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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. earthdragon64

    UK Dragonflies and Damselflies 2024

    Saw my first Large Red Damselflies of the year today, near Boat of Garten.
  2. earthdragon64

    May Moths

    After a really poor start to the Garden Moth Scheme year, 1 week with 4 Hebrew Characters, 1 week when the weather was too bad on any night to trap and 7 weeks with nothing, I finally caught some moths on Friday night! 12 moths of 9 species, 2 Hebrew Characters, 1 Common Quaker, 1 Clouded Drab...
  3. earthdragon64

    First Butterflies 2024

    Finally broke my butterfly duck yesterday, a Small Tortoiseshell at Grantown-on-Spey and a Comma just outside Nethybridge. Commas still aren't that common in the Highlands so that was a particularly good sighting. Today I saw a Peacock butterfly in Craigellachie NNR just outside Aviemore.
  4. earthdragon64

    Female chest friendly binocular harness recommendations?

    I've had this problem too and I think it's probably worse for someone like me who is a larger lady! I tried the Viking ones you linked to and had the same problems. I eventually found this one and also bought a pair of connectors. I shortened all the straps on the harness as tight as they...
  5. earthdragon64

    First Butterflies 2024

    I still haven't seen a butterfly this year and I doubt I'll see one this afternoon as it is cool, overcast and windy. Must be the first year I haven't seen at least a couple of species by the end of April. It has been a horrible spring here, Aviemore.
  6. earthdragon64

    April Moths

    An Emperor moth was what got me into mothing. Back in 2006 I went to a public trapping event at Insh Marshes RSPB reserve and found the whole process quite interesting. Most of the moths were fairly ordinary brownish spring moths, plain until you look more closely. There were several traps...
  7. earthdragon64

    April Moths

    I've been trapping in my garden in Aviemore since 2007 using a Skinner 125w MV trap. In 2011 I started trapping as part of the Garden Moth Scheme, GMS, so putting the trap out every Friday for 36 weeks from early March to early November. You can miss a few weeks here and there for holidays...
  8. earthdragon64

    Rare(?) Orchid, Cyprus

    iNat were doing site maintanence yesterday which may have caused some issues. Might be worth trying again, there are some people with good knowledge of European orchids on there.
  9. earthdragon64

    Western Isles questions

    I agree with Delia, give Islay as long as possible, as well as birding and distilleries, the scenery is pretty spectacular and I highly reccommend a walk out to the American Monument on the Oa peninsula. We mostly go in late October, but have been once in summer, in 2021. Unfortunately I was...
  10. earthdragon64

    March Moths

    After empty traps for the last 4 weeks I finally got my first moths of 2024, 4 Hebrew Characters.
  11. earthdragon64

    Do you count heard only birds on your life list?

    I ticked option 2, however, the only bird on my life list that is heard only is Corncrake. I have heard them dozens of times, I may even have caught a very brief glimpse through vegetation, but I've never got a decent look at one. I spent 2 nights camping on Tiree a few years ago with at least...
  12. earthdragon64

    Western Isles questions

    My husband and I holiday a lot on the Western Isles or Orkney, staying in self-catering cottages. We usually book about a year in advance just to be sure of getting accomodation but I think the last time we stayed on Mull we booked about 18 months in advance as it is really popular. What sites...
  13. earthdragon64

    Orkney and Shetland trip planning

    Most self-catering units at that time of year tend to be for 7 nights, so hotels or B&Bs would give more flexibility. Having said that, I stayed on Orkney Mainland for a week last June and easily could have spent another week there. I stayed in a holiday chalet near Dounby, which is close to 5...
  14. earthdragon64

    Western Isles questions

    As others have said, mid-May to early June shouldn't be too bad for midges, especially if it's dry and windy. You might want to think about using a midge repellent, anything with Deet is probably the best, if you can use it. However, if you or your wife can't use Deet, then the best...
  15. earthdragon64

    No sounds coming from mobile phone

    Could there be a bit of grit or something stuck in the headphone opening? That might make your phone think there was a headset/headphone plugged in and could explain the lack of noise, maybe.
  16. earthdragon64

    22 years of Birding

    Well done! I don't have an anniversary date as such, I've always been interested in birds and other wildlife in passing, but didn't start taking an active interest until the early 2000s. Around that time I stopped working full-time and started noticing a lot of different wildlife whilst...
  17. earthdragon64

    Upcoming UK trip

    Late October or early November is a great time to visit Islay. Loads of Geese, Choughs, White-tailed Eagle - I saw 5 in the air at one time over Nave island last October. Also Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier, Merlin and more. The Islay Birds blog is a great place for information. Some cracking...
  18. earthdragon64

    Summer nature viewing in Scotland?

    I can't stand the smell of Skin So Soft and it doesn't work for everyone. Smidge is much better and also gives some protection against clegs. My favourite time to visit Islay is late October or early November, loads of Geese and a good chance of White-tailed and Golden Eagle and no midges.
  19. earthdragon64

    Close encounters.........

    I was in the kitchen washing up when a male Sparrowhawk flew into the garden and disturbed all the small birds. One unlucky one bounced off the kitchen window making me flinch. The Sparrowhawk grabbed it out of mid-air and landed on the outside window ledge. For a brief second or two, he...
  20. earthdragon64

    Is Slimbridge wetlands the Mecca of bird spotting in the Uk?😄

    RSPB Insh Marshes near Kingussie is my local reserve and one of my favourite places, as well as birds there are moths, butterflies and orchids at the right time of year. A late autumn visit to Islay is a great time to go as the accommodation is pretty cheap and as well as loads of Geese there...
  21. earthdragon64

    What trousers do you wear in the current UK cold snap?

    Definitely layering and that works with gloves too. I have a pair of silk gloves that I wear under fingerless gloves, they're fine enough to allow me to work a camera and even a touch screen with them on. It's also good to have gloves which are quite long and cover the wrists, my fingerless...
  22. earthdragon64

    Good Boots

    Scarpa - leather, tough, waterptoof, great ankle support and very comfortable.
  23. earthdragon64

    First bird of 2024

    Heard a Robin singing then a Blackbird calling before first light. Then saw them both in the opposite order.
  24. earthdragon64

    January 1st joint Birdforum list (2024 edition)

    Speyside, Scotland - I think these haven't been mentioned yet, apologies if they have. Crested Tit Hooded Crow Fieldfare Whooper Swan Buzzard Rook Carrion Crow Lesser Redpoll Pheasant Red-legged Partridge Dunnock Waxwing
  25. earthdragon64

    January 1st joint Birdforum list (2024 edition)

    I'll join in too, the long range forecast looks reasonable for the time of year, as long as there's no ice, I'll get out locally.
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