wheatearlp
@wheatearlp.bsky.social
Worcestershire-based birder & moth-er.
Still no garden moths this year (3 blanks) but my 3rd moth of the year at #uptonwarren was nfm - an Early Moth in one of the hides #teammoth Found by Gert, it was still in the hide when I arrived 45 minutes later. Birds less inspiring, but 3 Otters were the most I'd seen at one time on the reserve.
January 29, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Still no garden moths this year (3 blanks) but my 3rd moth of the year at #uptonwarren was nfm - an Early Moth in one of the hides #teammoth Found by Gert, it was still in the hide when I arrived 45 minutes later. Birds less inspiring, but 3 Otters were the most I'd seen at one time on the reserve.
Why do so many people, in the UK at least, pronounce turmeric omitting the first 'r'? @susiedentwords.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Why do so many people, in the UK at least, pronounce turmeric omitting the first 'r'? @susiedentwords.bsky.social
Juv Goshawk viewable now from Kingfisher Hide #slimbridge Probably also viewable from Zeiss & VdB Hides
January 22, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Juv Goshawk viewable now from Kingfisher Hide #slimbridge Probably also viewable from Zeiss & VdB Hides
Another damp & grey afternoon @ #uptonwarren Managed a couple of additions to my Upton year-list: Coal Tit around the Jacobs' Hide feeders and Great Crested Grebe on the Sailing Pool. Couple of Goldcrests along the west path at the Moors were the best of the rest.
January 19, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Another damp & grey afternoon @ #uptonwarren Managed a couple of additions to my Upton year-list: Coal Tit around the Jacobs' Hide feeders and Great Crested Grebe on the Sailing Pool. Couple of Goldcrests along the west path at the Moors were the best of the rest.
A rather dull & damp p.m. @ Moors #uptonwarren Highlights were a f. Wigeon, 50 Snipe, 7 Pochard & 15+ Siskin in alders opp. Lifestyles.
January 18, 2026 at 5:46 PM
A rather dull & damp p.m. @ Moors #uptonwarren Highlights were a f. Wigeon, 50 Snipe, 7 Pochard & 15+ Siskin in alders opp. Lifestyles.
Yesterday pm at the Moors Pool #uptonwarren saw the, largely, continuous presence of the GBBG. Little else of note, whilst the roost there held c360 BHG, 50+ Herring & 15 LBBG plus the usual five Curlews. Also 20-30 Chaffinches in hedge along west track.
January 9, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Yesterday pm at the Moors Pool #uptonwarren saw the, largely, continuous presence of the GBBG. Little else of note, whilst the roost there held c360 BHG, 50+ Herring & 15 LBBG plus the usual five Curlews. Also 20-30 Chaffinches in hedge along west track.
Excellent parking today at Slimbridge. Irrespective of snow covering the car park first thing, not sure how those parking to the left and right expected those in the middle to get out 🤔🤔
January 5, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Excellent parking today at Slimbridge. Irrespective of snow covering the car park first thing, not sure how those parking to the left and right expected those in the middle to get out 🤔🤔
Going through some old photos & came across this caterpillar pic taken in my garden (north-east VC37) in April 2020. Any suggestions as to what it is? #teammoth
December 26, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Going through some old photos & came across this caterpillar pic taken in my garden (north-east VC37) in April 2020. Any suggestions as to what it is? #teammoth
Well, that's three blanks in a row for December, albeit over 9 days. Time to clean the trap & put it away for a couple of months #teammoth
December 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Well, that's three blanks in a row for December, albeit over 9 days. Time to clean the trap & put it away for a couple of months #teammoth
Continuing the new-to-me theme, the seven micros found across four traps at my local nature reserve. These nights utilised a friends battery-operated trap as we added a dozen or so species to the reserve list VC37 SO96 #teammoth Details in Alt Ref.
December 13, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Continuing the new-to-me theme, the seven micros found across four traps at my local nature reserve. These nights utilised a friends battery-operated trap as we added a dozen or so species to the reserve list VC37 SO96 #teammoth Details in Alt Ref.
... and now the 16 micros new-to-me trapped/lured in my garden this year. There are another couple for which I am awaiting confirmation VC37 SO96 #teammoth Details are shown in the Alt Ref.
December 13, 2025 at 8:15 PM
... and now the 16 micros new-to-me trapped/lured in my garden this year. There are another couple for which I am awaiting confirmation VC37 SO96 #teammoth Details are shown in the Alt Ref.
