June Bugs

June is always a busy month & this year has been no exception with ecological work in Surrey, moth trapping & bird ringing (lots of pulli) in Woodbridge, gallery photographic work & a book review taking up a lot of time. The tiny garden is once again alive, especially in the evenings with our annual invasion of Stag Beetles cruising over like drone aircraft, a family of Wood Mice that feast during the night & broad daylight on the peanut feeders & of course the nightly moth trapping sessions are now bringing in high numbers of many species. We have also be attempting to lure the much sort after 'Clearwing' moths & have managed to attract 6+ Currant Clearwing at a local small fruit farm on our first go, a great start!

Suffolk Stags

A cracking large male Stag Beetle in the garden yesterday.

What a Stag Night!

Back in Suffolk after another enjoyable trip to Fair Isle & Shetland. A treat last night was seeing a large annual visitor to the garden - the Stag Beetle. Up to a dozen were observed over the garden, several of both sexes landing on the roof, allowing for excellent close up views & photo opportunities. A rare & thinly distributed species in the UK, Suffolk  is one of the Stag Beetles remaining strongholds in Britain. Also trapped in the moth trap last night, 2 Lime Hawkmoths (images below) as well as Privet, Elephant & Pine Hawkmoths. A new species for the garden was a nationally scarce 'Festoon' moth.