The first stirrings...........

............finally appeared after the worst start to a year I've ever had. In fact up until the 16th February, I had only recorded three species; Pale Brindled Beauty, Agonopterix heracliana and Emmelina monodactyla. To be honest I hadn't really put the trap out much, electing to use the single BLB bulb on the shed at the bottom of the garden. On 17th February the wind had finally died down, it had stopped raining and the temperature had increased, so I put out two traps as well as using the bulb.
A quick patrol at 8.00pm revealed a single Ypsolopha ustella, attracted to the bulb, that evaded capture. A moth I didn't see last year. The rest I found in the morning.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 17-02-14 7 of 6 species-

0461  Ypsolopha ustella  1 NFY BLB Bulb
0688  Agonopterix heracliana  2 BLB Bulb
1663  March Moth (Alsophila aescularia)  1 NFY Twin 20w Synergetic Skinner
1932  Spring Usher (Agriopis leucophaearia) 1 NFY Twin 15w Actinic Skinner
2236  Pale Pinion (Lithophane hepatica) 1 NFY  Twin 20w Synergetic Skinner
2258  Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) NFY  1 Twin 20w Synergetic Skinner

Chestnut

March Moth

 Pale Pinion

Spring Usher

The night after, another night with three lights burning produced two more NFYs. Singles of Dark Chestnut and Hebrew Character brought the years total to 11 species.

Chestnut................03-02

............was the only moth caught last night, despite having a couple of traps and a shed light burning last night. Other than this just a single Pale Brindled Beauty on 1st. These are the only trap nights since the 6th January!

Chestnut

Late September Rush!

A few decent macros as the 'Indian Summer' continues. In fact, all of this week looks like a good chance to fill in the gaps. Disappointingly, I haven't seen too much evidence of any migrants, just a couple of Diamond-back Moths is all. 

Unfortunately, the Pinion-streaked Snout has disappeared and I have now given up after 2 days of 'lamping'.  It must of either escaped or died in the house somewhere. 

On Thursday (30th) there is a planned trip into Home Wood for some Autumnal Moths to add to the successful leaf-mining trip conducted during the day by David Manning and Trent Duval on 26th. They recorded 27 new species for the survey.

Mallow

NFY on 21st and then again 26th September.

Blair's Shoulder-knot

NFY on 23rd September.

263 Apple Leaf Miner Lyonetia clerkella 

I was hoping this was going to be #200, but it turned out to be a scarce dark form of the species.

 Beaded Chestnut

First time I've seen a white one! Common in the garden with 21 recorded so far this year.

Webb's Wainscot

2nd record this year, 24th September.

 Brown-spot Pinion

At last! In my 3rd Autumn season- been a long time coming. Garden 1st, 26th September.

 Dusky Thorn

Another good one out of the way, NFY and only the 2nd record, 26th September.

Chestnut

Autumn is truly here when these come out- it doesn't feel like it though when it's 24°C during the day. 

Quaker Mass........17/02

After a fair few blanks, the Upper Caldecote contingent hits back. I upped my game last night by putting out 2 twin 30 watt Actinic/UV traps. I placed 1 in the usual place near the house and the other c120' away at the bottom of the garden. Although the temp. wasn't that high, for once it was fairly still.

Common Quakers

These 3 Amigos are out early, last year I had to wait until 12th March!



 Chestnut

It's nice to compare a 'real' one to last weeks Dark Chestnut!

So, the results-

In the main trap near the house-

• Common Quaker- 2- Year Tick
• Chestnut- 1- Year Tick
• Agonopterix heracliana- 1

Trap at the bottom of the garden-

• Common Quaker- 1

............29/10

Still nothing new to add, but this Chestnut was only the 2nd record this year and the 1st since February. The only others were 1 Large Yellow Underwing and 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart.

Chestnut

Sweet Chestnut!........24/02

.........and this is the result of the 1st testing. This Chestnut was found lurking under the egg boxes, as well as a 4th Early Moth record nearby on the shed.

A Successful 1st outing for a humble 8 watter. The battery powered the trap for at least 18 hours (possibly up to 22), which means it could be upgraded with a more powerful tube. More testing needed but a good start none the less.