Darren Underwood
@dku1000.bsky.social
Mostly birds and moths (and other wildlife)! 🦋
Suffolk, England
Suffolk, England
A total of 51 bird species recorded on my first Long Melford (Suffolk) and Liston (Essex) local patch walk of February. Highlights included 135 CHAFFINCHES, 130 LINNETS, 330 LAPWINGS, a singing CHIFFCHAFF, 145 COMMON GULLS, 35 MEADOW PIPITS, 2 SISKINS and a WOODCOCK. #suffolkbirding #essexbirding
February 1, 2026 at 3:44 PM
A total of 51 bird species recorded on my first Long Melford (Suffolk) and Liston (Essex) local patch walk of February. Highlights included 135 CHAFFINCHES, 130 LINNETS, 330 LAPWINGS, a singing CHIFFCHAFF, 145 COMMON GULLS, 35 MEADOW PIPITS, 2 SISKINS and a WOODCOCK. #suffolkbirding #essexbirding
A good local patch walk along the River Stour at Long Melford (Suffolk) and Liston (Essex) this morning produced a male PINTAIL (very good for here), a pair of WIGEON, male GADWALL, 210 LAPWINGS, a pair of STONECHATS, 3 CHIFFCHAFFS, MARSH TIT, 2 WOODCOCK and 44 LINNETS. #suffolkbirding #essexbirding
January 29, 2026 at 12:01 PM
A good local patch walk along the River Stour at Long Melford (Suffolk) and Liston (Essex) this morning produced a male PINTAIL (very good for here), a pair of WIGEON, male GADWALL, 210 LAPWINGS, a pair of STONECHATS, 3 CHIFFCHAFFS, MARSH TIT, 2 WOODCOCK and 44 LINNETS. #suffolkbirding #essexbirding
A group of five queen HORNETS found hibernating under loose bark on a fallen tree at Long Melford, Suffolk today. Hope this doesn't mean my moth trap will be full of them later in the year. 😲
January 28, 2026 at 5:40 PM
A group of five queen HORNETS found hibernating under loose bark on a fallen tree at Long Melford, Suffolk today. Hope this doesn't mean my moth trap will be full of them later in the year. 😲
Fallow Deer at Shimpling, Suffolk. A small part of a herd that recently numbered 114+ animals. From the local Landscape Recovery project: 'the highest risk to the success of habitat enhancement and creation in the long-term, is the lack of deer management.' I'd never have guessed! 🦌🦌🦌.......
January 24, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Fallow Deer at Shimpling, Suffolk. A small part of a herd that recently numbered 114+ animals. From the local Landscape Recovery project: 'the highest risk to the success of habitat enhancement and creation in the long-term, is the lack of deer management.' I'd never have guessed! 🦌🦌🦌.......
Six species of moth found in Long Melford (Suffolk) woodland this evening - all by torchlight. Totals were:
Early Moth - 5
Spring Usher - 1
Mottled Umber - 2
Satellite - 5
Chestnut - 7
Winter Moth - 18
Interestingly, 4 of the Satellites and 3 Chestnuts were feeding on overripe rosehips. #mothsmatter
Early Moth - 5
Spring Usher - 1
Mottled Umber - 2
Satellite - 5
Chestnut - 7
Winter Moth - 18
Interestingly, 4 of the Satellites and 3 Chestnuts were feeding on overripe rosehips. #mothsmatter
January 12, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Six species of moth found in Long Melford (Suffolk) woodland this evening - all by torchlight. Totals were:
Early Moth - 5
Spring Usher - 1
Mottled Umber - 2
Satellite - 5
Chestnut - 7
Winter Moth - 18
Interestingly, 4 of the Satellites and 3 Chestnuts were feeding on overripe rosehips. #mothsmatter
Early Moth - 5
Spring Usher - 1
Mottled Umber - 2
Satellite - 5
Chestnut - 7
Winter Moth - 18
Interestingly, 4 of the Satellites and 3 Chestnuts were feeding on overripe rosehips. #mothsmatter
The floodwaters along the River Stour between Long Melford (Suffolk) and Liston (Essex) produced several interesting bird sightings this morning, including a GREAT WHITE EGRET, 3 Shoveler, 28 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 57 Lapwings, a Little Grebe and 25 Pied Wagtails, plus a flyover Siskin.
January 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM
The floodwaters along the River Stour between Long Melford (Suffolk) and Liston (Essex) produced several interesting bird sightings this morning, including a GREAT WHITE EGRET, 3 Shoveler, 28 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 57 Lapwings, a Little Grebe and 25 Pied Wagtails, plus a flyover Siskin.
