Gotcha!

After several days of warm southerly winds, it was about time that something other than the more common found its way into my trap. On the 21st an unprecedented four Dark Sword-grass seemed to be a prelude of what was to come. The 22nd was again ridiculously warm, after sunset it was still 16°C! The wind then began to strengthen and just before the first of many short, sharp downpours I found this-

Scarce Bordered Straw

 Macro #345 for the garden and a very smart individual too. Now, dare I hope for a Pearly Underwing as well? The way this year has gone in the garden, you just can't rule it out.

Rather than using two traps, I have opted for the 25w BLB bulb at the other end of the garden to my main twin synergetic skinner trap. Mainly to save a bit of time in the morning.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 trap, 1 BLB bulb- 22-10-13- 27 of 17 species-

1524  Emmelina monodactyla  1
1745  Mallow (Larentia clavaria)  1
1760  Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)  1
1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  3
2091  Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon)  2
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  1
2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  1
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  1
2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  1
2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)  5
2247  Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina)  1
2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  4
2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1
2381  Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines)  1
2400  Scarce Bordered Straw (Helicoverpa armigera)  1 NFG
2434  Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)  1
2477  Snout (Hypena proboscidalis)  1

19-10

Another fairly productive night and migrants are still in very good supply. Unfortunately they were all the usual suspects. But with a brisk southerly wind, it was a bit disappointing not to get a scarcer species. My latest ever Burnished Brass was also notable. A quick look in the garden, this time on the Alder produced three mines of  Phyllonorycter froelichiella. This common micro is a new species for the garden.

Total unrelated is this. Like other bloggers, I neglect all the common species and only feature more interesting rarer stuff

1342 Eudonia angustea

A common species. But not represented for a long time on my blog.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 trap- 27 of 18 species-

0229  Monopis obviella  1

0464  Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella)  1

1342  Eudonia angustea  1

1398  Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella)  1

1795x  November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.)  1

1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  1

2091  Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon)  2

2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  1

2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  1

2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  2

2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  2

2245  Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)  1

2264  Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta)  1

2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  3

2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  3

2375  Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa)  1

2389  Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)  5

2434  Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)  1

17-10............

A slight upturn in the catch, but nothing new in the trap. However, a quick look around the garden added a new micro for the year as I found a couple of Phyllonorycter acerifoliella mines on Field Maple.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 trap- 26 of 18 species-

0688  Agonopterix heracliana  1
0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  1
1342  Eudonia angustea  1
1760  Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)  2
1769  Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica)  1
1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  1
2087  Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum)  1
2091  Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon)  1
2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  1
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  5
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  2
2245  Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)  2
2259  Dark Chestnut (Conistra ligula)  1
2264  Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta)  1
2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  3
2272  Barred Sallow (Xanthia aurago)  1
2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1
2375  Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa)  1

November/Rain

I've had a three day break from trapping, mainly because of the constant rain. Last night however was slightly fairer, so on went the lights. Not ideal by any means as it was quite foggy this morning. Nothing new, but eleven species isn't too bad.

November Moth agg.

Most likely a November Moth?

I recently noticed the leader board on The Garden Moth Challenge blog. Former Beds recorder Les Hill is in the lead on 528 species. As this includes butterflies, I quickly totted up my list and found that with Butties (16) I am on 532 for the year. However, looking at the rules, this total can't include exited leaf mines (of which I've had a few). But why not? If the mine is identifiable and the leaf has not blown into your garden and is still on the tree, presumably the moth has gone through its pupal stage in your garden and therefore is countable? Is there another reason why this can't count?
Well done to Tristian for setting this up though, it really has added a new dimension to mothing- allowing 'competitors' to compare counts and species directly with those in different parts of the country.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 trap- 15-10-2013

0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  1
1795x  November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.)  1
1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  2
2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  1
2237  Grey Shoulder-knot (Lithophane ornitopus)  1
2245  Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)  1
2263  Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota)  1
2264  Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta)  1
2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  1
2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1
2389  Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)  1

Everyone loves Merv!

A rubbish couple of nights really, with not a lot to show for it. Hopefully the weather will settle down again by next week. I did get out for a couple of hours this afternoon to do my WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) count this afternoon at Broom GPs. But that was pretty uneventful too.

Merveille du Jour

Second record this year, they are surprisingly common in my garden. Last year I had nine.

 1042 Rhomboid Tortrix Acleris rhombana

In contrast, this is one I struggle with- It's only my second record and its almost a whole one! Note: Missing antena.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 Trap- 21 of 10 species-

1042  Rhomboid Tortrix (Acleris rhombana)  1 NFY
1760  Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)  2
1764  Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)  2
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  3
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  4
2237  Grey Shoulder-knot (Lithophane ornitopus)  1
2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)  1
2247  Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina)  1
2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  4
2389  Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)  1

300 Macros Up!........

..............And still time for a few more this year! At the beginning of September, I really didn't expect to achieve this target. But bit by bit and with the help of a few surprises, we finally reached the triple century. The good thing is, there is still a few that I could easily get too. Feathered Thorn, Brick, Scarce Umber and December Moth are all regulars in the garden- and will there be a chance/time for one more surprise? Well, possibly not. But it's still been a hell of a year for garden trapping and one that's eclipsed all my previous records. 

