moths to a flame

 

14 ~ 17-05-25 Another trip to Monymusk. Sadly Mary's mum had, not long out of hospital, fallen and cracked her pelvis. She was now back in hospital. Not how she planned spending her 98th year. We cleared a few days and headed in the "new" car up to Aberdeenshire to commiserate and do some hospital visits. Inverurie this time, nice and near. We were staying again with Karen and Andy, Mary's sister and bro-in-law.

wren
dawn all day chorus

The big news (other than Margaret's prognosis and recovery) was a pine martin had been seen locally and Andy had put up a trail cam pointed at a feeder on a tree at the end of his garden. He showed us the stills and footage of this almost monkey-like mustelid, the size of a skinny cat with a fluffy tail and allegedy so fierce they will take lambs. There were timestamps on the trail-cam footage and 6.30am seemed to be optimal. Imagine being up at that time and seeing this amazing russet coloured ferret taking food from the feeder. A challenge I rose to!

We got an early-ish night and when I got up for a pee I noticed it was light and something like 6.15am. I washed my face and got my camera out while still asleep. I threw the cammo ponch over my head and made my way quietly to a spot maybe 35 yards from the trail cam and feeder and sat on the garden wall slightly hidden behind a telegraph pole and small shrub. I didn't imagine I was invisible but hoped at least for insignificant and that might be enought to capture some pine martin action. 

poncho Pedro

the tree and pine martin feeder tray on left
red squirrel feeder to the right

To my disappointment the polecat missed its six-thirty appointment. Must have been partying the night before. It was a glorious morning and not awful to be up, but still a bit sad the PM did not turn up to have their photo taken. Also: Mary was feeling a bit below par. Not a hangover, maybe tiredness, we postponed the Great Snake Hunt and stayed local (apart from a hospital visit.)

wren, also doing early morning shouty

bog bean

I spent a lot of time just mooching around the garden and nearby, taking photos and poking about the wee pond which was totally transformed from last visit and had many flowering things happening in and around it. 

buzzard being discouraged by corvid

Andy has grown some really attractive flowers and plants in the garden as well as leaving certain areas going a bit wild for the pollinators. These large and striking meconopsis certainly attracted the insects. There were several rhododendrons gloriously in flower down beyond the pond. With loads of insects in attendance.

I think there was a recently fledged family of long-tailed tits
but didn't get many decent photos as they flew through

pleased to see this yellowhammer gathering grubs (for offspring?)

quite a few mistle thrush making weird calls
I shot some video and will put it together below

the willow warbler again

rhingia campestris

and again

green veined white

rhagio - snipe fly

another rhagio

large red damselfly

cheilosia

speckled wood

red admiral
a few flying vigorously not stopping for long

Mary began to feel a bit better so we went for a local walk along the river near Monymusk. It was really nice and we earmarked this for a decent flat 5 mile run on future occasions. Normally we run over the local hills when here, but this was a good flatter alternative.

mallard with young family

longhorn moth of another variety than usual

gvw

sparrow

orange-tip

rhododendron in back garden

cropped peacock!

new large red damselfly
which allowed me to get very close without it flying off

you can see the short depth of field on the leaf

just amazing colours!

gvw stops for a sip of water at the pond
as well as a constant stream of honey bees from the neighbouring hives

Helophilus pendulus

by the pond

megaloptera; something like an alderfly or caddisfly

thricops?

female damselfly ovipositing
while male no doubt mansplains

Mary found this OT in the greenhouse getting tangled in spiderweb

Friday morning we headed to Muir of Dinnet 24 miles away for the Great Snake Hunt 2.0. You'll remember last visit we failed to see any adders at the snake wall but Mary saw one cross her path. I felt we arrived too late last time and everything was too well warmed up and going about its business. This time we set off earlier. However it was possibly just after 10am when we arrived and again it was properly warm. I felt we may have arrived too late again. Oh well, it is still a really nice 5mile walk in very pretty surroundings. Who cares about adders? (I do!) 

When we stepped out the car the first thing I saw while Mary went off to find the toilets was a Pearl-bordered fritillary! Just a few yards from where we parked the car. Right enough there was bracken and dandelions and no dampness (otherwise it might have been a Small-pearl the more common of the two.) When I wandered into the warden's house they had a list of wildlife spotted recently and right enough PBFs were up there. And no SPBFs. I didn't get any shots of the car park PBF as it was scooting about looking for female PBFs. But it took the pressure off snakes to be the only thing of value to hunt today. I had no idea the place was so full of interesting wildlife. Again thanks to Simon who highly recommended it.

