Yes I know these are rather dull and brown but at the moment, we moth enthusiasts are very grateful for whatever we get! Actually, even the names of these individuals refer to their rather drab appearance. The one on the left is a Common Quaker, the one on the right is a Small Quaker. At the time these moths were given their English names, Quakers were well known for dressing in deliberately dull looking clothes.
This was my first Small Quaker this year and I have just looked back at my previous records revealing very clearly the effect of the prolonged cold weather on our moths. Over the past four years, my first date for recording a Small Quaker is 6th March 2009, 21st March 2010, 5th March 2011, 2nd March 2012 - quite a contrast with 7th April 2013!
One final wildlife treat for me today occurred on my little lunch time walk when I was treated with wonderful views of a Red Kite - my first sighting this year. It flew low, right over my head with the sunlight shining through its forked tail and then proceeded to wheel gracefully and slowly over the surrounding fields - beautiful!
J'envie parfois l'ensemble des papillons qui virevoltent de fleur en fleur... gros bisous
ReplyDeleteHi Martine, yes I wonder what it feels like to be able to fly? Gros bisous.
DeleteGreat to see the moths finally starting to arrive :) Interesting to see your first date recordings for Small Quaker too.
ReplyDeleteWell done on the Red Kite sighting - such beautiful birds :)
Thanks Ragged Robin, hopefully this weekend things will start improving even more :)
DeleteWell done Jerry! I know all you moth trappers have been (not surprisingly) finding it hard going so far. I always find the names as fascinating as the moths. Well done too on your lunchtime encounter with the magnificent Red Kite.
ReplyDeleteI was too slow to comment on your previous post but have just enjoyed it. Congratulations on the Little Gull. Lovely to see Thomas enjoying his Easter break and being rewarded with a lifer!
Thank you Jan, yes Thomas came home beaming and couldn't wait to tell everyone else about it.
DeleteHi Jerry!
ReplyDeleteLovely capture of this sweet "thing".
I realy love spring its the best time of the year.
Have a nice day!
/Ingemar
Thanks Ingemar, I agree with you, this is such an optimistic time with many lovely things reappearing.
DeleteHola Jerry. Estuvimos comentando sobre el tema de las polillas con mi esposa y llegamos a la conclusión de que son lo que en Mallorca se llaman "borinos". En las noches de verano si tienes las ventanas abiertas por el calor, es muy fácil que un animalito de estos se cuele por la ventana atraído por la luz. Revolotean y dan vueltas en torno a ésta y si apagas la luz se quedan quietas en algún rincón del techo. Normalmente suelen ser del color de la que pones en la foto. Pero ya te digo, suele ser en verano y con calor. Saludos y un abrazo.
ReplyDeleteHola Francesc. Yes it is the warm summer nights when I always get the most moths visiting my moth trap. Also especially when there is cloud cover and no moon visible. The most south I have ever been is when we camped once at Rosas near Sant Pere Pescador. In the wash-rooms I remember encountering the biggest moth I have ever seen! It was flapping around and annoying people and was the size of a bat! It annoyed me because it would not land anywhere, so I was unable to get a good look at it and possibly identify it!
DeleteGreat finds Jerry:) I haven't seen a moth so far this year, but had my first sighting of a bright orange or brick coloured Quaker moth a couple of years ago. What a treat to see the Red Kite in flight, you described your encounter so beautifully I could almost see it myself:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sonjia - glad you enjoyed the post.
DeleteGreat piccies Jerry. It's definitely been a cold one this year for all the poor creatues. Well done on seeing the red kite too. A favourite of mine to see in action.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura
DeleteWhat a treat to seeing the red kite in flight!!! This is when you need a quick camera to take their photo!! I'm sure its almost impossible...at least with my camera..LOL We don't have that bird where I live anyway!!!
ReplyDeleteand your first moth for the year...!! the warm weather is definitely coming!
Hilda, that was exactly my reaction when I saw it - yes I so wish I had my camera with me!!!
DeleteThanks for sharing your photos.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked them Karen, I have the trap out again tonight - hoping for a few more goodies!
DeleteHi Jerry
ReplyDeleteI can't seem to find your email address on your profile.
I just wanted to thank you so much for the lovely comment you left on my blog - and I'm so glad your daughter found it helpful too :0)
I would love to see her art work when she's finished!
I saw the first Butterfly of the year yesterday - it was bright orange with bright peacock spots on it - Sherlock noticed it before I did and was bouncing around it like a cat - most amusing, lol! Luckily he didn't touch it... he was just fascinated :0)
Hi Sandra, if I get Anna's permission I'll happily email you a few paintings from her project.
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