Do they know something we don't ?

This morning started differently, from the bedroom a Robin could be heard singing, through the window Collared Doves could be seen collecting twigs and calling. Not too far away the distinctive 'jangling' of Corn Buntings came from the overhead wires. What is the catalyst that could start off different species in their quest to reproduce at the same time ? To cap it all off Tree Sparrows were frustratingly observed inspecting nest boxes, something they have done for the last three years, but so far nothing has come of this, will they ever breed in north Essex again ? fingers crossed. 

Last weeks high winds have put paid to running the 125w MV Robinson moth trap for a while, as it rolled like tumble weed to the other end of the garden, thankfully the electrics remained intact, but fiddly repairs to the rainguard and supports have been called for. In compensation a scarce micro moth Mompha jurassicella was discovered on one of the windows. This moth is a proposed Red Data Book species whose larva feeds on Great Willowherb, a plant that can be found around our pond . In recent years it has only been recorded at one other site in Essex, but has occurred here in the past three. 



Those same winds also brought down some dead Elm trees. This allowed for a close inspection of larval feeding tunnels under the bark, these belonged to the Elm Bark Beetle, the carrier of Dutch Elm Disease which ultimately killed these trees and many others in this area.