| Author |
Message |
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, 11 August, 2007 - 03:54 pm: | |
Forget Stag Beetles! There are for more beautiful flying rarities in Forest Hill at the moment, namely Jersey Tiger Moths. As the name suggests, they shouldn't really be here at all. They're normally restricted to the Channel Islands and parts of the South Coast. But a couple of years ago, they started breeding in Forest Hill at the Devonshire Rd Nature Reserve. They're really striking. Red and black when in flight but white and black when they land. And unlike most moths, they fly during the day. I've seen a couple in my garden on Dunoon Rd. One theory is that they're using the railway line as a natural corridor from the South Coast and that's how they found their way to SE23. And, like the rest of us, decided to stay. And breed... |
Ghis
Joined 02-01-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, 11 August, 2007 - 06:04 pm: | |
Saw one about a week ago in my front garden and we commented on it with my neighbour but we had not idea what they were. Thanks for the info! |
Michael
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, 11 August, 2007 - 07:42 pm: | |
Does this mean we have a rare species in Tyson Road on the site of the proposed development?
Cameras at the ready! |
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, 12 August, 2007 - 02:21 pm: | |
Well, the Tyson Rd connection did cross my mind.
BTW, it was national moth-spotting night on Saturday night and one of the featured moths they were seeking information was the Jersey Tiger Moth. Did anyone get involved in this? |
Theotherbrian
Joined 28-03-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, 12 August, 2007 - 09:37 pm: | |
Saw one in my porch just off Dunoon Road last year - a one off, however, this year have seen them in my garden a few times. Just like the parakeets, they seem to be establishing themselves here. I believe they are the same species, individuals of which gather in their millions in the "Valley of the Butterflies" (sic) in Rhodes. Just goes to show that we have a wealth of interesting natural attractions in our locality, something that the council and their developer friends seem determined to undermine! Still, of course, profit must always come before anything else. |
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, 12 August, 2007 - 09:52 pm: | |
Funnily enough I saw one last year and I have seen another couple this year in my garden. I didn't realise they were rare, but they are certainly striking enough to notice for someone like me (with no knowledge of such things) to remember seeing them. Thanks for the information |
Johnc
Joined 09-01-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 13 August, 2007 - 07:43 am: | |
Seen quite a few in my garden which backs onto the Nature reserve. Wondered what they were, but they are quite striking. |
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 13 August, 2007 - 12:39 pm: | |
In fact, the Dev Rd Nature Reserve is the site of the ONLY inland colony of JTMs in the country! All the other colonies are on the coast. So we're quite famous amongst moth-lovers - apparently! |
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