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Pale Tussock Moth (Calliteara pudibunda)  Found on Sat 10th Nov's Fungi Forays

The Pale Tussock Moths belongs to its own family of Tussock Moths. The caterpillars of this family are largely breathtakingly beautiful and almost all carry some four tussocks on their back. Often a smaller, colourful tussock of longer hairs is found on the tail. The adults do look like Owlet Moths a lot, but have larger wings (rather looking like those of the Geometers). Some species though do look like Woolly Bears. Adults of the Pale Tussock Moth are very variable and are on the wing in May and June mainly. The caterpillars feed on lots of trees and shrubs, including hop, being locally known as Hop-dog. The caterpillar may be an exotic beauty, the adult moth certainly is not. They are very variable, but in my part of Holland the darker variation is predominant. In other parts of Europe though the lighter variation may be more common. It is a little bit more interesting, but not much. The adults fly about in May and June mainly. Adult Pale Tussock Moths do not feed anymore. Common moth in England, Wales and Southern Ireland. Reaching a wingspan of up to 70 mm. this sometimes is a big species. However many specimens never get bigger than some 50 to 55 mm.

ALBINO GREY SQUIRRELS
Over the years there have been many sightings of albino grey squirrels. It seems that there is a particularly strong local gene, as they have been reported from many parts of Bexhill over the last twenty years or so. In the wild albinos are not usually long lived as their lack of camouflage makes them an easy target for predators. They are often seen being chased by other grey squirrels. Are the ordinary ones curious or threatening?
This picture was taken this March and you can often see our Albino just left of the entrance on the green walk or in the tree in the field. Locals call his "Chalkie"

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