Buttoned up

Buttoned Snout (Hypena rostralis)

Typically, we don't see a lot of moths in the winter here, but occasionally, there are exceptions. Mike found this Buttoned Snout (Hypena rostralis) flying around in the kitchen the other day. (In his picture, it's sitting on the lip of the "spider jar" he used to transfer it outside.) This is a species that overwinters as an adult, typically hibernating in hollow trees, caves, unheated buildings and the like. We're not exactly sure where it started the winter, but it clearly woke up early! This species typically flies from August to early October, overwinters, then flies again from late April to mid-June. Larvae are primarily found in July, though they can be seen as early as June and as late as mid-August. As larvae, they feed only on Hop (Humulus lupulus), which we don't have anywhere in the garden. However, there is some Hop about a quarter mile away and it's widespread across the county, so the moth probably didn't have to venture far to get here as an adult. Buttoned Snouts are named for a little mark on their forewing – unfortunately not very visible here – that looks like a buttonhole. And, of course, its "snout" (in reality, small sensory mouthparts called palps) is pretty obvious! Prior to the 1940s, this was a common species across southern Britain. By the end of the century, however, a steep decline had led to it being designated "Nationally Scarce". Since then, its numbers are slowly increasing again. Now reasonably well-distributed in the southeast, it's no longer considered Nationally Scarce.

Leggy #2

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

Our little pond has brought in a couple of unexpected visitors in the past week, including this wary immature Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea). I first saw it from an upstairs window, but it flapped off as soon as it spotted me. Fortunately, it returned a few days later and Mike was able to snap its picture (while hiding behind some bushes along the drive). We're not sure what it's finding at this time of the year, but it's been back three or four times now, so there must be something tasty visible in there. These herons feed mostly on fish, but will also take newts, frogs, toads, small birds and small mammals. Grey Herons are common and widespread residents, both at the coast (which is only a few hundred metres from here) and in freshwater wet spots across the UK. Elsewhere, they're found across temperate Europe and Asia, and down into Africa. Youngsters like this one (identifiable by its lack of a black cap and the black on its bill) are more likely than adults to show up at garden ponds. We're happy to see it – but hoping that it's not clearing out all our Smooth Newts!