747 (Strangers in the Night) - Saxon

We kick this Post off with what is surely something of a

Mile-Stone as far as the study of Moths in Dorset is concerned.

Prior to more recent records of

 BALSAM CARPET

 here at Parley Court Farm (images above) there had only been 2

'accepted records' for the County. With no evidence to hand it can only 

be presumed, that along with our previous 4 records, that both of  the
2007 specimens were of a 'First (or Spring) Generation'.

 In recent days this Insect has been taken and attributed to a

'Second (or Summer) Brood'

which should now be sufficient to endorse the theory that they are from 

Dorset's first known Breeding Colony

rather than Immigrants/Wanderers. 

Skinner notes in Moths of the British Isles

Double-brooded flying in May and June, and again from mid-July

to early September. Specimens of the second brood are darker in

appearance than those of the earlier Spring brood.
The 'first' Stranger in the Night!

Additionally, there is room for variation in all of the Moth species, some of which we catch from time to time, but it is unusual to find 3 examples of these varieties in a single trap. While the very common and numerous

 SQUARE-SPOT RUSTIC

is known to be an exceptionally variable creature, this image

might be considered to represent the archetype, so what chance

when we catch this

 Obscure Variant?

 Typical

MULLEIN WAVE

 with for comparison a far paler and less boldly marked example

which is in fact the First for the Property.

 The more usual specimen of

DARK ARCHES

alongside yesterday's catch which really had us flummoxed.

All 3 were sent for closer scrutiny proving yet another

useful learning curve of these
Strangers in the Night Link

Otherwise there were were a few that we did manage to suss ourselves.

 RED TWIN-SPOT CARPET 

 a beautifully marked

 GARDEN TIGER

 OLIVE

 and the usually common

LYCHNIS

While on the Micro front, if all were as easy as this we would proclaim

"Yes, We Do Micros".

 As far as

CARCINA QUERCANA

we didn't even have to open the fine, and recommended, 

Field Guide by

Sterling, Parsons and Lewington

as there it is adorning the front cover.

Otherwise, weather conditions over the past few days haven't

been ideal, with regular outbreaks of rain, gusty winds plus low

overnight temperatures, for Wildlifing (if indeed there's any such word)

but there's always 'something' to see.

First up, and found as we approached the gate to Merritown Heath, was

totally devoid of life but to look on the 'bright-side' there was a chance of a 

Stunning Photograph.

which didn't materialise of this

COMMON SHREW

At the gate there appeared what was almost certainly the same

female 

 BLACKCAP

 which graced the pages of the notebook during last week's

Bird Race Day.

Far more obliging, as were Butterflies which were represented by

 our first

GRAYLING

of the year along with

 male

 and female

COMMON BLUE

and the odd

BROWN ARGUS

Heading back to Gibbet's Firs there was a cacophony which could have been

attributed to a dozen Gulls, but no this was the voice of a single,

 juvenile

COMMON BUZZARD

harassing the parent birds 

for more groceries,
while among the Solar Panels it was left to other juveniles
to provide the interest, including

CHAFFINCH

PIED WAGTAIL
and one of just c3 remaining

LAPWING

While back at Harbins Farm House the young

 GREEN WOODPECKERs

 continue to wreak havoc 

on Hugh's beloved and meticulously tended

Lawn Tennis Court.

There were also a pleasing number of plants to be observed,

 mostly 'in bloom' with this

JACKDAW

shifting perch into the heart of a patch of

 SCENTLESS MAYWEED or CHAMOMILE

 The name however has always puzzled me as he/she who first described it 

to science must have been suffering from serious

'Olfactory Dysfunction'

 CREEPING CINQUEFOIL

 FIELD PANSY

MARSH WOUNDWORT

With Swallow 'overwintering' in parts of Great Britain for instance 

and Bee-eater 'breeding' in our northern Counties and elsewhere, it

is a brave (or more likely foolish) individual who would state "this or that

will never happen in Birding".

As keeper of a Species by Month List in Dorset, since the early days 

of my interest, I have to admit to a mild, self contained guilt on this matter.

Never in a thousand years could I have imagined that any of the Divers (Great Northern,

Black-throated or Red-throated) would grace all 12 months of the year, or for that matter

Red-necked, Slavonian or Black-necked Grebes, but the latter now has!

However, this achievement was not without quandary as to fulfil the mission

not only would it entail venturing 'off piste' but also a drive of some 2 miles to

LONGHAM LAKE
and the Sat Nav was playing up.

There, were found aplenty,

GREAT CRESTED GREBE

with their bizarre look young along with plenty of

LITTLE GREBE

but all collectively outnumbered by

TUFTED DUCKLINGS

© Bagsy

By chance, what is considered the returning bird from recent years,

turned up there on the last day of June, a day that coincided with a visit

for no other reason that a chance meeting with George Green to catch

up on recent events - we did meet.

The

BLACK-NECKED GREBE
stayed throughout July, although reportedly sometimes elusive, and into this month.
I have taken the precaution of '© Bagsy' these two images just in case someone
is tempted to blag them then run off to make their fortune by selling the rights.

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