My first Long Melford (Suffolk) outing of 2026 produced counts of 110 Yellowhammers, 80 Chaffinches, 90 Linnets (in flocks of 60 and 30 birds), a Stonechat, 2 Ravens and (just outside of the parish boundary) a singing male Crossbill. #suffolkbirding
January 2, 2026 at 6:25 PM
My first Long Melford (Suffolk) outing of 2026 produced counts of 110 Yellowhammers, 80 Chaffinches, 90 Linnets (in flocks of 60 and 30 birds), a Stonechat, 2 Ravens and (just outside of the parish boundary) a singing male Crossbill. #suffolkbirding
The RED-NECKED GREBE showed nicely at Ardleigh Reservoir, near Colchester, Essex this afternoon. #essexbirding
January 1, 2026 at 4:29 PM
The RED-NECKED GREBE showed nicely at Ardleigh Reservoir, near Colchester, Essex this afternoon. #essexbirding
A very enjoyable (but cold) visit to Abberton Reservoir in Essex today provided sightings of male LESSER SCAUP, 15 SCAUP, 3 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE, 15+ WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, BLACK-NECKED GREBE, 2 SMEW, 3 BEWICK'S SWANS, 3 LITTLE STINTS, 2 RED-CRESTED POCHARDS and a RAVEN. #essexbirding
January 1, 2026 at 4:27 PM
A very enjoyable (but cold) visit to Abberton Reservoir in Essex today provided sightings of male LESSER SCAUP, 15 SCAUP, 3 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE, 15+ WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, BLACK-NECKED GREBE, 2 SMEW, 3 BEWICK'S SWANS, 3 LITTLE STINTS, 2 RED-CRESTED POCHARDS and a RAVEN. #essexbirding
The highlight of my Long Melford (Suffolk) farmland bird counts today was a flock of 210 Yellowhammers feeding on the edge of a clover ley field. 🙂 Also, 40 Linnets, 18 Chaffinches, 3 Reed Buntings, Stonechat and a Raven.
December 29, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The highlight of my Long Melford (Suffolk) farmland bird counts today was a flock of 210 Yellowhammers feeding on the edge of a clover ley field. 🙂 Also, 40 Linnets, 18 Chaffinches, 3 Reed Buntings, Stonechat and a Raven.
The highlight of my Christmas Day Long Melford local patch walk was a group of five CHIFFCHAFFS seen feeding together in a sheltered sunny corner at the sewage works. #suffolk
December 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The highlight of my Christmas Day Long Melford local patch walk was a group of five CHIFFCHAFFS seen feeding together in a sheltered sunny corner at the sewage works. #suffolk
Porcellio spinicornis (Painted Woodlouse). Found amongst a pallet of bricks. Long Melford, Suffolk. An attractive woodlouse with a contrasting dark head and yellow spots down the back.
December 22, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Porcellio spinicornis (Painted Woodlouse). Found amongst a pallet of bricks. Long Melford, Suffolk. An attractive woodlouse with a contrasting dark head and yellow spots down the back.
Searching a small dung heap in Long Melford (Suffolk) today produced my first self-found #pseudoscorpions (well, one). I believe this is Pselaphochernes scorpioides, but would certainly welcome the opinion of others.
December 20, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Searching a small dung heap in Long Melford (Suffolk) today produced my first self-found #pseudoscorpions (well, one). I believe this is Pselaphochernes scorpioides, but would certainly welcome the opinion of others.
FALSE LADYBIRD (Endomychus coccineus). One of two found by torchlight last night whilst out searching for moths. Large numbers of Winter moths were seen (246), plus singles of Satellite, Chestnut and a late Brick. #longmelford #suffolk
December 8, 2025 at 9:20 AM
FALSE LADYBIRD (Endomychus coccineus). One of two found by torchlight last night whilst out searching for moths. Large numbers of Winter moths were seen (246), plus singles of Satellite, Chestnut and a late Brick. #longmelford #suffolk
Having recently purchased the @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social AIDGAP key to woodlice, I managed to find and identify six species today. As well as the four in the photos (see ALT text), there were Common Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum) and Porcellionides pruinosus. #isopoda
November 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Having recently purchased the @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social AIDGAP key to woodlice, I managed to find and identify six species today. As well as the four in the photos (see ALT text), there were Common Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum) and Porcellionides pruinosus. #isopoda
Hibernating HARLEQUIN LADYBIRDS (Harmonia axyridis) at Long Melford in Suffolk. This cluster really shows off the amazing variety of colours and patterns (and size) shown by this species.
November 20, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Hibernating HARLEQUIN LADYBIRDS (Harmonia axyridis) at Long Melford in Suffolk. This cluster really shows off the amazing variety of colours and patterns (and size) shown by this species.
Suffolk: male GREEN-WINGED TEAL still on The Slough at Lackford Lakes SWT Reserve mid afternoon. #suffolkbirding
November 18, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Suffolk: male GREEN-WINGED TEAL still on The Slough at Lackford Lakes SWT Reserve mid afternoon. #suffolkbirding
Still three species of butterfly on the wing at Long Melford in Suffolk this morning: Red Admiral, Peacock and what was probably my latest ever Clouded Yellow.
