Lovely Garden Tiger moth by the Coast and Countryside depot at Ainsdale this week.
Not a rarity of course, but probably my favourite UK moth (with Emperor running it a close second).
Wonderful magpie camouflaged upper wings, with stunning orange rear wings, which are hidden when the beastie is at rest.
Strange how they're on the coast, and turn up further inland, but I've never nabbed one in the moth trap at Dempsey Towers....I live in hope, although they don't come to light that often.
We had a good look at this individual, allowing Ralph Jones and Chris Tynan to get a shot or two, before putting it in a quiet area of shaded grass to safely rest the day in peace.
The moth trap at Dempsey Towers has been relatively under-used this summer (so far) - the last time I cranked it up, the heavens opened and my egg-boxes filled with water in a few minutes.
Hopefuly they'll be dry enough for another crack soon.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Excellent numbers of Small Skipper and other stuff on a walk from Southport to Ainsdale today. Broad-bodied Chaser - chasing - in the Birkdale Frontals and many Sympetrum along the Green Beach. Emailed you a pic of the BBC.
Although lots of people are helping swifts when they arrive in the UK for summer, sadly there are many who are making their lives harder, says the RSPB.
John Day, Urban Advisor for the wildlife charity says: “Many people have really taken these incredible birds to heart and lots of people are stepping up to do all they can to help them once they arrive in the skies above our towns and cities.
“But, imagine how you would feel if you came home from holiday to find your house boarded up, or worse; demolished? That is exactly what is happening to our swifts.”
The wildlife charity is aware of local authorities that have installed nestbox bricks into new buildings, and one has even gone to great lengths to retrofit the bricks into existing buildings.
Some construction companies are also fitting nestbox bricks into new buildings and halting the demolition of old sites until swifts have left, while mitigating for the birds in the rebuild.
The RSPB has also heard from members of the public who have instigated projects on their own houses, using local builders to create new nests during restoration work.
In contrast, as fast as sites are being created, the RSPB is still hearing of people putting up scaffolding and fitting plastic spikes around swift nests, preventing access and in doing so, potentially committing an offence.
The wildlife charity’s annual ‘swift search’ is in full swing, with the summer migrants now taking up residence around the UK for the summer.
The RSPB is asking people to submit information on-line about where swifts are ‘screaming’ and flying very low around buildings.
It is also asking local authorities, the construction industry, and consultant ecologists to get involved. This can help inform them where to target protection of existing and provision of new nests.
Swifts have declined by a third in recent years and they have been placed on the amber list, meaning they are of serious conservation concern.
The causes of the decline are still unclear, but loss of nest sites due to building improvement or demolition is a major problem.
The RSPB suggests a number of simple measures that could help the fast dwindling swift population:
1. Leave any existing nest sites undisturbed where possible. Swifts will use the same nest sites again and again.
2. If you need to carry out repair work on your roof or fascias and soffits, leave it until swifts have left after the summer and make new nest access holes to match the old ones at exactly the same spot.
3. If building a new house, plan some internal nest spaces at the design stage.
4. If you are unable to do any of these, the other alternative is to fit a custom-made swift box.
The RSPB is appealing to us all to look out for groups of screaming swifts at roof level, a good sign they are breeding nearby, or where they have seen swifts nesting – perhaps entering a hole in the building or under a roof. They would like any sightings reported to them via their website at (www.rspb.org.uk/helpswifts)