Fen Wainscot - trapped last night on the river Otter with Nick. This was one of a few Wainscot species we were hoping for - a reed bed specialist and a very smart moth, exhibiting a characteristic smooth texture to the wing and subtly different wing shape to the superficially similar Common Wainscot. Not much else trapped in quite cool conditions but Crescent was notable. A big thank you to Nick for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
A big thank you also to Roger and Liz Hamling and their daughter Clare. They took me to see this spectacular Pitcher Plant that has been thriving on the Pebbled Heaths for years now. I've seen these peculiar carnivorous plants on wildlife programmes but to watch one ruthlessly 'consuming' flies within a couple of miles from home was incredible. It's not entirely clear which species it is but it's thought likely to be a hybrid. Either way it's an amazing looking thing.
Small Red Damselfly - male.
Oblong-leaved Sundew
A big thank you also to Roger and Liz Hamling and their daughter Clare. They took me to see this spectacular Pitcher Plant that has been thriving on the Pebbled Heaths for years now. I've seen these peculiar carnivorous plants on wildlife programmes but to watch one ruthlessly 'consuming' flies within a couple of miles from home was incredible. It's not entirely clear which species it is but it's thought likely to be a hybrid. Either way it's an amazing looking thing.
Oblong-leaved Sundew
The pitchers are wonderful. There was a small colony on Chobham Common for many years but a couple of years back English Nature removed them as they were considered invasive in places like Ireland. When I visited a couple of weeks ago I noticed quite a few had returned. They never seem to spread much here but a lot drier in the south-west.
ReplyDeleteLast year saw plenty of small Red Damsels but didn't see any & was poor for Odonata but did see 3 Keeled Skimmers. Will return in 2 or 3 weeks time if the weather holds. Sadly rarely see White-legged around here these days.
Hi Neil. I don't think these Pitchers spread. There's just a couple small stands as far as I know. Apparently another patch of a smaller variety has gone.
ReplyDeleteThe White-legged Damsels seem to be very local down here. I've seen them in three paces this year but don't think they're widespread in the county. Good to hear from you as always. Please keep your eyes peeled for more plant mistakes. I'm keen to get them right. All the best. Matt