Incey wincey...

I came across these two very differing arachnids on our sheltered east facing wall. The first is not a true spider but a harvestman Dicranopalpus ramosus. They differ from true spiders in having a one piece body, only two eyes and the second pair of legs are longer than the first. Originally from north Africa, this species was first recorded in Britain in 1957 and has now reached Scotland.
The second is one of the 'stretch' spiders Tetragnatha montana, no doubt gaining their name from the resting pose. Both are listed as being found up until November, i suspect that they are late rather than early ! Now that the wind has gone round to the North East i feel that neither will make another appearance.

The second rare micro moth of the year turned up in our kitchen this week. With five records here last year, Agonopterix curvipunctosa had previously only been recorded in Essex back in 1917. The larva of this proposed Red Data Book species feed on Bur Chervil and Cow Parsley, the latter of which occurs here in abundance. Presumably these enter the house to over-winter, as another two species Mompha epilobiella and Monopsis obviella have also been recorded indoors this winter.

With the passing of the first month of the year the garden bird list stands at 62, this compares favourably with 2011-63 and 2010-57. At last the number of birds coming to the feeders and cover strips is increasing, with up to 7 Tree Sparrow, 9 Yellowhammer and 23 Corn Bunting most days.