Another Convolvulus Hawk-moth

Convolvulus Hawk-moth, Farcet Fen, 17 Sept 06

The second caught here this week (see below) and clearly a different individual (as well as markings it was smaller). Caught at 160w MV.

Liz admiring the big critter

What a boy!

Other migrants in the trap over night -
Pearly Underwing (1 - new for here), Vestal (2), Dark-sword Grass (1), Scarce Bordered Straw (1) and Diamond-back Moth (2).

More recent moth images caught in Cambs on Cambs Moth Gallery

© Steve Dudley | toadsnatcher.com

Scarce Bordered Straw

Scarce Bordered Straw, Farcet Fen, 15 Sept 06

With Convolvulus Hawk-moth, The Vestal and Scarce Bordered Straw, the night of 14/15 Sept makes it the best night here for migrant moths I've ever had.

© Steve Dudley | toadsnatcher.com

Convolvulus Hawk-moth

Convolvulus Hawk-moth, Farcet Fen, 15 Sept 06

This is what greeted me when I opened my 15w actinic trap this morning!


Despite the other great migrant moths caught during the summer, there's nothing quite like a biggie is there?! It nearly filled my little 15w actinic trap.

The Vestal, Farcet Fen, 15 Sept 06

My second of the week. Caught at 15w actinic.

Brown-spot Pinion, Farcet Fen, 13 Sept 06

New for the garden.

Spruce Carpet, Farcet Fen, 13 Sept 06

Another new species for the garden.

Frosted Orange, Farcet Fen, 13 Sept 06

© Steve Dudley | toadsnatcher.com

The Vestal and other migrant moths

The Vestal, Farcet Fen, 13 Sept 06

I found this moth feeding on buddleia at c.2200h. I suspected it was a Vestal but it was constantly on the move and I couldn't see its wing markings. A fumbled attempt to catch it saw it spiral over my head and upwards. An instinctive leap upwards and with outstretched hand, I took it cleanly. But the fun wasn't over yet. I raced inside and tried to put it in a pot. Never easy to do getting a moth out of your closed hand in to a tiny viewing pot. And o surprise then that it took flight! Luckily I had the foresight to close the back door and it headed straight for the light. My next fear was that it would get stuck in one of the many spiders' webs, but luckily it finally landed, and once at rest I could see immediately that my initial suspicion was correct and this was indeed a Vestal - the first for more, for here and the third in Cambs today!

Other migrants caught here overnight (MV light) included a single Diamond-back Moth and two Dark Sword-grass.

© Steve Dudley | toadsnatcher.com

Diamond-back Moth

Diamond-back Moth, Farcet Fen, 11 Sept 06


I can't beleive how long I've had to wait for this little critter to turn up in the trap. And three turn up in two days. Hardly the easiest of things to photo either. I lost the other two before this one decided to play ball.

Pale Mottled Willow, Farcet Fen, 11 Sept 06

Small Blood-vein, Farcet Fen, 11 Sept 06

Blood-vein, Farcet Fen, 11 Sept 06

Light Emerald, Farcet Fen, 11 Sept 06

More Cambs moth on the Cambs Moth Gallery

Moth garden tick

Oak Hook-tip, Farcet Fen, 03 Sept 06

Another garden, Farcet Fen and 5-km square first - and not an oak tree in sight of the house. There are a couple of oaks on the fen, with a few more a Holme Fen just a couple of miles away.

Large Wainscot, Farcet Fen, 05 Sept 06
Another garden first!

Dark Sword-grass, Farcet Fen, 03 Sept 06

A few migrants still making it through.

Centre-barred Sallow, Farcet Fen, 03 Sept 06

Orange Swift, Farcet Fen, 03 Sept 06

© Steve Dudley | toadsnatcher.com

Spadger-basher

This young female Sparrowhawk is one of at least four birds being seen regularly around the house at present. A young male hasn't quite worked it out yet, and spend long periods sat in one or other of the trees (unfortunately out of view of the camera) and wonders why no birds come back to the feeders! Guess he didn't too well in his GCSEs!