...are here again, hooray! And with them, the sap rising in the trees and plants, not to mention young lovers such as this pair of Small Tortoiseshells.
Actually 'young' may be a misnomer judging by the frayed state of the edge of the top insect's right hindwing. I suspect that this is a couple of oldies tempted out of hibernation and reliving the giddy days of their youth last autumn and late summer.
P and I followed them along a field edge on a reconnaissance for our second Beating of the Bounds walk which is due here on May Day. Also out enjoying the sun was a Peacock and a squadron of Brimstones, the latter based appropriately on the periphery of 'London' Oxford (aka Kidlington) Airport.
The moth trap initially appeared to be a fly trap, above, but on closer inspection proved to have a small but good selection of predictable arrivals for this time of the year. Here they are, below:
 |
| Common Quaker (I think) |
2 comments:
ID's correct for Common Quaker(s) and Clouded Drab. Be mindful of Lead-coloured Drab which is normally greyer in appearance, but not always, and has more rounded wing tips ...tricky
Many thanks Trent, as always. I didn't altogether trust my judgment so it's very good to have it confirmed
All warmest and good trapping
M
Post a Comment