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Arable plant surveying at Long Melford in Suffolk. For a non-botanist (like me) there was quite a lot to learn! Some nice arable species seen, including Cornflower, Shepherd's Needle (lots) and Sharp-leaved Fluellen amongst others. #WoolTownsFarmCluster

The early instar PUSS MOTH larva I found earlier in the month has grown fast. It's now BIG! What an amazing insect. #longmelford #suffolk #mothsmatter

Despite occasional (and probably increasing) records locally, this female MANDARIN was a surprise sighting on the River Stour at Long Melford this morning.

The highlight of last night's moth trapping at Long Melford in Suffolk was this GOLD SPOT. Pretty scarce in West Suffolk (vc26) and the first I have caught myself. Also, Sallow Kitten, Purple Thorn, Drinker, Magpie Moth and Round-winged Muslin. #mothsmatter #WoolTownsFarmCluster

Suffolk: Glossy Ibis seen circling high over fields to the north of Long Melford this morning (together with four Common Buzzards) before drifting west towards Stanstead.

Caloptilia fidella (Hop Stilt). Leaf mines of wild hop at Long Melford this morning. The first I have found and possibly the first for West Suffolk (v.c. 26) ...? #mothsmatter #WoolTownsFarmCluster

RED KITE with wing tags (Yellow 4P) over Long Melford in Suffolk yesterday. Hoping to hear where it was tagged soon.

A few moth leaf mines from this week (with foodplants). All nice to see locally. Phyllonorycter corylifoliella (Hawthorn) Mompha raschkiella (Rosebay Willowherb) Etainia louisella (Field Maple) Chrysoesthia drurella (Many-seeded Goosefoot) #suffolk #mothsmatter

Suffolk: juvenile PURPLE HERON still present at Giffords Flash, Shelley early afternoon.

Four more interesting leaf mines (with food plants) from West Suffolk over the last week. Stigmella visceralla (elm) Mompha terminella (Enchanter's Nightshade) Phyllonorycter comparella (White Poplar) Stigmella trimaculella (poplar) #mothsmatter

A very enjoyable day in Essex and Suffolk today produced sightings of LESSER GREY SHRIKE (Tollesbury), WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Old Hall Marshes), 5 CATTLE EGRETS (Abberton Reservoir) and RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, PURPLE HERON and Osprey (Shelley). 😀

An Ichneumon wasp cocoon (sub-family Campopleginae) with its Vapourer moth larva victim. Don't think I've ever seen one of these before, but found two today on the same apple tree (both with the same 'prey'). An amazing looking cocoon. #longmelford #suffolk

Nice to see my first two returning REDWINGS of the autumn at Long Melford this morning. #suffolk

Four interesting moth sightings from recent days: Epermenia chaerophyllella (larvae on Hogweed) Infurcitinea agentimaculella (silken tubes on lichen) Grapholita janthinana (spun Hawthorn berries) Incurvaria pectinea (larval cut-outs on Hazel) #longmelford #suffolk #mothsmatter

Aurora borealis from Long Melford in Suffolk this evening. Not as spectacular as it was in May, but still very nice to be able to see it from here.

Ledra aurita (Eared Leafhopper). A very nice surprise at the moth trap last night. Never had one come to light before. A super insect. 😀 #longmelford #suffolk

A few more micro moths from this week. Stigmella sakhalinella (Silver Birch) Coleophora ibipennella (oak) Coleophora albitarsella (Ground-ivy) Phyllonorycter platani (London Plane) I was pleased with the two Coleophora species. #longmelford #suffolk #mothsmatter

More micro moth recording this week. I was pleased to find these locally noteworthy species: Ectoedemia angulifasciella (wild rose species) Strophedra weirana (Beech) Ectoedemia occultella (Silver Birch) Stigmella glutinosae (Alder) #suffolk #mothsmatter

Phyllonorycter strigulatella (Grey Alder Leaf-miner): a new species for me. 🙂 Leaf mines on Grey Alder plus habitat. Sudbury, Suffolk. #mothsmatter

A short trapping session in a local ancient wood produced my first PLUMED PROMINENT of the autumn last night. Also, Merveille du Jour, Green-brindled Crescent, Feathered Thorn, Acleris emargana etc. #longmelford #suffolk #mothsmatter