It was time to pack and go home from Chittlehampton this morning, but I still had my Moth Box on overnight and therefore, it was my final time here to check the Box. I was up at 5am, but I had the feeling there was going to be something good in or around the Box as I notched up yet another 5 new moth species for the year. The weather was overcast at first thing and the light was a bit poor, but I got on in checking the moths anyway.
The Moth Box:
Scalloped Hazel.
Five more moth species were added to my year list that included a Scalloped Hazel (I think only my second ever), Mottled Rustic (also my second ever), Toadflax Pug and my second Broad-barred White. There were two micro moth ‘year-ticks’, a smart Thistle Ermine and a Cnephasia species of which can only be certain to be ID’d by dissection only. In all, there were 43 moths of 28 species present this morning. There was just the one Elephant Hawk-moth this morning and the Puss Moth and Lobster Moth were both still present.
Above, a Thistle Ermine moth and below, a Toadflax Pug.
Above, a Mottled Rustic and below, the micro moth from the Cnephasia family.
Then there was the job of packing everything away and carefully shaking the white sheet in case there were any moths hiding away. Then I scooped up all the moths and then put them in the nearby vegetation. An incredible 40 moth species were new for the year, which also included four moths that were 'lifers'! Everything was then back to the way it was and so I finished my coffee enjoying the birdlife on show this early in the morning. Swifts, Swallows and House Martins were overhead and even the Spotted Flycatcher (and later a second bird) popped into the garden at close range to say goodbye (if you believe in fairy stories!). By 9am, we were on our way back to Portsmouth to reflect on an excellent week away.
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 fewLittle 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.
Though there was a bit of rain last night, the patio was fairly dry save for a few puddles, but I wasn't prepared for the larger moths that came to the Moth Trap overnight! It was overcast when I ventured out into the garden at 6am this morning and a nice haul of moths numbering 42 moths of 27 species; which included TEN new moths for the year! Incredible. This also included my first ever Brown Rustic, a species I have never encountered before in all the years I have been moth trapping.
The Moth Box:
One of three Privet Hawk-moths this morning.
As mentioned, the Brown Rustic was a very nice surprise and also my second ever Alder Moth (the last on Butser Hill many years ago). But it was the big moths that stole the show with THREE Privet Hawk-moths and a Poplar Hawk-moth recorded. That’s three species of Hawk-moth I have had this week here in Devon and I still have two more early mornings to go! Other moths new for the year included a Brussels Lace, Brown Silver-lines, V-Pug, Pine Carpet, Ingrailed Clay, Poplar Grey and the micro moth, a male Bee Moth.
Above, my first ever Brown Rustic and below, a Brussels Lace.
Above, Alder Moth and below, Poplar Grey.
Above, an Ingrailed Clay and below, a V-Pug.
Above, a Brown Silver-lines. All the above moths were new for the year.
Two large Beetles were also within the Moth Box which included a Cockchafer Beetle and my first Black Sexton Beetle of the year, that was covered in little mites or maybe young Beetles? Still, I carefully released them both as they flew off to explore the garden and out of harm's way.
Above, a Black Sexton Beetle that was covered in mites (I assume?) and below, a Cockchafer Beetle. Both were within the Moth Box.
The Moths recorded this morning included the following:
Macro moths:
Poplar Hawk-moth x1
Privet Hawk-moth x3
Alder Moth x1
Brussels Lace x1
Common Marbled Carpet x2
BROWN RUSTIC x1
Pale Tussock x4
Orange Footman x5
Brown Silver-lines x1
Buff-tip x2
V-Pug x1
Pine Carpet x1
Marbled Minor x1
Clouded Silver x1
Heart & Dart x2
Ingrailed Clay x1
Treble-lines x1
Pebble Prominent x1
Willow Beauty x1
Large Yellow Underwing x1
Flame x1
Buff Ermine x1
Peppered Moth x3
Lobster Moth x1
Poplar Grey x1
Micro moths:
Bee Moth x1
Garden Grass-veneer x2
The first Bee Moth of the year. I should get a lot more during the year back in Southsea.
One of the Privet Hawk-moths this morning before flying off.
Above and below, a couple of Swallow photos taken last night while walking the dogs through the village.
Above, an adult and juvenile Goldfinch on one of the houses within the village this morning.
Above and below, I was hoping to grab some photos of the Spotted Flycatcher here near our garden.
Above, I even managed to grab some film footage of the Spotted Flycatcher.
I finally got my Dipper 'tick' of the trip here to Devon.
