What a beauty! An Oak Beauty

First Oak Beauty of the year seen in the garden last night (6th March 2024). It’s a quite stunning creature, isn’t it? Sharp-eyed readers will note this is a geometer moth. So-called because their larvae (caterpillars), known as inchworms in the US, move in such a way as to give the appearance that they are measuring the earth, geo-meter, inch by inch.

This is a male Oak Beauty, you can tell from its enormous feathery antennae, which it often folds underneath its body to protect them.
This is a male Oak Beauty, you can tell from its enormous feathery antennae, which it often folds underneath its body to protect them.

You might also be thinking it looks like a Peppered Moth but with more colourful and more pronounced markings. Well, the Peppered Moth is a kissing cousin of this species, seen a little later in the year than peri-spring. The Oak Beauty is Biston strataria, the Peppered Moth is in the same genus, and is B. betularia. While the shape of the moth is very like the Peppered, the markings resemble those of some of the so-called carpet moths. By the way, they don’t eat carpets, but look decorative, like the luxury item that was a carpet back when the early lepidopterists were giving all these species their names.

This is Planet Earith – Starling murmurations

UPDATE: I mentioned the murmurations to a choir friend, Sara, and bumped into her and her husband on the Fen. I warned them that, because it was very windy, we might not get such good murmurations as I’d mentioned before. But amazingly, as dusk rolled on, even though it wasn’t a bright sunset, we got some wonderful activity from approximately two-hundred thousand Starlings.

The main activity was very much over the reedbeds among which we stood rather than being half a mile away as occurred on my previous two visits.  This made it hard to get the full murmuration in the camera frame at the level of zoom I had with me. So, the above video was done on my phone as a record.

The birds would whoosh over out heads at about 50 metres altitude. I warned the people around me not to look up with their mouths open and within a few minutes, my choir friend had undergone a full birding initiation with three deposits from above in quick succession. Amazing that I didn’t get splashed as I was standing only a metre or two away from her.

Anyway, the birds gathered in a very dense flock at about 17h50 and bedded down into the vast reedbed in front of the entrance to the reserve. There were undulations for a good ten minutes as it got darker and darker. At one point, a Merlin was reported to have caught one Starling on the wing. The other 199,999 were fine and had roosted down among the reeds by the time we departed.


At the end of February, I got wind of there being very large numbers of Common Starling murmurating at a local nature reserve – RSPB Ouse Fen (Earith). I got a few photos on an evening visit. There were probably half a million birds, it was quite astonishing. I based my estimate on counts I’ve done of photographs of smaller flocks and extrapolating to the huge patches of sky that were covered with birds on the evening.

I got some nice photos at sunset but my phone video was very smeary and low-res. So, a second visit was essential. Unfortunately, rumour had it that the numbers the next night were smaller, that some of the birds had moved to roosting over the Over side of RSPB Ouse Fen…nevertheless, Mrs Sciencebase and myself headed over to Earith on 3rd March.

Short-eared Owl "chasing" a Chinese Water Deer
Short-eared Owl “chasing” a Chinese Water Deer

It was a much better evening and definitey fewer Starlings, but still many tens of thousands. This time I got some decent video footage of the murmurations.

A pair of Cranes coming in to roost
A pair of Cranes coming in to roost

We also ticked three Short-eared Owls, half a dozen Chinese Water Deer, heard numerous Cetti’s Warbler and saw just one, saw Great White Egret and Grey Heron, heard a couple of Bearded Reedling, and heard one or two booming Bitterns, lots of Geese, Cormorants, Reed Bunting, Widgeon calling, Little Grebe, Water Rail etc. The Cranes that had been displaying south of the car park on the gravel works land flew in to roost about a quarter of a mile in front of us as we watched the starling murmurations. It was a wonderful evening of nature watching.

Sunset over the Fen
Sunset over the Fen

I played my video to the Merlin app, although we all knew what birds we could hear, but it came back with Coot, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Cetti’s Warbler, Ring-necked Pheasant. It didn’t pick up Wigeon, Little Grebe, Reed Bunting, Bearded Reedling, which we had heard.

