Winter's coming

 

I don't want to be previous but these delicate arrivals are probably the penultimate species of the year. Barring surprises, I reckon that I can only be sure of the cuddly-looking December moth to come, wrapped in its seasonal coat of fur.

The trio above (the top pair are the same moth from above and below on the transparent trap cowl) are either November, Pale November or Autumnal moths, all very tricky to tell apart, for me at least. Actually, I think that even experts have to resort to dissection to be sure of deciding between a November and a Pale November. But although I managed to cut a couple of tiles very deftly this afternoon, while tiling a wondowsill with Penny, I am not much of a cutter of things.

The next moth is that distinctive character the Dark Swordgrass, an immigrant species which is gradually coming to the end of its flying period. Along with the Turnip, it has this distinctive habit of folding its wings very tightly like an umbrella. Its colouring is variable and this is a very dark one. Update: Except it's a Turnip! Bah, as per Comments, I thought a lot about this as both species share the resting pose. Then I chose. But I also submitted my choice to the Upper Thames Moths blog where Dave Wilton ruled me wrong. Ah well. I would say that you live and learn, but I'm afraid that I don't.

By contrast, the delicious Merveille du Jour is still with us, I am glad to say. These two came last night, along with half-a-dozen Green-brindled Crescents. There was also this russety chap in a hurry to get off. I sometimes try to ID this type of moth but am almost always wrong. Update: Cue Edward in Comments who suggests Beaded Chestnut, rightly I think.

Other arrivals: a rather appealing little spider, I think, and a honeybee. Update - three today! Many thanks to my commentors again. The spider is a harvestman and the 'bee' a drone fly. Hurray for the wide world of Nature!