Had my first ever emperor moths this week, to a lure near Gribdale Gate, Great Ayton. Also, my first green hairstreaks of the year and lots of green tiger beetle activity #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social
Two black-tailed godwits in front of the fire station screen at #Saltholme this morning @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
The larva was quite active yesterday morning (4x speed)
If correct, I had my first Coleophora lusciniaepennella on willow this week at #Saltholme. The first I saw, 2023, was feeding on Rosa sp., assumed to have blown off a nearby goat willow but clearly having fed on the rose. About 40 records in #VC66, underrecorded? #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social
Four wheatear on the Wildflower Walk at #Saltholme this morning. Cowslips looking good there as well @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Fifty moths of five species over night at #Saltholme was more than expected with the temperatures we had...Common Quaker, Clouded Drab, Dotted Border and Twin-spotted Quaker (only 2nd site record) all pictured. Also had Hebrew Character #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social
Adult Med gull on the Main Lake at #Saltholme about 15.50 today @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Fantastic stuff!
The sun was out today at #Saltholme and I had a look for caterpillars on alder but wasn't the only one with that idea...I think the larva is Epinotia immundana or Argyresthia goedartella, it's been feeding on catkins and was probably on its way to pupate somewhere safe #teammoth and, er, #teamspider
My first trap of the year at #Saltholme this weekend with five moths of five species. Acleris cristana the stand out was new to site and one I've not seen before. Also March moth, Chestnut and Oak Beauty. I didn't photograph the Hebrew Character @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
I would agree they're tricky!
Tim said that colour and markings are not much help and wing shape is partly down to individual interpretation. The Northumberland Moths website has quite a good comparison... www.northumberlandmoths.org.uk/files/idtips...
I don't have a lot of experience with either but the shape of the wing is what Tim has said. It doesn't look as sharp at the apex as a lot of pics though I agree other features are quite like dark.
Correction, it is chestnut 👍
Hi Ian that's what I reckon for both👍
Flock of siskin fifty strong this afternoon at #Saltholme feeding in the alders along from the Phil Stead hide, five at the entrance to Huntsman drive also @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Counted at least 35 bee orchid rosettes where i spotted them last year on the lawn outside Fusion Hive in Stockton. Will try and speak to someone so they might avoid being mown
My first moth of the year and it's not one I've recorded before; inside a seed of lesser burdock, the larva of Metzneria lappella, also only the second record of this species for #Saltholme #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
The latest #Saltholme moth report looking back at 2025 is now available here: saltholmeupdates.substack.com/p/saltholme-... #teammoth
Epinotia caprana from Seaton Common, May this year #VC66 thanks to @bendale0651.bsky.social for id. It's a first for the 10km square, first larval record and only the third county record since 1995, the others at Framwellgate Moor in 2014, and near Trimdon, in 2023 #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social
Some big counts of Wigeon (1776) Lapwing (1328) and Golden Plover (1720) on Cowpen Marsh this morning for WeBS despite the less than favourable weather @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Quite a smart diving beetle (approx 19mm) Colymbetes fuscus, found yesterday in a drain at #Saltholme whilst trying to figure a bit more control of the water in Firestation Field...I love the intricate dark markings on the pale sandy-coloured elytra @teesbirds.bsky.social
A beautiful yellow moth with brown patterning on the wings and a dark brown border along the wing edge, resting on the trunk of a tree.
Three orange moth eggs laid neatly along a thin stem
Damp, lightly wooded heathland habitat
As #NationalTreeWeek comes to a close, we're highlighting the wonderful Dark Bordered Beauty 🌳🦋
This threatened moth, which resembles crackled bark and leaves, can be found on damp, lightly wooded heathland.
📷: Ilia Ustyantsev, George Tordoff, Martin Wain
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth
Wow, will have to check our hazels
Whooper on the main lake at Saltholme currently @teesbirds.bsky.social
I believe these are Common Inkcap fungi from Stockton in the last week. I was surprised to read that they can lift paving slabs and break through tarmac...I was pretty excited to find some doing just that. Apparently their strength comes from their hyphae aligning vertically @teesbirds.bsky.social
Jack snipe from the Wildlife Watchpoint hide just now at #Saltholme @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Holidaying down in Sussex at Pett Level this week. Trapping slow for the first 2 days with cold nights, a Delicate the best of only 13sp (34moths). The last 2 days have been amazing with 37sp (162 moths) including 6 lifers to light, and another with what I think is Psyche casta #teammoth
Very nice!
