Marvel of the Day

Our friend Alex, with his two children J(ason) and Katie came over for the weekend. On top of the list was a bit of badger watching, J saw one last time they stayed, but then he was a bit sleepy and the memory is a bit blurred.

I was really pleased when this Badger arrived quite early and allowed Alex to get some pictures.

I had thought it was a young boar, but one of Alex's pictures from side on has the conclusive evidence that he is a she. I don't think it is the same sow that came regularly a couple of months ago, unless she's broadened across the beam quite quickly.

Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina),

Although I've been complaining that this year hasn't been great for moths, it is still possible that I will catch more species of macro in the garden than in any of the other years we've been here, although not s many individuals than in some years. One of the new species for the year today was a Merveille du Jour, surely one of the most beautiful, and thoroughly deserves it's name. Two of the others That are worth a second glance are the Green-brindled Crescent and the Pink-barred Sallow

Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)

Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata)

Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata)

A second, more richly coloured Pink-barred Sallow.

Scarce Bordered Straw (Helicoverpa armigera)

I also caught eight Silver Y's, all looking very smart and fresh, and also a Scarce Bordered Straw, a less striking moth, but a more unusual migrant.