Species Volunteering

There were such arrangements for the moth trap last night.  It was going to be placed away from the Field Centre, but WEATHER overtook the plans as it rained so the trap was left on the back veranda.  The temperature also dropped so the catch was not a large one, 21 moths of eight species.  We did try to photograph some of them but they were 'not playing' and flew off.

One tiny moth did co-operate.  We think it is Least Black Arches but this will have to be confirmed.

Flowers are continuing to burst their buds and Bitter Vetchling was added to the list,

along with Ramsons or Wild Garlic.

Red Campion always flowers at the head of the Scrapes first.  The other major area, along Risedale Beck, does not show pink for another couple of weeks.  We always check to see of any if the male flowers have been affected by the smut, Microbotryum lychnidis-dioicae.  There was one flower showing the typical brown of the smut.

Whilst photographing the Early Purple Orchids a Green Veined White sat on a Bluebell.

The information coming back from checking the large nest boxes is very positive.  Some of the small boxes at Foxglove were checked today. 

Volunteers were busy with a variety of species related activities including moth identification, flower hunting and checking nest boxes.  Thank you very much for all your hard work.  It was a very good day!