More moths and a mystery solved

Canary-shouldered Thorn

Scorched Carpet - sounds like a nasty domestic accident involving an iron and beige shagpile. But actually a moth.

The Lychnis

Buff Ermine

Today I had expert help with the moths! It was quite funny to see Mark paying close attention to all the micro (really small) moths that I normally discard. We had 34 species of macro (bigger) moths but the total catch (excluding micros) was well down, to about 60 or so. Scorched Carpet and Canary-shouldered Thorn were new to the list, though.

And about the mystery that was solved... On Wednesday morning I heard a strange whistling call. I couldn't place it at all - it really bugged me and distracted me from the moths, so I kind of ignored it. 

But today the mystery whistler was identified (provisionally) - as a Northern Bobwhite quail! It was tracked down to a roadside tree not far from the garden. But since this is an escaped bird, it won't be going on the garden list.

Northern Bobwhite

Full moth list for those who want it...

• Water Veneer, 190
• Uncertain/The Rustic, 8
• Common Rustic, 7
• Cloaked Minor, 6
• Riband Wave, 4
• Dingy Footman, 3
• Black Arches, 2
• Dark Arches, 2
• Dusky Sallow, 2
• Flame Shoulder, 2
• Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, 2
• Mother of Pearl, 2
• Scalloped Oak, 2
• Scarce Footman, 2
• Silver Y, 2
• Straw Underwing, 2
• Willow Beauty, 2
• Yellow-tail, 2

And one each of:

• Buff Ermine
• Canary-shouldered Thorn
• Clay
• Clouded Border
• Common Footman
• Coxcomb Prominent
• Large Yellow Underwing
• Lesser Swallow Prominent
• Lesser Yellow Underwing
• Nut-tree Tussock
• Poplar Hawkmoth
• Red/Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet
• Ruby Tiger
• Scorched Carpet
• Swallow Prominent
• The Dun-bar
• The Lychnis

photos taken with Canon Powershot A640