With awful news (e.g. Planning Bill), I escape in nature. #Greenwich: Moth trap (12th) - Feathered Thorn + 2 Udea ferrugalis (at last a little for @migrantmothuk.bsky.social!). 3 Teal on Park lake briefly (Oct) - until fountain began; my 1st autumn Ashy Mining Bee (Sept) a sign of the climate times.

There's a fair chance of finding something interesting if you look at insects - like this Least Black Arches moth. Few Greenwich records, but it has increased nationally. Blackheath this a.m: a Yellow Wagtail paused on migration to catch insects amongst Dandelions. A benefit of less intense mowing!

Well here's #mothfaceFriday. A Centre-barred Sallow looking a bit socially uncomfortable.

Apparently #mothfaceFriday is a thing. Well here's one (Elephant Hawk) from Greenwich last summer.

The Dark-edged Bee-flies are back Ted. #Greenwich today.

Thanks very much to the Vanbrugh Volunteers who helped with a bit of habitat management in #Greenwich on Sunday. It's to maintain a dynamic mix of habitats of varying structure, openness, and stages of growth, to maximise the benefit to wildlife. We also cleared a fair bit of litter!

Some beautiful insects from 2024 in #Greenwich_Park. Brindled Green new to the Park, Ferdinandea cuprea hoverfly on a tree trunk also likely new for the site, Metalampra italica a small #moth also new here but spreading and frequent; larvae may eat fungi. Oak Hook-tip, a finely patterned species.

It can't get much more urban than this beautiful Red Underwing which I found inside a 2nd floor department of Lewisham Hospital last September! I managed to catch it, to the bemusement of medical staff, and released it that evening in a location with plenty of trees.

The last moth trap of the year last night, four species in very mild conditions included a December Moth and an Oak Rustic - seemingly 1st #Greenwich record. The reniform stigma is much more subtle and varied when seen under magnification than it appears at first glance. #teammoth

More 2024 moths and a #snipefly from #Greenwich. Light Brocade, Rhagio lineola first Greenwich record since 1943, Black Rustic and Feathered Thorn looking autumnal, and a gorgeous Acleris kochiella (c16mm); 1st Greenwich Park record. I love its raised scales resembling rough tree bark. #teammoth

Clancy's Rustic became frequent in #Greenwich in 2024. This moth wasn't even listed for Greenwich Park/Blackheath in my 2023 review! Rambur's Pied Shieldbug also seems well established. Yellow-legged Clearwing isn't new but it's good to chance upon one rather than using a lure. #Londonwildlife

The London Naturalist (journal of the London Natural History Society - worth joining if keen on London's wildlife) 2024 covers many topics, including my paper on #Greenwich soldierflies and allies. Here's a link to an online version of that paper if of interest: www.researchgate.net/profile/Joe-....

Yesterday's full moon was apparently a 'Woodcock moon', so here are some beautiful Woodcock feathers I found at Salthouse shingle, Norfolk, a few days ago - all that's left of two migrants, presumably predated, perhaps by a Great Black-backed Gull or Peregrine. Love the bright white tips under some!

Greenwich didn't see much of the migrant moth influx to S/E coasts or the key species associated with it. Greenwich's 2nd Jersey Mocha, after one in 2022. The cinnamon-tinted Cydia amplana - few previously, but several this year. But are they overlooked residents? #teammoth #moths #greenwichwildlife

I've set up an account here, which will be mainly about SE London wildlife, with occasional forays further afield. I can't promise there won't be some politics too, however! To start off, here's a gorgeous Merveille du Jour and Barred Sallow from late October in Greenwich Park.