James Hunter
@dartfordtrapper
Interested in Natural history including birds, orchids, moths, butterflies etc.
Headed across the border into VC15 last night for some woodland trapping. Despite the cooler than forecast conditions some nice moths seen including 20+ 4-spotted footman, Clouded Magpie, Olive Crescent, Splendid Brocade and Barred Rivulet.
Oak Processionary and Pine Hawk-moth were both NFY in the garden last night. Dartford VC16.
This year's program of wildflower seed /green hay spreading gets off to start combine harvesting of yellow rattle from 20 yr old sites (for cleaner sample) & then taken to be spread on newly developing grasslands with fertiliser spreader. Farmers leading nature recovery at scale
Just got back this morning at 4:30 am from some mobile trapping on chalk downland (160+) and was very pleased to find this Dark Crimson Underwing on the wall under my kitchen window. I think this is the fourth garden record. Dartford VC16.
This sparkling Gold Spot livened up the morning trap inspection. Dartford VC16.
A few highlights from a recent trip to Scotland. Dark Bordered Beauty, Scotch Argus, Northern Emerald and Devil's Teeth fungus.
A trip up to Suffolk was very successful with Dusky Clearwing and White-mantled Wainscot the targets. 130+ species overnight included Starwort and Antler moth. With @markhows and @LewisStuff.
Next we wandered onto Fackenden downs where the highlights were Small Blue, Lace Border looking very fresh!, 100s of Gatekeepers and a few Ringlets still hanging on.
A short trip out this morning started well at Whitehill with 50+ Chalkhill Blues, Small Copper and a few Marbled Whites.
some nice variety in the garden trap this morning including Promalactis procerella, Achroia grisella, Acrobasis tumidana and Pempelia genistella. Dartford VC16.
Another survey with Butterfly Conservation today, this time looking for Bright Wave at a recently discovered site. A pretty awesome 2500 were recorded, along with Sussex Emerald, Small Blues and Dusky Sallow.
6/7/25 Cumbria - #Orchid hybrids can be subtle but this one between the Broad Leaved and Dark Red #Helleborine (Epipactis x schmalhausenii) is an outrageous example! It literally looks like a Broad Leaved with a handful of borrowed features #wildflowerhour #HelleborineChallenge
Light Crimson underwing was only my second garden record after my first last year. Dartford VC16.
Another very hot survey, this time looking for Sussex Emerald at a recently colonized site. Bright Wave and Sitochroa palealis were also good to see.
A smart msle Oak Eggar in the garden trap last night. 70 species. Dartford VC16.
A pleasant visit to Hamstreet woods with my better half produced some good buuterfly encounters including Large Tortoiseshell in several areas, White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary.
Red-belted Clearwing in the garden this afternoon. Dartford VC16.
