We've always been proud of our sunrises and sunsets on Mersea. Now the word is out and the recent Sunday Times article listed a Mersea sunrise as the number 98th way to make this summer memorable. "See The Sun Rise - on the beach at Mersea Island, near Colchester, Essex with a flask of hot tea."This dramatic sky pictured above, greeted me when I rose early at 4.45am as I checked the moth trap. It seemed as if the sky couldn't decide whether to give us a nice sunny day or more miserable skies. The clouds low down reflected a deep red glow contrasting with shades of grey and black higher up. A few minutes later the bright red orb beamed out setting the tone for blue skies all day.
The milder and drier end to Thursday inspired me to put out a second moth trap with the result being a very productive night. Sixty moths of about thirty four species has been the best evening so far this year. Even the little pipistrelle bats were watched at about 1 am swooping low after incoming moths, without any luck.
Star moth was this spectacular large Eyed-hawkmoth which was first spotted fluttering along the ground towards the light. It is a bit shy about showing off its' best feature - the brillantly marked and colourful hindwings,each with a large blue"eye".
In the daylight the moth stands still as it imitates some loose bark, holding its wings at a very unnatural angle to its body, as in the photo below. Most moths tuck their wings up close to the body, helping them to remain compact and inconspicuous.The poplar hawkmoth was also seen again and like the eyed-hawk, it too holds its wings stiffly out.
Two cream-spot tiger moths came in early in the evening and this one obliged by holding open its wings, whilst resting inside the trap. The black and yellow tiger markings show up well.
Other new moths for the year included pale tussock, pale oak beauty, common swift, pale brocade, pearly underwing, clouded border, green carpet, flame, cabbage, nutmeg and lime-speck pug.
Mersea can still do colourful fields of wild flowers - although you have to be quick to spot them!This blanket of yellow just north of the country park is beaked hawksbeard taking over a grass field. The flowers are at their most striking when the sun shines on them in the morning. The warm weather brought out about a dozen small heath butterflies along the edge of the field.
This saltmarsh pool near East Mersea Point seems to offer some good feeding for waders and it was a pleasant surprise to see two pairs of avocets feeding in the pool. Standing up to their bellies, the birds swept their curved bills from side to side in a sort of synchronised feeding. It would be nice if they stayed around and thought about nesting for the first time here.At the park pond, it is difficult trying to keep tabs on all the young wildfowl around. Are all the youngsters present in each brood and are there any fresh broods newly appeared? Mallard ducklings have dwindled to five from thirteen whilst female ruddy duck, tufted duck and pochard, still have plenty of time to raise their families.
Two mistle thrushes got very agitated over the presence of a male sparrowhawk in the area and soon chased it off. A willow warbler singing was probably a migrant just stopping off, while the nightingale continues to sing loudly from the car park.
Butterflies in the park of note were a pair of green hairstreaks tussling with each other in the car park, the first common blue by the hide as well as the usual peacock, speckled wood, small white, green-veined white and large white.
