Ruth Newby

Darn, perhaps I should have stuck the trap out. Was put off by the wind.

😂

Why it’s good to have a messy garden… #wildlifegardening @joelashton.bsky.social

A female Blackbird has been gathering (unswept) leaves in the garden and flying into the Ivy with them. I think a nest is in progress… Meanwhile, I discovered one from last year in a tangle of Rose and Honeysuckle I was pruning. 🪶

Happy St David’s Day!

Must be something special about the lichens round there…

Fascinating! What do the larvae eat?

Tulipa ‘The First’, originally planted in a pot, subsequently replanted in the flower bed. A good repeat flowerer. #spring #flowers

Mine too!

About 1/3 of a mile. @pmandrews1973.bsky.social is even closer than me and he hasn’t had them either to my knowledge.

I need to get planting, clearly! Though there is plenty locally at Hill Hook, so it is a bit of a puzzler.

Some interesting aberrations/melanics there Dave. Haven’t you had the non-spotted form of Twin-spot Quaker before?

Shoulder Stripe would be NFG for me, it’s frustrating that neither this or Streamer seem to come anywhere near my garden.

I was certainly hoping for something a bit more exciting

You did better than me!

What seemed like a promising night for moths scuppered by a heavy shower around 10pm and a cold wind. 3:3, with Yosolopha ustella and Common Plume NFY and a Common Quaker. #teammoth @pmandrews1973.bsky.social @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social

Congratulations, it’s a moth that really does like up to its name!

Luckily my father (a retired biochemistry professor) has access to Nature so I got him to download this for me. It looks a fascinating read.

Thank you!

You really can’t!

Thanks, it’s nothing too serious but she has a problem with acne.

Should be a good chance, I usually get a few each spring.

Excellent mothing Steve! Have yet to see Oak Beauty this year. 👍

I’m sure they do!

I’m not a professor of moths (just an enthusiastic amateur), but it sounds like a good idea to me! Alternatively, buy a moth trap and set that up in your garden & listen to your Leonard Cohen LP while waiting to see what you catch 😁

I can assure you that only 0.002% of the 2000 or so British moth species are interested in your jacket; the rest will leave it well alone & lay their eggs on the trees and plants in your garden.

A most pragmatic approach! 😉

Hope you get to the bottom of what’s wrong in the end (and that it’s not too much bad news either)

Great photos Dom & worth the domestic disharmony that ensued (though admitting this may seem disloyal to my sex)

I can sympathise with that, have just paid through the nose for a private blood test for my daughter!