Payne, R.G. (1994) Two large foreign spiders found in Southend. Essex Field Club
Newsletter 12: 7
Hummingbird Hawkmoth observations 2003
Ian C. Rose Yaffles, School Lane, Mistley, Manningtree, Essex CO11 1HN
Hummingbird Hawk Moths (see cover photo) have had a very good year, reports coming
in from all over the County, many people seeing them for the first time. To encourage
all insects I planted a shore hedge of Red Valerian Centranthus ruber as a nectar source
and by 'dead heading', the flowering season can be extended well into September.
My first Hummingbird Hawk arrived on 14th June and with suitable weather conditions
have continued to visit up to the first week of September. Usually singly, occasionally
in pairs and once a hat trick with three, The visits were always short, several times a
day, from 0700hrs to 2000hrs.
I began to wonder if I was seeing a small number, 'doing the rounds of local gardens' or
a much larger number moving across the country. To determine this, I caught 12 moths
over a week, marked and released them, and only one was seen again. A very small
sample I know, but it does indicate that I was seeing a large number of moths visiting
my garden, not just a few residents.
Just a note on marking: to handle moths with fast wing beats would be very likely to
damage the scales. I found the best way was to catch them by net, very easy when they
are hovering, and release them into my Studio, which is fleece-lined. Within two minutes
they would settle on the walls, enabling me to put a small dot of white emulsion in the
centre of the thorax, using a small brush, without the need to touch them further.
On opening the door the moths would sense the air movement and immediately follow
this air stream to freedom.
A paedomorphic Smooth Newt Triturus vulgaris L. from Colchester
Jerry Bowdrey Colchester Museums 14, Ryegate Road, Colchester COl 1YG
Email: jerry.bowdrey@colchester.gov.uk
In September 2003 Mr and Mrs Clarke of Monkwick, Colchester were cleaning out
their garden pond when, amongst a number of typical adult Smooth Newts Triturus
vulgaris L. they noticed one individual still bearing the pink gills normally associated
with the tadpole stage. Mrs Clarke was reminded of a small edition of the laboratory
axolotl and recognising that it was out of the ordinary, they captured the individual and
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 43, January 2004 15