wildlife

[Mark Griffiths]

Yup, Red Underwing. Very nice.

Only think I've seen one this year, flying away after being disturbed.

Lot of other underwings out at the moment, I had 81 Large Yellow Underwings in the trap this morning along with a few Lesser Yellow Underwings, Broad Bordered Yellow Underwings, Lesser Broad Bordered Underwings and Copper Underwings agg.

[mark smyth]

I've tried so much to get bumble bees nesting in the garden. Every year many queens come through the garden nest hunting
1. bought a box
2. repositioned it many times
3. added a mouse nest from the pet shop
4. held a queen captive inside for a few days
5. added a hose tunnel
6. added kapok

nothing works yet a man on youtube has multiple species, 9!, nesting in man made boxes

[Michael J Campbell]

Mark, they nest in some of my bird boxes every year and I don't add anything, sometimes wasps occupy them as well but I never bother them and they never bother me. 

[annew]

Are those Tree Bees (Bombus hypnorum), Michael? They seem to be the most common ones to find in bird boxes. It would be interesting if so, as I'm not sure if they're supposed to have got over the Irish Sea yet.

[Michael J Campbell]

Not sure Anne, I know very little about wild Bees   

[Susan Band]

Couldn't resist posting this of the second brood of swallows resting after their day flight training. Can't believe they will have to fly to Africa in the next couple of days. In the nest round the corner they are still looking out over the top, not started at flight school yet.

[mark smyth]

Are those Tree Bees (Bombus hypnorum), Michael?

As far as I know they haven't reached Ireland

[Maggi Young]

"Water voles recorded  at RSPB Scotland reserve in Strathspey for the first time in 20 years"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-29010706


Photo by Chris Sutherland


Photo by Alex Millon

[Matt T]

Particularly dark water voles, especially the one in hand.

[Growild]

Couldn't resist posting this of the second brood of swallows resting after their day flight training. Can't believe they will have to fly to Africa in the next couple of days. In the nest round the corner they are still looking out over the top, not started at flight school yet.

The same thing is happening here Susan and I'm very worried for the babies who are only just flapping there wings in two nests. The last few days the rest of the swallows are going quite bonkers flying around in large groups in the courtyard and must be set for leaving.

[Matt T]

Most of our swallows have already left, just in the last few days. There are just one or two hangers'on still around 

[Anthony Darby]

Welcome swallows, a recent immigrant to New Zealand, don't migrate long distances here. I see them most days throughout the year. In the south they head to the coast and feed on flies that inhabit the milder coastal fringes.

[Growild]

Can anybody please help me ID these? I'm gradually trying to compile a list of all the native species here at the farm and woodland.

The first one is a small moth I saw in the wood, the second another small moth in the grassland and the third I am right in thinking it's a Scabious Sawfly (as it's tucking into a Devil's bit scabious)?

I recently bought a Collins Butterfly & Moth guide to help ID the moths ... but it's of little use - so if anybody can recommend another book that would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance!

[Matt T]

Hi Lisa,

I terms of books, my 'go-to' book is 'The Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles' by Bernard Skinner (ISBN: 0-670-87978-9), which is the standard work for the larger moths (i.e. not the tiny micro-moths). It has a cover price of £45 although you may find it cheaper. This is an excellent hard back book, too cumbersome to use in the field but with excellent photographs of real specimens and including variation within the species.

For just £12.95 you can't do better than the 'Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland' published by British Wildlife Publishing (ISBN: 978-0-9531399-6-5). This book might be a better starting point, perhaps progressing to Skinner as your interest develops. The book is pocket-sized, spiral-bound book with artworks by Richard Lewington and is easy to carry and use in the field.

Your moths are Clouded Border and Latticed Heath. Both fairly common moths, the latter will be found flying by day.

Don't know anything about sawflies but Google turns up photos of an identical beastie.

[Growild]

Hi Matt

Thank you so much for all your information and will look into getting one of the books straight away

Lisa