Tim Mackey Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Mrs Timbo spotted this little creature taking nectar form the flowers of these weeds a few minutes ago. I couldnt get any closer with my little point and shoot, but hopefully this picture, and description will do.About an inch long, and quite fat, with shades of brown markings - I thought at first it was a moth . It looked for all the world like a small hummingbird - and its wings were really going some! It hovered at each and every "flower" on all the florets, and drew nectar through a very long - maybe another inch or more ) tube. A quick Google confirms that no hummingbirds as such exist in Gt Britain, and all species are restricted to the Americas - so my best guess is that it was a "hummingbird hawk moth" ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cantwell Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 its a humming bird hawkmoth, cute, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 Thought so.... just been genning up on them - and yes, quite a good sight . The wingbeat is so fast it actually hums! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiltshire Flyer Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Posted by Alan C on 03/06/2011 21:00:32:its a humming bird hawkmoth, cute, eh? ARRGGHHH you beat me to it Alan!! i saw one a few years ago and for a second i thought it was actually a humminbird lol.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 What size Lipo you putting in that then Tim? BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spice Cat Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Bit worrying this. I have only ever seen them in Cyprus. Things getting warmer perhaps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Indigenous species here in S/W France. Saw the first one here yesterday and will get them all through the summer, to and fro along the terrace stopping at each geranium! If we could work out how they get enough energy for all that flapping from their food intake we'd be dumping the Li-Po's......... Swallowtails have been active for a few weeks and the flush of white admirals will be along soon. Glow-worms too - something I've never seen in the UK. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 Posted by Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 03/06/2011 21:16:20:What size Lipo you putting in that then Tim? BEB 70m/a vapor single cell - with "park fly" receiver LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 Apparently they have excellent memories and habits - supposedly returning to the exact same flower at the exact same time every day. We shall be observing again tomorrow night.I have "registered"the sighting on a dedicated website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Never seen one so that's a nice garden visitor Tim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelH Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Interesting. I read up on them and found out something that isn't obvious from the photo. They have a wing span of between 40mm and 50mm. That's quite a size. And BEB, That's actually rather funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly boy3 Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Last year I took a picture of Hawk moth in its caterpillar mode.It was so big we thought it was a slug. LoL Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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