Moths in Early Spring

After a very slow start to the year with regard to moth numbers attracted to the garden moth-trap, the mild and sunny weather over the last couple of weeks has seen a modest increase in their numbers. 

As is usual with moth-trap catches at this time of year, the great majority of moths attracted to the light are of the Orthosia family. They quickly become warn and uninteresting with age but are rather smart when freshly emerged.

Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)

Small Quaker (Orthosia cruda)

Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi)

Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)

Early Grey (Xylocampa areola)

Oak Beauty (Biston strataria)

Small Brindled Beauty (Apocheima hispidaria)

Streamer (Anticlea derivata)

Hibernators Awaken

 Although hibernating butterflies can be tempted from their winter slumber on any mild and sunny day during late winter, there is nothing like a prolonged spell of warm sunny weather in early spring, to bring them out in multiple numbers.

Such has been the case over the last couple of weeks and I have spent as much time sitting and watching butterfly activity as I have labouring in the wood, hacking away at rhododendron roots.

Here are some images of our four common hibernaters in Britain.

Peacock (Aglais io)

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) (male)

A Tangle of Toads

A few days ago I visited one of my local National Trust properties where I am guaranteed to find plenty of  toad activity in the garden pond during March.

The main entertainment occurs when males tangle with each other in order to gain prime mating position on the back of the female. The successful male forms an almost unbreakable clasp with his forelegs around the chest of the female.

Common Toad (Bufo bufo)