Elephant

Hawk Moth larva, walking along the approach to the Hewenden viaduct . Probably the biggest caterpillar I have ever seen, so had to look up ( where would we be with out google - I haven't got the observer book of insects) to see what it was.

It turns out it is the Deilephila elpenorlarva which feeds mainly on rosebay willow herb. Makes sense , there is a lot of that on the embankments of the old railway line. Having seen the pictures the moth looks beautiful , but as they fly from May to July I will have to wait till next year.