All posts by Pete Smith

Mothing Night – 21st May 2010

May 26, 2010Uncategorizedinsects, Moth night, Moth trapping, MothsPete Smith

After a cold National Moth Night, where Netherfield Lagoons did very well compared with many venues that only recorded 1 or 2 specimens, I was itching to set the trap up in warmer conditions. The first warm night, namely Wednesday, was brilliant by all accounts. So a quick email and another session was arranged for Friday. Fortunately 4 people picked it up.

We had one light operating and decided to trap between the slurry lagoon and the Deep Pit first ,close to where we caught the Emperor Moth . As it was going dark a large moth drift through the grass and Rob caught it. Yes it was the female Emperor Moth again! As the night when on we were swamped with Caddisfly including a few large Sedge Flies. As it grew darker they were joined by Common Swift, Common Wave and Brown Silverlines. A large Cockchafer flew in and showed its remarkable antennae. As it was becoming difficult to breathe without inhaling midges and caddisfly we decided to move the trap along the western edge of the Deep Pit. At around 10:30 the moths came in, starting Green Carpet, Flame Shoulder, Spectacle and Shuttle-shaped Dart. All species we had previously caught, however new species appeared including a lovely fresh Powdered Quaker and White Spotted Pug all marsh species, Elephant Hawkmoth, a gorgeous Treble-Bar, Bloodvein, Campion, Garden Carpet, Lime-specked Pug.

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As it is important to choose the right evenings I will post the nights up on the website a day or two before, so please keep your eyes open. If you don’t have internet access but would like to come let me know your phone number and I will phone you beforehand. You can contact me on 9893197.

Look forward to seeing you there. Craig.

Brown Argus – 25th May

May 25, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsBrown Argus, Common Buzzard, orchidsPete Smith

The Deep Pit bank, facing the railwayline had good numbers of Common Blues showing today and amongst them were one or two Brown Argus. All four orchid species are visible but the cold weather last month has delayed their flowering a little. A small blue flower with iris shaped leaves that could be Blue Eyed Grass Sisyrinchium bermudiana, was also found. PS.

National Moth Night 15th May 2010

May 16, 2010Uncategorized2010, Bats, Emperor Moth, May, Moth trapping, Moths, National Moth NightPete Smith

National Moth Night is a yearly event where, all over the UK, people go out and light up the sky and identify the moths in their local area. The date of the National Moth Night varies each year, as does the purpose of the night. Sometimes it targets a specific species during their flight times or a change in general distribution. This year it has been about moths and their predators: bats.

Moths, like butterflies, like to fly in warm and calm conditions. After a chilly weeks weather, Saturday had been reasonably pleasant and warm. We arrived at 8pm and the sky was clearing with a fairly strong breeze. It is always relaxing to watch the sun set to a chorus of Sedge Warblers and Cuckoo. A party of Common Tern came into roost and a Peregrine skimmed through at dusk across the Deep Pit.

We had two lights operating and decided to trap between the Slurry Lagoon and the Deep Pit. One trap on the junction between the track between the two pits and the outer path and the other a little along the track between the two pits. Lights went on about 9:10 and activity was slow at first, although three to four Noctule Bats hunted over the Slurry Lagoon. While I stayed with the equipment the group walked to the River Trent where Daubenton’s Bats and probably Soprano Pipistrelle Bats were feeding.

Before long the first moth appeared, luckily caught as it was just about to disappear. A lovely fresh Waved Umber, whose food-plant is Privet and Lilac. Then came the very variable Shuttle-shaped Dart with Rusty Shoulder Knot. A lovely male Pale Tussock was then followed by a cracking fresh Mullein Moth. This species feeds on Mullein and Figwort. Then came a fresh Green Carpet and the dashingly dark Spectacle, a moth you need to look head on at to see its large two pale disks below a quiff of hairs!

Activity around new Robinson trap had appeared to be quiet but to our delight, sitting just below the bulb was the star moth of the night, a lovely female Emperor Moth, the UK’s largest moth. Although the caterpillars have been found in the past, until now, no one had seen the adult. Camera phones were used to capture this event.

Although only a few yards away the Robinson trap yielded completely new moths. In addition to the Emporer Moth, a stunning male Lime Hawkmoth, a lovely Pebble Prominent and a Flame Shoulder.

