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Birdingprof

@birdingprof.bsky.social
1.2K followers 443 following 13K posts

Actual Birder, sometime Twitcher, budding Moth-er. 2026 Garden Bird yearlist 0️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ 2026 Garden Moth yearlist 4️⃣9️⃣0️⃣ VC 26 - TL77C West Suffolk, Breckland-Fenland interface

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 3h
Highlights of the Moth trap, what highlights? #teammoth My first 4 Redwings of the Autumn over, also 5 Skylarks and a few Siskins the best of viz-mig.
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
A slightly moist trap this morning, but well within acceptable limits. Numbers and variety still down, but it only takes one Moth to make it all worthwhile. Last night NFG #490 Vestal was that one Moth. Nice to get one of my own. #teammoth
Vestal
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
On this day 40 years ago: ✅ Arctic Warbler at Tetney Lock, Lincs. Nice to compare to a Greenish Warbler seen the week before at Lowestoft. #UKrarebirds
Arctic Warbler at Tetney, Lincs in 1986.

📸 unknown
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
On this day 40 years ago: ✅ Citrine Wagtail at Blakeney Quay, back when it was a big bird. Only just over 40 previous records, and over half of those had been on Shetland. Quite a change of fortune for this species in the intervening years. #UKrarebirds
Citrine Wagtail at Blakeney Quay, Norfolk in 1986

📸 unknown
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Numbers and diversity still low in the #teammoth trap, but a definite improvement in quality. NFM/NFG #489 Orange Sallow was the obvious highlight, it’s new for the tetrad. 🔲 Other notables included Rusty Dot Pearl, Barred Sallow & Pinion-streaked Snout.
Orange Sallow
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
britmap · 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 ● 100 ● 100 ● 100 ● 100 ● 99 Total: 997/1000 · www.britm.app · Day 8 unlikely I will better this score.
britm.app
britmap
The daily British history map puzzle.
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
britmap · 26 SEPTEMBER 2026 ● 85 ● 98 ● 100 ● 100 ● 99 Total: 980/1000 · www.britm.app · Day 7 Should have been better, but I rushed the first place. 🤦
britm.app
britmap
The daily British history map puzzle.
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I can’t tell you how many Samaras I have looked, or how pleased I am to have finally found this. NFM/NFG #488 Etainia louisella (Maple Seed Dot) it’s new for both tetrad and Hectad. 🔲 #teammoth
Mine of Etainia louisella
(Maple Seed Dot)Mine of Etainia louisella
(Maple Seed Dot)
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Two Peregrines on ‘my’ side of the church yesterday evening. At some point the long-staying very dark male has been replaced with a much paler grey individual. No wall Moths last night, and very few in the trap. This Lunar Underwing was much paler than the ones I’ve been getting lately. #teammoth
Peregrines on St. Mary’s church, Mildenhall.Pale version of Lunar Underwing.
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
On this day 40 years ago: Suffolk’s first record of Eastern Subalpine Warbler @landguardbo.bsky.social within 8 months I had also seen Suffolk’s first Western Subalpine Warbler at the same site. I had a dislodged feather from the latter for years, but it’s lost now, sadly. #SuffolkBirds
Drawing by Barry Croucher of the 1986 Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Landguard Bird Observatory. Courtesy of 1986 Suffolk Bird Report.
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A couple of eclipse/immature Pintail - my first of the year, 2 juvenile Hobby and a Great White Egret on Hockwold Wash, a Clouded Yellow flew through. Earlier, just a dozen species of Moth in their trap. I’m glad it’s not just me. Did include my 2nd & 3rd Vestals though. #teammoth
PintailVestal
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Moth trap abysmal this morning - 8/4 Yesterday, in my mining session, I came across this leaf with c.375 Large Yellow Underwing eggs, some already hatching. This morning a Mottled Shield-bug by an amenity light.
Large Yellow Underwing eggs and larva.Mottled Shield-bug
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Inspired by some other #teammoth posts, I went out to search for a specific Leaf-mine on Elm. I didn’t find it. But, rather pleased with what I did find, NFM/NFG #487 Coleophora limosipennella (Elm Case-bearer). With just 17 Suffolk records, it is new for the tetrad. 🔲
Case of Coleophora limosipennella (Elm Case-bearer)Case of Coleophora limosipennella (Elm Case-bearer)
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Put out the trap, and when I got back to the front door - this NFG #486 Large Wainscot was waiting for me. What a whopper. One I’ve only previously seen at Lakenheath. It’s new for the tetrad. 🔲 #teammoth
Large Wainscot
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
This week 25 yrs ago: Isabelline Wheatear at Landguard. With quite a few scarcities. Red-necked Stint at Somersham followed later in the day with Pallass’s Grasshopper Warbler ✅ on Blakeney Point (never thought I would see one so well) with Ortolan and Grey Phalarope bonus.
Isabelline Shrike Landguard September 2001

