Moths and Flowers

Wednesday, April 25th 2018

The moth trap was set last night but with cold, wet and windy weather we were not too hopeful that we would have many moths to identify.   However we were pleasantly surprised with 25 moths of 9 species.  Initially the Red-green Carpet sat with its wings closed but whilst we were not looking it opened them so all cameras were suddenly trained on it!  This moth is seen from September through to November and then again throughout March to May, after hibernation.

We have been trying to get a good photograph of the Streamer but it has lived up to its name and 'streamed' away as soon as it was released from the pot.  Today was no different, but careful observation followed it to a Hawthorn tree.  Peering around the thorns we managed to get some good photos.

Early Thorn moths have two generations, one flying from mid February to May and the other July to September.

Once all the moths had been dealt with we set off to record flowers, in the knowledge that we would end up with more than five on the list.

Silver Birch is 'loved' by the volunteers.  It is invasive and grows quickly, exactly where you do not want it to grow so it has to be controlled by being pulled up.  It does have beauty at this time of year as the catkins form.  The male catkins hang down,

whilst the female ones stand upright.

Elm flowers do not last long and already we could see the seeds forming.

Ash has burst its buds to show the flowers.

Wild Cherry flowers are opening.

We are always keen to pass on information that we have been told about.  Today's information was that Lesser Celandine flowers can have between eight and fourteen petals.  Very compelling as we then had to stop at almost every clump of Celandines to count the petals.  The range so far is seven to eleven.  We'll keep counting!

Our walk yielded 26 flowers and Field Horsetail.  Some further study was needed with one or two of the flowers but we did need some sustenance, hence the cake, fruit and cups of tea.

Thank you to the volunteers who identified moths and flowers and compiled the lists.

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