Caterpillar Identification ?

They are individuals an average of 10 feet apart. They are on coastal rough grass very close to the shore - they must be tolerant to salt spray !. I could not see any obvious food plant but they were eating tiny clover like leaves. At first I thought that they were Drinker moths but the hair is not very tufted.

The fact that they are around now suggests that they may be a species that hibernates as a caterpillar like the Drinker. I will try & get a better pic today.

Edit: Just looked at Fox Moth & I am sure that you are right. Just found a photo of one on a coastal path !. "The larvae feed on bilberry and bramble and are often found exposed on open ground especially in coastal habitats prior to hibernation in the autumn".

They are definitely Fox moths & must be very close to hibernation - it's cold out tonight. There are a lot showing in the West of Ireland along the coast. Being close to the sea has the benefit of warmer temperatures.

Interesting that today after overnight rain & wet grass there was not a caterpillar to be seen. I reckon that they were sheltering deeper in the vegetation & only come to the surface in sunlight to warm up. Apparently moorland birds take them but obviously not Gulls. They really stood out on top of the grass & would of been very easy pickings

I used to know them all as a kid but couldn't remember !