Into 2013, Garden Trap + one to ID?

................And a Happy New Year to all. It seemed like a good time for a first attempt at trapping in the garden. So with temperatures hovering around 10°C, I put out a twin actinic skinner and hoped for the best.

An early patrol produced just an Agonopterix heracliana. But another check in the morning gave me a few more species. Tonight (04-01), along with two garden traps I've also dropped off a battery operated Skinner in nearby Home Wood, so hopefully more goodies to report tomorrow...........

Pale Brindled Beauty

Found on the shed wall by the 15w BLB bulb.

 Dark Chestnut

One of two found in the skinner trap at the top of the garden.

688 Agonopterix heracliana

First moth of 2013.

 Acleris sp.??

Found in the skinner, but a little worn. Any ideas? Photos taken in poor light and then flew whilst trying to get a better shot. On the small side for an Acleris.

The last 2 days......9th-10th

At last! The weather has finally turned, the wind has dropped and the temperature has become more stable during the nights. So tonight (11th Feb) will be the 4th trapping session in as many days.

Pale Brindled Beauty

These 2 were the only catch on 9th February.

The 10th was slightly warmer with less wind, so as a consequence did fairly well. The micros caught were the first to come to light this year.

 Satellite

 Dark Chestnut

This is the 2nd record this year, I was hoping it was a Chestnut. The 'sharp corners' give it away though.

 Agonopterix heracliana (688)

The 1st of many, I would presume.

 Tortricodes alternella (1025)

Although common, this usually woodland species is a garden 1st- touché Trent!

This was the best night of the year so far- which wouldn't be hard!, 19 moths of 8 species so far this year..........

The New Year..........12/01

The 1st meaningful Mothing of 2011 and after the addition of Winter Moth early in the month, I managed to add a couple more. I don't get many of these, so it's a welcome early scalp!

Dark Chestnut

During the day I also caught my 1st micro of the year too! A single Twenty-plume Moth (Alucita hexadactyla) was found in the workshop- probably disturbed from hibernation. This brings the year list to......well, 3!

A Winter flurry.........18/01

A Really amazing catch considering it is January. After so much cold weather, a sudden temperature rise(6-8°C) and perfect conditions must have done the trick! No less than 3 new ticks for the garden starting with an Early Moth (top) which was found near the trap on some tarpaulin. Next down was 1 of 4 Winter Moth sp. caught, all preferred to settle near the trap rather than in it. Pictured is the lightest and largest of the 4, but to be honest compared to others I've seen they all looked quite light to me?..........any ideas?-

3rd down is only the second Satellite found in the garden, this one was on the side of the conservatory.

2nd from bottom is a very dark Mottled Umber- finally trapped after endless blanks, a welcome garden 1st.

Bottom is another shot of the Dark Chestnut.

On balance, well worth putting out the trap!

N.B. 1 of the Winter Moths (photo above) now confirmed as a 'Northern' and so is the 6th species so far this year and yet another debutant for the garden. Thanks to Andy & Melissa for confirmation.

A good start!...........

A new year and a new moth! This Dark Chestnut is another garden 1st. Having seen the weather forecast, (overcast, mild at 8°C with little wind) it was time to give the trap a whirl for the 1st time this year. Just 90 minutes after the trap went on, in came Mr Chestnut!