Some of the nooks and crannies in the tunnel go back further than arm's length making it impossible to get close to some of the moths with the camera so I was quite happy with this image on full zoom.
The pair below were hibernating above our heads on the ceiling at around 7 feet up.
Great photos Charlie, shame we didn't find the Tissue, maybe next time!
ReplyDeleteHerald moths go into caves, tunnels, old mines and old buildings to hibernate and only in exceptional cases i.e. very cold snaps, will they move further into the cave. Tissues on the other hand do not hibernate but go into periods of torpor for a week or two but are active all winter. Heralds in a way are similar to bats and often are covered in condensation droplets; this will stop the body from dehydrating.
ReplyDeleteThe Tissue may still be there so will have another this weekend,also i know another large cave near barkisland if anyone would like to join me in having a look.??thanks to david for the info on tissues and Heralds
Yes, I'm up for a bit of caving.
ReplyDeleteMore info on heralds and Tissues on the Calderdale Moth blogg.....
ReplyDeleteMeet 10.30 at the Branch inn Greetland...Any one fancy joining us ..leave a message only a short walk involved,
Andy showed me the cave in the quarry a Barkisland on Sunday, which looks like an old stone mine. It's full of a jumble of rocks, slabs and tree trunks; not easy to get around inside.
ReplyDeleteThere was just one Herald Moth that we could see, but plenty of cracks where other moths or bats could be hibernating.