Sam Goddard
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samgod96.bsky.social
Sam Goddard
@samgod96.bsky.social
Avid birder and moth-er, keen naturalist. Gibraltar Point Shorebird Warden 2024 🌊 Derbyshire
Eurasian Dotterel, Burbage Moor, 16/09/25.
September 19, 2025 at 7:16 PM
What I suspect is Caloptilia Cuculipennella unless anyone can convince me otherwise? Found today in Derbyshire, long silvery gallery which thickens at the bottom, can see the leaf rolling. On Ash.

Any expert thoughts out there? @willowglass12.bsky.social @cliveaderbys.bsky.social
August 6, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The last night of June gave up a crazy return in the Derbyshire Dales garden, 1042/146. Approximately 15 new for garden included this Lempke’s Gold Spot. 409 of the moths caught were Ermines (presumably mostly Bird Cherry), also losing 200 or so moths whilst processing.
Phew.
#teammoth #mothsmatter
July 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Managed to connect with the Song Sparrow late on Tuesday evening at Thornwick, considerably jammy following its disappearance yesterday! A proper smart little bird even gave us a few short bursts of song. Lovely.
June 12, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Best of the rest, two Poplar Hawks, a Peppered and a Pale Prominent. The night of the ‘Ps’!

#teammoth #mothsmatter #derbyshiremoths
June 1, 2025 at 8:18 AM
First trap of the year back in Derbyshire, caught what I suspect is Ephestia Woodiella. Hard to get a photo showing the pinkish/reddish flush properly. Any thoughts from other moth gurus?

(Plenty of other goodies too, 105/45)

#teammoth #mothsmatter #derbyshiremoths
June 1, 2025 at 7:48 AM
The now annual trip into the peaks with @milescluff.bsky.social came up trumps again yesterday with superb views of Wood Warblers, Redstarts, Ring Ouzels, Pied Fly etc. Some proper birding, and best views of many of these species I’ve ever had.

@derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
May 29, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Best moth I found on Lesvos was this stunning Passenger, a rarity in the UK and particularly nice to see in the vicinity of a pair of Collared Flycatchers, Masked Shrike, 25+ Levant Sparrowhawk in/off and a hunting Montagu’s Harrier.
May 27, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Been neglecting this site in recent months, but we had a superb trip to Lesvos at the start of the month. 70 lifers out there, plus stacks of amazing inverts and sights to see.
May 26, 2025 at 2:47 PM
234 bird species and over 600 moth species, it’s fair to say that whilst my time at Gibraltar Point NNR is now over, I’ve rinsed it to its full potential this year. I’ll be back for visits in the future for more wildlife madness.

Until then…
December 19, 2024 at 3:22 PM
Leaf mining moths take us past 600 species for the year here at Gibraltar Point, in which is likely the only remaining way to score new ones. Stigmella Anomalella (rose leaf mine) the latest addition- and a tiny one!

#moths #teammoth #mothsmatter
December 8, 2024 at 8:48 PM
The annual Norfolk trip threw up some cracking birds, including this Jack Snipe which dropped out the mist and landed out from Island Hide at RSPB Titchwell. Around 130 species seen by the group overall.
December 1, 2024 at 7:51 PM
Birthday Bean, birthday Bunt and birthday Beers. The right way to do a Norfolk trip.
Amply supported so far by Pallid and Hen Harriers, Sibe Chiff, White-fronted Goose, Shore Larks, Red-necked and Slavonian Grebes, Velvet Scoters and GN Diver etc etc
November 30, 2024 at 5:41 PM
A pleasure to catch up with a rare in Derbyshire while back home for holiday, the female Ring-necked Duck at Carsington Water. Presumably a long staying bird, glad it’s hung around for me to connect with. Looked settled as the light faded. @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
November 24, 2024 at 4:07 PM
Short eared Owls beginning to arrive as the cold snap hits, this one quartering over the saltmarsh before disappearing inland. Amazing birds to watch as they carve through the habitat.

#shortearedowl #SEO #bird #birding
November 19, 2024 at 7:56 PM
Cypress Carpet another new moth to Gibraltar Point NNR, Lincs recently. Less than 20 county records and I had 2 in 3 days! A lovely mix of markings and that purple sheen. Proper smart.

#teammoth #mothsmatter
November 19, 2024 at 7:54 PM
Coptotriche Marginea and Stigmella Plagicolella leaf mines recently at Gibraltar Point, no idea on county status or site status. Wonder if I can sneak any more onto the year list…

#teammoth #mothsmatter #leafmines
November 18, 2024 at 6:21 PM
Looks like the end of the migrant moth bonanza here at Gibraltar Point NNR as the Mothing winds down and the traps get quieter. 11 Convolvulus Hawkmoths during the Autumn a *literal* huge highlight. Unforgettable moths!

#moth #moths #teammoth #mothsmatter #migrantmothuk
November 16, 2024 at 4:47 PM
The Siberian Stonechat makes it into its third day at Gib, a rather special bird as it turns out, my 300th UK species! A proper stunner. What’s next?!
#bird #birds #birding #siberianstonechat
November 16, 2024 at 4:41 PM
Found this lovely first winter male Siberian Stonechat at Gibraltar Point NNR this morning, proving elusive at times. A pale, peachy, smart looking bird, certainly not on my radar when I went seawatching early on! My 234th bird species at Gib this year and my best find yet.
#bird #birds #birding
November 14, 2024 at 9:27 PM
Red Swordgrass to light at Gibraltar Point NNR last night in a good migrant night! 4th site record and first since 27/11/13. 65/22 overall but 35 migrant moths of 11 species included 8 Udea Ferrugalis, 8 Dark Swordgrass, 3 Nomophila Noctella and a Gem.

#teammoth #mothsmatter #migrantmothuk
November 11, 2024 at 11:36 AM
Oak Rustic to light amongst 62/20, new to Lincs! Probably the 7th new moth species to Lincs we’ve caught this year at Gibraltar Point NNR. Another Radford’s Flame Shoulder and a good number of Dark Swordgrass (7) to accompany it.

#teammoth #mothsmatter #migrantmothuk #oakrustic
November 10, 2024 at 9:27 AM
The Merv returned last night, with another Radford’s FS for company. Activity a little lower as the temperature drops. 73/23 in 3 traps at Gib Point. 600 looks a stretch now, without resorting to leaf mines anyway!

#teammoth #mothsmatter #merveilledujour #migrantmothuk
November 8, 2024 at 12:47 PM
A recent Spoladea Recurvalis (Banded Sable) to light here at Gibraltar Point, a first county record. A truly amazing migrant year which has included at least 5 county firsts, and a landslide of migrants- it’s felt more like the south coast at times!

#mothsmatter #teammoth #spoladearecurvalis
November 7, 2024 at 4:33 PM
Brent Goose aging survey at Gib Point yesterday gave up 92 Dark-bellied and no juveniles. What gives?
November 7, 2024 at 3:17 PM