The warm Southeasterlies are bringing many migrants in tow from Southern Europe at the moment.
Recent observations are of Vestal moths all over Ireland ,the one above came to a mothtrap in Horse and Jockey on Sunday 10/10/10.A species of Southern Europe and North Africa has been appearing in greater numbers since the 80s.Apparently the warmer it is redder the cross line is!
On 11/10/10 while visiting Cabraghwetlands a Little Egret was seen in the main pond which is being cleaned at the moment ,while a small colony has been seen over the last few years this was the first sighting this Autumn.As we were so busy admiring it we forgot the camera, and Kevin Collins BWI kindly supplied the photo.
Kevin also reported seeing Migrant Hawker dragonflies near both hides in Cabragh during the last week,a first for Tipperary.They apparently like to operate in groups and don"t mind attention ,and he sent us this lovely image showing the yellow "golf tee"on back of thorax which makes it easy to identfy.
This is a species mainly from the Mediterranean and southern Europe,it has only been recorded in Ireland since 2000.It prefers eutrophic waters and only breeds in warmer climates so its gradual northwards movement is seen as evidence of global warming .
Very interesting piece best of luck on new blog
ReplyDeleteThis link is very interesting in relation to wind borne migration,paticularly in Spring.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-02/babs-mif020110.php
John.