Watching British Dragonflies - it's here!

Well, its taken us over a decade, but today Caroline, Andy and myself are celebrating the publication of our long-awaited book - Watching British Dragonflies!

You can see it at the Birdfair this weekend!

Lesser Stag Beetle

The highlight of my National Moth Night was not a moth, but two Lesser Stag Beetles which I have never seen in the garden before.

National Moth Night

My first ever contribution to National Moth Night, and although pulling out all the stops (MV light, actinic light, wine syrup and patrolling flowering plants) I only managed 37 macro species (143 indidivuals). By mighnight, the wine syrup rags and spots had drawn in 18 species, eight of which I failed to catch in the two light traps, so this was well worth the effort.

15w actinic light trap

160w MV light trap

Only the second Copper Underwing I have caught here

A Herald at a wine syrup wrag

Woodwalton darters

Ruddy Darter, male Common Darter, female.

More moths

Another rather poor catch last night (only 75 individuals of 25 macro species). But amongst them where some rather nice commoner moths including these three.

Dog's Tooth, 8 August 2007, Farcet Fen
This is one of my favourite moths. I just love what I call the 'Warrior Mask' markings - dig those fangs!

Green Carpet, 8 August 2007, Farcet Fen.
A common species, I caught five last night, but this is a real cracker - the best-marked one I have seen this year.

Wormwood Pug, 8 August 2007, Farcet Fen.
One of the easier pugs! This one was huge, even larger than the Bordered Pug on the same carton (which unfortunately winged its way to feedon before I could pot it for a photo!).

Twin-spotted Wainscot

Caught at light, 6 August 2007.

This is only my second record of this local species, the first was on 9 August last year - only three days out! Also caught the same date as David caught one at Earith.

White-line Dart - new for the fen

Caught at light, 4 Aug 2007

This was the first of two White-line Darts caught on 2 & 4 Aug. A new species for mew, the fen and VC29sw.

Rosy Footman

Rosy Footman, Farcet Fen, 21 July 2007

I caught this cracking moth the other weekend when Liz and I had a coupleof friends over from Germay staying with us - Jurgen (a very German name) and Elizabetta (a not so German name cos she's one of those nice Italian ladies). I think they find me very amusing in general, but they certainly thought I was seriously amusing when they witnessed the joyous reaction of pulling a Rosy Footman from the moth trap. Well, it was a first for me and only the 49th record for Hunts! Thats exciting enough, but doubly so in a crap summer!