Wildlife -January 2010

[Anthony Darby]

Just going through some old pictures. I thought that this was a magpie moth, but googling it I see it isn't. So, therefore I'm asking here. Should be an easy one...

The second also needs a name - dig those thigh muslces...

Your moth is a Scarlet Tiger (Callimorpha dominula) and the beetle is a male Oedemera nobilis Stephen. The latter is a pollen feeder.

[vivienr]

I see that, in a change to the schedule, the Springwatch team are putting on a Snowwatch programme at 8pm on BBC 2 tonight looking at how wildlife is coping with the weather.

[mark smyth]

Thanks Vivien. I better option than CBB

It is really important to try and look after our birds in severe weather. I feed them all year. I dont use fat falls because there are too many big birds. Yes I know they need food also. The last few weeks could cause huge losses in small birds like wrens and goldcrests.

My fieldfare is still here.

[Stephenb]

Your moth is a Scarlet Tiger (Callimorpha dominula) and the beetle is a male Oedemera nobilis Stephen. The latter is a pollen feeder.

Many thanks, Anthony. As you managed them, one more for you:

[angie]

Looked out my window this morning to see how much snow had melted and standing on the frozen water of my pond was a Heron, he was standing just at the waterfall which I keep running to keep the pond open and also gives all the little birds water when everything else is frozen. Luckily he didn't get any fish this time but I bet he will be back really early tomorrow morning looking for breakfast.
Angie

[Maggi Young]

Have you got a tin of sardines in the cupboard, Angie.... you could give him a gourmet breakfast?

[angie]

Maggi , got plenty of sardines I could give him for breakfast but I think he will get something scary in the morning if he comes back ( me first thing in the morning) I wouldn't even have to shout to scare him off
Angie

[Maggi Young]

How's your road doing for ice now, Angie? Are you planning to go to the Friends of the Cruickshank Botanic Garden tomorrow .... Ian is the speaker.... I can't remember if you attend that or not.... if you're going to be there, I'll bring your Forum shirt and  fleecy. Then if you 're going out to scare the wildlife you can be the best dressed scarey wifie!! 

[angie]

Sounds good to me, our road has still parts of thick ice on it. Derek will take me tomorrow as I still don't have my car back, the less said about that the better

Angie

[Maggi Young]

I still don't have my car back, the less said about that the better

Angie

Right you are.....

[Anthony Darby]

Your moth is a Scarlet Tiger (Callimorpha dominula) and the beetle is a male Oedemera nobilis Stephen. The latter is a pollen feeder.

Many thanks, Anthony. As you managed them, one more for you:

I would suggest Pimpla sp.? P. instigator is one species, and their larvae are internal parasitoides of moth and butterfly larvae.

[Stephenb]

I would suggest Pimpla sp.? P. instigator is one species, and their larvae are internal parasitoides of moth and butterfly larvae.

Thanks again. Certainly looks like this! Seems it is a relation to the Ichneumon wasps used in biological control?

[mark smyth]

Derby's peregrines feed at night!!
http://derbyperegrines.blogspot.com/

[Martinr]

Mmmm...question is how far out of the city centre did it have to go to find a woodcock?

One of Derby's biggest pedestrian hazards can be avoiding the twitchers hanging round the statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie!

[Anthony Darby]

Mmmm...question is how far out of the city centre did it have to go to find a woodcock?

One of Derby's biggest pedestrian hazards can be avoiding the twitchers hanging round the statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie!

Not far, apparently, as there had been an influx due to the bad weather.