I hurriedly nipped in and brought out a handful of dried mealworms which I scattered around the area. I think Hope is getting used to this as she didn't run away this time and was soon tucking in.
When Bobby first went over to Hope he disturbed a moth. It was such a brilliant white with black dots and bits of orange that I went and fetched the camera even though it was raining lightly. After much Googling round the net I found out that what I had seen was The Magpie Moth Abraxas grossulariata.
Fortunately with a 200mm lens I didn't have to get too close while it obligingly rested on some dead leaves. I read that it is very common though I don't remember seeing one before now. In spite of my aversion to moths I must admit I admired its beautiful markings.
At ten thirty Bobby went out in the front garden for his last look round of the day. When he reached the drive gates he stopped, had a good sniff and gave one loud bark. I went over to see what the fuss was about and there, just outside the gates, was an adult Hedgehog. I have seen their droppings on the paths between the front and back gardens so I knew they hunted in both but this was the first time we had seen one in that area.
What lovely sightings. The moth is a particularly exciting find. We have a hedgehog about which I see going in and out of a neighbours garden and it has also made one of two 'sprints' through my garden and out under a fence. My neighbours asked me to go around with my camera when it was last in their garden but it got into a corner and curled up so there were no pictures. It's good to have it around though.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely photo of Hope and what a gorgeous moth, I don't think I have ever seen it. I had the Small Magpie in the house recently and I don't recall seeing that before either.
ReplyDeleteI loved your pond lilies on a previous post and I see poor old Compo is as scruffy as ever.
I hope your weather is better than ours, it is pouring here! Not really the Summer we were promised.
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteReally nice hedgehog photos today, it must be so great to see them so clearly. Good luck to the little guy.
I reckon you'll have Hope eating out of your hand soon John. ;)
ReplyDeleteI've not seen a Magpie Moth for years. When I was a kid, I used to see so many. Beautiful markings on them.
Hi Emma. It is good to have Hedgehogs tidying up some of the slugs and things around the garden. Maybe you will get another opportunity to get your photograph. They certainly can sprint when they want to.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan. There seems to be an increase in the number of moths about this year. A few years ago there seemed to be hundreds and the bats used to visit. Then the number dwindled to nearly none and the bats stopped hunting here. Now they are increasing again maybe the bats will come back.
ReplyDeleteDidn't start raining till soon after midday but it has hardly stopped since.
The white on the moth was the most pure, brilliant white I have ever seen so I was pleased to be able to get a photo of it.
Hi Joe. Thank you. It is nice to be able to get a clear photo every now and then.
ReplyDeleteHi Keith. Hope seems nearly tame enough :) Maybe the youngsters are more trusting having less experience of the big bad world.
ReplyDeleteThe Magpie Moth's white colouring is so brilliant and the pattern so regular it looked quite spectacular to me.
Wow John great capture..I have never seen a moth like that either...so beautiful!! I'm happy to hear that Hope comes by so much..so nice that you give her nice treats Meal worms...I bet it's like potato chips to her :) Nice little easy treat.
ReplyDeleteI like the photo of Hope peeping and sniffing around the corner 'hoping' to see if her meal is ready! The Magpie Moth is amazing ~ I've never seen one and don't even know if they exist over here. The contrast between its white and dark markings is very eye catching.
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering what has been wandering around in my back garden ... and by looking at the pile of droppings, it's a deer ... there were some apples knocked onto the ground. I don't know why it didn't eat them.
Thank you Crista. I don't like the hairy sort of moths but to start with I wasn't sure whether it was a moth or a butterfly. I didn't realise moths could have such startling colour combinations.
ReplyDeleteI have bought some Hedgehog food mixture to go with the mealworms to see if it is liked as it should help to give a more balanced diet.
Thank you Glo. It did make a more interesting photo and seemed more natural than a full view of a Hedgehog. It is hard to say just how brilliant the white was on the moth. Like the washing powder adverts used to say - whiter than white!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have deer roaming the garden. I hope they don't do too much damage to your plants. Maybe you will get to see it one day and take a photo.
Hope looks adorable! Does Bobby ever try to play with her? Great photo of the moth, very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank you Omi. I think Bobby is still trying to work out what this prickly creature is. I have to keep my eye on him otherwise he will give chase if they run off.
ReplyDeleteAhhh...what a cute little photo of Hope, and the moth is striking. I've never seen a moth that beautiful. Usually they are just small, dusty little things flying around lights that I see!
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly.I must admit I was pleased with the composition of the Hope photo - right place at the right time for once. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Magpie moth is about one and a half inches across so can't be missed especially with that colouring. There are lots of small brown moths around here at the moment.
The internet is such a brilliant resource for the enquiring mind! I have looked up pictures of ladybirds and butterflies to identify insects in my garden. It is a great year for butterflies and moths.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed Matron. As they say - Google is your friend though it can be exasperating some times wading through the sheer volume of information and commercial sites.
ReplyDeleteI have seen more moths this year than for quite a few years and today there were many Large White and Small Tortoiseshell flutterbys sharing the lavender flowers in the front garden with the bumblebee.
Well done John... the moth pic is brilliant! You coped well I hope. Loved the Hope pic too – it’s great to be able to follow one particular hog.
ReplyDeleteOh… but I do love reading about super sleuth Bobby! Wishing you both an interesting weekend :-D
Hi again Shirl. Thank you. As long as the moths stay still outdoors I'm OK.
ReplyDeleteBobby now spends a lot of time looking for the Hedgehogs. He can't wait to go out after dark and goes straight to where they normally eat and where they go under the fence..