LIVING THE WILD-LIFE

Thursday 24th was party night for members of the local Mersea Wildlife Forum at Cudmore Grove Country Park. We know how to have a good time while we watch our wildlife - washing down various snacks with a glass of shiraz.
The local rabbits came out in their usual waves from the long grass to indulge in their own evening party, snacking on the green grass.

This is the only outdoor meeting of the Wildlife Forum held during the year and 24 members had to endure a leisurely evening stroll around the park to build up an appetite. We saw a couple of red admirals catching the late evening sun, a couple of skylarks pouring their rich songs out as tiny pin-pricks high in the sky, the swan family with cygnets, ruddy duck, tufted ducks and mallard with three ducklings. Sadly neither of the two nightingales sang for us although one did call out repeatedly and a few of us managed to catch a brief glimpse of a fox cub dashing for cover.
The warm sunshine earlier in the day brought out several butterflies such as this pretty holly blue with its ice cold blue colour to the underwings. Speckled wood, peacock, orange-tip, small heath and small white were some of the other butterflies seen. Few dragonflies have been seen so far although there was a second sighting of a black-tailed skimmer flying low over the grass.

Back to Thursday evening. After the last of the members of the Forum left, the moth trap was set out in my back garden in cloudy, warm and still conditions - perfect for moths. In fact it was the best night for variety so far this year and by the time the light was switched off at 4.15am, 37 species of "macro-moths" totalling 120 individuals had been noted. The highlights as usual were the big boys - two poplar hawkmoths and 8 cream-spot tigers. Also of note were oak hook-tip, pale tussock, silver-Y, white ermine,Shoulder-striped wainscot, common marbled carpet, blood vein, clouded sliver, white-point, 20 marbled minors, snout, willow beauty, common wave, shears, sandy carpet and treble lines.

This moth below has an easy way to remember the name as the white scribbled mark on its wing has given it the name, figure of eighty - as if it has been branded on.
This lively but eye-catching little moth below has the long name, cream-bordered green pea. The green colour makes it stand out from the other moths but amongst the foliage it is perfectly camouflaged. I think this is the first record for the Island.