SOUND OF SPRING

The moth trap was closely examined early on Saturday 15th, revealing a reasonable catch. Only five species but at least 120 moths were found either in the trap or resting up amongst the grass nearby. This one pictured above was the most striking, the fairly frequent oak beauty, which should be the first of several of this species, to turn up over the next month.

The most numerous moths were the common quaker and the hebrew character, both with about 40 moths of each. Quite a few small quakers and a dozen or so March moths were also in or around the trap in my back- garden in the country park.

The most welcome sound at the park today was the little chiffchaff, singing heartily from bushes near the pond. This is the first summer migrant to make it back from Africa and over the next few weeks, the mass influx of other migrant birds will be taking place.
During the walk round the park in the afternoon, a second chiffchaff was seen feeding beside one of the paths. It was very confiding at one point, perching in branches just above me, pumping its tail, occasionally calling whilst busily feeding on lots of small flies.


This section of the beach near the Point shows the damage done by recent high tides. The sea has eaten into the vegetation and ripped out the plants exposing the roots here of the sea sandwort, leaving it looking like great piles of spaghetti.

No sign of any late snow buntings or early wheatears on the beach. The Colne was quiet too with only a couple of great crested grebes seen.