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stevetortrix.bsky.social

@stevetortrix.bsky.social
77 followers 71 following 95 posts
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Was delighted to get an invite into Andrew Gardener's Stourbridge home and superb garden, just in VC37, yesterday to see his rather tired Passenger which had arrived overnight!
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Had the POM lure out since Sunday. Yesterday evening this was potted up from inside. First for VC37. Following one in Redditch on Friday night (Warks?). Not sure if 2 of us locals have been extremely lucky - no obvious NW movement from Upper Thames area broadcast yet... Cydia interscindana
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
After last year's single near Stourport VC37, 2 more Bohemannia auriciliellas tapped out of nearby Blackthorn in last week. Can we learn something about its Biology that few Brits seemed to have cottoned onto yet.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
A couple more from the saltmarsh session at Pegwell Bay, Kent last Friday the 1st May. What looks like a great example of Scrobipalpa obsoletella and a rather bland Platyedra subcinerea.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
First suspected 'Pammene suspectana ' to FUN Lure yesterday afternoon. Never knowingly had albuginana in April here.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Pammene agnotana on wood near a lure at one of it's central England strongholds mid-afternoon yesterday. Probably under-recorded - I tried for 6 hours with MOL/FUN/SKI at an Oxon woodland last year, around this time in strong sunshine - not a sniff!
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Bit of an enigma - Acleris lipsiana at what was thought to be England's best location for the species. Ecstatic with the first, 'comfortably numb' by the last at dawn. I can confirm it is now. (Thanks to Iain Leach for support on the night and the image)
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
You wait 20 Years for a Worcester garden Blossom Underwing -then two come along on the same night😍 (22 March)
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Best looking Moth at Monkwood NR (Worcs) on Friday night was this 'conjoined stigma' Common Quaker? The Pale Pinion was a close second.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
One of 80 male Bankesia conspurcatella to HYL lure in southern England yesterday, in calm, early morning sunshine by a old weathered fence from 07:00 to 08:40 at least. They are out there!
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Only my third ever garden Yellow Horned here in Worcester; (last was 24 Feb 2011). There was an easterly breeze so guess it's just wafted in from nearby Trench Wood or beyond. 10 other species including 2 Diurnea fagella.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
Following a tip-off via IRecord, I found several mines of Phyllonorycter pastorella on a small NR near Worcester Uni on Thursday. Image of Crack Willow leaf with typical almost rectangular mine and pupal case protruding. The first adult emerged early afternoon today. Another regional first!
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
Following on from one at Winyates, Redditch exactly 2 years ago now a true VC37 Clancy's Rustic at Warndon, Worcester O/N - one of 30 species recorded.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
To say that the history of Buttoned Snout in Worcs is puzzling is a understatement! Only 3 records between 1899 and 1975, despite an extensive Hop Growing area west of River Severn. Gap of 43 years and now resident in small numbers. Waited 21 years here at Warndon then 2 come along in one night!
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
It's only taken 20 years to get a Warndon, garden one but it seems they all turn up in the end! Jarrad Tibbett's came round to admire it and brought me the second good migrant in Worcs this month - Small Mottled Willow from Wilden Top last night. VC37
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Ian Machin's netting skills and observation came good again with the rediscovery of Phyllonorycter kuhlweiniella - swept off Oak leaves at Hartlebury Common, Worcs yesterday evening. almost 148 years since the last at Old Hills on 14th May 1877
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Early morning Northwick Wetlands for a couple of species not seen there at all in my early years; 2 Redshank, a pair of Mandarin, 3 Green Sands and 2 Little Egrets not recorded between 1968 and 1975. Only the River Severn Kingfisher was a regular then! Flashes seem to have expanded nowadays.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
Continuing to live the Bluesky handle ! Two more nice-looking Acleris from Warndon Trap last 3 nights. 'Jazzy' A. cristana and 'dark stripy' A. umbrana (only second here but obviously spreading well in VC37 now)
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
A late afternoon team search along the NNR section of the disused railway line in the Wyre Forest yesterday produced 7 cases of Narycia duplicella on old posts. Netting with head-torches from dusk produced male and female Acleris hyemana near the southern edge of its national range here.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
The Marbled Duck was relocated by Ian and Lawrence Machin this pm at Longdon Marsh WWT Roadside pool. It is un-ringed and fully winged and can be elusive but was viewed from 5m inside entrance gate. The drake Ring-necked Duck was again at Hill Court Screen. Image by Andy Warr.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Drake Ring-necked Duck at Longdon Marsh NR late afternoon showing from Hill Court Screen. Earlier moulting adult and 2nd-winter Med Gulls on flashes NW of Longdon Village with 200 Common Gulls and 1k BHGull.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
male Ruddy Shelduck, pair of Pintail, 13 Goosanders, male Peregrine and male Brambling in the sunshine at Clifton Pits, Worcs this pm....