Again there were not any immediate sign of snakes. We walked the wall twice in full and slowly but I still could not find any reptiles in all the many places that looked most likely. However we did see a PBF and it landed on a dandelion which allowed for photos. In fact we saw several of the orange butterflies but few were landing long enough to get any photos. But it was great compensation for the lack of snakes. Last time at the place I left in quite a grump as I felt shortchanged for lack of snakes. This time I was more excited by the butterflies and what else we might see - high hopes for the dragonfly ponds, although it was really too early in the season.

unexpected PBF - how often does that happen?

shredded peacock

dunnock

other dunnock

greylag

We passed a few folk out walking a couple of dogs. The dogs were not on leads. In a nature reserve! I was a bit gobsmacked but it does seem to be a place for folk fishing, hiking and walking dogs. The dogs did seem to be well behaved, but all the same! I'm glad I didn't say anything as one of the blokes said to us there were goslings just round the corner. He did seem pleasant, but dogs off the lead in a nature reserve in Springtime?! 

A couple of corners later and we came across several greylags and their goslings. They all got into the water when they saw us coming but they didn't go far and were within range for photos. We didn't stay long, not wanting to disturb them unduly.

Just after that splendid encounter, the highlight of a very rewarding day was an adder crossing the path directly in front of us. I wasn't sure Mary had seen it and had to point and splutter in order for her not to walk right over it. It was going at a moderate pace and was about to speed off into the undergrowth when I deliberately blocked its path. It hesitated and looked for a different line. I was superkeen to get a few photos before it disappeared. I have been trying to see a snake in Scotland for - I was going to say 20 years - but that's only in recent times. I suppose all my life. Mainly because you see signs saying beware adders but never the adders themselves.

It was a delight to see this one at long last and I wanted to savour the experience before it left. I also didn't want to upset it, so didn't push my luck and stood out the way after a short while and let it slide off. I took loads of pics and clever Mary shot some video which gives a better idea of how fast it could move when it got the chance. I have seen snakes (alive) on maybe 3 occasions and this, although far too brief, was the best encounter in terms of photos and getting a decent view. I'd say it was about 20" - nearly 2 feet long. I think the colouring suggests it was a female, the males being light silver with dark zigzags. But could be totally wrong. I never see enough of them to become familiar with looks and habits.

finally after years of searching fruitlessly!

okay don't want to block its path and end up upsetting it!

So that was the unexpected highlight of the day. Especially after no appearances at the signposted wall. It won't be the last time we visit here so I hope to see more, preferably sunbathing by the wall where I can get decent photos. But this was a lot better than last time when I felt we were promised much (by the signs) and given nothing. I was pleased!

another mistle thrush, I think

We went to the dragonfly pond but it wasn't that great. Well it was fine but after the snakencounter it couldn't possibly compete! There were a couple of four-spotters and some large reds. I took hundreds of photos of the 4-spotter who was remarkably obliging, coming over to pose right in front of me, and I managed not to get soaking wet shoes and feet which I was surprised about. I had a look round the far side but it was all getting very swampy so backed off as there wasn't anything other than the odonata I'd already photo-ed. Again we will be back and hopefully there will be some treats and exotica. If they have gone to the trouble of signposting it as a dragonfly pond there has to be more.

this robin came over to have his photo taken

sang a wee song too!

When we got back to Monymusk things were afoot. Andy got the ozpig out! A small pot-bellied woodburning stove with a long chimney that belched smoke into the blue sky. Apparently they are an Australian device for having a BBQ with less risk of sparks lighting up the surrounding countryside. It was an impressive addition and just right for such a glorious early evening. We sat around drinking beer and pink wine as the sun slowly set behind us. I got out my 12~60 street lens and relly enjoyed taking dozens of photos into the sun to produce ridiculous flare and bokeh. Andy kept the ozpig well stoked and Karen came out with some amazing food - chicken and vegetable stirfry and egg noodles which were cooked in a wok over the ozpig. It was amazing. Actually it was better than that; it was out of this world good! 

ozpig in action

Andy built that wooden building
which has plumbing and full electric inside!

this is the good life!

