Holywell Dene & Pond

I parked up at Holywell village and headed east towards the Dene and then took a turn northwards towards the Obelisk eventually heading back to Holywell going along the south of Holywell Pond. A mild and sunny day meant a chance of taking some photos with some light to work with and without getting hypothermia, again!

On reaching the Dene a flock of Blue, Great and Coal Tits were feeding when a single male Bullfinch flew in to view.

Bullfinch

Then a heron flew up from the Dene into the field above.

Grey Heron

Heading north a flock of 8 Linnet and 15 Yellowhammer were feeding in the stubble field.

Yellowhammers take cover in the hedge

Along the south of Holywell Pond a new path is under construction

Great Spotted Woodpecker by the hide at Holywell 

And on the pond ..... a few Tufties, couple of Gadwall, a Mallard and a pair of Mute Swan.

Mute Swan

More Holywell Mothing

Last night Tom Tams and I went trapping close to Holywell Village in a small wild flower meadow over looked by mature trees. It looked like the perfect spot but in the end it produced a disappointing number of moths.

2305 Small Angle Shades (Euplexia lucipara)

Species list, courtesy of Tom.

Coleophora species (Coleophora sp.) 1

0017 Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus) 3

0288 Caloptilia stigmatella 1

1076 Celypha lacunana 7

1201 Eucosma cana 5

1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 3

1334 Scoparia ambigualis 1

1708 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata) 2

1727 Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata) 30

1776 Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria) 7

1802 Rivulet (Perizoma affinitata) 1

1827 Freyer's Pug (Eupithecia intricata) 2

1834 Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata) 4

1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) 3

1931 Peppered Moth (Biston betularia) 1

2089 Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) 4

2305 Small Angle Shades (Euplexia lucipara) 1

2474 Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis) 6

Tom's garden, on the other hand, was a scene from 'Life on Earth' with traps full to the brim and walls festooned with all manner of moths.

My garden had a modest catch including;

1955 Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria)

1216 Cherry-bark Moth (Enarmonia formosana)

1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella)

1338 Dipleurina lacustrata

Holywell Dene Mothing

Went mothing with Tom Tams and Craig Scrimgeour last night in Holywell Dene. Here's the catch list courtesy of Tom.

Ghost Moth

0014 Ghost Moth (Hepialus humuli) 1

0017 Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus) 9

0018 Map-winged Swift (Hepialus fusconebulosa f. gallicus) 3

0216 Cork Moth (Nemapogon cloacella) 1

0544 Coleophora albicosta 3

0597 Elachista atricomella 1

0724 Metzneria lappella 1

0874 Blastobasis lacticolella 2

1076 Celypha lacunana 6

1111 Bactra lancealana 3

1255 Cydia ulicetana 1

1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 3

1727 Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata) 50+

1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 5

1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 7

1776 Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria) 4

1802 Rivulet (Perizoma affinitata) 2

1803 Small Rivulet (Perizoma alchemillata) 1

1819 Mottled Pug (Eupithecia exiguata) 5

1837 Grey Pug (Eupithecia subfuscata) 1

1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) 4

1931 Peppered Moth (Biston betularia) 1

2326 Clouded-bordered Brindle [melanic form] (Apamea crenata ab. combusta) 1

2330 Dusky Brocade (Apamea remissa) 1

2340 Middle-barred Minor (Oligia fasciuncula) 4

2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 2

2477 Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 1

Wot. No Green-winged Teal?

Er no, but I had a nice walk from Whitley Bay along the Waggonway to Holywell Dene and then onto St Mary's Wetland and home along the beach for Sunday lunch at the world famous Cottage Kitchen. I got home just as the heavens opened - perfect timing.

I saw 43 species including my first Treecreeper of the year and my first on patch Bullfinches. And that Med Gull again (Brierdene car park)- whereas a few weeks ago I couldn't find it, now it seems to be stalking me.

Pied Wagtail in 'paddy field' along the Waggonway

Holywell Dene - White water rafting anyone?

Robin singing in Holywell Dene. Another sings further down the track and a Wren joins in.

PS. If I can shake a leg early tomorrow there maybe some Green-winged Teal action tomorrow :)