The long gap between my posts on Ely10 birding is due to an exciting project that I have been working on. Simon Stirrup has been gathering stunning images and I have been writing text for a book, to be published by natural history specialists Pelagic, provisionally titled Fenland Nature.
I have been having lots of memorable adventures over the past year seeking out the flagship species of the fens with local experts, all of which will feature in the book but as a result there will continue to be little from me on Ely10 for now.
An unexpected highlight of this fenland summer has been the re-discovery, like a six legged Lazarus, of Dusky Clearwing. Initially recorded in Fordham, but now more widely across the fens over the last few weeks, after a hundred year absence.
Using a pheromone lure in our Stuntney garden a male was attracted the very first time I put it out. It is likely the species has been hiding in plain sight for sometime but it is an exciting addition to the fenland lepidoptera and a very smart moth to observe.