A pair of Oystercatchers flew from the Quay area and were probably spooked by the many people here.

Above, the Gull roost by Fremington Quay and below, Ted and Buddy explore the shoreline. I was a little deterred in letting the dogs go out in the water as there was a lot of scum floating on the water which was coming down from a nearby river.

The weather was simply glorious and many people that we met said that we really did pick a lovely week to be down here in Devon. After a nice bit of cake and a drink, we took a slow walk along the footpath adjacent to the harbour. The Buddleia trees close to the main building held nectaring Peacock and Red Admiral butterflies and a few Gatekeepers and Small White butterflies flew past us. A large flock of swimming Canada Geese took off and headed off down the harbour. 

Above, House Martins coming into the sandy spit to get the materials needed to build their nests.

Above, a Painted Lady butterfly and below, a Peacock butterfly on the Buddleia trees near the Tea rooms.

Walking down the bridle path, wide enough for Cyclists to belt past us, we kept the dogs on a tight lead as we walked slowly along, taking in the wooded verges either side of us where I had sightings of Speckled Wood and Large White butterflies. Walking back towards the Car Park, we rested for a while on a bench overlooking the harbour which was simply gorgeous with the village of Chivenor on the hillside in the distance. Earlier, we had passed the River Tor near Umberleigh which looked very promising for seeing a Dipper. On the way back to Chittlehampton, where we were staying, we were going to try the pub adjacent to the River but it closed. Grumble! So we headed back to the Cottage and then onto the Pub later for our dinner.

My first Hedgehog in many a year scurrying around in the garden.

It was most certainly a warm day and it was nice to sit out in the garden in the evening and as dusk fell, I put my Moth Box on and they soon poured in! One of my dogs, Buddy, started barking down in the garden and so I went down to investigate and low and behold, I found my first UK Hedgehog in decades!!! It was a youngster and so quickly called the guys to take a look as the animal eventually crawled under a large bush. As night fell, we took a look at the moths coming through and there was such a variety that I began potting a lot of them including an Elephant Hawk-moth, an Iron Prominent and several others. While checking the moths, a Tawny Owl was hooting somewhere in the distance to add to the list of the superb wildlife here.