RSPB Ouse Fen (Earith)
Sunset over RSPB Ouse Fen (Earith)

I opened up one of my stills with a huge flock across it and enlarged it on my laptop screen. I drew a square around a patch that I estimated had 100 birds in it. Double-checked and adjusted the size of the square to make sure it was very close to 100. I measured the square in pixels and then worked out how many such squares would fill the area of the photo filled with birds. It came to about 75000 birds. This assumes average density across the photo. There were probably areas outside the area of the photo that would be around 25000 birds. So, the biggest flock would be around 100000, there were probably about half the same number of birds in the air elsewhere. The previous evening of murmurations I’d have said there were 5-6 such flocks, so guesstimating at least half a million birds going to roost on this patch of the reserve.

Estimate - 75000 Starlings
Estimate – 75000 Starlings

Rinse your recycling

Rinsing food packaging before putting in your recycling bin is critical to making the process as efficient and as effective as possible. Efficient recycling processes can significantly reduce the environmental impact compared to producing new materials from virgin resources.

Rinsing packaging helps reduce contamination in the recycling stream. Contaminated materials can lead to lower-quality recyclables, which may be rejected or require additional processing, thereby increasing costs and energy consumption. Higher-quality recycled materials fetch better prices in the market and have broader applications, contributing to a more sustainable recycling industry.

Rinsing packaging does require additional water usage. However, the amount of water needed for rinsing is generally minimal compared to other household activities. If you can use grey water, or even collected rainwater, for rinsing all the better. The simplest approach is just to add the dirty packaging to the end of your normal washing up. There is no need to put tins, cans, or plastic pots in the dishwasher, of course.

Rinsing also avoids residues that can affect the maintenance requirements and lifespan of recycling equipment. Residue buildup can lead to equipment corrosion, increased wear and tear, and the need for more frequent cleaning and maintenance cycles, all of which contribute to higher operational costs and resource usage.

Encouraging rinsing as a standard practice can also have broader effects on environmental awareness and behaviour. It reinforces the importance of proper waste management and encourages individuals to consider the environmental consequences of their actions.

When it comes to Lepidoptera, plus ça change

An analysis of the genomes of more than 200 butterfly and moth, Lepidoptera, species reveals that genetic framework of what is ostensibly a very diverse group of insects, has remained remarkably stable since they diverged from their last common ancestor over 250 million years ago.

In a study published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, shed new light on the evolutionary history and genetic structure of the Lepidoptera, which could help in conservation efforts for what is an incredibly important group of pollinators, food source for birds, bats, and other creatures, and a vital part of a healthy ecosystem and environment. I’ve discussed the importance of moths and mothing on Sciencebase before.

Despite the wide range of physical appearance and behaviour of the Lepidoptera, of which there are some 160000 extant species around the world, the team has demonstrated that 32 ancient chromosome building blocks, termed “Merian elements,” have changed little in 250 million years and remain consistent across most species. Even the arrangement of genes within these chromosomes has shown consistency over time.

However, some species, notably the Blue butterflies (Lysandra) and the White butterflies (Pieris), exhibited significant chromosome rearrangements, deviating from the typical genome structure. These exceptions offer insights into the mechanisms driving genetic diversity within Lepidoptera.

The study’s implications extend beyond entomology. By understanding the genetic foundations of butterflies and moths, researchers can inform conservation strategies. This knowledge could assist targeted conservation efforts, ecosystem health monitoring, and adaptation to environmental changes, particularly those related to climate change.

Additionally, this research aligns with broader initiatives such as the Darwin Tree of Life Project and the Earth BioGenome Project, aiming to sequence and understand the genetic makeup of all life on Earth. By unravelling the mysteries of Lepidoptera genetics, scientists contribute to a deeper understanding of biodiversity and evolutionary processes.

Understanding butterfly and moth genetics not only provides insights into their past but also lays the groundwork for more effective conservation strategies to protect these important pollinators and herbivores in our ecosystems.

