The moth trap finally improved somewhat this morning with 53 moths of 30 species. Best of all was The Suspected which was new for the garden. A couple of days ago I was also pleased with my second ever record of Variegated Golden Tortrix and the first for 13 years. Dungeness last week was very quiet with a few Hobbies providing the main interest.

The Suspected

Variegated Golden Tortrix

 Hobby on Dengemarsh

Since my last posting the trap has been a bit disappointing but I get a new micro Cochylis nana which is only 5mm in length. Much more successful was a Buttefly Conservation Walk yesterday morning near Crundale in search of the rare Black-veined Moth. Around 10 were seen by the group. Additional intersting sightings were: Mother Shipton, Burnett Companion, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Large Skipper, plus Red Kite, and Yellowhammer. I also saw a Hornet Moth at the usual site near Luddenham last week.

Black-veined Moth

Cochylis nana

 Hornet Moth

We've reached the end of another month and the moth trap has reached 82 species, which is 27 less than than the same stage last year. Not many interesting records recently, the best being a Puss Moth flushed in the garden while watering and The Miller, which was my first for 11years. Stag Beetles are regular in the garden at the moment.

The Miller

 Puss Moth

Stag Beetle

  

Moth trap still not producing much even though the nights have warmed up a bit in the last couple of days. Last week at Dunge we struggled to find much but did get a good view of the Serin singing at nearby Littlestone.

 Serin

Identified on a facebook site I have recorded another new species for the garden: Northern Drab. However, with not much else to report from home, here are another couple of pictures from my recent visit to Cape Verde.

 Northern Drab

Citrus Swallowtail

Portuguese Man O'War

I've not had a lot to report from the trap during the latter part of April. The Streamer and a couple of Muslin Moths were the only species new for the year. However, I recently had a week away in the Cape Verde Islands mainly to see seabirds. Some are pictured below. More will posted on my Flickr site in coming days.

 Cape Verde Shearwater

Red-billed Tropicbird

Brown Booby

Since my last post I've recorded 2 new species for the year in the moth trap: Brindled Beauty and best of all a Lead-coloured Drab which is new for the garden list. We had an interesting day at Dungeness yesterday. The Common Crane showed distantly from the entrance track to the RSPB Reserve and a number of spring migrants were noted: Willow Warbler, Wheatear, Black Redstart and  Sedge Warbler. A pair of Bearded Tits showed well from the ramp on the rererve. The Grey-backed Mining Bees were present near the Visitor Centre, and around a dozen Gorse Shieldbugs were noted around the site.

Lead-coloured Drab

 The Grey-backed Mining Bee

 Gorse Shieldbugs

Bearded Tit