Not only did I get four more new moths for my year list this morning, but I also got two bird species that were new for the year at Watersmeet, near Lynton. I had planned earlier in the year to visit this place, but it was not what I was expecting when Becky and I arrived in the Car Park adjacent to the East Lyn River. At last, the weather had turned to sunny skies again and a light westerly and so photography was going to be a lot better today.
The Moth Box:
Above, not only a very good moth for the year, but this was only my second ever Pebbled Prominent.Below, my second Peppered Mothof the year.
Kicking off with the Moth Box with a 5am start thrown in, I was rewarded with four more moths that were new for the year, though the numbers are starting to decline somewhat! Among the 18 moths of 15 species included ‘year-ticks’ of Flame, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Pebble Prominent and my first ever Grey Pug! That more than made up for the lack of moths this morning.
Above, a Clouded Silver moth and below, my second Elephant Hawk-moth of the year.
Above, a Shouldered-striped Wainscot and below, a Flame moth.
Above, my first ever Grey Pug.
The Moths present this morning included the following:
Macro moths:
Orange Footman x1
Pale Tussock x3
Flame x1
Shoulder-striped Wainscot x1
Bright-line Brown-eye x1
Green Carpet x1
Treble-lines x2
Common Marbled Carpet x1
Flame Shoulder x1
Pebble Prominent x1
Common Pug x1
Elephant Hawk-moth x1
Grey Pug x1
Peppered Moth x1
Clouded Silver x1
Watersmeet NT, nr Lynton:
The singing Wood Warbler by the Car Park at Watersmeet NT.
On arrival, we found out that the Car Park at Watersmeet was as far as one could drive due to storm damage further up the road which was now closed. As soon as I got out of the car, I heard the distinctive song of a Wood Warbler singing nearby and so, I took a walk further back along the Car Park and managed to pick out this beautiful little warbler perched up in a glade above me. Thankfully, the bird was quite co-operative and only moved around on a few branches and therefore I was lucky enough to grab a few photos before I headed back to the Car. What a great start to the trip here.
Above and below, a Grey Wagtail was on the rocks within the river.
Next, I noticed how steep the footpath going down to the East Lyn River was going to be and so Becky stayed behind in the Car while I took the dogs down the steep footpath and as I made my way adjacent to the River, I quickly picked out a Grey Wagtail perched on the rocks. Moving further along the footpath adjacent to the River, something caught my attention as a plump little bird perched on a large rock opposite me. It was a Dipperand the bird then began preening and giving me not only time to take some nice photos, but also some film footage of the bird preening. Eventually, after a few minutes, the bird then flew upstream, calling in doing so.
The Dipper on the East Lyn River.
Well chuffed, I headed back up the steep footpath to meet Becky back at the Car Park. Our next stop was to go into Lynton itself for a bite to eat and after a tasty lunch in one of the local Cafe’s, we made our way to the Car Park where we encountered at least a dozen House Martins nesting on the houses surrounding the Car Park. I found one particular pair showing really well busy nest building and putting mud on the walls of the nest. House Martins are declining in the UK, but they seem to be doing relatively well here and more were seen on our way back to Chittlehampton.
Above, some photos of the nesting House Martins by the Car Park in Lynton.
The Sat Nav took us mostly through the country lanes on the way back and we came across quite a few House Martins picking up mud from the edge of the road at various locations, but I wasn't expecting a male Goshawk flying low over the countryside as I pointed it out to Becky!
Above, a view of the Lynton countryside from the Car Park and below, back in our garden at Chittlehampton, Buff-tailed Bumblebee's were nectaring on the garden plants.
When we got home around 2pm, we had a lazy afternoon in the garden where I finally saw my first Common Buzzard of the year sailing over the fields in the distance. The Siskins were on show again and perched in a nearby tree and the sunshine brought out a lot of insects including two Red Admirals, a Dark Giant Horsefly, a Pied Plumehorn (Volucella pellucens), which is one of our larger Hoverflies; plus several Buff-tailed Bumblebees, which were all attracted to the large Purple Chokeberry plant growing in our garden.
Above, the Hoverfly Pied Plumehorn and below, a Dark Giant Horsefly.
Above, from left to right, Pale Tussock, Shoulder-striped Wainscot and a Flame.
As I write this, it is still sunny and very vocal out in the garden with the Corvids making their usual din, but also the soft songs of the Robin, Blackbird and Blackcap singing and even the Goldcrest can be heard too.
This Meadow Grasshopper was right outside our front door this afternoon!
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