May, but in early April.....

The incredible Summer-like weather continues; it feels like Britain has been moved 1000 miles south! This is having an extreme affect on flight times, compared to last year at least. Most of my recent additions are more likely to be encountered in May. Right I'm off to Broom to find a Red-footed Falcon and a Bee-eater!

Waved Umber

 Nut-tree Tussock

 Pale Mottled Willow

 Brindled Pug ab. hirschkei

 Brindled Beauty

 Bee Fly

 Burying Beetle Sp.??

Not sure which species- but I've never seen it before. any ideas?

The result- 23 of 13 species-

• Hebrew Character- 5
• Common Quaker- 4
• White-shouldered House-moth- 3
• Clouded Drab- 2
• Red Chestnut- 1
• Early Thorn- 1
• Waved Umber- 1- Year tick
• Nut-tree Tussock- 1- Year tick
• Pale Mottled Willow- 1- Year tick
• Argyrotaenia ljungiana- 1
• Agonopterix arenella- 1
• Brindled Pug- 1

Cradle of Filth!...29/03

...........and that's what I was presented with this morning after finding 4 of these foul-smelling Black Carrion Beetles in my trap. There are apparently 20 different species of burying beetles in the U.K. Not all live on carrion, but those that do carry small Gamasid mites around with them. As the beetle feeds on decomposing flesh, the mites prey on fly larvae and worms which inhabit the carcass. They get they're fill before hopping back on the 'bus' as the beetle looks for it's next meal......Nice!

Necroporus humator

Moth wise it was another poor night, though slightly better than last. It's been a while since I had a new species. So maybe Powdered Quaker, Streamer or one of the Pinions will be the next on the year list.

The result 14 of 6 species-

• Common Quaker- 6
• Clouded Drab- 4
• Early Grey- 1
• Hebrew Character- 1
• Double-striped Pug- 1
• Emmelina mondactyla- 1

Billy Witch.........14/05

Cockchafer Common Swift Grey Pine Carpet

I haven't seen a Cockchafer in years- are they getting rarer? This one was found under the egg boxes along with my 1st ever garden Common Swift. On the outside of the trap was a Grey Pine Carpet and another garden debutant; a White-spotted Pug. Also for the 1st time this year there was a fleeting visit from a Sallow Kitten. The count;

1. Shuttle-shaped Dart- 4
2. Common Quaker
3. Waved Umber
4. Brimstone Moth
5. Grey Pine Carpet- Year tick
6. Common Pug
7. White-spotted Pug- Garden 1st
8. Sallow Kitten- Year tick
9. Common Swift- Garden 1st
10. White-shouldered House-moth
11. Esperia sulpurella

Another DSP.........07/04

Double-striped Pug

Water Beetle sp.

Not quite as good as last night but ticking over. Most notable was the Water Beetle, quite large at over 20mm long. As yet I don't know which species! The rest of the trappings-

1. Common Quaker- 8
2. Hebrew Character- 4
3. Clouded Drab- 4
4. Early Grey- 2
5. Double-striped Pug

N.B Looks like the Beetle is Colymbetes fuscus, a species of diving beetle without a common name.

The Beetles.....05/04

Nicrophorus humator

Yet again a poor night in the trap......for moths anyway. A fairly clear night with a 10mph S wind and temperature still a little low as it dropped below 6°C at times. But for some reason it seems to be a magnet for Black Carrion Beetles or Nicrophorus humator. Lat night I had a high count of 4!

Moth wise, it was bare bones again-

1. Clouded Drab- 2
2. Hebrew Character
3. Common Quaker
4. Small Quaker

A Drab night.......19/03

It basically rained most of the night, there was also a moderate S to SW wind. Despite this we had a high count for both Common Quaker and Clouded Drab. There was also the 1st Sexton Beetle sp. in the trap.-

1. Common Quaker- 6
2. Clouded Drab- 6 (photo)
3. Hebrew Character- 2

Shown the Carte Dor............. 02/10

A rough night last night with gusting winds, not great for moths. But this Dor Beetle was a welcome distraction. I can't recall ever seeing one before. The moth count was just 16 of 9 species;

• SS Dart -3
• Lunar U -3
• Pale M Willow -2
• Beaded Ch. -2
• LYU -2
• Less. YU
• Willow B
• Grey S-k
• Turnip Moth