Two blanks in my last two traps - last Saturday night & Monday night. I guess that will be it for me until next year... 🤔
May not be on here much longer either, depending on how much info. I need to input to 'age-verify' 🤷🤔
May not be on here much longer either, depending on how much info. I need to input to 'age-verify' 🤷🤔
December 10, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Two blanks in my last two traps - last Saturday night & Monday night. I guess that will be it for me until next year... 🤔
May not be on here much longer either, depending on how much info. I need to input to 'age-verify' 🤷🤔
May not be on here much longer either, depending on how much info. I need to input to 'age-verify' 🤷🤔
Three hours at #uptonwarren Moors this morning was fairly quiet. One J.Snipe & c.45 Snipe flushed before work party started at 9.45'ish. Two Pochard (m & f), seven M.Swan (res.pair, 2nd pair & 3 imms. briefly). Five Curlew, incl. N9/6N.
December 2, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Three hours at #uptonwarren Moors this morning was fairly quiet. One J.Snipe & c.45 Snipe flushed before work party started at 9.45'ish. Two Pochard (m & f), seven M.Swan (res.pair, 2nd pair & 3 imms. briefly). Five Curlew, incl. N9/6N.
Four December Moths and a Chestnut in the trap this morning - just going to check around the trap area for anything else VC37 SO96 #teammoth
November 28, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Four December Moths and a Chestnut in the trap this morning - just going to check around the trap area for anything else VC37 SO96 #teammoth
Any suggestions as to what this is? Came across it last night when tidying up my photos. Taken in Suffolk in May '23, probably on Westleton Heath. Obsid. comes up with Tortrix sp., which is about as far as I'd managed #teammoth
November 19, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Any suggestions as to what this is? Came across it last night when tidying up my photos. Taken in Suffolk in May '23, probably on Westleton Heath. Obsid. comes up with Tortrix sp., which is about as far as I'd managed #teammoth
You may say it was a daft idea to trap last night - well, it was & it wasn't. On the plus-side, my first December Moth for four years, although it was the only moth in the trap. Also on the minus-side, my bulb failed at some time after 11.30. Perhaps the cold was too much for it? VC37 SO96 #teammoth
November 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
You may say it was a daft idea to trap last night - well, it was & it wasn't. On the plus-side, my first December Moth for four years, although it was the only moth in the trap. Also on the minus-side, my bulb failed at some time after 11.30. Perhaps the cold was too much for it? VC37 SO96 #teammoth
This morning had just 6/5 in the trap - Acleris schalleriana was nfy in garden plus Turnip, White-point, Caloptilia semifacsia & 2 LBAM VC37 SO96 #teammoth
November 13, 2025 at 6:02 PM
This morning had just 6/5 in the trap - Acleris schalleriana was nfy in garden plus Turnip, White-point, Caloptilia semifacsia & 2 LBAM VC37 SO96 #teammoth
A reasonable 8/6 in a wet trap this morning. Spruce & Cypress Carpet, Turnip, Chestnut and two each of White-point & LBAM VC37 SO96 #teammoth
November 12, 2025 at 12:01 PM
A reasonable 8/6 in a wet trap this morning. Spruce & Cypress Carpet, Turnip, Chestnut and two each of White-point & LBAM VC37 SO96 #teammoth
Second best bird of the morning at the Moors #uptonwarren, a female Stonechat.
November 8, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Second best bird of the morning at the Moors #uptonwarren, a female Stonechat.
A female Goldeneye, seemingly slightly surprised to find itself at #uptonwarren Moors Pool.
November 8, 2025 at 1:04 PM
A female Goldeneye, seemingly slightly surprised to find itself at #uptonwarren Moors Pool.
Well, if last night I'd been offered ten moths in this morning's trap I'd likely have taken it. However, nine T.acroxantha & a C.consimilana is less than impressive 🤷 VC37 SO96 #teammoth
November 6, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Well, if last night I'd been offered ten moths in this morning's trap I'd likely have taken it. However, nine T.acroxantha & a C.consimilana is less than impressive 🤷 VC37 SO96 #teammoth
2/2 this morning included my 8th White-point of the autumn, demonstrating the recent increase in the species in the county - my only other record was in August '23. Interestingly (or not?) I've not recorded the species in September - only Aug (3), Oct (5) & now November VC37 SO96 #teammoth
November 4, 2025 at 9:25 AM
2/2 this morning included my 8th White-point of the autumn, demonstrating the recent increase in the species in the county - my only other record was in August '23. Interestingly (or not?) I've not recorded the species in September - only Aug (3), Oct (5) & now November VC37 SO96 #teammoth