iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 2h

Finally, one of my most wanted garden moths put in an appearance last night 4/10/26, and only the 2nd record for St Helens, a smart looking Merveille du Jour, well pleased. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0130

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A very poor catch last night 1/10/26 at home in St Helens, but I still managed to get a new micro species for the garden and St Helens, an Acleris hyemana, smart looking moth. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

3211

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I had a new species of insect for me and St Helens at home last night 29/9/26. A Western Conifer Seed Bug, unfortunately it seems to be missing one of it's back legs. #StHelensBirding

041

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Had a walk around Moss Lane St Helens this morning 26/9/26 and I found this female Red-viened Darter by the side of the path, as usual I didn't have my Camera but Cliff Pike was there with his so I asked him to take a few pictures. It was a new species for him. (Cliffs picture) #britishdragonflies

040

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

A nice fresh Orange Sallow was the best of a reduced catch last night 16/9/26 at home in St Helens, only the 4th one I've had at home. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0311

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Typical, you wait 30+ years for your first Clifden Nonpareil then another one comes along last night 1/9/26 at home in St Helens, it was actually in the trap this time. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0312

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

A migrant Pearly Underwing last night 30/8/26 at home was the best of the bunch, also I've just had confirmation of a new micro species for St Helens, a Gelechia cuneatella from the 13/8/26 #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0100

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Another new moth species for St Helens, a Cypress Pug, caught by Sharon Foster on the 18/8/26, we seem to be having a good run of new species at the moment #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0180

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

After 30+ years of moth trapping at home in St Helens, I finally caught a Clifden Nonpareil, it's new for the garden and only the 3rd record for our area, to say I was happy is an understatement! #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

4451

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

One of our group of moth recorders, Dave Owen caught this Striped Hawk-moth last night, 16/8/26 which is a new species for St Helens, I've been hoping that someone would get one and thankfully we did. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0220

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

I think this may be a Maple Pug, trapped last night in St Helens, Merseyside, I'm not familiar with this species so opinions are most welcome. #Teammoth

160

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

A Migrant Hawker in my sisters garden in Haydock, St Helens this morning, photo taken with my phone. #britishdragonflies

030

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I had a new moth species for me and St Helens last night 22/7/26 at home, a Ypsolopha horridella, also recorded a migrant Rush Veneer, a Argyresthia pruniella and a female Orange Swift. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

1150

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

A new species of moth for the garden last night 15/7/26, a smart Black Arches, only the 4th record for St Helens, one I've been hoping to catch, so I was well pleased when I saw it. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0360

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Has anyone got any suggestions for this moth, caught last night 25/6/26 in St Helens. My first thought when I saw it was Silky Wainscot but it's not sitting right for that, or perhaps a Streak or one of the Snouts ? but I've no idea to be honest. TIA #mothsmatter

150

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

One of our moth records in St Helens trapped a probable Clepsis peritana, which if confirmed will be a new species for Lancashire #Teammoth

2190

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Caught this moth last night, my initial thought was a Barred Straw, but I'm not 100% sure if it's this or a Spinach, opinions welcome, thank you #Teammoth

1100

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

250/61 species recorded last night 19/6/26 at home in St Helens, the best being this Anarsia innoxiella, only the 2nd record for Lancashire (awaiting confirmation of this) amazingly the first one was here last year on the 29/6/25, almost to the day. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

1140

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

A Thistle Ermine last night 16/6/26 at home in St Helens, they are becoming increasingly scarce in recent years, the last one I had at home was in 2019. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0180

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Best night of the year last night 15/6/26 at home in St Helens with 271/58 species recorded the best being this Marbled White Spot which is new for the garden, also a very worn Small Ranunculus. I also had another Small Mottled Willow but no picture. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0120

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

A nice Scorched Wing and a Broad-barred White were the best of a reduced catch last night 14/6/26 at home in St Helens, Merseyside. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0150

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

A migrant Dark Sword-grass and a Poplar Grey was the best of a much reduced catch due to cold and windy conditions, last night 3/6/26 at home in St Helens. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0160

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

36 moth species recorded last night 2/6/26 at home in St Helens, all common stuff except for this migrant Rusty-dot Pearl #Mothsmatter #StHelensBirding

0140

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

A smart Maiden's Blush last night 26/5/26 at home in St Helens, was the best of a reduced catch, only the 4th one I've had at home. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0130

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

A Small Mottled Willow last night 25/5/26 at home in St Helens, the last one here was in 2006, so long overdue, sadly a bit battered. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0180

