Long Mynd - Emperor Moth

April is prime time on the Long Mynd for Emperor Moths and it would have been disrespectful not to find some?

There's only so many aspects you can look for and here's a couple of variations from the normal completely spread upperwing!

And by going in close, checking out the marvellous comb like antennae. These are the prime means of sensing the pheromones secreted by a female (or a lure). They are believed to pick up the scent of a female over a mile away?

Not an Emperor caterpillar but in the same area was the larva of the Oak Eggar moth!

One day we will chance upon a female Emperor Moth, just a latter of time and immeasurable luck!

Long Mynd - Birds and Moths

 Almost to the day, in glorious sunshine a trip to Wildmoor Pool with Dave Chapman was in the offing and with Emperor moths being reported everywhere, hopes were high...

First off were some obliging local birds starting with Meadow Pipit...

Then one of at least 5 Wheatears...

A marauding Hobby was also after moths, must be one of the earliest in the county? Breaking the skyline now and then, just one chance for a pic and even that was 100m or so away!!

And yes, Emperor Moths came to the part, all these were taken in flight so unlike the 2018 visit, all four eyes were visible!

Star prize went to a moth I hadn't seen before spotted by Dave! Day flying, it looked like one of the carpet moths but not in the WildGuides day flying book... 

Rob Stokes came up with the ID - Water Carpet now that what I call a start to the moth season and it's an honorary Day Flier added to the list!...

Shropshire - Day Flying Moths part 1

With a bit of spare time over the Christmas period, I thought I'd see how many day flying moths were lurking in the archives? With the 2020 sightings, I managed a tally of 16 species...

Kicking off is the 'Nationally Scarce B' Argent and Sable seen on Whixall Moss back in 2008! I avoid the place lately due to the biting insects!

Same location for this Common Heath back in 2013 and yes, more common than the above!

Emperor Moth was a first for me in 2019! What a fantastic moth this is!!

I've lost count of how many times I've photographed Hummingbird Hawk-moth but this is the one and only time I've been really pleased wit the outcome!!

Here's the stunning Muslin Moth (my one and only) female at Venus Pool...

Oak Eggar, another one and only taken at Cramer Gutter waaaay back in 2006!

One of the real highlights over the years was not just finding Ruby Tiger on Whixall Moss in 2013 but realising I had a pair!!

Tucked away in the vegetation was this Shaded Broad Bar at Venus Pool this year...

Who said moths are dull and boring? A second instalment to follow shortly...

On this day (April 22nd)... 2019 - Emperor Moths!!

Birds weren't on the agenda for this local adventure up the 'Mynd but I tell you what - an incredibly satisfying session with a new 'insect' in the gallery!


A planned trip to the Longmynd and Bridges with Dave Chapman turned up trumps and not for the birds, this time it was a rather exciting Moth. I'd never photographed Emperor Moths before but there were plenty of fast flying males from the moment we wandered from the road. We must have seen dozens! Was this a fresh hatch? They were constantly on the move but one or two were located on the ground... they were all pristine!

A few were located on the ground, here's the habitat...

The first obliging male was quite pale coloured.

Needed to get down close for a close up the feathery antennae, aren't they amazing?

The colours seem quite variable and this final brightly coloured individual had scarlet inner wing margins - what a stunner!

Eventually opening its wings...

Watch out Hawkmoths, I may have found a new favourite?

Longmynd - Emperor Moths!!

A planned trip to the Longmynd and Bridges with Dave Chapman turned up trumps and not for the birds, this time it was a rather exciting Moth. I'd never photographed Emperor Moths before but there were plenty of fast flying males from the moment we wandered from the road. We must have seen dozens! Was this a fresh hatch? They were constantly on the move but one or two were located on the ground... they were all pristine!

A few were located on the ground, here's the habitat...

The first obliging male was quite pale coloured.

Needed to get down close for a close up the feathery antennae, aren't they amazing?

The colours seem quite variable and this final brightly coloured individual had scarlet inner wing margins - what a stunner!

Eventually opening its wings...

Watch out Hawkmoths, I may have found a new favourite?