📸 unknown

#SuffolkBirdsRed-necked Stint at Somersham, Cambs. September 2001.

📸 unknown

#CambsBirds

@cambsbirdclub.bsky.socialPallass’s Grasshopper Warbler on Blakeney Point September 2001.

📸 unknown

#NorfolkBirds Ortolan on Blakeney Point September 2001.

📸 unknown

#NorfolkBirds
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Word of the day is paltry. Use it in a sentence - The returns from last night’s #teammoth trap were paltry… That is apart from…this beauty. NFG #485 Barred Sallow. Also new for the tetrad. 🔲
Barred Sallow
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Found a few examples of this NFM/NFG #484 Stigmella malella (Apple Dot) on a Crab Apple tree, this afternoon. It’s new for the tetrad. 🔲 #teammoth
Leaf-mine of Stigmella malella
(Apple Dot) on Crab AppleLeaf-mine of Stigmella malella
(Apple Dot) on Crab AppleLeaf-mine of Stigmella malella
(Apple Dot) on Crab AppleLeaf-mine of Stigmella malella
(Apple Dot) on Crab Apple
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Rather pleased with this ‘tadpole’ Leaf-mine, on Prunus sp. I’ve seen a few people posting them recently. NFM/NFG #483 Stigmella plagicolella (Blue-shot Dot) Especially pleased as I was looking for something else entirely. #teammoth
Leaf-mine of Stigmella plagicolella (Blue-shot Dot)Leaf-mine of Stigmella plagicolella (Blue-shot Dot)Leaf-mine of Stigmella plagicolella (Blue-shot Dot)Leaf-mine of Stigmella plagicolella (Blue-shot Dot)
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Bit of a full-on day, but managed to squeeze in a half hour of mining. I keep checking An Alder for a mine that I had last year, but none have appeared yet. However, did come across this Pebble Hook-tip Caterpillar 🐛 Considering how many leaves I look at, I don’t see many caterpillars. #teammoth
Pebble Hook-tip Caterpillar
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Species variety in the #teammoth trap, just holding into double-figures, and quantity also low. However in addition to last night’s new addition, this NFG #482 Deep-brown Dart was clinging to the underside of the trap. It’s new for the tetrad. 🔲
Deep-brown Dart
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
britmap · 20 SEPTEMBER 2026 ● 99 ● 91 ● 99 ● 93 ● 89 Total: 934/1000 · www.britm.app Very entertaining, as you say. @robharvey99.bsky.social
britm.app
britmap
The daily British history map puzzle.
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Popped the trap out early tonight. And had a quick check of the amenity lights. Fortunately picked up this NFG #481 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer). It’s one I’ve had at Cavenham before, but it’s new for the tetrad. 🔲 #teammoth
Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer)
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Inspired by a recent post, I had a look at my closest (only) Oak tree. I didn’t find what I was looking for, tho I now realise I had, had the Moth earlier in the year. 🙄 However, I did find mines of NFG #480 Tischeria ekebladella (Oak Blotch-miner) which is new for the tetrad too. 🔲 #teammoth
Leaf-mines of Tischeria ekebladella
(Oak Blotch-miner)
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Happy to lay my Suffolk bogey bird to rest, not for want of trying before though. #368 Montague’s Harrier flew from Havergate to Gedgrave Marshes . It’s also my 306th species recorded in September, and my first in 16 years. Where does the time go? #SuffolkBirds
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A dead Polecat, just around the corner from home this morning - one day I’ll see a live one. A Grayling, on south side of Orford, is a Butterfly I do not see very often. A bonus enroute to my Suffolk bogey bird.
