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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 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ 2026 Garden Moth yearlist 4️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ VC 26 - TL77C West Suffolk, Breckland-Fenland interface

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 11h
Eager to set up the Moth trap ce soir, after a sojourn in France. No Mothing whilst there, though a little inadvertent Leaf-mining was nice. Birding was limited to Mrs. Prof’s family gardens, but included; Middle-spotted Woodpecker, Cirl Bunting, Crested Tit and a roost ~200 Cattle Egrets.
Part of ~200 Cattle Egret which came into roost, visible from Mrs. Prof’s family garden in France this weekend.
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
A bit of Leaf-mining, whilst I’m in France 🇫🇷 getting my eye in. Phyllonorycter nicellii (Hazel Leaf-miner), Parornix devoniella (Hazel Parornix), Tischeria dodonaea (Small Oak Blotch-miner), Stigmella microtheriella (Nut-tree Dot) and Parectopa robiniella (Locust Digitate Leafminer Moth) all NFM.
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
On this weekend 40 years ago: A few days on Scilly. Details in the picture, but plenty of birds to chase back in those days. #UKRareBirds
Birding journal from 1986 on Scilly.

📸 unknown
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
On this day 25 years ago: This 1st summer American Golden Plover at Upware, Cambs. Not a common bird in West Suffolk, I have tried for one and missed before, but much more frequent just over the border in Cambridgeshire. @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #CambsBirds
American Golden Plover in Cambs. October 2001

📸 unknown
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Along with a couple of Barred Sallows came this NFG #499 Sallow. One I’ve only ever seen at Lakenheath before. It’s new for the tetrad. 🔲 #teammoth
Sallow
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Really wanted to trap last night, but we looked to get rain, so I popped the trap under an undercroft. I think it’s not as good as out in the open, but hey ho. In the end, the rain missed us, and the Moths didn’t. #498 Feathered Thorn was on the wall behind the trap. #teammoth
Feathered Thorn
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
A slight return to form this morning, with 42/15; the best showing in 3 weeks. This subtly gorgeous, NFM/NFG #497 Dusky-lemon Sallow, was on the wall by the trap. One of the rarer Sallows in the county with just 276 records. It’s new for the tetrad. 🔲 #teammoth
Dusky-lemon Sallow
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Looked quite Mothy last night, as I put the #teammoth trap out. In fact I potted this up from the lid of the trap. It proved to be NFM/NFG #496 Scrobipalpa costella (Bittersweet Moth) which is also new for the tetrad. 🔲 I was wondering if I’d ever get a different Scrobipalpa, after so many Beets.
Scrobipalpa costella (Bittersweet Moth)
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
A terrific start to the morning. Quick listen and watch in the garden, and I heard a single call, that I have been expecting. ‘No chance Merlin™️ will have captured it!’ Oh, it did! In fact it picked up 3 calls - sorry Merlin™️ #100 Brambling I wondered if I’d make 💯 this year.
Brambling sonogram from this morning.
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Moth of the day has to be this NFM/NFG #495 Plumed Fan-foot. It’s not just new for the tetrad, but Hectad too. In fact not too many records in the VC. #teammoth A juvenile Goshawk languidly circled the garden as I breakfasted. Maybe the same one from last month?
Plumed Fan-foot
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Marvel of the day was, well…NFG #494 Merveille du Jour. An absolutely box-fresh slice of Mint Choc-chip if ever I saw one. Another Moth I’ve only ever previously seen at Lakenheath. It’s also new for the tetrad. 🔲 #teammoth
Merveille du Jour
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Dissapointed I couldn’t trap on Saturday, so was very keen last night. What a trap! Next to nothing in it, but nearly all goodies. NFG #493 Autumnal Rustic is one I’ve only ever seen at Lakenheath, and one I hoped to get here one day. It’s new for the tetrad. 🔲 #teammoth
Autumnal Rustic
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
A lovely demonstration of symmetry this morning. Not just with the pattern on this #492 Mallow, but also the fact that my only other record was on exactly the same date last year. #teammoth
Mallow
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
#teammoth trap a little more interesting this morning, though numbers still low. Just 23/10. Very satisfying however, is that the one that got away a month ago, is the one that didn’t get away today. Acleris variegana (Garden Rose Tortrix)
Acleris variegana (Garden Rose Tortrix)
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Having lunch, and look up to the ceiling, as you do, and there’s a (the) Vestal sitting up there watching me. I released yesterday’s Moth out of the window, so it’s possibly returned, but equally could be a new Moth. Are they known for their homing abilities? #teammoth
Vestal on the ceiling.
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
On this day 25 years ago: A vagrant Canada Goose at Holkham freshmarsh, with Pink-feet. It went through a couple of identification possibilities, before settling on interior (Todd’s). These vagrant Canada Geese seem to be occuring more frequently in recent years, given increasing Goose numbers.
‘Todd’s’ (interior) Canada Goose at Holkham in October 2001.

📸 unknown
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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 · 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
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 · 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
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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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 · 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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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
All from Rowan. Can’t see anyone at home.
Rowan/Sorbus
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I kept looking. Did I find? I hope so. On Sorbus, P. Sorbi?
Phyllonorycter sorbi?Phyllonorycter sorbi?Phyllonorycter sorbi?
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