Wright et al. (2024) Nature Ecol EvolComparative genomics reveals the dynamics of chromosome evolution in Lepidoptera

Beware the March dagger

In the world of entomology, the naming conventions of moth species often reflect a fascinating interplay between scientific and vernacular language. While some moth species boast evocative common names like Angle Shades or Setaceous Hebrew Character, others, particularly those belonging to the category of micro moths, are identified solely by their scientific nomenclature, lacking universally recognized common names. This situation draws a curious parallel to the realm of dinosaurs, where species like Tyrannosaurus rex are known exclusively by their scientific designations.

Diurnea fagella moth
Diurnea fagella moth

However, amidst this taxonomy, there exists a notable exception: Diurnea fagella, a moth species that straddles both worlds of nomenclature. Officially classified by its scientific name, Diurnea fagella, this moth also bears vernacular names, albeit inconsistently. It is sometimes referred to as the March Dagger moth or the March Tubic, though within international and Lepidoptera communities, it is unequivocally recognized as Diurnea fagella.

This dual nomenclatural identity of D. fagella underscores the nuanced complexities of species classification and naming conventions within the field of entomology. While some species remain firmly entrenched in scientific terminology, others manage to acquire colloquial names, reflecting perhaps their significance or visibility.

Beyond the realm of moth identification, this phenomenon prompts broader reflections on the relationship between scientific precision and common language. It highlights the ways in which organisms are categorized, named, and understood by both experts and the general public. Moreover, it invites contemplation on the cultural and linguistic dynamics that shape our interactions with the natural world, illuminating the intricate tapestry of human-animal relationships.

Local White Stork – Ciconia ciconia

I’ve mentioned seeing an unringed White Stork, Ciconia ciconia, in our neighbourhood previously. It is probably a collection escapee and perhaps the same unringed bird that has in previous years been seen in Kent, Essex, and then a couple of years ago in a marina in a village not far from here called Earith and most recently near the flooded farmland on Smithy Fen in Cottenham.

Today, a friend reported that it was on a flood alongside Twentypence Road. Incidentally, it seems unlikely that this bird is a vagrant from continental Europe, but you never know. Some cynical birders would refer to an escapee as a plastic bird.

Zoomed and cropped photo of a White Stork from about 80 metres
Zoomed and cropped photo of a White Stork from about 100 metres

I headed out on my bike to try and catch sight of it, but it was no longer in the reported field. If only I’d checked my messages before I left, as another friend had sent me a photo from the “new” village ponds where he’d seen it and wanted to know what sort of bird it was. Anyway, Mrs Sciencebase having caught me up on Twentypence Road headed back towards home along the Cottenham Lode and spotted the bird in yet another flooded field. She called me to report in and I cycled up to see it. The sun was out for 20 minutes, so got some reasonable views of the bird standing on a mound of earth behind the old stud and stables.

Closer view of a White Stork in the collection at Old Hurst Farm. It's plausible that the Cottenham Stork is an escapee from their flock
Closer view of a White Stork in the collection at Old Hurst Farm

At this point, we messaged some other friends who we thought might be interested and they headed in and got good views too.

Stork in flight over Earith marina, 2022
Stork in flight over Earith marina, 2022

You may have noticed the White Stork’s scientific binomial uses the same word for genus and species, Ciconia ciconia. The word comes from the Latin for stork, so this bird is a Stork stork, you might say. Such a repeat in a name, a tautonym, indicates that this species is the type, or archetype, of the genus. See also: Cygnus cygnus (Whooper Swan), Bufo bufo (Common Toad), Buteo buteo (Common Buzzard), Carduelis carduelis, (European Goldfinch) and, of course, Gorilla gorilla gorilla (Western Lowland Gorilla).

The White Stork was still in the same field this morning although perhaps 200 metres away, hence the lower-quality photo. But, I’m sharing it to give you a sense of size of the stork relative to the Little Egret.

White Stork and Little Egret
White Stork and Little Egret, 200m distance and zoomed and cropped heavily hence the distortions

 

Reimagining the Seedballs

I’ve mentioned Seedball a few times previously. The team has very generously sent me samples of their product, which offers a novel way to rewild your garden, or indeed, any outdoor space, without the need to handle thousands of tiny seeds. The balls themselves act as a growth medium within which the seeds for any of dozens wildflowers can be held. You simply scatter the seed balls on your patch and water in.