At midnight the group made its way home under the stars to the back drop of a reeling a Grasshopper Warbler, all very satisfied at seeing this new aspect of Netherfield Lagoons.

As we have new mothing gear I hope to arrange a number of mothing evenings throughout the year and I hope members and their friends and family will join us. All you need is a torch, warm clothing and seat to sit on. As it’s important to choose the right evenings, I will post the nights up on the website a day or two before, so please keep your eyes open. If you don’t have internet access but would like to come let me know your phone number and I will phone you beforehand. You can contact me on 9893197.

Look forward to seeing you there. Craig Howat.

Emperor Moth – 15th May – National Moth Night

May 16, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, Emperor Moth, May, Moths, National Moth Night, sightingsPete Smith

A Common Sandpiper was seen on the river this evening and three to four Noctules were seen flying over the Slurry Lagoon. In the dusk a Peregrine swooped into the Deep Pit, upsetting the Common Terns, and a Soprano Pipistrelle was identified beside the river. The moth traps attracted about eleven species, which included Emperor, Lime Hawk, Waved Umber, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Pebble Prominent and Mullein. PS.

Whimbrel – 14th May

May 14, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsCommon Terns, Grasshopper Warbler, Hobby, Turtle Dove, WhimbrelPete Smith

A Whimbrel flew, calling, over the site this afternoon and a distant Hobby was seen. The Common Terns were very aggressively driving the Carrion Crows away from the precincts of the Deep Pit and a Turtle Dove flew very quickly through the site. One Grasshopper was reeling on the Deep Pit bank. PS.

Hobby – 4th May

May 4, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 4th May, birds, Buzzard, cuckoo, Hobby, SwallowPete Smith

A Hobby paid the Swallows by the railway bridge a brief visit this afternoon. They saw it coming and mobbed it until it flew away, all calling noisily until it went. A nearby Buzzard was similarly mobbed by a noisy Rook. A Cuckoo called from the Deep Pit posts and all the warblers except Lesser Whitethroat could be heard singing. PS.

Osprey – 3rd May

May 3, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsGarden Warbler, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, SwiftPete Smith

This morning an Osprey was seen flying through the site, along the river, persued by gulls. IB. Ten Garden Warblers were heard singing. PS.

In the early afternoon the female Marsh Harrier returned to the site and dropped into a reed bed. A Hobby was seen and about 200 Swifts went through. RW.

Marsh Harrier – 2nd May

May 2, 2010Recent wildlife sightings12th March, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, cuckoo, Garden Warbler, kingfisher, Kittiwake, Marsh Harrier, Swift, WhimbrelPete Smith

This morning a female Marsh Harrier was watched for nearly an hour as it hunted over the Slurry Lagoon. It very nearly caught a Moorhen, which had to dive repeatedly to escape and was saved in the end by an angry Coot. Several times the Harrier settled in the reed bed and was still there when I left. A Cuckoo sang from the Deep Pit posts and at least three Garden Warblers were also singing. (All ten breeding species of warbler can be heard.) On the river a Common Sandpiper and two Kingfishers were seen and possibly another two were heard and the tern rafts are occupied by up to ten terns. PS.

The Marsh Harrier was still present late morning, showing very much the same behaviour as earlier, and 25 Swifts were seen. In the early afternoon a Kittiwake flew through to the east and a Whimbrel to the north east and at least 120 Swifts passed through. RW.

Hobby – 26th April

April 26, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 26th April, birds, Brimstone, Buzzard, Common Tern, Hobby, Kestrel, Orange Tip., Sparrowhawk, Stoat, SwiftPete Smith

This afternoon there were twelve Common Terns on the tern rafts. A flock of around fifty Swifts drifted high over the reserve and a Hobby alarmed the Swallows by the railway bridge, other raptors were two Buzzards, two Kestrels and two Sparrowhawks. There were several butterflies about, including Brimstone and Orange Tip and a Stoat was running up the Deep Pit bank, following a trail, its tail held high. PS.

Swift – 23rd April

April 23, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 23rd April, birds, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Grasshopper Warbler, SwiftPete Smith

Two Swifts were seen this morning, flying over the site, eight Common Terns were seen over the Deep Pit, some already in pairs and more Grasshopper Warblers have arrived, there are up to seven males present now and some females have arrived. PS.