At this time of year birding and
mothing have one thing in common, amongst the common species it is a good time to find a rarity or at least a scarce migrant. Above is a Scarce Bordered Straw, an immigrant that fluctuates in numbers from year to year. Last year I'd caught 45 by this time, and another 119 by the end of October, this one was just the second of the year for me and I believe that they have lived up to their name and been scarce
everywhere.
In the meantime the some of the common autumn moths are worth a look at. There are several species of "thorns" that occur around this time. The Large Thorn sits with its wings half open and has the typical scalloped wing edges of a "thorn".
Looked at head on it has an interesting "face" and the feathered antennae give it an owl-like countenance.
The Centre-barred Sallow always looks to me as if it has been designed by some one with a geometry set. It seems impossible that such a straight line hasn't had help from a set square.
This smallish moth is a day
flyer and can be seen flying like a quick butterfly around the tops of trees. It does sometimes come to light, and this is when it beautiful pattern can be appreciated.
At this time of year birding and mothing have one thing in common, amongst the common species it is a good time to find a rarity or at least a scarce migrant. Above is a Scarce Bordered Straw, an immigrant that fluctuates in numbers from year to year. Last year I'd caught 45 by this time, and another 119 by the end of October, this one was just the second of the year for me and I believe that they have lived up to their name and been scarce everywhere.
In the meantime the some of the common autumn moths are worth a look at. There are several species of "thorns" that occur around this time. The Large Thorn sits with its wings half open and has the typical scalloped wing edges of a "thorn".
Looked at head on it has an interesting "face" and the feathered antennae give it an owl-like countenance.
The Centre-barred Sallow always looks to me as if it has been designed by some one with a geometry set. It seems impossible that such a straight line hasn't had help from a set square.
This smallish moth is a day flyer and can be seen flying like a quick butterfly around the tops of trees. It does sometimes come to light, and this is when it beautiful pattern can be appreciated.
No comments:
Post a Comment