November 13, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Still three species of butterfly on the wing at Long Melford in Suffolk this morning: Red Admiral, Peacock and what was probably my latest ever Clouded Yellow.
A PLUMED PROMINENT from last night in West Suffolk - one of three trapped in a new 10km square. 😀 #mothsmatter
November 6, 2025 at 10:07 AM
A PLUMED PROMINENT from last night in West Suffolk - one of three trapped in a new 10km square. 😀 #mothsmatter
I spent two hours moth trapping in private woodland at Long Melford in Suffolk this evening. A total of 107 moths of seven species. The amazing thing is that 86 of the moths were the Nationally Scarce PLUMED PROMINENT. I've never trapped anything like that number before. #mothsmatter
November 3, 2025 at 9:27 PM
I spent two hours moth trapping in private woodland at Long Melford in Suffolk this evening. A total of 107 moths of seven species. The amazing thing is that 86 of the moths were the Nationally Scarce PLUMED PROMINENT. I've never trapped anything like that number before. #mothsmatter
My first local patch walk of November produced a total of 46 birds species with the highlight being a male Stonechat. Also, Nuthatch, Siskin, Grey Wagtail, 20+ Sky Larks and a Red Kite.
#longmelford #suffolkbirding
#longmelford #suffolkbirding
November 1, 2025 at 3:59 PM
My first local patch walk of November produced a total of 46 birds species with the highlight being a male Stonechat. Also, Nuthatch, Siskin, Grey Wagtail, 20+ Sky Larks and a Red Kite.
#longmelford #suffolkbirding
#longmelford #suffolkbirding
Photos of five micro moths from local recording over the last week. I do like the first one.
1. Stigmella catharticella on Purging Buckthorn.
2. Diurnea lipsiella.
3. Phyllonorycter klemannella and Caloptilia elongella on Alder.
4. Stigmella basiguttella on oak.
#mothsmatter
1. Stigmella catharticella on Purging Buckthorn.
2. Diurnea lipsiella.
3. Phyllonorycter klemannella and Caloptilia elongella on Alder.
4. Stigmella basiguttella on oak.
#mothsmatter
October 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Photos of five micro moths from local recording over the last week. I do like the first one.
1. Stigmella catharticella on Purging Buckthorn.
2. Diurnea lipsiella.
3. Phyllonorycter klemannella and Caloptilia elongella on Alder.
4. Stigmella basiguttella on oak.
#mothsmatter
1. Stigmella catharticella on Purging Buckthorn.
2. Diurnea lipsiella.
3. Phyllonorycter klemannella and Caloptilia elongella on Alder.
4. Stigmella basiguttella on oak.
#mothsmatter
Suffolk: 1st winter BROWN SHRIKE still present at Upper Hollesley Common at 12.25. #suffolkbirding
October 25, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Suffolk: 1st winter BROWN SHRIKE still present at Upper Hollesley Common at 12.25. #suffolkbirding
Some photos from this week's micro moth recording.
1. Diplodoma laichartingella (Yellow-headed Bagworm).
2. Ectoedemia atricollis (Barred Fruit-tree Dot).
3. Stigmella regiella (Purple-shot Dot).
4. Ectoedemia occultella (Large Birch Dot).
#suffolk #mothsmatter
1. Diplodoma laichartingella (Yellow-headed Bagworm).
2. Ectoedemia atricollis (Barred Fruit-tree Dot).
3. Stigmella regiella (Purple-shot Dot).
4. Ectoedemia occultella (Large Birch Dot).
#suffolk #mothsmatter
October 16, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Some photos from this week's micro moth recording.
1. Diplodoma laichartingella (Yellow-headed Bagworm).
2. Ectoedemia atricollis (Barred Fruit-tree Dot).
3. Stigmella regiella (Purple-shot Dot).
4. Ectoedemia occultella (Large Birch Dot).
#suffolk #mothsmatter
1. Diplodoma laichartingella (Yellow-headed Bagworm).
2. Ectoedemia atricollis (Barred Fruit-tree Dot).
3. Stigmella regiella (Purple-shot Dot).
4. Ectoedemia occultella (Large Birch Dot).
#suffolk #mothsmatter
Still quite good numbers of moths present locally (especially on Ivy blossom). Three highlights from this week were Tawny Pinion, a fairly late Clifden Nonpariel and Autumnal Rustic.
#longmelford #suffolk #mothsmatter
#longmelford #suffolk #mothsmatter
October 12, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Still quite good numbers of moths present locally (especially on Ivy blossom). Three highlights from this week were Tawny Pinion, a fairly late Clifden Nonpariel and Autumnal Rustic.
#longmelford #suffolk #mothsmatter
#longmelford #suffolk #mothsmatter