www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I found a Small Tortoiseshell today in the loo`s at work, i put it in the till shed to overwinter, hopefully it will survive, still lots of Winter Moths on "the " Oak tree including 20+ females which is the most i have ever seen.

Here is a picture of a Female Winter Moth, no idea on the identity of the passenger.

Had a very nice new year walk in Harwich and Dovercourt with A/J [03/01/10], Lots of Birds around but just common stuff.

A mild evening with 6.5 oC at 11.30pm, 14 Winter Moths at security lights along with a Scarce and Mottled Umber.

Only a few Moths around today but this female Mottled Umber was a first for me.

I remember showing one of these to my friend's young daughters a few years ago. After the initial, "It's disgusting, squash it!!!" nonsense they were amazed to discover that not all moths have wings. I'll be checking my own security lights tonight, it's a bit wet but fairly mild here in Epsom. Nice pics, by the way.

Gibster.

Thanks Gibster, sorry dont know your name, My camera struggles when taking pics of small bugs on trees, there just seems to be to many surfaces for the camera to focus properly, that coupled with the rubbish light levels today in the rain i suppose the pics came out ok.
Steve.

A lovely day today, did 20 miles on the Bike and saw a Buzzard, 2 Kestrels and a Sparrowhark,
lots of Fieldfare and redwings in the hedgerows too, nice to see the sun after such a dark miserable week.

The last few days have been very mild and i have been finding quite a few Mottled Umbers and Winter Moths, first Micro of the year A.ferrugana/notana.

Had myself a male Epiphyas postvittana on 11th...phew, excitement levels are rocketing!
Off to Portland Bill tonight, back on 16th. Could see a few more micros down there?

Gibster. (aka Seth, seeing as you asked )

Just enjoyed a mainly sunny week in Madiera with J/H/D/M, not many Butterflies around but the Moths were ok,

A mild week so far with overnight temps not dipping below 40, Early Moths, Pale Brindled Beauty and Winter Moths to Security lights.

Went to Abberton res today, Bewicks Swan and Smew were notable finds as was a brief glimpse of a Hen Harrier.

It turns out that 2 of the Moths i found on Madeira a couple of weeks ago are new to the Island, one is Epiphyas postvittana which is an Australian Moth that is now common in Britain, the other is Zelleria oleastrella, a Micro Moth that is resident in Southern Europe.
Steve.

No Moths to security lights but lots of little bugs in polytunnels, lovely sunny Spring day .

A few Moths around in the polytunnels, Early Moths, Emmi mono and the odd Mottled Umber, 35 miles on the bike this morning was very nice, got to get fit for those long summer walks.

My first Hebrew Character of the year today at security lights, seems early, Still no Butterflies despite some lovely sunshine in recent days.

First Moth trap of the year led to a Dotted Border, March Moth, Small Quaker and a Chestnut, also 4 Caloptilia semifascia in a Tunnel.

Nice to see some Moths at last, did my first trap in the new wood last night and most of the usual Spring species turned up.

Just spent a lovely week in Derbyshire, lots of sunshine and some top notch pub grub, what more could you want.
2 new Moths that are not resident in Essex.
Mottled Grey and a Acleris hyemana along with a Red Grouse which were quite common on amongst the Heather.