My neighbour found these Elephant Hawk moth caterpillars recently.
They were feeding on Broad -leaved Willowherb.
The weedy patch could have easily been cleared in our ignorance of these spectacular beasts. We will better understand its true worth now.
There were at least 6 caterpillars. Interestingly there was a Yellow Ophion flying around one of the caterpillars. I wondered if it was attempting to parasitize it.
Above is the green form of larva. This experience just demonstrates how vital scrub areas are to some great creatures.
Presently there are good numbers of warblers around the reservoir. The hedges on Stony Bank have plenty of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, and Blackcap. I also recorded Lesser Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher. Up to 360 Canada Geese have moved in and are eyeing up the nearby stubble. Large numbers of hirundines are also massing for the trip south.
