Arctic Tern passage Saturday 24th August

Not noticed by many nationally I sea watched in 20mph NW winds off Sand Point and had two parties of Arctic Terns flying down channel post 4pm. Finding birds on the patch this day was a struggle but 4 Wigeon and a Garganey were new in at Weston STW. A Greenshank and 3 Wheatear were on the Banwell Estuary.

first trip of the year to Brean Down 23rd August

It's been a long time but finally made my first trip of the year to
Brean Down: 9 Wheatear, 1 Redstart and a Clouded Yellow.
Sand Point: 2 Wheatear
Sand Bay: 76 Ringed Plover, 120 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 8 Blackwit
Weston STW: 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 7 Teal

Mompha propinquella

Another new for the garden on night of 18th August this Mompha propinquella was also a new moth for me. They are similar to Mompha lacteella so care with ID is needed.

Mompha propinquella

Chrysotoxum elegans

A new hoverfly for me today when I discovered 2 Chrysotoxum elegans amongst Sea Aster Aster tripolium which is starting to come into flower in Sand Bay marsh.

Chrysotoxum elegans

Mediterranean Gull and Garganey

There was still a good wader count in Sand Bay this morning with 343 Ringed Plover, 214 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel, 50+ Curlew and a Turnstone. Also on the beach was an adult winter Mediterranean Gull.

This evening at Weston STW a Garganey and 3 Gadwall were present.

Garganey Anas querquedula

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus

Maple Pug Eupithecia inturbata

This moth turned up at the garden trap this morning. I identified it as Maple Pug but found that Slender Pug looks very similar. The Gen Det showed it to be Maple Pug

Maple Pug Eupithecia inturbata (Gen Det)

Common Cockchafer Melolontha melolontha

Here's a shot of a Common Cockchafer that I took back in May. Probably my best shot of this species.

Common Cockchafer Melolontha melolontha

Botanising on the driveway

Here are some common plants I've found on my driveway this morning.

Ivy-leaved Toadflax

Petty Spurge

Pineappleweed

Gooseberry Sawfly Nematus ribesii

One of the Gooseberry Sawflies I've been rearing has emerged today and was very obliging throughout it's photo shoot.

Gooseberry Sawfly Nematus ribesii (reared)

Poplar Grey larva

Here is a larva of the Poplar Grey I found on a Poplar tree in Sand Bay on 3rd August. I've never seen the larva before so it took a little time to figure out what it was.

Poplar Grey larva

Necrodes littoralis

This large beetle was on my ground sheet last night. This carrion feeding species is said to be attracted to light so was a welcome addition to my year list.

Necrodes littoralis

Eulamprotes atrella

Last night I trapped 3 of these little micros. ID was a little tricky at first but once honed in it was a case of separating Eulamprotes atrella from Eulamprotes immaculatella. The main external difference between these two is the colour of the labial palpi. Eulamprotes atrella has pale palps with the lower edge darkened on segment 3. The moth is said to feed on St John's Wort of which there is only Pale St John's Wort on Sand Point.

Eulamprotes atrella

Hoary Footman Eilema caniola

After a report of 3 Hoary Footmen in Leicestershire I have been keeping an eye on all the footmen coming in to the light. On 31st July there were many Footmen coming to the light one or two of which looked suitable for Hoary Footman so I took the most suitable looking one home to determine. Straight away I could see that the uncus and the vinculum looked good and once the aedeagus was removed the cornuti left me with no doubt.

Hoary Footman Eilema caniola

Hoary Footman Eilema caniola

Hoary Footman Eilema caniola male genitalia