November Moth agg.

NFY

As you can see by the list below, the weather has made a massive difference to the count. The temperature has plummeted to half that of the weekend. On Sunday I found a Clouded Yellow butterfly for the first time in the village, no doubt brought in on the warm southerly wind. This morning in contrast, I witnessed huge numbers of Redwing streaming over the garden heading south west in varying sized flock. There was also two Fieldfare and my largest ever garden tick flock of six Crossbill all heading in the same direction.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 trap 15 of 13 species-

1524  Emmelina monodactyla  1
1745  Mallow (Larentia clavaria)  1
1764  Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)  1
1795x  November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.)  1
2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  1
2102  Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta)  1
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  1
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  2
2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  1
2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)  1
2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  2
2272  Barred Sallow (Xanthia aurago)  1
2361  Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea)  1

At Last!

After watching what seemed like everybody else locally catching these over the last few years. Finally one turned up in my garden. It looked like the last chance for a while too, as from tonight the wind direction will swing round to become a strong northerly.
Migrant wise, I also trapped two Dark Sword-grass and a Diamond-back Moth.

Gem

NFG- 8th October 2013.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 08-10-2013- 2 traps- 147 of 29 species

0464  Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella)  1

0648  White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella)  1

0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  2

1048  Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana)  1
1413  Gold Triangle (Hypsopygia costalis)  1

1720  Gem (Orthonama obstipata)  1 NFG

1728  Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)  1

1745  Mallow (Larentia clavaria)  4

1764  Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)  2

1906  Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)  1

1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  4

2091  Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon)  2

2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  4

2102  Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta)  1

2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  11

2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  1

2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  24

2231  Deep-brown Dart (Aporophyla lutulenta)  1

2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  1

2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)  8

2245  Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)  1

2245  Green-brindled Crescent [ab. capucina] (Allophyes oxyacanthae ab. capucina)  1

2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  11

2273  Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata)  1

2299  Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis)  1

2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1

2361  Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea)  1

2375  Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa)  2

2384  Vine's Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua)  1

2389  Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)  7

A good night for Migrants............

..........for other VC30 moth-ers, as an incredible two Four-spotted Footman were caught in Kempston and another two Vestals were caught in Luton. But for me, it was pretty much standard with one NFY species in the notebook. Looks like another mild night coming up, so a customary 3-trap Saturday night will hopefully turn up something special.

Red-line Quaker

NFY

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 trap- 77 of 21 species-

1048  Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana)  1

1728  Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)  1

1745  Mallow (Larentia clavaria)  1

1760  Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)  1

1764  Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)  1

1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  4

2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  1

2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  11

2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  1

2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  17

2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  5

2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)  13

2245  Green-brindled Crescent [ab. capucina] (Allophyes oxyacanthae ab. capucina)  1

2263  Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota)  1

2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  6

2270  Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa)  4

2273  Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata)  1

2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1

2375  Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa)  1

2384  Vine's Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua)  1

2389  Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)  4

Completing the Set......

It had to come eventually and 2nd October was the night. Pale-lemon Sallow finally completes the set. Although fairly scarce nationally, this area at least has thrown up quite a few records.



Pale-lemon Sallow

Grey Shoulder-knot

 NFY

 Satellite

Upper Caldecote Garden- 2 traps- 159 of 26 species-

0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  2
1413  Gold Triangle (Hypsopygia costalis)  2
1728  Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)  1
1745  Mallow (Larentia clavaria)  3
1764  Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)  2
1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  1
2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  3
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  22
2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  5
2110  Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua fimbriata)  2
2123  Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi)  1
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  63
2134  Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa)  1
2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  10
2237  Grey Shoulder-knot (Lithophane ornitopus)  2 NFY
2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)  12
2256  Satellite (Eupsilia transversa)  1
2259  Dark Chestnut (Conistra ligula)  1
2266  Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura)  1
2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  7
2270  Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa)  8
2276  Pale-lemon Sallow (Xanthia ocellaris)  1 NFG
2361  Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea)  1
2384  Vine's Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua)  2
2389  Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)  4
2441  Silver Y (Autographa gamma)  1

September Top 20.............

...........And considering I didn't undertake full counts between 2nd-6th including those dates, it's quite staggering. The vermin award for September goes to Setaceous Hebrew character, topping out on 24th with a count of 115. So out of the 3943 moths of 124 species recorded this one pest made up 22.9% of it!

2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 903

2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 680

2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 499

2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 202

2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 174

2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 119

1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 118

2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 89

2240 Lithophane leautieri Blair's Shoulder-knot 88

2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 78

2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 64

1309 Agriphila geniculea 60

2231 Aporophyla lutulenta Deep-brown Dart 49

1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 42

2299 Amphipyra tragopoginis Mouse Moth 40

2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 40

2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 39

2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 36

1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 35

1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 27