Identification please

[fizzle]

Hi All,

Spotted this little creature among the bees on the lavender. Never see anything like it before. I first thought it was a humming bird. It was hovering around the plant with serious aerial ability. Would describe it as furry with butterfly wings.

 

[hemo]

You lucky devil.
It is a Hummingbird Hawk Moth, a rarity.

 

[fizzle]

Spot on Hemo. Just looked them up. Never seen or heard about them before. What an amazing creature.

https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/humming-bird-hawk-moth

 

[hemo]

A visitor to the shores of UK & Eire during early summer.
Though successful at mating, winter survival is low I believe. Milder winters will see them hopefully increase.

 

[Swarm]

You lucky devil.
It is a Hummingbird Hawk Moth, a rarity.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Amari]

My thoughts exactly.

Only seen one this year in our garden. Some years more frequent. Spectacular.

 

[Nottslady]

 

[Nottslady]

Think this is the baby version of your moth found on the lawn last week.

 

[Pembroke]

If you've still got it you could try this method of raising it to adulthood. Hand Rearing Moths - UK Safari the main website is also useful for identifying all manner of UK creatures.

 

[Nottslady]

If you've still got it you could try this method of raising it to adulthood. Hand Rearing Moths - UK Safari the main website is also useful for identifying all manner of UK creatures.

Many thanks for the website link. We picked the caterpillar up and put it under the ivy.

 

[Monbees]

Can someone identify these willow catkins please? Greenish with tiny black bits, leaves about to open are oval. Not my regular bright yellow-pollened male goat willow.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Can someone identify these willow catkins please? Greenish with tiny black bits, leaves about to open are oval. Not my regular bright yellow-pollened male goat willow.
View attachment 25260

Goat Willow
Female tree

 

[Boston Bees]

Can someone identify these willow catkins please? Greenish with tiny black bits, leaves about to open are oval. Not my regular bright yellow-pollened male goat willow.
View attachment 25260

Grey willow, female catkins

 

[Amari]

Goat Willow
Female tree

Ah, thanks for that. SWMBO and I spotted those green ones this morning on a walk - several willows, some with bright yellow pollen. In our ignorance we said, of the green ones, 'those have gone over'. Never too late to learn.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Ah, thanks for that. SWMBO and I spotted those green ones this morning on a walk - several willows, some with bright yellow pollen. In our ignorance we said, of the green ones, 'those have gone over'. Never too late to learn.

Later on they get really fluffy and the fluff floats about all over the place.
We have a black poplar that is even fluffier.

 

[Monbees]

Erichalfbee and Boston Bees both agree femsle catkins. How can l tell whether Goat or Grey?
As male and female catkins on separate trees, do both need to flower at the same time to ensure pollination? My male trees have finished while this female tree is only just starting.
Male catkins very obviously offer pollen for bees and, l understand, nectar. Are female catkins as prolific although much less spectacular?

 

[Boston Bees]

Erichalfbee and Boston Bees both agree femsle catkins. How can l tell whether Goat or Grey?

With difficulty.

Your pic was a bit blurry so hard to be sure.

More pics on these pages will help you choose:

https://www.304220.temp-dns.com/species/grey-willow
https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/goat-willow

 

[Amari]

Later on they get really fluffy and the fluff floats about all over the place.
We have a black poplar that is even fluffier.

Does it get lodged in your belly-button?
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20150709-the-curious-truth-about-belly-button-fluff

 

[Erichalfbee]

Does it get lodged in your belly-button?
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20150709-the-curious-truth-about-belly-button-fluff

I shall look at bath time

 

[Monbees]

With difficulty.

Your pic was a bit blurry so hard to be sure.

More pics on these pages will help you choose:

https://www.304220.temp-dns.com/species/grey-willow
https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/goat-willow

Yes, sorry my pics are always a bit blurry, no smart phone so l use ny kindle fire which isn't the best, also it was very windy today, also l'm rubbish at photography.
Thanks for the very useful links, from which l've decided it must be Goat willow, not least because Grey willow is only common in central and eastern England, also damp or boggy places, neither of which apply.