GARDEN VISITOR SPOTTED

A spotted flycatcher turned up unexpectedly at the bird table in the garden of Michael and Sarah Thorley near Meeting Lane on Wednesday 22nd. The bird was watched for about twenty minutes when these two photos were taken by Michael before it disappeared.

The previous day two spotted flycatchers were seen by Martin Cock on Tuesday 21st at the bottom of Meeting Lane, not too far from Michael's garden, so presumably the same birds involved. On Thursday evening a spotted flycatcher was seen in the same area by Steve Entwistle.

A hobby was seen by Michael flying over the fields between Weir Farm and Meeting Lane on Wednesday 22nd. A hobby was also seen flying east over the fields near Bromans Lane on Wednesday. In the country park 2 willow warblers were with ten long-tailed tits, also 20 goldfinches gathering to roost in the evening and also a Mediterranean gull flew past.

A red squirrel was seen first thing at the park in trees near the car park on Wednesday 22nd. It was watched scuttling along the branches, and fortunately I had my camera to hand. It paused to stare down and seemed very upset at my presence, with loud tutting and tail flicking. It quickly turned back and ran back along the branches. Possibly the same red squirrel was seen again the next morning on Thursday whilst I was kneeling down to check the moth trap. I stayed still to watch it pass unhindered through the trees just a few metres from me. It headed down the park hedgeline towards the cliff-top trees.

Just after nightfall on Thursday 23rd a brown hare was seen trotting along East Road near the allotments.

One of the highlights from three moth trap sessions at the country park recently has included this very smart peach blossom with pink blotches on the wings.
Nearly 60 species of macro were logged on Monday 20th totalling nearly 400 individuals in two traps. Large thorn, sharp-angled peacock, maple prominent, dark swordgrass, coronet, L-album wainscot, and still lots of sandhill rustics were the main species of note.

One of the brightly marked blood-vein moths resting in the grass.

This neatly patterned orange sallow was the first one for the season.

Several light emeralds have been visiting the moth trap in recent evenings.

The very large great silver beetle was crashing about the moth trap, the second one this year after one in April at the moth trap.