March- so far.........

Well, what a contrast to last year's weather. The start of March really did seem to herald the start of the moffing season. At present I am 7 species in front of this time last year with a few notable absences still to get. I also managed to drop a battery powered trap off in Home Wood on the 14th, unfortunately I picked a less favourable night which is reflected in the list further down the post. Also a list for 16th- the best night of the year so far..........

Oak Beauty

NFY- 6th March, 3 recorded so far

Small Quaker

NFY 6th March

Grey Shoulder-knot

NFY- 3 caught 8th March and another 17th March.

Yellow Horned

NFY- 9th March, 2 caught so far.

Engrailed

NFY- 12th March, not recorded in 2013.

974 Argyrotaenia ljungiana

NFY- 12th March, 2 recorded so far. This is one of the most striking tortrix species and in VC30 at least, one of the commonest.

Home Wood

A little disappointing really. The 14th wasn't great by any means. A strong, cold westerly breeze blowing straight along the woodland rides seemed to have affected the catch.

Shoulder Stripe

Only one caught. Also surprisingly no Dotted Border, a moth that in previous years has been extremely common.

Home Wood- 14-03- Battery powered Actinic/BLB Skinner- 19 of 8 species-

0663  Diurnea fagella  1- NFY

1663  March Moth (Alsophila aescularia)  2

1746  Shoulder Stripe (Anticlea badiata)  1- NFY

1947  Engrailed (Ectropis bistortata)  1

2182  Small Quaker (Orthosia cruda)  6

2188  Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)  2

2190  Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)  2

2258  Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii)  4

Back in the garden

Twin-spotted Quaker

NFY- 15th March, 2 caught so far

 Early Thorn

NFY- 16th March, 2 records so far.

 Oak Nycteolene

NFY- 16th March. An incredible 3 recorded in one night. Only the 5th, 6th and 7th garden records.

 Pine Beauty

 NFY- 16th March, 2 recorded so far.

Upper Caldecote garden- 16-03-2014- 3 traps- 69 of 13 species

0688  Agonopterix heracliana  1

0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  1- NFY

1524  Emmelina monodactyla  3

1663  March Moth (Alsophila aescularia)  3

1862  Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)  1- NFY

1917  Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)  1- NFY

2179  Pine Beauty (Panolis flammea)  1- NFY

2187  Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi)  30

2188  Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)  10

2190  Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)  11

2243  Early Grey (Xylocampa areola)  3

2258  Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii)  1

2423  Oak Nycteoline (Nycteola revayana)  3- NFY

Early Spring Highlights in the garden

Early Grey

NFY, 14th April

Satellite

NFY, 15th April

Early Thorn

NFY, 15th April

Pale Pinion

Only my 3rd record and the 1st in Spring. Not seen in 2012, NFY 17th April

Oak Beauty

NFY, 19th April

 Mystery Micro?

This was found on the outside of a window during the afternoon. It is probably 483 Epermenia chaerophyllella. But I've retained it as it's quite worn.

At last............

..........some warmer weather and some new moths. After a week of not bothering due to cold nights and blustery winds, the lights went back on on 8th March. Six new species in three nights, the best of which was last night. Thirteen species on 10th was very unseasonal indeed.........at least for my garden. Could be another good one tonight.

Clouded Drab

 Common Pug

My earliest record- 8th March 2012

 Small Quaker

Three recorded so far. NFY, 9th March 2012.

Early Grey

NFY, 10th March 2012.

 Early Thorn

NFY, 10th March 2012.

 1497 Amblyptilia acanthadactyla

NFY, 10th March 2012.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 10-03-2012- 31 of 13 species-

0688	Agonopterix heracliana		4
0998	Epiphyas postvittana	Light Brown Apple Moth	1
1497	Amblyptilia acanthadactyla		1	NFY
1524	Emmelina monodactyla		5
1663	Alsophila aescularia	March Moth	2
1917	Selenia dentaria	Early Thorn	1	NFY
1934	Agriopis marginaria	Dotted Border	1
2182	Orthosia cruda	Small Quaker	2
2187	Orthosia cerasi	Common Quaker	6
2188	Orthosia incerta	Clouded Drab	1
2190	Orthosia gothica	Hebrew Character	4
2243	Xylocampa areola	Early Grey	3	NFY
2259	Conistra ligula	Dark Chestnut	1

Transition......27/03

I'm just waiting for something to happen now, I've just about had enough of the 'big 3'.

Early Thorn

Hofmannophila pseudospretella  647

The irrepressible Brown House-moth.

The result- 26 of 10 species-

• Common Quaker- 8
• Clouded Drab- 4
• Hebrew Character- 4
• Small Quaker- 2
• Early Thorn- 2
• Emmelina monodactyla- 2
• Satellite- 1
• Diurnea fagella- 1
• Brown House-moth- 1 Year tick

Thorn Bird.....25/04

Early Thorn (female) Streamer

Mompha subbistrigella

The count was low but the variety was fair as the temperatures continue to rise. It was nice to see a 1st female Early Thorn, 1 of the 2 caught. The micro was found in the house and is another new 1 for the list. I also put a battery trap out at Broom GP, but only caught 4 moths-

Upper Caldecote

1. Early Thorn- 2
2. Hebrew Character- 2
3. Mompha subbistrigella- 2- 1st
4. Powdered Quaker
5. Chestnut
6. Clouded Drab
7. Streamer- 2nd record
8. Agonopterix arenella- 2nd record

Broom GP

1. Hebrew Character- 2
2. Clouded Drab
3. Powdered Quaker- site 1st

The Hattrick........09/04

Brindled Beauty Streamer Early Thorn Agonopterix arenella

It's been a little while since something new turned up. So I thought I would have a good chance on such a great evening. The omens were good with barely a breath of wind and nice warm, overcast conditions. The photo of the Streamer is terrible! It is actually in mid flight and flew away before I could get another shot! The catch-

1. Clouded Drab- 9
2. Common Quaker- 4
3. Hebrew Character- 3
4. Early Thorn- 2
5. Brindled Beauty- 1 Garden 1st
6. Streamer- 1 Garden 1st
7. Agonopterix arenella- 1 Garden 1st
8. Agonopterix heracliana- 1
9. Emmelina monodactyla- 1

To the Manor, Thorn!.....06/04

Early Thorn

The Manor Place trap picks up another debutant in the shape of this Early Thorn. It was all part of a much better night with 30 moths of 8 species trapped.

1. Common Quaker- 16 Highest count
2. Hebrew Character- 5
3. Small Quaker- 3 Highest count
4. Clouded Drab- 2
5. March Moth
6. Early Grey
7. Early Thorn Garden 1st
8. Emmelina monodactyla

The trap was also invaded by another 2 Black Carrion Beetles!