Monday 31 May 2010

31 May 2010 - Gamlingay, Cambs

Treble Brown Spot

Common Quaker (but it felt different from the Scottish ones of last week).

Common Swift (a better marked individual than yesterday).

Tawny Marbled Minor (well, it looked like one - but it could be a Marbled...).

Large Yellow Underwing

Dunno Moth 1

Dunno Moth 2

Dunno Moth 3

Dunno Moth 4

Sunday 30 May 2010

30 May 2010 - Gamlingay, Cambs

Common Swift (I reckon) - but not quite as well marked as I thought it would be. Perhaps it's something else.

Marbled Minor - well, at least it looks like the one in the book.

Treble Lines

Saturday 29 May 2010

29 May 2010 - Gamlingay, Cambs

Light Brocade

Shears

Large Nutmeg (I think!)

Rustic Shoulder-knot (I think!)

Poplar Hawkmoth

Poplar Hawkmoth (female?)

Poplar Hawkmoths

Lesser Swallow Prominent

Dunno Moth!

Cockchafer

Friday 28 May 2010

28 May 2010 - Gamlingay, Cambs

Heart and Dart

Shuttle-shaped Dart

Heart and Club

Cinnabar

Tuesday 25 May 2010

25 May 2010 - Blairgowrie, Scotland

A quiet night with nothing new except this (presumed) White Ermine - though it could be a Buff Ermine...

Monday 24 May 2010

Sunday 23 May 2010

23 May 2010 - Blairgowrie, Scotland

Another good moth trapping session to help me learn a few more bits and bobs - and thanks to Ian Lowe for use of his garden!!

Pale Prominent

Scalloped Hazel

Nut Tree

Knot Grass

Flame Carpet

And a red and black beetle spp...

Saturday 22 May 2010

22 May 2010 - Orkney

After yesterday's Bearded Seal success, the targets for today were Orcas and Orkney Vole. Alas, I missed the first but did score the Vole when leaving my sea-watching position.

Several other good birds made up for the lack of mammal ticks - well, just!

Hooded Crows - everywhere

Great Northern Diver - lots in the coastal lochs

Black Guillemots - common around the coast.

This Common Seal made it a three seal species trip.

This Common Hare made it a three Lagomorph trip.

Friday 21 May 2010

21 May 2010 - John O'Groats & Orkney

With the news on 15 May that the Bearded Seal was still on Orkney - it seemed possible that it would summer. Should I go? Yes - of course.

Out of the car at first light, John O'Groats provided excellent views of some species such as Rock Dove - these looking fairly 'pure' if you ignored any slightly more feral-looking birds (they were cropped out!!).

Bonxies passed by very close to the cliff edge.

On arrival on Orkney (South Ronaldsay) I took the road to Kirkwall and then out to Finstown to look for the seal - would it still be there...?

Bearded Seal - phew!

This beastie showed superbly at low tide - giving me and some local residents excellent views.

From all angles the 'Beard' was very obvious.

After leaving the seal, I went in search of other potential mammal ticks - without success today...

Whilst driving down the road near Elvie I found a couple of Common Cranes flying over - a nice self-find!

I tracked the birds for a while, whilst they dropped, before putting the news out.

Other bits today included; Red-throated Diver

Raven

And many Red-breasted Mergansers (right - with Eider).