Abbey Meadows

Abbey Meadows

Sunday 9 March 2014

Harwood Forest



Ruby Tiger moth caterpillar


First butterfly this year...Peacock in Harwood forest

A good walk around Harwood forest today. Fairly quiet on the bird front with a pair of Grey Wagtails deep in the forest which was a bit unusual. Only 2 Crossbills were seen and a female Goshawk was hunting low over a clearing near Hummel Knowe despite it being good displaying weather today. Looking for Shrikes in Harwood is becoming increasingly difficult as there are now huge areas of clear fell and the acreage seems to be getting larger each week and more mileage is needed to cover some of these areas.
Peacock butterfly on the wing among the Heather was my first butterfly this year and a Ruby Tiger moth caterpillar was crossing over the track near Redpath cottage.

Saturday 8 March 2014

Off the mark


Pale Brindled Beauty

Last night was the second week of the garden moth scheme. I drew a blank last week and I thought it might be the same last night as the temperature dropped at dusk. I was pleased with just one moth in the trap this morning. Last year it was April before I started catching moths due to the cold spring so Pale Brindled Beauty would have been too late to see last year. This is the first time I have seen this species.