What is Patton's Tiger?

I have been immersed in natural history since I was 18 and started work at the (then) Wildfowl Trust at Arundel. I met, worked and lived with some brilliant naturalists and a lifetime's obsession was born.
Birding was followed by mothing and the height of 'achievement' was obtained when a moth was given the above vernacular name in recognition of the fact that I trapped the first British record.

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

Making a Start

The winter has been reasonably mild, at least on the Surrey/Sussex/Hampshire border. The sun does appear to have the knack of disappearing pretty soon after I go out, but I have been out looking for invertebrates and anything else of interest.

Earlier this week I went to Iping Common. I didn't see the wintering Great Grey Shrike this time (although I hadn't actually taken any binoculars) but turning over logs and leaves located some nice species.




First up were two Seven-spot Ladybirds sheltering in a pine sapling.


Moss. It's very attractive and artistic...... 



Frozen water droplets under the ice. A new one on me.


Birch Shield-bug looking pretty torpid. Found sitting between Sweet Chestnut leaves.


Cocoon of an unknown moth


Centipede, Lithobius variegatus. The stripey legs are diagnostic.



Posted by at

1 comment:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)