Insects! Review of the year.

As regular readers might know, I'm pretty keen on butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, but largely steer clear of moths: there are just too many of them! However, there are some moths that are so totally intriguing and terrific to look at that I make an exception.

This year I actually became quite obsessive in my attempts to find and photograph Clearwing moths. I had intended to buy a set of pheromone lures, but had left it too late: however, great naturalist and all-round good bloke Rob Holmes lent me his for a few days. In the event, though, the Clearwings I found were without chemical assistance! I'm determined to add to my haul in 2018...

Despite several focused attempts, I still haven't seen a Common Hawker in Norfolk or White-legged Damselfly: I did reacquaint with Scarce Emerald at Thompson Common and Willow Emeralds continue to expand their range - I even had one in the garden!

My favourite insects of the year, however, were the Hummingbird Hawkmoths that arrived early and stayed late in the garden and a superb Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth at Minsmere.