Moth Trapping

I recently built a moth trap to see what was out and about in my garden at night. We have had some heavy rain over the last couple of weeks so I was just waiting for the right night that would be dry and I got one Saturday night. So I setup the trap and headed to bed. When I got up sunday morning I was amazed at the amout I had in the box. For something that was home made I had trapped over 30 moth and up to 15 different species. So here are a few shots of the moths..

 Bright-line Brown-eye

Buff Ermine

 Buff and White Ermine

 Common Emerald Moth

 Common White Wave moth

Dark Arches Moth

 Eudonian mercurella

Garden Carpet Moth

 Heart and Dart Moth

 A Large Yellow Under Wing Moth

 Phlyctaenia coronata

Riband Wave Moth

 And another type of Riband Wave Moth

 Small Magpie Moth

 Straw Dot Moth

Sparrow Hawk

I notice a familiar but not so familiar face in the garden yesterday and today. Yes I had a Sparrow Hawk back in the garden, but I`d say he was a young bird probably from one of this years earlier broods. And even though he maybe young, you can see he is as sharp as a needle. He hasn`t caught anything that I have seen yet but he is fighting fit and I would not like to be a bird that gets in his way or more so the one that doesn`t get out of his way. Here is a few shots taken through the Kitchen window.....

 Checking out one of the feeders

 Is there someone up there??

 He spots a finch in the distance.

 Whats that under my nail?

You looking at me??

Back For More

I headed back up to Offaly as I wasn`t happy with the shots I got of the Whinchat the other day. So this time I wasn`t leaving until I got a shot I was happy with. It`s super to hear these birds singing even this late into the season. As I was up that direction I decided to hit Boora as well. I had 23 Grey Partridges in total and 6 Whinchat at the shannon callows so you could say I wasn`t  spoilt for choice.

 Grey Partridge Family

 Checking to see that all the chicks are off the road.

 This male can crouch but he can`t hide from my camera.

 One of three male Whinchats singing in the Shannon Callows.

 A second male answering.

And another shot of a male in voice.