Andrew M Allport
@amallport
Birds, Moths, Dragonflies and all things natural plus travel.
NI Moth from the garden last night, Driffield, East Yorkshire. A scattering of other migrants Rusty Dot Pearls, Diamond-back Moths, Rush Veneers as well as 2nd Celypha rosaceana and 5th Ancylosis oblitella for this year. @doublekidney.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
Heavy rain and 242 Large Yellow Underwing was a challenge this a.m. Ancylosis oblitella(Saltmarsh Knot-horn), Vestal, + 'rhubarb and custard' Oncocera semirubella(Rosy Knot-horn) was worth some soggy egg boxes. @doublekidney.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
Oak Lutestring, one of ten that were attracted to light at a site in North Yorkshire VC62. Extremely rare here in Yorkshire although there seems to be a reasonable population at this one site. #teammoth @doublekidney.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
After heavy rain showers in the morning, a nice and close Cory's Shearwater @flamboroughbird.bsky.social came through early afternoon. with 3 LT Skuas, 7 Roseate Terns, Great Shearwater in the evening and masses of Terns plus others it was a pleasant full day sea-watch.
As is often the case good temperatures and rain after dark was productive for moths. Driffield, East Yorkshire. Striped Hawk-moth the best. Migrants included another Cydia amplana, Bordered Straw, lots of S ocellatella, R D Pearl, Rush Veneer. @doublekidney.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Saltmarsh Plume - Agdistis bennetii from the garden Driffield, East Yorkshire a few days ago. #teammoth @doublekidney.bsky.social
Mompha miscella(Rock-rose Mompha) came to light in the garden, Driffield, East Yorkshire. Majority of the few Yorkshire records are mines/larval. No previous adults recorded in VC61. I know of one other VC61 adult this year, a few weeks ago near Filey. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social #teammoth
A presumed migrant Cydia amplana(Rusty Acorn Piercer) to light in the garden Driffield, East Yorkshire last night. Only 6 VC61 records and a total of 10 in Yorkshire up to this year, the last one in 2019. #teammoth @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @doublekidney.bsky.social
Saltmarsh Plume (Agdistis bennetii) @flamboroughbird.bsky.social VC61 yesterday. Very few records away from the Spurn area in Yorkshire although there have been a few inland also in the last few days. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social #teammoth @doublekidney.bsky.social
A nice selection of butterflies yesterday @flamboroughbird.bsky.social Gatekeeper - still scarce here and only very small numbers regular at a specific site, Painted Lady and White Letter Hairstreak. Despite a cooling northerly breeze, shelter held 15 species of butterfly. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
Agonopterix rotundella, the Ashen Buff, a Nationally scarce moth, one Yorkshire record in 1986. Last year I found one at the same location as the first, Flamborough Head. Yesterday I found another, same place @flamboroughbird.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social #teammoth @doublekidney.bsky.social
The very smart Tree Lichen Beauty from my Driffield Garden, East Yorkshire last night. Not too many records further north (yet). Pearly Underwing and 2 Least Carpet (That's 3 now, after the first for the garden last week) amongst 86 species. #teammoth @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
1/8000 second not quite fast enough to freeze the wing tips on this Hummingbird Hawk Moth this morning @flamboroughbird.bsky.social here feeding on Spear Thistle. #teammoth @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
One of 29 Archer's Dart we recorded at Ganton Golf Club, Scarborough from Friday night. A cracking looking moth and rare in Yorkshire away from Spurn and this general area. The sandy heath habitat around the fairways favouring the species. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social #teammoth
A very busy mothing session at Ganton Golf Club, near Scarborough VC61 on Friday produced 156 species. Here are just a few of the smart looking micros recorded. Celypha rosaceana ,Lozotaeniodes formosana, Ptycholomoides aeriferana and Rhyacionia pinicolana @bcyorkshire.bsky.social #teammoth
A close up crop of yesterdays Norfolk Hawker @flamboroughbird.bsky.social East Yorkshire. Those pale green eyes and yellow frons really shine out in the right light. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
Norfolk Hawker (Green-eyed Hawker) today @flamboroughbird.bsky.social A first for the area with few but slowly increasing records in Yorkshire. With 40+ Red veined Darter, 100+ Ruddy Darter + 8 other Odanata spp it was fairly lively today #dragonflies @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
Anyone not into moths would be forgiven for thinking this wasn't even a moth. The rather smart Stathmopoda pedella (Alder Signaller)and it's peculiar habit of elevating it's middle legs. Came to light in Driffield, East Yorkshire. VC61 @bcyorkshire.bsky.social #teammoth
One of a number of Spined Mason Bees (Osmia spinulosa) collecting pollen on the underside of the abdomen here on Thistles @flamboroughbird.bsky.social the other day. An interesting species that nests in old snail shells. @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
A fresh L-album Wainscot from @flamboroughbird.bsky.social last night, East Yorkshire, amongst 109 species to MV and LED light. Very rare in Yorkshire. This was a very fresh looking, pristine one. @doublekidney.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
Around 30+ Heath Fritillary very active and occasionally obliging in the warm sun yesterday, Cornwall. Lots of Painted Lady and a single Clouded Yellow also. @savebutterflies.bsky.social #Cornwall #lepidoptera #butterflies
Another quiet morning for birds @flamboroughbird.bsky.social but a singing Quail added some interest and there was a bit of cuteness overload as well.
It's not just about identification, the scarcities and rarities. I photographed this Small Elephant Hawk Moth @flamboroughbird.bsky.social the other day and realised you can see the frenulum & retinaculum quite clearly if you zoom in. Look it up - it's fascinating. #teammoth @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
Despite the strong breeze there were quite a few 'Dragons and Damsels' today @flamboroughbird.bsky.social This was one of four Hairy Dragonflies showing us why it's got that name.
Near gale cold northerly wind @flamboroughbird.bsky.social today not very conducive to finding any migrants but this male Black Redstart has been around for a few days now.
Tawny Pinion, quite scarce in Yorkshire, from last night in the garden Driffield, East Yorkshire. Also a smart looking Pine Beauty. Warm temperatures and late rain worked well for a few migrants which included 7 Silver Y, Angle Shades, 2 Small Mottled Willow. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth
At last a decent temperature last night here in Driffield, East Yorkshire. 72 moths of 32 species incl 5 species of prominent, 3 species of Pug, 2 Seraphim, 4 Chocolate Tip, Orange Footman and a rather unexpected Small Mottled Willow (photo). @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @doublekidney.bsky.social
Another shot of one of the two Red Rumped Swallows that appeared briefly @flamboroughbird.bsky.social yesterday. Preening vigorously and ruffling its feathers before they both had a fly around and drifted away to the south.
A pleasant day today @flamboroughbird.bsky.social with good numbers of Hirundines as well as Hooded Crows, Marsh Harriers and Whimbrel on the move. Rounded off by two smart Red Rumped Swallows which appeared late afternoon close to the lighthouse.
Not every day you get to photograph a bat during the daytime. This apparent Daubenton's Bat was flying around @flamboroughbird.bsky.social early afternoon yesterday. Here's a sequence of shots to show it taking insects off the water. Click on images to expand. @batconservation.bsky.social