Day 65: Cluster Fly

These insects frustratingly difficult to id with any real confidence - this is the one I'm sure we called horseflies as kids and we scared of them biting.. So I don't really know.

They're very common and widespread Pollenia genus. So I hope this is close.

#100DaysofNature Day 65: Cluster Fly - At least I hope that's what it is! @BBCSpringwatch http://t.co/871SXgC2iO pic.twitter.com/WKnBtEfwQI
— Simon Ashley (@MilouTheBrave) September 26, 2014

Day 63: Caddisfly - Stenophylax permistus

A caddisfly in the moth trap - well a bit of a surprise - but what is worse is the fact I thought it was a moth for ages and couldn't key it out :(

OK not too bad until you consider that I used to key out the larvae  professionally and did my degree dissertation on them... Hangs head in total shame.  I don't recall seeing the adults like this one for ages and it did look like it had scaly wings (my closeup eyesight isn't what it used to be) but no excuse really.


There were actually at least seven in the trap and I'm not sure where they came form though and where the water habitat they would need is?

#100DaysofNature Day 63 Caddisfly - Stenophylax permistus. in a moth trap?  @BBCSpringwatch http://t.co/871SXgC2iO  pic.twitter.com/rTeFxCU8B5
— Simon Ashley (@MilouTheBrave) September 24, 2014

Day 62 weevil

Not sure I can key this one out...  Too tricky and I dropped him shortly after the photograph...

#100DaysofNature Day 62 weevil 🐜 @BBCSpringwatch http://t.co/871SXgC2iO pic.twitter.com/e6e1L9XzVz
— Simon Ashley (@MilouTheBrave) September 23, 2014

Day 61: Metellina segmentata

Surprisingly difficult to find a good candidate to identify this.  Search numerous websites to try and find a match

I went for this one finally based on

http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/metellina-segmentata

#100DaysofNature Day 61 spider spider. Metellina segmentata @BBCSpringwatch http://t.co/871SXgC2iO pic.twitter.com/kvUQeB7kLT
— Simon Ashley (@MilouTheBrave) September 22, 2014

Day 60: Grey Squirrel

Regular visitors to the garden - watched this one caching hazelnuts in all the garden flower pots.
Finally got a mammal for the list :)

#100DaysofNature Day 60 The Hazelnut Thief @BBCSpringwatch http://t.co/871SXgC2iO pic.twitter.com/IAA5ddDIo9
— Simon Ashley (@MilouTheBrave) September 21, 2014

Here he is in action:

Day 56: Marbled Carpet

Nice to see in the house and I couldn't find my field guide and resigned to trwling through images on internet - and drew a blank.

#100DaysofNature Day 56: Nature in the house. Now I just need an ID? Anyone? @BBCSpringwatch http://t.co/oM3lEglqn8 pic.twitter.com/Kb1N8kAYuW
— Simon Ashley (@MilouTheBrave) September 17, 2014

I got a nice response from the county recorder:

Your moth is marbled carpet - either Common Marbled Carpet or Dark Marbled Carpet.  Both are highly variable and you need to look at the subtle patterns on the underside of the wings in order to differentiate.

. @BritishMoths could someone help me with an id please. Same moth with/without flash. Found in my house today. Thks pic.twitter.com/9QycjKZ0lt
— Simon Ashley (@MilouTheBrave) September 17, 2014

Day 55: Hazelnuts

Staggering number of hazelnuts on the tree in our neighbours garden.  Might help me bag a photograph of a squirrel.

#100DaysofNature Day 55 Hazelnuts A bumper crop on our garden tree. @BBCSpringwatch http://t.co/oM3lEglqn8 pic.twitter.com/tI6Sh7HBCi
— Simon Ashley (@MilouTheBrave) September 16, 2014