Hummingbird Hawk-moth nectaring on Red Valerian
Hummingbird Hawk-moth nectaring on Red Valerian

In time, the seeds germinate and your patch is converted into a wonderland of wildflowers and almost immediately starts benefiting the local invertebrate community and thence the birds, and the whole garden ecosystem.

Seedball have now teamed up with the British Entomological Society to offer specific packs of Seedballs with wildflower species aimed at attracting particular species of invertebrates. Namely, Hummingbird Hawk-moth, Meadow Grasshopper, and Blue-tailed Damselfly. They’re running a nice competition on their Insta to win some!

Not New Year 2024 in Titchwell and Holkham

We didn’t make it to the north Norfolk coast for our usual new year yomp through the area, but we did make it to Titchwell for a couple of nights a month later. We had packed and departed for the coast by mid-afternoon. As we approached our lodgings, it was almost dark, a shadowy Tawny Owl flew across our path. By the time we arrived, it was fully dark and the last of the day’s Brent and Pink-footed Geese were noisily heading to roost.

Shore Lark, one of 14 in a flock at Holkham Gap

Shore Lark, one of 14 in a flock at Holkham Gap

We ate well that evening at Briarfields and the next day we were up reasonably early to see Marsh Harriers quartering the eastern end of RSPB Titchwell, we could easily see them from our breakfast table. There were at least four showing and one flew almost directly over to the hotel’s outdoor area.

Curlew after dawn at Briarfields, Titchwell
Curlew after dawn, Titchwell

The next breakfast there were no Marsh Harriers, but there were plenty of Curlew flying across the fields neighbouring the hotel’s grounds.

Mute Swan coming into land, Titchwell
Mute Swan coming into land, Titchwell

Anyway, back to Thursday, we kitted up and took the 20-minute walk to the nature reserve entrance. Turns out the connecting footpath from the hotel is only open four weeks of the year, in the autumn, when there is no bird breeding activity. Also turns out that if you try to head for the beach and walk back along to RSPB Titchwell, you are stymied in your quest by an impassible running channel. So, the road it was.

Snipe and prey, Titchwell. One of several visible on the edge of Patsy's Reedbed
Snipe and prey, Titchwell. One of several visible on the edge of Patsy’s Reedbed

A solitary Reeves’s Muntjac deer was picking up scraps beneath the bird feeders when we arrived, there were also Brambling around, although we didn’t see one until we were leaving.

Reeves's muntjac
Reeves’s muntjac – not a bird

We got wind that there was a Tawny Owl roosting in an ivy-covered tree, so we followed the boardwalk to see if we could spot it. Mrs Sciencebase, as ever, was first to catch a tiny glimpse of feathers through the ivy. The bird was very well hidden, you wouldn’t have known it was there without someone having heard it calling or seeing it come to roost to point out the precise tree.

Oystercatcher on Titchwell beach
Oystercatcher on Titchwell beach

We then trekked down to the beach. It was chilly, but the wind was not strong. Usual suspects on the water’s edge: Oystercatcher, gulls, Sanderlings skittering back and forth at the periphery of the tide, Dunlin, A couple of Bar-tailed Godwit.

Male Brambling at Titchwell
Another winter visitor – Brambling (M) sometimes known as the Mountain Finch or the Cock o’ the North, a cousin of the Chaffinch

Out to sea, we missed the Long-tailed Duck and the Red-breasted Merganser, but could see hundreds of Common Scoter. These are pretty much indistinguishable from the Black and Velvet species, unless they’re in flight, when you might, with a decent eye, and a decent scope, have something of a chance of distinguishing one from the others.

Flock of Golden Plover at Titchwell
Flock of Golden Plover at Titchwell
Golden Plover coming in to land
Golden Plover coming into land

Back on the reserve, a couple of Curlew were displaying some intriguing behaviour. It was impossible to know what they were doing. One seemed to be slightly more aggressive than the other and would approach and the other would back away. Then the pair would hop onto a muddy overhang with stems of some kind of plant in their bills and peck about as if they were musing on the possibility of making a nest. Although I don’t think this would have been a good site for them.

