3 Moths; Early Thorn, Small Magpie and an Angle Shades

Early Thorn, Ennomus quercinaria.
Small Magpie, Rivula sericealis





I found the Early Thorn Moth first on Wednesday night, when I spotted it on the Ecover bottle on the floor at the washing machine.

Angle Shades, Phlogophora meticulosa
n this position, with its wings spread, I first thought of it being a specie of Angle Shades. Phlogophora meticulosa, which I've had here in 2008 too. (actually, that one I found near the floor at the wasing machine too.)

The next day however, it turned its other side to me, and these markings made me realise that it hss to be an Early Thorn, Ennomus quercinaria. One of which I found here last year.
Another possibility, and probably the most likely, is that I had two different moths visiting. The Angle Shades has a more pinkish hue to it, and the Thorn more yellowish brown.
Later it dawned on me that I had had Angle Shades as well as an early Thorn moth, of course! Where the Angle Shades is now, is anybody's guess. It might have found its way out through the window, or via the door, which is often open for longer spells now that the weather is warming (not) the atmosphere. Or it has found a nice shelter within the kitchen;
We'll see, or not.


looks a little drunk, doesn't it?

It sat in a transparent container, lying flat on my table next to the open door, and kept moving about.before it finally flew off.
the underside of the Moth.

As son as I returned to the other side of the table to upload my photos, a Small Magpie landed on the door again, prompting me to repeat the whole process of catching and realease of yet another Moth.






I had to post this one from last year again; I just love its pose!


On the door, which was difficult because it sat right under the window and this made photographt very hard with the Sun reflecting into the lens of the camera.

The Magpie took position on the tip of my finger,, and let itself be taken outside where I sat it onto the stinging Nettle leaves. (its foodplant). Not wanting to come off, I gave it a small push with my thumb, and it made a quick dash for the Fatsia first, before coming back to me and into the the Nettle leaves.


I've got a lot of photo's which I tried posting, but which showed up as errors, time after time.
Anyone else having trouble?
we'll keep trying, but it might take some time.