The End of Summer........

.........usually means the end of huge amounts of 'brown stuff' and heralds the beginning of more manageable numbers and the odd splash of colour.

Brown-spot Pinion f. rufa-pallida

 I don't get many B-s P's anyway. But have never seen the aberrant form before.

Centre-barred Sallow

Deep-brown Dart

Large & Small Ranunculus

 Caught on 18th September, this is the first time I've ever caught both on the same night. Whereas Large Ranunculus have remained fairly constant (4-5 per year), Small Ranunculus have become much more common. The late second generation idividuals overlap with their larger name sakes.

Orange Sallow

Sallow

White-point

A good year for these- this is my 3rd record so far.

500 in the garden in ONE year?

As a really good July came to an end I started thinking about the possibility of recording 500 moth species in a year (200 Micro, 300 Macro). This year, my records have eclipsed all previous year's efforts. My biggest ever Macro tally was 253 in 2011 and Micros, 207 in the same year. So far in 2013 as from last night I have recorded 276 Macros and I will beat my micro record when I add all of the leaf mines from various indigenous trees and shrubs from around the garden.
The real question is I suppose, can I record 300 Macros in a year? This is a big ask and I would have to record almost every species I've ever had in the last four months of the year to stand a chance.
So if I was to take a punt I would say 500 in year will be achievable, but 300 Macros in a year may just be a little optimistic- only time will tell.
I'm sure converting my trap to a twin T12 20w Synergetic in early July has also helped with this year's huge tally.........

Gold Spot

A second ever record- 4th September 2013.

 Orange Sallow

Two records so far this year.

 Red Underwing

Three records so far this year.

 Sallow

two records so far- many more to come.

 White-spotted Pinion

Two records so far, now recorded in every year since 2009. This RDB species is still clinging on in this area at least.

Twin 20w T12  Synergetic Skinner

New since early July 2013- this bad boy pulls 'em in like never before!

Just into Autumn ....... it's already over!.......

...................and very little time for mothing of late as my extension (promised to the Mrs for years!!) is finally under way. So I've been coping with lack of time and even space at times, especially when building materials have encroached onto my prime mothing locations. We do now have power at the bottom of the garden again, so I have been putting the trap on at weekends.

However, I need not worry; for Trent, in the style of Paddy Power has paid out early! Although he flogged his guts out to squeeze every last species out of his small town garden, he has fallen short by a considerable margin. Ironically, if the competition had been 'all in' as last year he would at this stage be 12 species in front- due to his superior micro moth list..................

Anyway, here is a few highlights from the last month- starting with the winnings!

The Wine

..............and for the most species of Macro Moths in 2012 with a total of? Well, I don't know yet. But probably not as good as last year's 253. Already dispatched- very nice indeed and Trent drank half of it anyway!

1332 Scoparia subfusca

 

A garden 1st, 24th August.

 Orange Sallow

First seen since 2009, found in the house- 9th September.

 Frosted Orange

 Large Thorn

A 2nd for the year, caught under a 15w BLB bulb, 16th September.

A 'real' Brown-spot Pinion

Quite rare in my garden- only the 2nd record, unlike Lunar Underwings- eh Trent? 22nd September.

 Deep-brown Dart

1st of the year, 22nd September.

One Sallow doesn't make a Summer................

..............But 2 do!

Top: Orange Sallow

Bottom: Centre-barred Sallow