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
A sub-adult White-tailed Eagle was located on west side of Clifton Main Pit at 11:00 today. It remained perched in a dead pine tree for 80 mins before heading towards adjacent River Severn. Seemingly un-ringed, un-tagged and no visible transmitter so maybe not English and wild. Images by Andy Warr
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
An Aproaerema polychromella made it to Worcs overnight last Friday at Malvern Link, apologies for poor record shot - not much light today! First regional record and a long way in from the SW coast where the majority landed.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Followed instinct and weather to Droitwich at lunchtime and soon enough 2 ad Kitts on nearby lake, quickly joined by a 1st-w and 21 more adults at 1pm - 10 min wash and brush then gone. 1st-winter Med briefly.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
When everybody else is getting Scarce Bordered Straw, you start to wonder! Finally one to Actinic in Worcester garden on Sunday 10th
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
This Dark Sword-grass to MV in Worcester on Monday night had seen better days. More interesting was a pyralid moth potted while sweeping fallen leaves at West Hagley Webbs by Jarrad Tibbets yesterday. Looks good for Worcs 2nd Palm Tabby (Diplopseustis perieresalis). Migrant or adventive ?
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 13/10/2024
Sods Law - if this was a moth it would be straight on the British List but alas its a dragonlfly, who's list keeper have a more conservative outlook! (Make sense). A female Slender Skimmer emerged from an aquatic tank in Bromsgrove, Worcs and currently at my house
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 11/09/2024
for info: N WORCESTERSHIRE: ring-tailed Hen Harrier Bell End flew northeast over A491 at 5:17pm - the 3rd or 4th sighting in this area since June - wonder what it is doing there al this time?
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 05/09/2024
Here's one causing a bit of a 'flap' in parts of southern England. Material kindly forwarded from a Devon source and emerged here on Monday PM. Fig Leaf Skeletonizer! Not yet in the West Midlands. I have checked out out 3 Worcs garden centers to no avail.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 05/09/2024
For info [Joe Sparey @Joe_Sparey OSPREY! Circling then lost to view, 16:48. Stanford on Teme. #WorcsBirds @WorcsBirding]
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 02/09/2024
Bittern again reported flying across Grimley CLP from one side to the other mid-pm (News via Whatsapp)
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 02/09/2024
No need to haggle over the price or size of house bricks for this one on Saturday night here in Worcester. CN news!
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 01/09/2024
Have just received confirmation that this moth was indeed a male Isophrictis anthemidella (thanks to det by Patrick Clement). Taken on beach at Sandwich Bay on 17th July 2024. The only site in the UK that the species has been recorded!
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 01/09/2024
Early morning walk round Clifton was quiet just 2 GS, 1 CS, 2 LE, Snipe, Hobby but no small calidrids!
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 31/08/2024
juv Peregrine arrived at Clifton mid-pm and sent the 3 juv Black Terns packing! Juv Common Gull came back in.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 28/08/2024
Mike Southall light-trapped what looks like a Worcs and Regional first in the form of Jersey Mocha last night at Norchard (tbc)
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 26/08/2024
Ringed Plovers up to 8 at Clifton this PM, still 2 Dunlin, 2 GWE, 4 LE, CS, Hobby, juv Wheatear and 6 Yellow Wagtails....
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 25/08/2024
Moulting adult Sanderling at Clifton North Pit Island late afternoon, 2 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover, 2 CS, GS, 2 GWE and LE all on site.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 24/08/2024
The second male Gypsy Moth to my Worcester garden overnight and maybe still only the 3rd VC37 record following the first on 23rd August 2023, exactly a year ago!
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 17/08/2024
A first for Worcs Micromoth mid-week - a Vine Moth to light at Upper Rochford (c/o Danny Arnold) presumably a migrant and Palpita vitrealis at Worcester an annual visitor...
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 13/08/2024
First Worcs Mullein Wave away from the 'northern conurbation' last night at Malvern Link photographed by Nicky Rowberry. Other recent southern species making progress in county include Tree Lichen Beauty and Jersey Tiger this last few days
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 06/07/2024
When looking for Tortrixes in some oak woodland in East Worcs yesterday, I netted a small pale moth that for once was an easy micro to ID; Povolyna leucapennella. Included by Barrett in his historical list, was then omitted from the Atlas of 2001 due to lack of data (TS). Well its back on there now!
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 05/07/2024
Hawk-eyed Jared Tibbetts does it again. Whilst tending cactus plants at West Hagley Webbs he potted up a tiny moth which looks like Yellow V Moth. The first Worcs (VC37) record and only the 2nd West Midlands regional moth since one in Shropshire in 1929.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 07/06/2024
Elachista scirpi in sight of the old Severn Bridge yesterday evening, flying from stem to stem below Sea Clubrush flowers. Only discovered as new to Glos earlier this spring!
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 04/06/2024
Ian Machin's on going daytime efforts at Hartlebury Common now hitting the Jackpot with a regional first. Netted mid-evening yesterday and awaiting full verification but undoubtedly a Bryotropha umbrosella. From a sandy tract with Ragwort & grasses. The closest breeding colony is at Bridgwater Bay.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 29/05/2024
Walking in the Wyre Forest on Monday morning I was pleased to see many Orthotaenia undulana flying between bilberry and bracken fronds. Minimum of 12 but would imagine 1000's at large throughout.
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stevetortrix.bsky.social @stevetortrix.bsky.social · 23/05/2024
A bit of activity in the Ni Pheromone Trap in Worcester garden mid-week produced single Coleophora violacea on consecutive days. Ian Machin skillfully netted a pristine Ectoedemia intimella at Burlish Top (N. Worcs) off Goat Willow on the 21st.
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