Another FIVE more moths added to year list.

Friday 30th May 2025.

My first Foxglove Pug of the year this morning.

Our last full day here in Devon and it looks as though it is going to be a pleasant one too. An average of 19 degrees is forecast for the rest of the day and it looks as though we will be making our way to Fremington Quay to not only walk the dogs, but for a bit of lunch also. Already, the Spotted Flycatcher was calling near our garden and both Swallows and Swifts were hawking the early morning sky and the Great Spotted Woodpecker paid us a visit in our garden too. But first the Moth Trap had to be checked out here at 6am and a few goodies were present too.

The Moth Box:

My second Scorched Carpet moth of the week.

There were 5 more moths new for the year recorded this morning, which included a Foxglove Pug and the micro moths, Dark-barred Straw Eupoecilia angustana, which was a ‘lifer’, Tawny Grey, Garden Pearl and another ‘lifer’, the Specked Fanner (Glyphipterix thrashonella). Other notable moths included 4 Privet Hawk-moths, 2 Elephant Hawk-moths, my second Puss Moth of the year, another Brown Rustic, Lobster Moth and my second Scorched Carpet of the year. A total of 47 moths of 29 species were recorded today.

Above, a Bee Moth and below, the Puss Moth.

The Moth Trap also attracted a few insects too with yet another Black Sexton Beetle (complete with mites?) and a Cockchafer Beetle.

Two 'lifer' moths this morning included the (above) Speckled Fanner and below, a Dark-barred Straw.

The following moths were present this morning:

Macro moths:

• Privet Hawk-moth x4
• Elephant Hawk-moth x2
• Foxglove Pug x1
• Freyer’s Pug x1
• Common Pug x1
• Pine Carpet x2
• Buff-tip x2
• Buff Ermine x4
• Maiden’s Blush x2
• Orange Footman x2
• Brimstone Moth x1
• Treble-lines x6
• Middle-barred Minor x1
• Heart & Dart x2
• Peppered Moth x1
• Green Carpet x2
• Brown Rustic x1
• Flame x1
• Willow Beauty x1
• Pale Tussock x2
• Poplar Grey x1
• Lobster Moth x1
• Puss Moth x1
• Scorched Carpet x1

Micro moths:

• Speckled Fanner x1
• Bee Moth x2
• Tawny Grey x1
• Brown-spot Grey x1

Fremington Quay, Barnstaple, North Devon:

The view overlooking the River Taw with Cormorants and Gulls on the sandbanks.

Having been there and thoroughly enjoying it last August, we made our way to Fremington Quay for a spot of lunch and a good walk for the dogs. Fremington Quay overlooks the River Taw and as it was low tide, the sandbanks were offering good resting or feeding grounds for the birds present; though to be honest, there weren't many!

Shelducks in the harbour.

We arrived around 1pm and after negotiating the single lane of Muddlebridge Cottages, we parked up nicely and got ourselves a seat to enjoy a cup of Latte and a little later, my first Crab sandwich of the year. Delicious! The weather wasn't too bad, though sunny with a lot of cloud overhead, there was a brisk westerly wind coming in from the small harbour.

Cormorants in the harbour.

On our entry to the area, we encountered at least 3 pairs of Shelduck on the mudflats and a few Little Egrets fishing or flying over. Out in the harbour, several distant Cormorants were seen and the usual Gulls were also in the harbour, though not many I might add. At least 4 Oystercatchers were noted feeding on the ‘seaweedy’ area within the River Taw. The Fremington Quay cafe was packed, but it didn't take too long to grab an outside bench and enjoy our lunch.

Becky with our dogs and the Fremington Quay cafe behind her.

I have one more opportunity to get some more moths overnight for we have to leave the premises by 10am tomorrow; but I shall no doubt be up around 5am anyway. It has been a very relaxing break from it all and especially for my wife Becky who has really had a tough time medically over the past 6 months. We will, in no doubt, rebook the premises again for possibly later on this year or next year. I have seen 32 species of moth here for my year list and two species of birds for my year list also. Apart from one day where it rained all day, we have been very lucky again with the weather and long may it continue when we come again here. Oh and by the way, the Otter Pale Ale in the Bell Inn was gorgeous!!! 

I think Buddy and Ted thoroughly enjoyed their holiday here at Chittlehampton.