Visitors

I was washing up when I first spotted this juvenile Green Woodpecker on the lawn. I didn't have my glasses on, and for a split-second I wondered what on earth the big grey thing hopping on the grass was...

Green Woodpecker (juvenile)

The other news from the garden is that the rabbits seem to be getting smaller, and cuter:

We've also been trapping moths again. Last night was quite good - warm, dry and fairly still.

Leopard Moth

We're just putting the trap out at weekends at the moment, as we're so slow to identify the contents that getting the moths done before going to work would be a real challenge!

Being almost total beginners is really interesting. Though there are a few common species that are easy to ID, we're still having to look in the book to check many things. I'm sure we're making lots of mistakes - species like The Uncertain and rustics are proving a bit problematical. It's very tempting to just open the book, find what the moth looks most like, and say, 'well, it's one of those!'

On the other hand, we've had some pleasingly distinctive beasts, such as Poplar, Lime and Privet Hawkmoths, Black Arches and Leopard Moth.

Moths in plastic pots have taken over the salad box thing in the fridge (refrigerating the moths stops them from flapping about while you ponder over what on earth they are).

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM