News from the West

Aston Tirrold News

Fluked a few nationally scarce inverts in the garden in Aston Tirrold the last few weeks- went to release a "fly" trapped in our utility room and it turned out to be a Currant Clearwing Moth! Unclear where the food plant is, presumably in other gardens. Delighted- I don’t have a moth trap so might have to save up and get one to see what else is around.

Also one evening at dusk a male Stag Beetle crash landed on our shed and got itself stuck on some slippy plastic at the bottom - duly rescued, and hopefully romancing the lady stag beetles - lots of old trees along the stream in the village- need some more age ranges to keep this going though! Also saw (I think) a couple of Crescent Plume moths on Lollingdon south west corner amongst the flower rich area. I wondered about Yarrow Plume but when compared crescent looks most like it. Welcome to defer to someone's better knowledge though if you know this moth! Also spotted Lesser Stag Beetle near Blewburton Hill, and had a Beautiful Demoiselle in the garden.

Also a juvenile Tawny Owl chick was calling on the Lollingdon track track in woodland east of the Astons recreation ground.

Photos and information courtesy V. Gilson.

Stag Beetle
Lesser Stag Beetle
Currant Clearwing Moth
Beautiful Demoiselle
Plume Moth species (Yarrow or Tansy?)

Editor note: I did not realise there are approx 35 species of Plume Moth in the UK.


from Cholsey Wildlife https://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2020/06/news-from-west.html

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