Grayling.
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A chilly morning and therefore a meagre #teammoth trap. Warming cheer, however, found in the shape of this NFG #479 Black Rustic. As others have said, a tricky species to photograph. A flyover Reed Bunting was the first since February.
Black Rustic
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
In two minds about setting the #teammoth trap last night. I knew I would be up against the incoming rain and an early morning appointment, so a #teammoth trap total of just 13/9 was sort of useful. 🫤 Didn’t get wet and I’m on time for my appointment. All good, as was this #478 Lunar Underwing.
Lunar Underwing
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Had a search for leaf-mines this afternoon. Nothing obviously new, but I’ve got a few bags of leaves to go through. #teammoth Did spot my first Firebug though. Nice to see, as my timeline has been full of them lately. Only resident in the South-east it seems, and I’m on the edge of their range.
Firebug https://species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0020309752. Firebug distribution on NBN atlas
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The 2nd Ancylosis oblitella (Saltmarsh Knot-horn) this month, a really dark Archips podana (Large Fruit-tree Tortrix), and what seems to be the joint latest date on SuffolkMoths for this Teleiodes vulgella (Black-spotted Grey) were the also rans from last nights trap. #teammoth
Ancylosis oblitella (Saltmarsh Knot-horn)Archips podana (Large Fruit-tree Tortrix)Teleiodes vulgella (Black-spotted Grey)
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
A moderately decent showing, with a bit of variety in it, last night. Ironically, the only Moth new for the year was this #477 Acleris sparsana (Lead-coloured Tortrix) which was by an amenity light as I put the trap out. #teammoth
Acleris sparsana (Lead-coloured Tortrix)
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
My numbering has got all over the place, so this should be #464
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Brought some Alder leaves home, as you do, but only noticed this secondary mine by chance. Just as well, as it’s NFM/NFG #476 Bucculatrix cidarella (Alder Tuft). #teammoth
Leaf-mine of Bucculatrix cidarella
(Alder Tuft).Leaf-mine of Bucculatrix cidarella
(Alder Tuft).
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
macaulaylibrary.org/asset/663618... Possible Short-tailed Shearwater off Spain last month.
macaulaylibrary.org
ML663618654 - shearwater sp. - Macaulay Library
Macaulay Library ML663618654; © Daniel López-Velasco | Ornis Birding Expeditions; A Coruña, Galicia, Spain
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
This #475 Rivula sericealis (Straw Dot) was by the front door last night as I went to put the #teammoth trap out. Only my second ever Satin Grass-moth and a late Mottled Rustic were the highlights of an improved (hopefully, improving) catch last night.
Rivula sericealis (Straw Dot)
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
A bit of Leaf-mining yesterday delivered this on Alder. It’s #474 Stigmella glutinosae/alnetella. I can’t take it further without the inhabitant, unfortunately, exactly the same as last year. #teammoth
Leaf-mine of Stigmella glutinosae/alnetella (White-barred Alder Dot/Silver-barred Alder Dot) on Alder.

Needs the larva to confirm whichLeaf-mine of Stigmella glutinosae/alnetella (White-barred Alder Dot/Silver-barred Alder Dot) on Alder.

