Saturday 11 July 2015

Meds and Moths


At last a load of seaweed has been dumped on Exmouth Beach! With it have come the black-headed gulls and with them this morning, 3 mediterranean gulls. It was still before 6am when I took these photos so the light prevented me getting some really nice shots. The above bird is ringed - right leg - white darvic ring 32P1 and a metal ring on its left leg.
Also this morning, 2 pale phase arctic skuas showed really well, at times over the beach towards Orcombe Point and then over Dawlish Warren Beach or out in the bay. One adult and one presumed sub-adult.
The moth trap contained a nice variety of species this morning - the highlights being two Pyralids - Olive-tree Pearl and Madder Pearl - the latter a new species for me.
 


The non-ringed adult Mediterranean Gull. A first-summer bird was also on the beach this morning.


Adult Mediterranean Gull - 32P1


Sandwich Tern


Sycamore


Buff Ermine


Rosy Footman


Small Emerald


Dun-bar


Green Silver-lines


Sandy Carpet


Shark
 

Common/Lesser Common Rustic


 Wormwood Pug


Olive-tree Pearl Palpita vitrealis - a smart-looking immigrant species.


Scarce or Hoary Footman and Common Footman


July Highflyer


Madder Pearl Mecyna asinalis - a new Pyralid for me and, I think, quite a scarce one.


A well-marked Uncertain


Grey Pug

 
Brown-tail
 
 
This moth played dead for ages before allowing me to photograph it in a resting posture. The brown hairs on its abdomen are an extreme irritant. It covers its eggs in them for protection. I was extremely careful not to get any on me.

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