Mainly Moths

Peach Blossom. This common but utterly gorgeous moth is a regular in the trap but it's always a thrill to see the first one each year.

All predictably quiet on the bird front still, with just 6 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 13 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Sandwich Terns and 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese off Mudbank. Eight Swifts were noted flying upriver. Thankfully there's plenty of other wildlife to enjoy, on the doorstep, so there's never a dull moment. The moth trap has provided plenty of variety but nothing particularly unusual...

European Corn-borer.

Silver-ground Carpet.

Four-dotted Footman.

Marbled White Spot. I frequently see these up on the local pebbled heaths, during the daytime, but they're a very irregular visitor to the garden.

Common Cudweed. I always pause to have a look this patch, growing on the edge of Blackhill Quarry. There's something about the Cudweeds that I just love. They have a distinctly architectural quality. A few yards away is the only patch of Small Cudweed I've ever found - not as striking looking but still very nice...

Small Cudweed.

Bog Asphodel - this stunning flower is now growing in profusion on the pebbled heaths. 

The majority of Early Marsh Orchids ( ssp pulchella) have gone over now but this one still looked pretty good.

Inlaid Grass-veneer Crambus pascuella.

July Belle.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary.

Still on its favored perch. A creature of habit!

Silver-studded Blue. Good numbers seen today, despite the overcast conditions.

Just two Dark-bellied Brent Geese remain off Mudbank.

Struggling with this distinctive little micro. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Edit - Garden Lance-wing Epermenia chaerophyllella - many thanks to Nick for the identification.

I think this could be Common Spotted x Heath Spotted Orchid.

Common Spotted Orchids at the entrance to Blackhill Quarry.

Ruddy Carpet.

Portland Ribbon Wave.

Thrilled to see this Coxcomb Prominent. I used to catch this classy species more regularly, when we lived out at Rockbeare. It's not a rare one but this is my first in our garden here, in Exmouth.