Tuesday 29 September 2009

What a nice surprise


I nearly didn't bother with the trap last night. Of course, that's always when things happen. I went through the eggboxes this morning almost in automatic mode, clucking at the absence of anything bar a Silver Y, two Black Rustics and the last of the tattered army of yellow underwings. Then I discovered this: a very fine Red Underwing, a moth I last saw here in Leeds more than ten years ago. It was during the day on that occasion; the beautiful creature astonished us by zooming into the garden when we were having tea outside. It's also the same species as the lovely moth Penny and I found at Radstock Bridge earlier this summer, also during the day (see entry for 8 August, below). This one is in such excellent condition that it must have hatched a lot later, perhaps due to the marginally cooler climate here, compared with the upper Thames valley. For scale, I've pictured it with two models from the opposite ends of the Russian political spectrum in 1917, brought back by P and her Mum from a visit to St Petersburg. The moth ignored them but sleepily allowed me to push a forewing gently forward with a teaspoon, to show the vivid, hidden colour which gives it its name.

5 comments:

Bennyboymothman said...

Beautiful Red Underwing Martin, he sounded very docile! I have yet to see one this year after getting about 6 last year to my trap!

MartinWainwright said...

Hi there! Isn't it nice! I was so excited (in spite of my age) They are SO much bigger than anything else I get, apart from the hawk moths. Maybe one day I'll see a live Clifden Nonpareil. I think I'll stop at the end of this week, nonetheless, cos it's so dark now at the time I'm up and about with the camera. But I may do a sort of fortnightly check. I v much appreciate your comments. Will log on to your blog when back home (currently in McDonalods, Darlington, using their free wifi). M

Bennyboymothman said...

McDonald's makes your day, apparently! yes a Blue Underwing would be lovely, though I fear I might have to emmigrate to see this!

MartinWainwright said...

Yes, I couldn't do my job without it. Though sometimes when I really don't want another capuccino, I file from the car park.

Helen Roy said...

Dear Martin

Thank you so much for your comment on my Planet Earth on-line blog. I have thoroughly enjoyed browsing your blog as a consequence! Many, many thanks, Helen