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

A nice Alder Moth last night 24/5/26 at home in St Helens, only the 4th one I've had at home, also a Rhyacionia pinivorana, only the 2nd one I've had at home and the 4th one for St Helens. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

070

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Also around Sankey Valley, St Helens this morning, a few Large Red and one Azure Damselfly plus a Myathropa florea hoverfly and a Red Admiral. #UKWildlife

020

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Lots of m&f Banded Demoiselle on bankside vegetation on Sankey Brook, St Helens this morning, first ones I've seen this year. #UKDragonflies

030

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Best night of the year last night 2/5/26 in St Helens, Merseyside with 32/19 species, 8 of which were new for the year, including this smart Lime Hawk-moth and best of all this Orange Footman which is the 3rd record for St Helens, and the second one I've had at home. #Mothsmatter #StHelensBirding

0250

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

27/14 last night at my sisters in Haydock, St Helens, the best being a Lunar Marbled Brown and if I'm correct a Water Carpet, which will be new for St Helens. #Mothsmatter #StHelensBirding

1210

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

30/12 species recorded last night 8/4/26 at home in St Helens, the best being this Streamer, only the 3rd one I've had at home and the 6th one for our area. #Mothsmatter #StHelensBirding

0100

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

My first Common Sandpiper of the year this morning 8/4/26 at Carr Mill Dam, St Helens, by the 19 arches. #UKBirding #StHelensBirding

040

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

19/7 moths recorded last night 6/4/26 at home in St Helens, the best being another Grey Shoulder-knot, but this Early Tooth-striped was a new for the year. #Mothsmatter #StHelensBirding

0150

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Six Little Ringed Plover (no pics) on roadside pool off Barrow Lane, St Helens, most I've ever seen together in St Helens, also two Northern Wheatear on Barrow Lane, best I could get of the Wheatear before they were flushed by cyclists. #UKbiring #StHelensBirding

1120

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Little Ringed Plover, at Barrow Lane, St Helens, this morning, 23/3/26, my first for the year. #StHelensBirding #UKbirding

080

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

A bit of crappy video of a Common Scoter on Carr Mill Dam this morning, St Helens, Merseyside. #StHelensBirding

040

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

The two Bank Voles showed better today on Sankey Valley, St Helens as did the Comma and a Brimstone stopped long enough for a picture, also at least 6 more Bee-fly. #StHelensBirding

080

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

69/14 last night at home in St Helens, best being another Pine Beauty and a Small Quaker which was nfy #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0130

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

My first Dark-edged Bee-fly of the year, 1 of 5 seen on Sankey Valley, St Helens today 18/3/26, also Garden Bumblebee, a Comma and a Bank Vole, which is a new species for me for St Helens #StHelensBirding

0130

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

A smart tiny micro, Epermenia chaerophyllella was the best of 9 species record last night 16/3/26 at home in St Helens, only the 23rd record for our area. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0231

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Two Orange Underwing moths on the wing and a Peacock, my first butterfly of the year on Bold Moss, St Helens this afternoon 14/3/26. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0120

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Three new moths for the year last night 10/3/26 at home in St Helens, a smart Pine Beauty, a Tawny Pinion and Early Grey (archive pic) I also had 29 Common Quaker which is a record number for my garden. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0220

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Two orange spot, one white spot Satellite and a Twin-spotted Quaker (don't get many of these here) were new for the year last night 1/3/26 at home in St Helens, out of 13 moths of three species, the other 9 being Common Quaker. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0240

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Lower number last night 26/2/26 at home in St Helens, 17 moths of 8 species, 12 of which were Common Quaker, the only new for the year was this nice Caloptilia populetorum which I've recorded a few times in the past. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

0210

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Oak Nycteoline was new for the year out of 8 species recorded last night 24/2/26, at home in St Helens, including another Grey Shoulder-knot, never get tired of seeing these. #Teammoth #StHelensBirding

1190

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

One of two Little Owls in the Windle area, St Helens this morning, both showed really well. #StHelensBirding #ukbirds

0171

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Another new moth for the year last night 23/2/26 at home in St Helens, this smart Pale Pinion, only the 15th record for our area as far as I'm aware. #teammoth #StHelensBirding

0210

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Three new moths for the year last night 22/2/26 at home in St Helens, Hebrew Character, Angle Shades and the best one Grey Shoulder-knot, still not that common in our area. #teammoth #StHelensBirding

0250

rayb126.bsky.social @rayb126.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Best night of the year so far last night 21/2/26 at home in St Helens, despite all the rain, with 10 moths of 5 species, the best being 2 Oak Beauty and a Dotted Border, both nfy. #mothsmatter #StHelensBirding

0180