Grey Plover at Titchwell, one of several
One of several Grey Plover on our recent visit to RSPB Titchwell

We’ve still no idea if this was two males attempting to territorialise or a male and a female attempting to pair bond, or perhaps even two females. Maybe it was mother and daughter, with the former teaching the latter. That said they were pretty much the same size, so that seems a little unlikely.

Titchwell Teal
Titchwell Teal

Later, we saw another Curlew giving short shrift to a Redshank that was attempting to feed on the same patch of scrubby mud poking out of the water of the mere.

Curlew seeing off a Redshank
Curlew seeing off a Redshank, Titchwell
Curlew having seen off the Redshank
Curlew having seen off the Redshank

The next day was travelling home day but we decided, after a double-back to visit the nature reserve at Holkham Gap. There are usually Shore Lark to be seen here in the winter and Snow Bunting. We trudged about in the wind and saw lots of birders but none of the birds. There were again hundreds of Scoter out to sea.

Ruff at Holkham
Ruff at Holkham

We got wind of the Shore Lark, about 14, apparently at the most westerly point of the Holkham Gap and so headed in that direction. There were several birders with scopes heading in that direction. So, we felt like we were on a promise. A couple heading home confirmed that the Shore Lark were about half a mile further along the beach, where we could see two other birders watching them.

A tiny fraction of the flock of Pink-footed Geese at Holkham. There were several thousand.
A tiny fraction of the flock of Pink-footed Geese at Holkham

We set off towards the birds but could see dogwalkers arrive with a lively pup. The inevitable happened and the dog ran through the distant patch where the Shore Lark were feeding sending them in their little flock back towards us at great speed. They landed not 60 metres from where we stood, which was a spot of luck, you might say, and the closest views we have had of these charming winter visitors from the distant north.

One of three Little Grebe on the pond at Holkham on Friday
One of three Little Grebe (Dabchicks) on the pond at Holkham
Maintenance at the nature reserve, RSPB Titchwell
Maintenance at the nature reserve, RSPB Titchwell – not birds

Tongue and eye coordination in Hummingbird Hawk-moths

You will know by now just how fascinated I have been these last 5+ years by the the section of the Lepidoptera we know here as moths…and also the moths we call butterflies. One of the most wonderful of creatures in this group is the Hummingbird Hawk-moth (not to be confused with the rather different US species known as hummingbird moths).

This moth, Macroglossum stellatarum, is present across Europe and Asia. It’s a day-flying species that nectars on lots of different types of flower. It does look like a tiny hummingbird, but of course those birds are only found in the Americas so don’t overlap with airspace here.

Hummingbird hawk-moth

Anyway, a recent paper in PNAS discusses how the moths coordinate their proboscis, to feed and extract nectar from flowers. The research suggests that contrary to early theories, the moths use vision to coordinate proboscis movement, even though such complex eye–appendage coordination is unexpected in invertebrates.

Hummingbird hawk-moth

Visually guided appendage reaching, such as hand to eye coordination in apes is an everyday part of our lives. It involves the perception of the relative positions of the object and the appendage in three-dimensional space as the appendage moves toward the object. That takes a lot of brain power and great eyesight.

Hummingbird hawk-moth

Now, Anna Stöckl and colleagues tracked the movement of the proboscis of Hummingbird Hawk-moths as the moths explored artificial flower patterns. They found that the insects probed the visual patterns with their proboscis to a greater extent than a homogeneous flower background, suggesting visual guidance. The authors also compared the probing behaviour of the moths’ proboscis under occluded and free vision conditions. Vision occlusion impaired the moths’ ability to probe in alignment with artificial flower patterns, suggesting that visual feedback of the probing proboscis is required for targeted probing.

Visual guidance fine-tunes probing movements of an insect appendage, Proc Natl Acad Sci (USA), 2024, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306937121