Four-dotted Footman and Silver-studded Blue

Four-dotted Footman - Martin trapped two of these last night and very kindly popped them in for me to photograph, after work. Thank you Martin. According to 'Waring and Townsend' the larvae feed on algae and lichen on the stems of heathers, sallows and other woody plants. Another brand spanking new moth for me, and a long-awaited one too!

 

A few bits and pieces from the moth trap last night, but the highlight was a moth trapped by Martin - see above. Late this afternoon I spent twenty minutes in a favourite little clearing on the commons, that was heaving with butterflies and dragonflies. My target - Silver-studded Blue - a true stunner in the butterfly world. Bird-wise - still very little to report, but off Mudbank yesterday afternoon - 6 Sandwich Tern, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit and 5 Whimbrel.

 

Newly-emerged Silver-studded Blue

 

Treble Brown Spot - 4 or 5 of these last night.

Small Yellow Wave

Green Oak Tortrix

 

I think this is Hawthorn Moth Scythropia crataegella.

 

Golden-ringed Dragonfly

Keeled Skimmer

 

Black-tailed Skimmer - I'm crap on dragonflies so please correct me if I'm wrong. Lots present in a small clearing this afternoon. The only other one I recognised was Emperor dragonfly.

 

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - plenty of these found in a small area this afternoon, along with Silver-studded Blue, Large Skipper, Small Heath, Speckled Wood and Painted Lady.

Wasp or Bee species - help appreciated with this one please.

 

 

Marbled White Spot - a few of these in the clearing, along with a couple Grass Emeralds that wouldn't sit still long enough to have their photo taken.