NORTH DOWNS & BEYOND

It's always a pleasure to find an Oak Beauty in the MV. On a chilly morning there was just this, a Hebrew Character and an as yet to be determined micro.

I put the MV out in the garden last night and had a modest, but welcome catch: Early Thorn (1), Red-green Carpet (1), March Moth (1), Double-striped Pug (5), Hebrew Character (3), Oak Beauty (2), Common Quaker (5), Early Grey (2), Oak Nycteoline (1), Emmelina monodactyla (3) and Acleris literana (1). One of the Oak Beauties was, as the name suggests, a beauty, so I couldn't pass up the chance to get a decent photograph of it. I placed the moth on the trunk of a tree and waited for it to settle. As I was doing so, I felt something land on my head. I was then was aware of something hovering an inch in front of my nose. And finally registered the Robin as it picked off the Oak Beauty and landed on the lawn not ten feet away where it proceeded to have a late breakfast. If I ever catch a scarce moth in the garden I take my pictures in an enclosed porch, mainly to insure against them flying off into the distance. I will now do so to stop Robins from mugging me. Shortly after tha...

At the base of the North Downs close to Ranmore Common is a small depression that has a magical feel to it. This place has a reason for being there, is hidden from most walkers and is a lost world. In summer it most probably has Bee-eaters feasting on rare insects above it; special plants such as Ground Pine growing on the disturbed chalk within it (possibly); and without doubt harbours plenty of moths to get the lepidopterists pulse to quicken (including the extinct Feathered Ear and Orange Upperwing). It has no name - until now. As the winner of the North Downs and Beyond quiz, this sacred place will forever be known as Sexton's Hollow. When I next visit I will take some pictures and fill you in on its history (and natural history). This morning moth trap was enlivened by two Oak Beauties, species number 19 for the year. Almost as ubiquitous as a photograph on natural history blogs as Wheatears!

A mild night with drizzle prompted me putting out the MV in the garden. A modest catch included Oak Beauty (top) and Twin-spotted Quaker (bottom).