Backyard safari

The moth trap can attract some interesting creatures, not just moths!


Antler Moth, the 339th species of moth I have recorded in my little backyard. What a beauty!


Woodlouse Spider Dysdera crocata, a fearsome hunter of Woodlice which it catches by out running them, and the dreaded Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis, a highly invasive alien species which is apparently ousting our native ladybirds. The Harlequin has a whole website dedicated to it's rapid spread across the UK. Click here for more details.

Two moths from last night

Lesser Swallow Prominent (left) and Amblyptilia acanthadactyla (right).

Little Egret and Pec Sand Martin Mere

I had a cracking day at Martin Mere today. First thing we saw the Pectoral Sandpiper briefly on Vinsons from the Ron Barker hide. Later in the day I found a Little Egret in front of the Harrier hide, which was a first for the reserve for me. Quite a few dragonflies on the wing, despite the mainly overcast conditions, including this golden looking teneral Common Darter.


Little Egret and Common Darter


Lots of nice flowers on show today, including Gypsywort (left) and I coudn't resist this shot of the unrelated Purple and Yellow Loosestrife (right).

Quail Ormskirk

I had a very productive bike ride home from Edgehill university today. There was a Quail calling in fields between Ormskirk and Bickerstaffe, at the junction of High Lane and Long Lane (SD 429053), as well as singing Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer.

Then I spotted this Hedgehog walking along the verge on the Rainford bypass. It's not often I see Hedgehogs during the day, but this chappy seemed happy enough, and was eating a worm when I photographed him.

Roudsea Woods, South Cumbria

We spent most of the day at Roudsea Woods looking at Small-leaved Lime trees, and didn't really have time for much else. However we did see a Brimstone butterfly and a Marsh Tit, as well as at least 10 Slow Worms and several Common Lizards.


Slow Worms (left) and Common Lizard (right)


Small-leaved Lime

A couple of nice moths

Moth trapping in my backyard continues to yield decent results. Last night I had an immaculate Ruby Tiger, and the night before a Pale Prominent.

Ruby Tiger (left) and Pale Prominent (right)

Pec Sand Martin Mere

Today at Martin Mere at least 11 species of wader, including 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpipers and 1 Common Sandpiper.