Can anyone ID this one for me please?

[KateW]

Not a wonderful image as it was taken on my phone. This little fella was on the upright of my dad's bird table - very well camouflaged!

 

[JohnP]

What sort of size is it Kate?

[KateW]

Sorry, I forgot to put that in! It's about 2.5 inches from nose to tail, or 64mm.

[JohnP]

Sorry, I forgot to put that in! It's about 2.5 inches from nose to tail, or 640mm.

 

Blimey... that's big. I've been looking at totally the wrong  moths.

[JohnP]

It could be a Convolvulus hawk-moth, I wish I could be sure. I'm not certain they are that common in the British Isles as they are usually found in Southern Europe and North Africa, any that do come here are usually seen in late summer.... Surely I must be wrong with my ID.

[ChrisLumix]

Superb camouflage - a good spot  

[jeremy rundle]

Yes it's a moth........

 

Judging by the seat in the background it's about 4 feet by two

[KateW]

I think you're right, John - I've just found a pic on the internet and it's got that same marking on its upper back:

 

 

I'll have a read about it.

 

Thanks for the ID!

[KateW]

Status: A large robust species that migrates each year from southern Europe carried on southerly winds. In some years adults appear in N. Ireland. The majority of the records have been in the south and east, although it can appear

anywhere. Prior to 1990 there were only a few records, but since then it has been reported more frequently. This may be due to a greater level of recording or a temporary phase of increased abundance. Adults have been recorded in small numbers each year from 1991 with the exception of 1993 and 1995.

 

 

When to see it

 

It most often occurs in late summer and autumn, usually with influxes of other migrant species.

 

 

So mine seems to be extremely early ....

[JohnP]

They are quite pretty and easier to ID when their wings are open... wish I could clap eyes on one. I like all the hawk moths, they are huge.

[JohnP]

 

Status: A large robust species that migrates each year from southern Europe carried on southerly winds. In some years adults appear in N. Ireland. The majority of the records have been in the south and east, although it can appear

anywhere. Prior to 1990 there were only a few records, but since then it has been reported more frequently. This may be due to a greater level of recording or a temporary phase of increased abundance. Adults have been recorded in small numbers each year from 1991 with the exception of 1993 and 1995.

 

 

When to see it

 

It most often occurs in late summer and autumn, usually with influxes of other migrant species.

 

 

So mine seems to be extremely early ....

 

 

Early indeed.  Lots of things happen early these days it seems.

[NannyFerret]

That's a really good capture, Kate. So much detail.

[KateW]

Thanks Tina!

[Kobione]

We get Hawk Moths too, Kate - maybe not exactly the same species, but they are all large and very impressive!! Well spotted

[annie]

Wow...what a beauty. Well spotted and captured Kate.

[Paul]

Great to find something of a rarity too, well in you!!! 

 

Paul.

[KateW]

Thank you. My dad spotted it before I arrived, and took me outside to show me.