Enter the Hawks

 

The first hawk moths of the year arrived on 2 May, five days later than in 2024 and six short of their earliest debut here, in the sunny 'Pandemic Spring' of 2020. On all three occasions, the first of my eight regular species have been Poplar Hawks, the commonest type. They are none the less interesting and exciting for being common, with their jagged wings held in the distinct fashion shown above when at rest, with the hindwings protruding in front of the forewings. Hidden in my pics is their bold splash of red on the hindwing which they flash as a warning when alarmed.

There were some lovely early regulars with them, including the Pebble Hook-tip above with wings even more dramatic than the Poplar Hawk's, and the butterfly-like Latticed Heath below which clings to its folded-wing resting policy even more tenaciously than Holly Blue butterflies do.

A nearby eggbox concealed this little Chinese Character, below, also known to me and others as the Bird-poo Moth although the 'Chinese character' which gives it its name is a wonderfully delicate piece of miniature patterning. Following that is a Ruby Tiger, flashing its scarlet knee-breeches.

Thanks to my iPhone's wonderful 'bug' ID facility, I can tell you that the moth below is a Rustic Shoulder-knot, another regular in May but one which I would have puzzled over for hours in pre-AI days.  Thank you, technology! I know you can do harm but you do a lot of good too.

Likewise, the iPhone quickly identified the micro in my next picture as Celypha lacunana, and the one after that as Agonopterix arenella, findings which I've submitted to another wonderful, time- and labour-saving operation, the online database iRecord whose marvellous experts will correct them, if wrong. I devoutly hope that I am not taking their kind labours for granted. I appreciate them very much.