Elephants and Tigers in the Garden!

A superb catch of moths in the trap this morning with over 200 moths of about 30 species.  Pick of the bunch were eight hawk moths - 5 elephant and 3 poplar.  There were also several garden firsts including Ruby Tiger and Garden Pebble.

Elephant Hawk Moth

Ruby Tiger

Who needs Africa!

Common Lizard, Bowland

I snatched a few brief hours in Bowland, and given the warm weather decided to look for Adders.  I didn't get any pictures of an Adder but I did see one on the path about 3 metres in front of me.  Unfortunately, it saw me too, and quickly moved off under a rock.  I decided to stakeout the rock to see if the Adder would come back out to bask in the sun, but after nearly half an hour all I saw was some movement in the shade as I think the adder moved further out of view.  However, I did notice something moving on the other side of the rock, which I initially thought was the snake, but was in fact a Common Lizard.  The lizard froze to the spot.  I am not sure if it was aware of me or the Adder but it barely moved for twenty minutes.  Whether the Adder knew it was there or not I don't know but it would have been intriguing to see what would have happened if they came face to face.

Common Lizard, Bowland, Lancashire

There were several summer migrant birds in the area too including Spotted Fly-catcher, Wheatear, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler and Blackcap.

Hoverflies

Several hoverflies in the garden today availing of the now abundant nectar sources, including Rhingia Campestris.  Hoverflies are important pollinators and predators of aphids.

Rhingia Campestris

Rhingia Campestris

Swifts at last

I've finally seen a swift this year, with three flying north over Mellor on May 17th! I think this is the latest date I've ever recorded. Yet again it has been a cold week. Other late records include cuckooflower which is normally out in April around here. I still haven't seen any orange tip butterflies, but that is also partly down to me as I've not been out enough. There have been several green-veined whites in the garden during the week though, when the wind drops and sun breaks through. Silver birches are just coming into leaf and the Ash still has a week or two to go. The Ash is always last but surely its not waiting until June!

Overdue butterflies

The butterflies are late this year, just like everything else in the garden.  In previous years, orange-tips, small whites and green-veined whites have all been seen by now, but this year there have been none.  The first butterflies to appear were two small tortoiseshells on 14 April, and there were five more enjoying some rare warmth on the 20th.  Back on the 14th there were few flowers open in the garden and thus few nectar sources, however by the 20th there was plenty of aubrieta on display in the walls which was to the liking of the small tortoishells as the photo shows.

Small tortoiseshell nectaring on aubrieta

Moths at last

The incessant cold weather and strong easterly winds that have been ever present for most of the last couple of months have meant no mothing in the garden.  The trap did go out on a couple of occasions on mild January nights but produced nothing.
Last night was the first evening with mild temperatures and little wind for several weeks where I had time to put the trap out, and at last a few moths were caught. Not a great total, but any signs of spring are welcome this particular year.

1 Hebrew character,
1 Common Quaker,
1 Clouded Drab,
2 Oak Beauty's (one of which is pictured below)

Oak Beauty

Oak Beauty

Frog chorus

I counted over 40 frogs in the pond today and about 20 lots of spawn.  About three or four weeks later than usual but better late than never.  The sound of the frogs croaking (singing?) was an absolute delight when I went out into the garden at lunch time - one of the benefits of working from home today!  I took a few photos, including the one that is now the new blog banner.  Here's another.

Common Frog

Both pictures: D300 & AF-S Nikkor 300mm, @ ISO 200/f4, with tripod 

Very satisfying to think that this little bit of amphibian habitat did not exist 3 years ago.