1st July 2010

With the birding gone quiet except for a dodgy Finch in Devon (yeah yeah i here all the talk!! but might aswell tick next doors budgie in the garden than a Mexican House Finch) so more mothing when weather & work allows..... Last nights catch was quite varied with 30+ species & about 70+ moths with the highlights below the micro E.Bilunana a 1st for the garden with the Leopard only my 3rd

Lime-speck Pug



Epinotia Bilunana


Common Footman


Beautiful Hook-tip


Common Emerald


Dot Moth


Dark Arches


Buff Arches



Smoky Wainscot


Leopard Moth

26th June 2010

Ambylptilia Acanthadactyla



Sycamore



Iron Prominent

Decided to do a last minute moth trap in the garden late last night with it being so warm,with several new species for the year with 3 Willow Beauty,several Riband Wave,1 Iron Prominent,1 Bright-line Brown-eye,1 Sycamore,2 Dark Arches,1 Clouded Border & 1 Amblyptilia Acanthadactyla amongst the highlights out of about 50 moths of about 30+ species

25th June 2010

With some cracking images of the Welney Bluethroat on the web this week i decided to head down,a few people already on site & no sign of the bird,i gave it till late afternoon but with no luck so had to content myself with the Reed Warblers

Marmora's Warbler (3rd time lucky) 13th June 2010

Call me obsessive but i'm not one to give up easily on getting a photo so i found myself back at Blorenge,Gwent for the 1st summer male Marmora's Warbler this morning & 3rd time lucky it certainly was,a crackin bird some good company but spoilt by the crowd who insisted in trampling the moor & ignoring the signs to stick to the road which 99% of the photographers did & were well rewarded,other birds on site at least 2 Whinchat,Stonechat,Tree & Meadow Pipit several Raven & at least 3 Cuckoo calling

Blorenge,Gwent 10th June 2010

With a day off work & the weather man saying just cloud for Abergavenny i thought i'd take the chance for the Marmora's Warbler again (What the weather man forgot to say is the cloud would be at ground level,well it was at Blorenge!!!) The bird showed really well & sung constantly from 7:30 am till 11:30 when i gave up on the fog clearing!! (Looks like i'll have to go back & make it 3rd time lucky) cpl of images below photoshopped to add a little colour

Moth Trapping in the back garden June 6th 2010

Cabbage Moth


Large Nutmeg


Clouded-bordered Brindle


Buff-tip


Buff Ermine


Lime Hawkmoth



Did another trap Sat night early hrs of Sun morning with another Lime Hawkmoth (only my 3rd ever in the garden)also caught 1 Clouded-bordered Brindle,1 Cabbage Moth,1 Large Nutmeg,1 Buff Ermine,3 Pale Tussock,1 Buff-tip & Common Marbled Carpet being the highlights along side about 15 other species

Marmora's Warbler 4th June 2010

Got a txt from Lee Johnson on the Thurs night askin if i'd be up for the run down to Blaenavon,Gwent for the Marmora's warbler (chance of a world lifer) so jumped at the chance!! met up with Lee & Tom Perrins in Solihull before taking the 2hr trip down,on arrival we were told that the bird had been showing well & within 1/2 hr we'd had some good views although why some people with scopes av to rush at the bird 'god knows' & they say photographers av a bad name! some good backup birds with 2 Wheatear,3+ Whinchat,Stonechat & Tree Pipit (Thanks to Tom for the driving)

25th May 2010 Moth Trapping in the back garden

Decided to do only my 2nd trapping of the year (the 1st drew a blank)with 19+ species caught with the highlights being Lime Hawkmoth,Pale Tussock,Oak Hook-tip,Buff-tip,Scalloped Hazel & a new moth for myself in the form of a Green Silver-lines

Gilfach Farm,Powys 24/5/10

After seeing some of the images on the web the last few days i decided to head west to the fantastic reserve of Gilfach Farm NR (aprox 5m N of Gigrin Farm Powys)my quest to photograph Pied Flycatchers (You cant fail honest!!) also seen were 2 Redstart,Raven,1 Spotted Flycatcher,Tawny Owl whilst Cuckoo & Tree Pipit were heard but i was too entranced with the Flickers (def a reserve to visit again especially in a few weeks when im told the Golden-ringed Dragonflies will be on the wing.