Chris Bishop

Delighted to find my first snakefly in my house, such an interesting insect! Obsidentify says it's Xanthostigma xanthostigma, the Small Snakefly, so hopefully that's correct!

After a tip-off from a neighbour, good to get a Wheatear in the local fields in Wattisfield in my lunch break today. 2025 was my first blank year for the species in the village since we moved here in 2020.

The Black-winged Kite showed very well this afternoon north of Ludham Bridge, once it had digested the vole it had taken in the morning. A beautiful site in the afternoon sunlight, just a shame I don't have a proper camera or set-up!

@MysteryAnimals Interesting sighting, although not sure it's a big cat, nor that the birds are Red Kites 🤔

Here - with the witness’s permission - are photos of the animal (possible big cat?) 🐈‍⬛ seen on B1106 between Great Barton & Fornham, #Suffolk, 31/12/25. A group of red kites were mobbing it - behaviour seen in big cat sightings elsewhere in the UK.

First moth of 2026 here in Wattisfield is a Buttoned Snout in the kitchen. Presumably, it came in on the fire wood, as I've found them hibernating in the wood shed most winters.

@NC42885118 Why the rush? The only thing you are competing with is your own sense of "needing to get to level 80" - play the game how you want to and not how they tempt you to play!

This is💰grab!! #PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp #PokemonGOfriend #ポケモンGOアプリ #ポケモンGO

@blicklingben It's still a rare species in VC26, so may be a couple of years before one reaches you, if it follows the same pattern as other species expanding northwards.

@ChrisBish76 I’m still waiting

Six nights after my first Oak Rustic, the 2nd arrived to mv last night in Wattisfield amongst a small catch that included a Silver Y:

Was hoping for one final new moth in 2025, with Plumed Fan-foot and Oak Rustic being the most likely. May have missed the former for this year, but my first Oak Rustic found it's way to Wattisfield last night:

Only my 2nd ever Dusky-lemon Sallow was the highlight in Wattisfield last night, with 2 fresh Clancy's Rustic and a Ruby Tiger(?) caterpillar also in the trap:

Surprised to see a Clouded Yellow fly through my garden just now, the first I've seen at home, although I've seen a few in the set-a-side fields near by this year while walking the dogs.

The 3rd Vestal of the year was the highlight last night in Wattisfield. Merveille du Jour, Brick and Green-brindled Crescent were all nfy. Other notables included 3 Clancy's Rustic, Box Moth, and Blair's Shoulder-knot, while Brimstone and Willow Beauty are still turning up.

A small, pale Scarce Bordered Straw was the highlight of last night's moth trap in Wattisfield, alongside a single Clancy's Rustic after the previous night's record night for that species. An Orange Sallow was nfy after being rescued from a spiders web before I went to bed.

@BC_Suffolk Clancy's is certainly more numerous in the East of the County (as are most species 🤣)

@ChrisBish76 9 Clancy's Rustic in SW Ipswich using 40W actinic

An exceptional 8 Clancy's Rustic to MV in Wattisfield last night (see alt for context). 2 L-album Wainscot, single Dewick's Plusia (Ni lure near trap) and single Rush Veneer also of note. Red-line Quaker the only nfy.

@JLowenWildlife @trapsite @neilshermanmoth I'm confident it's not a Rosy Underwing - the projection in the outer cross-line isn't pronounced enough, while the inner crossline is gently curved and thus very different to the irregular, spiky looking inner cross-line of Rosy.

@ChrisBish76 @trapsite @neilshermanmoth Agree with Sean on Rosy (v grey/white but esp the shape of the main black ‘stockmarket’ crossline). If so, the farthest north yet?

A slight increase in temp last night in Wattisfield led to a more interesting trap than the past few days, with 2 Clancy's Rustic, 1 Dewick's Plusia, Delicate, and a battered Red Underwing. Thanks to @neilshermanmoth for confirming my Jersey Mocha from the 16th, new for VC26:

@trapsite @neilshermanmoth Yes, the JM was dissected by the CMR. What makes you think Rosy? It was on the small side for Red Underwing, and while it isn't a "classic" Red and did leave me scratching my head a little, it didn't "feel" right for any other species.

@ChrisBish76 @neilshermanmoth Think your Catocalid is Rosy Underwing. Also was the mocha dissected as I would have said it was a 2nd brood Clay Triple-lines on external features?

Wattisfield moth trap last night saw the 5th Clifden of 2025, now the best year for the species here. A 2nd Vestal was rather poorly marked, while a 2nd generation Scarce Silver Lines was pleasing, having seen others post them recently. 2 Dewick's & an L-album also trapped:

Another excellent moth trap in Wattisfield last night, albeit the stars of the show being on the external egg boxes - my first 2 Four-spotted Footman! A Clancy's Rustic & Dark Sword-grass were both on the wall. Nfy inc. Pink-barred Sallow, Sallow, Brindled Green & Deep-brown Dart