Needs the larva to confirm which
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A teeny uptick, compared to the poor Moth turnout lately. Feathered Gothic and Narrow-winged Grey the best of a poor bunch. #teammoth 3 Meadow Pipits over were the first this Autumn.
Feathered GothicNarrow-winged Grey
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Reposted by Birdingprof
Dan Baldassarre @evornithology.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Whoa. Potential mega rarity in New Hampshire- CHILEAN SKUA... ebird.org/checklist/S3... 📷 www.flickr.com/photos/jlamb...
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Keen to se how much easier/quicker it would be to process the #teammoth trap now I’ve stuck it on a table. Much quicker! However, that may be because there were very few Moths in the trap, or by the amenity lights last night. Red Underwing and Rusty-dot Pearl lifted the spirits slightly.
A slightly nibbled Red UnderwingVery pale Rusty-dot Pearl
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I’ve got plans for next year (subject to our old decking ever being replaced 🙄) to add a table and chairs.
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Not sure why I didn’t think of this ages ago. A table to stand my trap on. Means I won’t have to lug chairs out to the trap each morning, and bending down to empty it won’t be back breaking anymore. It can act as a shower guard, and I’ve got somewhere for my notebook and pots. Win/Win #teammoth
My 20W Actinic Skinner Moth-trap on a lightweight table.
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Reposted by Birdingprof
David Bradley @sciencebase.com · 07/09/2026
So, this Golden Twin-spot ab. was my 40th NFG and 400th NFY of 2026 and was a county first and my first county first, I'm chuffed with that. Totally irrelevant to anyone else, but... #teamMoth #mothsMatter
Known aberrant form of Golden Twin-spot, first one recorded in Cambs
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I’m not sure what the ratio is to light one’s, but I think this is the first dark form Box-tree Moth I’ve seen. #teammoth
Box-tree Moth
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I couldn’t actually see what this was, as I was potting it inside the trap, to clear a path for the egg boxes. Delighted that it turned out to be NFG #473 Frosted Orange. A Tiffany lamp on wings. It’s new for the tetrad. 🔲 #teammoth
Frosted Orange
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I was optimistic for the trap last night, and it was a better show - 94/25 - than of late. Sadly a fumbled pot catch saw #472 Acleris variegana (Garden Rose Tortrix) away into the wind, before it could have its mug-shot. It was a particularly well marked one as well. 😟 #teammoth
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I was surprised to get one of these a couple of years ago, so equally surprised and pleased to get it again. Although there seems to be a spread of them around the country at the moment. #471 Ancylosis oblitella (Saltmarsh Knot-horn) #teammoth
Ancylosis oblitella (Saltmarsh Knot-horn)
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Putting the trap out tonight, but forgot the battery 🪫 I’m guessing it wouldn’t be so effective. All rectified now. #teammoth A quick check of the amenity lights on the way back in revealed few Moths, but did include #470 Feathered Gothic. Only my second sighting, both from the garden.
Feathered Gothic
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Scoured the garden this morning, though I didn’t have a lot of time. But I did come up with this NFM/NFG #469 Leucoptera laburnella (Laburnum Leaf-miner) however. With just 45 Suffolk records, it’s new for the tetrad and Hectad. 🔲 #teammoth
Leaf-mine of Leucoptera laburnella (Laburnum Leaf-miner)  Leaf-mine of Leucoptera laburnella (Laburnum Leaf-miner) Leaf-mine of Leucoptera laburnella (Laburnum Leaf-miner)
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Definitely an Oak theme last night. NFG #468 Carcina quercana (Oak Longhorn) it’s also a new for the tetrad. 🔲 There were just 122 spp listed when I started Mothing, this was my 400th addition. A long way to go to catch up with some of the 1K+ tetrad nearby, but it gives me motivation. #teammoth
Carcina quercana (Oak Longhorn)
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Touch and go with the #teammoth trap last night. I decided on go. Windy, but escaped the rain, just. 53/23 is not the greatest result, but, any day with a new Moth is good. NFM/NFG #453 Oak Hook-tip. (Replacement numbering for one of my Leaf-mine fails😚)
Oak Hook-tip
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Yesterday morning the local Jays and other birds were mobbing something near to where I was with the Moth trap. Happily it caused me to look up, and see a #99 Goshawk, land in the heart of a tree, not 20m away. I presume it had roosted overnight. Sep. is the best month. 1st for 4 years.
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