Weymouth: a quick check of 'Shieldbug corner' in the garden had me running for the camera. Elated to see a Brassica Shieldbug (Eurydema oleracea), a new species for me and the 19th species of Shieldbug/Squashbug for the garden.

Weymouth: There were at least 30 Hairy Shieldbug sunbathing on top of this small Cypress (?) bush in my Mother-in-law's garden today. More surprisingly there were 2 Gorse Shieldbug as well (poor phone shot). Would you expect this Tristan? Ta Tristan Bantock

Weymouth: the weather overnight was far worse than I expected and I have a cracked bulb to prove it. This Diamond-back somehow made it into the trap though! Just doing an occasional post on here, most of my feed is going to @paulupwey.bsky.social along with many others.

Female Goosander on flooded meadow between Burleston and Athelhampton. Dorset Bird Club

8 Cattle Egret and 10 Little Egret on flooded field just west of Affpuddle, plus Cetti's. Dorset Bird Club BirdGuides

Weymouth: a most unusual occupant in the moth trap this morning! Probably 3 inches long at least. I think it might be a Snake Centipede, possibly Stigmatogaster subterranea, but well out of my comfort zone here.

Weymouth: 15 species overnight including 2 Dark Sword-grass and a Diamond-back Migrant Lepidoptera
Also a couple of Caloptilia; a stigmatella and this dark individual which is most likely a rufipennella....but I'm not going to bet my beer money on it!

My first Sand Martin of the year, at least 10 over Charminster WM, also Cetti's. Simon John Down

Weymouth: Small Eggar in the trap today, without question one of my favourite moths. Two photos, natural light (1/5 of a second) and the second with a flash diffuser. Which is best?
Also Dark Sword-grass, Oak Beauty, Turnip, Twin-spotted Quaker.

Weymouth: Zelleria hepariella was nfy but looking a bit tatty after hibernating over the winter. Migrants were 3 Dark Sword-grass and a Diamond-back amongst 13 species. Migrant Lepidoptera

Weymouth: well something occurring at the moment, 6 Dark Sword-grass in one trap last night. Migrant Lepidoptera

Weymouth: Yet another Dark Sword-grass today plus the first Herald of the year looking as though it's full of smouldering embers. 5 Oak Beauty might just be my best count here. Migrant Lepidoptera

Weymouth: more tentative hints of migration with 2 Silver Y in the trap plus Dark Sword-grass and Turnip. Catches of local resident stuff are dire at the moment. Migrant Lepidoptera

Weymouth: moth trap less than inspiring but RDP and Dark Sword-grass gave a little hint that something might be going on...Migrant Lepidoptera

Weymouth: Two Oak Beauty the best of a poor show last night. The antennae are something to behold.

I genuinely knew nothing about Bluesky but given that I've become very disillusioned with Twitter/X lately I've followed Portland Bird Observatory 's lead and opened an account at @paulupwey.bsky.social. I'll run the two in tandem for a while and see how it goes.

Weymouth: March Moth and Nut-tree Tussock were both nfy. The latter seems incredibly early, I can find hardly any March records on DMG. Anyone else had one yet? Also Dark Sword-grass.

Weymouth: Found this tiny (2mm) Beetle in the house and think it's Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum). It was playing dead for the camera. A bit alarming to think I have these in the house....
Diurnea fagella and Oak Beauty the best from the moth trap Tristan Bantock