Orange Underwings

A short walk early afternoon through the first part of Hermitage woods and South Burn, over the bridge, a quick look around Brass Castle pond before heading back an hour later. It was a little cloudy and breezy but 11C and quite pleasant when the sun was out.
There are now 2 Chiffchaff singing in the Hermitage woods but I couldn't hear any anywhere else. 2 Green Woodpecker called from the Fell area and at least 3 Great spotted Woodpecker were also seen. Colt's-foot is now out in flower on the path into the woods as was Common Field Speedwell.

Colt's-foot

Common or Persian Field Speedwell

In South Burn Woods, Dog's Mercury and Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage were well in flower, a male Kestrel flew over, several Bullfinch were in the Downy Birches and nearby, a Willow Tit and a Siskin were at Brass Castle Pond.

Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage

 Probably the best sighting of the day were two Orange Underwing moths around the birches. This is a rather local, day flying moth that is on the wing in March and April. I have seen them here before as they are usually seen flying on sunny days high around the tops of the birches before they come into leaf, flying lower later in the afternoon. Unfortunately these did not fly lower today but Becky, one of the Countryside team at Gateshead send me a smashing picture of one she took yesterday as it sunned itself at Strother Hills in Gateshead, so I had to upload it here.

Orange Underwing [Becky Hethrington]