This spectacular emperor moth turned up in the moth trap on the Monday 16th mothing session at the park. This is a large moth with a wingspan over three inches and is beautifully patterned with great big false eyes on its wings. This is a female emperor and the first time an adult has been seen on the Island. Its' discovery in the trap was greeted with much rubbing of the hands with glee, as I've been looking forward to seeing one close up.I managed to find an old photo of an emperor caterpillar which I took years ago in the park and discovered it was dated 1986, so I've had to wait 20 years to find the adult moth!
The moth was reluctant to show its hind-wings but eventually it flashed them open to reveal another pair of big eyes. It was stunning enough to bring the local moth twitchers to the park to tick it off before releasing it the next day. The emperor moth is related to the moths whose caterpillars spin the silk.
Another interesting moth found was this pebble prominent presumably named after the large circular pattern on each wing resembling a pebble. There should be several more sightings this year of this moth.
Although the emperor made the evening a success, there were more moths and species on show. Nearly 40 moths of 15 species included brimstone, spectacle, shoulder stripe, common carpet, blossom underwing, angle shades as well as those that have been regular over the last fortnight.
The park pond is looking very spring-like with trees in flower and lots of waterfowl sitting on nests. There are four species of willow tree hanging over the water each with a different appearance and colour of catkins and fresh leaves. There is crack willow, white willow, weeping willow and goat willow in this photo.
Glyn Evans did his monthly walk from the park along the north side of the Island and recorded peregrine over the park, pair of avocets, 3 whimbrel, spotted redshank and Mediterranean gull near Reeveshall, a great northern diver off West Mersea and along the walk five lesser whitethroats.
He was able to tell me he had seen the rare oil beetle on the Strood seawall, which I have been looking out for in recent days.
Another interesting moth found was this pebble prominent presumably named after the large circular pattern on each wing resembling a pebble. There should be several more sightings this year of this moth.Although the emperor made the evening a success, there were more moths and species on show. Nearly 40 moths of 15 species included brimstone, spectacle, shoulder stripe, common carpet, blossom underwing, angle shades as well as those that have been regular over the last fortnight.
The park pond is looking very spring-like with trees in flower and lots of waterfowl sitting on nests. There are four species of willow tree hanging over the water each with a different appearance and colour of catkins and fresh leaves. There is crack willow, white willow, weeping willow and goat willow in this photo.Several pairs of waterfowl were on the pond today with 2 pairs of tufted duck, pair of shoveler, pair of gadwall, two pairs of mallard, pair of ruddy duck, pair of swans, two pairs of little grebe, four pairs of coot and about three pairs of moorhens. It is a busy little pond and perfect for breeding waterfowl.
Glyn Evans did his monthly walk from the park along the north side of the Island and recorded peregrine over the park, pair of avocets, 3 whimbrel, spotted redshank and Mediterranean gull near Reeveshall, a great northern diver off West Mersea and along the walk five lesser whitethroats.
He was able to tell me he had seen the rare oil beetle on the Strood seawall, which I have been looking out for in recent days.
1 comment:
Nice to know that the local wildlife updates are being appreciated in the sub-continent!
-Dougal
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