Had a nice surprise this morning at the top end of Caldene fields by the heather patch. Firstly I disturbed a newly emerged male Common Blue butterfly. Sadly the Common Blue has not been as common in our area for…
Butterfly survey and moth news…
On Saturday the 4th of August I did a butterfly survey at Raw Nook NR and Caldene fields. Only 6 species were recorded which is worryingly poor. Small White at RN=16. CFs =4 Large White at RN= 3. Speckled Wood…
Rare moth found and sightings update…
On the 19th of July I found a Isophrictis striatella mico moth at Caldene fields. The moth is only about 6mm in length and was nearly overlooked. It is predominantly a southern species but is gradually moving north and at present is…
Valuable milestone reached…
Moths are a great indicator of a healthy environment and a healthy ecosystem (Butterfly Conservation) To demonstration this point it is with pride that my moth survey work for our urban recording area of Caldene fields, Raw Nook NR and Toad…
The Old Lady is doing well…
I have recorded the Old Lady moth since around 2009 at both Caldene fields and Raw nook nr but whilst I strongly believed the moth bred in our area I have never been able to prove this…well that is until today when…
Dealburn road Woodland site…
Whilst this nearby site is not in our groups conservation area, we still have a real interest in the site and for my part I keep records and observations for the area. So it was a welcome sight this morning…
Sightings update…
The hot sunny weather has brought out a welcome array of butterflies. At Caldene fields at least 2 Green-veined whites on the 5/5, 3 male Orange tips and 2 Speckled Woods on the 7/5 and a single Small Tortoiseshell was…
Migrant update and what a beauty…
Today following the overnight S/E wind I did a migrant count at Raw Nook Nr and Toad Holes Beck. The following were noted: At Raw Nook Nr 3 Blackcaps (2 males+1 female), 1 Willow Warbler, new in and 4 Chiffchaffs. …
Oh! no it’s just out of our recording area…
Claire the chairperson for our group told me this morning that she had seen a strange caterpillar on the road at the Greenway at Oakenshaw last week and after she did some research the beautiful caterpillar turned out to be…
Survey work reveals some interesting finds…
I have recently been conducting survey work at Raw Nook nr concentrating mainly on insects i.e. moths, hoverflies and other general insect orders. I am trying to build up a more comprehensive species lists for the insects that breed and…