A Rare Migrant

 With a few more attempts at moth trapping in recent days a few interesting moths have come along, this included a Red-headed Chestnut that is classed as a rare migrant moth with only a handful of this moth appearing in Sussex in recent years.

On the night of the 27th November it was one of only 3 moths actually in the trap and it was under one of the last egg boxes that had to be checked.

Red-headed Chestnut.

A few other recent moths have included a Blair's Shoulder-knot, a Mottled Umber and a few more December Moths.

With little else to see in recent days apart from a couple of butterflies at High and Over yesterday, of  which one was a Peacock and the other was probably a Red Admiral, and several Firecrest also seen during the past week, the moths have helped to keep the camera working.

Mottled Umber.

December Moth.

Blair's Shoulder-knot.

Sandpiper Session.

 With the Winter now with us I ventured down to the local pier that each year pays host to the wonderful Purple Sandpipers.

After a good feeding session they often sit on the pier resting, generally on one leg, before returning to feeding once the tide has gone down enough to expose their feeding areas. They are always joined by a group of Turnstone that keep the Sandpipers on their toe.

Always an enjoyable session that is also close to home.

Purple Sandpiper.

Turnstone.

Who Are You Calling Fatty??

Purple Sandpiper looking out for an approaching Turnstone.

December Comes Early.

 On the last decent night for some time for the moth trap on Tuesday there were very few moths the following morning, however what was lacking in quantity was made up for in quality.

I haven't trapped this late in the season too often before so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise to get some new moths for the garden, but about 20% of the catch were new moths with 4 new to me.

The most delightful moth was the December Moth. This is quite a common moth, especially more inland, and it was great to at last get one. Being a Winter moth it is covered in hairs to keep it warm.

The biggest problem I had on the Wednesday was trying to photograph the moths in the very dull conditions and a strong breeze. Eventually the light improved enough to get some reasonable results although by now the breeze was even stronger.

December Moth.

December Moth.

With a change of background, (the fence)!!

My favourite moth of the night however was a fabulous Sprawler. A superbly marked moth and a great addition to my garden catches,

Sprawler.

Sprawler.

Oak Rustic. 

A recent colonist that seems to be building in numbers locally.

Dark Chestnut. 

Thought to be a Dark Chestnut, rather than a Chestnut by the County recorder.

Radford's Flame Shoulder.

As Autumnwatch have been using my image of a Long-tailed Tit on some of their promotional activity I thought I would replace my header page. After all, if it is good enough for the BBC it should be good enough for my blog!!

With calmer, mild nights the moth trapping has been pretty good over the past few nights and I've had a few new species for the garden.

This morning I also had a message from Clare saying she had caught a Radford's Flame Shoulder, a rare migrant moth that has been seen in pretty good numbers along the coast this year. As I doubt I will catch my own I went over to her place to get a few shots of the moth as well as a White Speck and a Mottled Umber.

Radford's Flame Shoulder.

White Speck.

Mottled Umber.

As far as my garden trap went I didn't catch anything quite as rare but my first Feathered Thorn and Satellite were good to see as well as 3 Olive-tree Pearls.

Two different Feathered Thorn.

Satellite.

One of many Turnip Moths caught this Autumn.

 

More Autumn Moths.

 With the moth trap going out more regularly this Autumn, well, at least until the weather really turned wet and windy, a varied selection of moths have been caught including several that I haven't caught before in the garden.

New moths included a cracking Dotted Chestnut, Large Ranunculus and Bloxworth Snout were caught and some more familiar autumn specialists such as the Black Rustic and Green-brindled Crescent also put in an appearance.

Pale Eggar.

Blair's Mocha.

Dotted Chestnut.

Pale Mottled Willow.

Black Rustic.

Green-brindled Crescent.

November/Autumnal Moth.

Large Ranunculus.

Red-green Carpet.

Bloxworth Snout.

Yellow-line Quaker.

Red-line Quaker.

This past week I found a green larvae on the garden furniture that turned out to be the larva of the Brimstone Moth.

Brimstone Moth larva.

Fly Agaric.

 I feel I am in a type of lockdown currently with very few opportunities to venture out, which is one of the reasons that the moth trap has been so well used recently.

One of my few trips out was last week when I went out to hunt for the bizarre fungus, the Octopus Stinkhorn, also known as Devil's Fingers.  This is a species I have never seen before and knowing there were a small number about I headed to a known site and started hunting.

Unfortunately I was unsuccessful, but a good friend had seen one a few miles from where I was and I had a good description from him of the site. Even then it was so well hidden I couldn't find it. I called him up on the mobile and he then told me exactly where to look and I did see it. It was in very deep undergrowth and it was also slightly past its best so I didn't photograph it, but it was good to finally catch up with this species, so thanks to Jim.

At the first location there were very high numbers of Fly Agaric which gave me some photo opportunities. A species that I don't often see in decent numbers. A few other fungi were also seen, although the light was fading early in the overcast conditions.  

A pleasant day out, and hoping for some more chances soon.

Fly Agaric.

Fly Agaric group.

Close-up on the top of a Fly Agaric.

Possible Birch Bolete.

Wonder of the Day.

 Ever since I started to moth trap in the garden I have always hoped to get the stunningly beautiful Merveille du Jour which is a moth of the Autumn months.

The only time I have seen this species is when Nigel caught some a few years ago and I went to see them. However, it doesn't seem to occur in any number near the coast so it was a great surprise when a couple of weeks ago I found one near my own trap.

Being early in the flight season it was in superb condition and it certainly lived up to it's name as Merveille du Jour which translates to Wonder of the day'!!

Merveille du Jour.

This Autumn has been good for my catches in the garden and I have had several new species as well as some that are good to see again. 

A selection of some of those below.

Canary-shouldered Thorn.

Clancy's Rustic.

Feathered Ranunculus.

Pink-barred Sallow.

L-album Wainscot.

Delicate.

Black Rustic.

Feathered Brindle.