#indoorstoomuch

So with Hawky obtaining his C permit he needed a place to start, so i offered up the garden. For the last two Sunday mornings we've put nets up. Last Sunday was a bit to windy, the net was moving a lot but will still managed to trap and process 5 birds. Today was better so the main net a 60ft 3 panel was placed along with this time a smaller 20ft 3 panel. The main net travels from the grass nearest the house and heads straight towards the back. It finishes with about a third of the garden remaining. The last net we placed across a small fly way to the back left on the diagonal. This morning was a lot better, we had some escapes this morning but they were soon getting caught. Another 5 birds processed this morning. We even had our first re-trap although its not counted. The Blue Tit was released and about an hour and half latter was back in the net. I must admit to thoroughly enjoying it and can easily see myself training but not just yet life's too busy. Hawky doin...

This RN Keet spent some time in the garden this morning. Both through glass.

I spent some time with Mike Reed on Sunday morning whilst he visited Harrow Lodge Park. Another 6 birds processed within the hour. It was good to see them up close, although you get a pretty close view with a loaf of bread over there regardless. I took a count on his behalf of the two lakes; 77 Adult birds, 44 sub adult.

Common Quaker #73.244 (B&F 2187) A new season and its always great to see the moths when their fresh; this one has particularly light/bright   oval and kidney marks  along with marks down by the outermost cross line to the outer edge. Three Common Quaker trapped last night but over the course of the next few weeks numbers will increase as this moth is second on the numbers scale each year for the garden. Common Quaker 06/02/2016

(B&F 1044x) Two species that really requires dissection and examination of the genitalia are   Acleris ferrugana  and  Acleris notana .  As such this has been recorded as an aggregate. I am however favouring A.ferugana as this likes an Oak food source, A.notana prefers Birch. No Birch in sight of the garden trapping area however a 100 year old + Oak resides next door.

Winter Mothing is more relaxed than peak season; instead of having to sift your way through up to 150 moths pre work (and that's low, some of the country boys hit up to a 1000) you get one here and there. 2016 is off to a good start. January - Dotted Border February  - Hebrew Character & Pale Brindled Beauty The Pale Brindled Beauty is a new record for the garden as well. Pale Brindled Beauty