Wildlife summer 2012

[Hoy]

The food plant is Prunus spinosa - blackthorn

. . . . and Malus, Prunus, Sorbus and Pyrus; at least here in Norway.
It is rare, however, and I have never seen such gatherings like what Natalia shows.

[ArnoldT]

I have been struggling to combat OFM (Oriental fruit moth) on a Chinese Quince (psuedocydonia sinensis) for   years.

It causes flagging of branch tips and can kill three inch limbs as well.  I've had all the 'expert' tree companies here and the first was treating for the wrong insect and only sprayed the lower trunk.

Finally having the correct identification it has been treated with bifenthrin and still I had some die back.  It seems the new growth which is untreated is targeted for it's soft nature.

I had given up because the tree was badly deformed and was considering taking it down and didn't feel the treatment was working.

I also was uncomfortable with the gallons of pesticide being dumped in my backyard.


Today I had a look and found a small wasp busily devouring one of the OFM larva.

Arnold

[Anthony Darby]

Anthony i wish i could have seen your butterflies i could have ticked soooooo many of my list,i am going to look at a white admiral colony in july,i am sooooo excited never seen one in the wild,i found out theres a colony 5 miles away from me apparently ,introduced but thats fine with me.

I used to get my livestock from this group: http://www.pwbelg.clara.net/

[daveyp1970]

Thats a fantastic link Anthony.

[daveyp1970]

I saw this little jewel today.

[fredg]

A couple from this morning.

1. A newt ( great crested?) in the pond at the early purple site. Not seen one for years.
Several were swimming about, unfortunately no polarised lens 

2. Ichneumon sarcitorius on the wall at home

[mark smyth]

What's you moth, Davey?

Sadly I found a dead swift in the garden today. Not one of mine. It is an adult with a brood patch. I'll post photos later

[daveyp1970]

What's you moth, Davey?

Sadly I found a dead swift in the garden today. Not one of mine. It is an adult with a brood patch. I'll post photos later

Mark i have no idea i was hoping Ron or Anthony would tell me.

[Roma]

Spotted at Cortachy Castle near Kirriemuir on Saturday.

Damsel fly

[daveyp1970]

A couple from this morning.

1. A newt ( great crested?) in the pond at the early purple site. Not seen one for years.
Several were swimming about, unfortunately no polarised lens 

2. Ichneumon sarcitorius on the wall at home

Lovely wasp pic Fred

[Anthony Darby]

The moth looks like a female Nemophora degeerella?

[Rob Potterton]

Our first Moorhen hatchings at the nursery, if you look carefully at the eggs you might see that there are two other chicks on the way.

[Brian Ellis]

Aren't they lovely Rob, we have some in the Meres outside us and they give me great delight, their gate is always amusing

[mark smyth]

At work today I served an old dear with the same blue eye shadow

[fredg]

A couple of photos of water birds from todays perambulation.

1. Another hybrid/ feral duck

2. I just love those Coot shoes 

3 & 4. This chappie was intent on catching lunch, didn't bother about us.
I tried to tell him there was a nice shoal aboput 30 yards behind him