Matt Ames
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mattames6.bsky.social
Matt Ames
@mattames6.bsky.social
Obsessed with natural history. Bedfordshire based
Fingers crossed you find something of interest there soon. I often nip out for a quick mooch around the garden with my torch in the evenings to get my nature fix. Oftentimes it's quiet but just occasionally something turns up to make it worthwhile.
October 15, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Good luck. It's always a bit hit and miss, so best to just take loads of pics and hopefully there'll be something half decent when you go through them afterwards!
I sometimes use a torch instead of the flash, I find this helps with Geometridae as they seem to get startled quite easily.
October 11, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Glad I could inspire some mothing and glad you got some moths! Pink-barred Sallow is high on my want list.
Night photography with phone is awkward! I touch the screen to focus and a brightness bar comes up, I turn it down a bit so the flash isn't so bright.
October 10, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Losiento.. Sorry to point out that there's a problem with the name on this one.
Nice poster though and a really good idea.
October 9, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Phew! For a moment I was worried I'd been overlooking something. :)
October 7, 2025 at 10:09 AM
I'd have put that down as E. angustea, what confusion species are you thinking of?
October 7, 2025 at 9:36 AM
I agree on the left hand ones, strong central crease. Have you tried shining a light behind the others to see if there's any internal details?
October 6, 2025 at 10:35 AM
I was really happy with that one, only seen them in Dorset before. Was fortunate as I only noticed it as I was packing away, it was tucked away outside the trap on a frame I hang the sheet off. Nervous few moments trying to pot it!
October 3, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Definitely I'd say, classic 'tadpole' mine :)
September 29, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Ah yes I see what you mean, sometimes tricky to tell if details are artefacts of the photo. I think in this case it looks to me like a uniform yellowish stripe, and as you mentioned the abdomen isn't a deep vibrant red, so I think Common Darter is more likely.
September 26, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I'd say it's a Common Darter. The legs appear black but if you look closely you'll notice a pale stripe along them, in Ruddy Darter they're completely black.
September 25, 2025 at 10:18 PM
It does seem quite plausible, but I also think some autumn birdsong might be to do with practice as you suggested. For example in autumn Blackcap never seem to deliver their usual bold song but can often be heard in sub-song, quietly muttering away to themselves.
September 24, 2025 at 12:04 PM