Before I got too intoxicated I set up the moth trap. I bought this second hand a few years ago but rarely use it as it is quite cumbersome and we don't have the sort of garden to set it up in - our neighbours might freak. Last time was years ago at Caroline's place over in the West (Mary's other sister.) Andy suggested I put it by the pond. It has a large battery to keep the tube lit all night until the light detector cuts out the light at dawn. By this time it should have attracted all sorts of moths who fall into the silver box and crawl into dark crevices of packaging in there. I was hoping for poplar and elephant hawk moths but not sure what it would catch. I looked forward to examining and releasing the moths next morning. A bit like Christmas!

Meanwhile back at the stirfry BBQ people were dressing in large warm items. Not sure what they are called but you'd get them on the internet. For all the day was really warm, the temperature really dropped like a stone under a clear bright starry sky. I took more photos but forgot to photo the night sky which was lovely. If a little dark! I suspect there was a bit of intoxication although we ate some much it would have absorbed the worst of the damage. Andy brought out whiskys. Can't remember much else.

mesmeric!

a last check of the moth trap before heading to bed

goodnight johnboy!

yellowhammer again

Not too hungover next morning and up bright and early to see what the moth trap has collected. Not quite early enough for the 6.30 spider monkey breakfast but hey, not too bad. I think we might have been up for the red squirrel breakfast which the trail cams had recorded at 8.30 but that was a no show as well. Which shows the value of a trail-cam. Andy had pics of red squirrels, the pine martin (top guest and super star) but also jays and woodpeckers. Just splendid to know all this is going on in your back garden. Apart from distant woodpecker drumming Mary and I got none of the above. There were the bumps in the night though. Actually not just in the night. The chalet - a toolshed and mancave these days - has a partitioned ceiling below the roof making a space just about large enough for a small mammal. Every time we passed we could hear traffic of sorts. Like a beanbag being pulled on a string over joists. And occasionally thrown. Andy reckoned squirrels. I thought he was being optimistic and was sure it would turn out to be rats. When we had our outdoor stirfry we could hear the anonymous occupants were also having quite a party and muffled thumps and bumps were heard over our partying. This must have inspired Andy to change the position of the trail cam to find out wtf was making such a racket. Results (far) below. What do you reckon?

But first, after another dawn chorus that lasted all day, let's have a look in the moth trap and see if santa left us anything nice...

small phoenix

It was a glorious day again, yet another in this fabulous Springtime. I slowly lifted the top off the box and things fluttered from within and from underneath. No hawk-moths alas, nor anything large and impressive. Similar to last time - a pretty collection of buff, white and brown jobs all looking a bit sleepy and some of the smaller pugs making a dash for it before I could get their pictures. Okay that's allowed after a night's incarceration.

brown rustic?

Nut-tree tussock

Lesser swallow prominent

Early thorn

White ermine

black sexton beetle
this chap and his mite consorts was the only non-moth 

ermine and nut-tree tussock

scalloped hazel

another nut-tree tussock

same again

lesser swallow prominent

white ermine

2 nut-tree tussocks

flame carpet

hebrew character

type of pug; grey, common or brindled

coxcomb prominent

same

We cleared away the moth trap. I was disappointed there were no moster moths but not a bad haul of modest chaps. And then packed some sandwiches for the trip home. There was one last stop at Tentsmuir on the way home but first the answer to the question of what was banging in the chalet roofspace. Andy re-positioned the trail-cam and got the following stills and videos. There's more in the pipeline but here is the outcome, and it wasn't rats!

video - click twice

On Saturday we drove back home. We usually stop around halfway for soup or sandwiches and having packed sandwiches, ate them at Leuchars. Not exactly on the way home but a nice spot to get some steps in, checking the Fife Coastal Path en route to Kinshaldy where there are SPBFs towards the end of May. We were possibly a few days early. (A pal, Colin found a couple at boardwalk 3 on Saturday 24th May.) We did a mile or 2 in, saw a red admiral in the woods and then returned to the car. Not the worst motorway service station alternative. 

Well that was a great trip in spectacular weather. We finally had a decent encounter with an adder and the pine martin family was a fabulous turn up for the books, although the reveal was only a little later. Latest news is Mary's mum is home from hospital (again!) and so we may well be going up soon for another visit. With all those wildlife and culinary delights, it feels more like a joy than a duty. Thanks to Karen and Andy for looking after us so well.

thanks to Mary for taking the adder video clips shown here along with 

a wren, treecreeper, willow warbler, mistle thrush, coal tit, 4-spotted chaser, adder and ozpig!