October 2012

[ChrisC]

despite it being bl**dy cold, there were at least 2 red admirals trying to soak up some sun today.

[Jack Harrison]

Where were you and at what time so that I can look up temperature and wind? I have seen Red Admirals basking in the most incredibly cold weather so I another report with details would be interesting.

Jack

[ChrisC]

11.30 am ringwood forest Verwood. thanks jack i've been trying to find a site that shows back dated temperatures.

Chris

[Jack Harrison]

EGHH 271020Z 01017G27KT 9999 FEW020 06/M00 Q1018

which translated means Bournemouth airport at 1020 GMT.wind just east of north at 17 to 27 knots, small amounts of cloud, temprature 6, dewpoint 0C so relaitve humidity low at 65%

That comes from my own website and is of course in aviation jargon: http://www.weatherjackwx.co.uk/metars-history.html

For plain language try:
http://www.wunderground.com/history/air ... atename=NA

This requires you to know the nearest airport. Airports are wide open places so sheltered woodland, like Ringwood, might be a degree warmer.

Take care to make sure you have selected the correct date.
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I will be pretty much off line (except for a few short periods at wi-fi hot spots) from Tuesday for at least a week until I have internet up and running in my new home in Tobermory, Isle of Mull.

Jack

[Wildmoreway]

Three Large Whites on the royal terrace gardens at Torquay this afternoon. Including this male.

[Cotswold Cockney]

It's one of those Moths again... a plume moth. Spotted on my bathroom wall tiles.



Looks like a male. Even this poor Compact camera digital image appears to show claspers.

I have lived in this house for over forty years now and only in the past few years have I seen this moth about the house and garden. I have seen other Plume Moths including that bright Pink one and some others, but only in the past two years or so have I ever knowingly seen one of this species. Up in the very early hours watching late night old Rock Music artists on FREEVIEW a few nights ago, I saw the flying silhouette of this one or another moth passing across the screen in the darkness. Too tired to do anything about it, decided to locate it and put it out in the morning.

I believe they hibernate as adults. I have seen one in my garage in the cold depths of winter. For something so very small and frail, they must be hardy. Here's one spotted on a garden fence earlier this month :~



Also looks like a male, maybe the same one in a stronger natural light.

[Matsukaze]

According to the new micro-moth book, they do indeed overwinter as adults. I suspect the two pictures are of two different species, the former Amblyptilia punctidactyla and the latter A.acanthadactlya, but could well be wrong.

[millerd]

Down in Dover this last weekend - Saturday was wild, windy, and very cold, and there were some big downpours. Sunday 28th was calmer, and I was pleased to see a Red Admiral in the garden where I was staying.

Dave

[RobS]

Just got in from a short break in Dorset. 5 days without any internet on my phone whatsoever so apologies for the late report from Sat 27th.During an 8 mile walk on the hills around Bridport we saw around 10-12 Red Admirals.It was very sunny but very cold and windy.Hats off to those brave little insects..they all looked in very good condition too.

cheers
rob

[Cotswold Cockney]

SWMBO has big plans for changes in our back garden. Made a start dismantling my Greenhouse which for close on forty years I've used as a breeding cage for many thousands of butterflies and moths.



They say things come in threes and where Plume Moths are concerned, this is the third one I've come across this month. Is it a twig, bit of plant debris or what? No, it's a Plume Moth with superb cryptic shape and colouring.



Provided my memory has not let me down, it appears that during the past few years, I've found about five, maybe more species of Plume Moth in my back garden. Until recently, had no idea they were so numerous about the place. Using a x10 hand lens for closer examination, they really are rather beautiful. Beauty in miniature.

[David M]

SWMBO has big plans for changes in our back garden. Made a start dismantling my Greenhouse which for close on forty years I've used as a breeding cage for many thousands of butterflies and moths.

That greenhouse is surely non-negotiable?

[Cotswold Cockney]

Beautiful sunny morning here in Glos. Fine strong flying Red Admiral at 11.30am in my garden.

We had a very severe ground frost around a week ago. I'd have guessed that would have killed off most insects in the area but, with those Plume Moths and today's RA, apparently not. Good to see a huge Bumble Bee on the numerous flowers of my Strawberry Tree, Arbutus unedo. About two metres high in a large pot, my wife has commandeered this plant for garden use. Typical female. I got it as a foodplant for Europe's largest butterfly ... With last years and this years fruits ripening and thousands of flowers, it is a beautiful sight. I have several times seen Red Admirals feeding from these blossoms even in December and January when no other flowers are about.

I bought a nice pair of garden gloves and put them in the boot of my wife's MG to save getting her hands dirty should she ever need to change a wheel or lift a bonnet. Guess what... she's using them for gardening. Typical... there's really no hope you know.... ...

Now clouds slowly coming in from south west so the fine sunshine is gone for today I suspect.

[EricY]

Small Tort sunning @ Holme nwt on house wall today, also migrant Hawkers & Bumblebees flying. Eric

Small Tort with chunk out of wing. Holme nwt 30/10

[Wurzel]

Red Admiral at Moors Valley Country Park this morning in cloudy and cool weather, seen at 11.05ish.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[MikeOxon]

I took a walk around my local gravel pit lakes yesterday morning (30th), in bright sunshine. There was plenty of clover in flower along a sunny bank and I put up one Peacock, which unfortunately saw me first, so no photo. There were also several Common Darters and a larger Hawker (Southern or Migrant) on the wing. Flocks if Redwing were roaming through the trees.

Mike

[Cotswold Cockney]

Redwings, Fieldfares, Bramblings and other Bird winter visitors to the UK are here in numbers already. Could be a sign that we're in for a very cold winter. These migrants usually arrive later and in steadier smaller numbers.

Sometimes Waxwings are seen locally and hope to see some again if we do have a colder winter here.