October & March on December 27th.............

..........as the wacky Winter weather continues, there seems to be no end to the unusual records. As well as record breaking early emergence, there seems to be evidence of some migrant activity too. I also have a query on a possible Acleris kochiella and have included a species list at the bottom of this post. 

Rusty Dot Pearl Udea ferrugalis

 Previous latest garden record, 22nd November in 2014

Silver Y

Previous latest garden record, 8th November in 2011. 

Dotted Border

 This was a real surprise. Earliest previous garden record 21st February, 2011. All time earliest in VC30 (Beds), 7th January. 

Hebrew Character

 No need to say really, but another early garden record. Previous earliest garden record 22nd February in 2014. This is an equal VC30 earliest record (27th December)

Pale Brindled Beauty

 Previous earliest garden record was 3rd January in 2013. Another record breaker as the earliest ever in VC30 was 1st January.

Acleris kochiella

 Has been retained, but looks like a good candidate. The Winter flight of this species always looks grey compared to the Summer flight, which is often extremely pale with prominent markings. If it does turn out to be one, it will be new for the garden and only the 2nd I have ever seen. Confirmed as A. kochiella, Gen Det AM Banthorpe

Acleris kochiella

For comparison, here is an example caught in Home Wood 2nd July 2014. The strong markings point towards kochiella, though this one was Gen. detted just to make sure. (photo: Ben Sale)

Acleris logiana

A second record for the year after one trapped 10th July. 

27-12-2015- 2 traps, Upper Caldecote Garden- 14 of 11 species-

1050  Acleris kochiella  1- Confirmed, gen det AMB
1051  Acleris logiana  1
1395  Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis)  1
1524  Emmelina monodactyla  1
1799  Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata)  4
1926  Pale Brindled Beauty (Phigalia pilosaria)  1
1934  Dotted Border (Agriopis marginaria)  1
1935  Mottled Umber (Erannis defoliaria)  1
2190  Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)  1
2258  Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii)  1
2441  Silver Y (Autographa gamma)  1

Valentine's Moths

I haven't done a lot of trapping in the past two months, due mainly to the extremely low night time temperatures. Agonopterix heracliana was attracted to a lit window on 9th Feb and then two days later a slight upturn in night time temps tempted me to try the traps, the first time they'd been out for almost two weeks.

Pale Brindled Beauty

Spring Usher

The catch was from two traps at either end of the garden. It was interesting that the Twin 15w Actinic easily out performed the far larger and slightly more powerful Twin 20w Synergetic. Though this could simply be down to location. Tonight, I will be trapping again and have reversed the traps to see if it makes any difference. I have also heard that Synergetic tubes lose some of their potency after around a year's use? It would be hard for me to prove, so having had the current tubes from June 2013- I may invest in new ones for the upcoming months.

Upper Caldecote Garden  14-02-2015-

Twin 20w Synergetic Skinner

1926  Pale Brindled Beauty (Phigalia pilosaria)  1

Twin 15w Actinic Skinner

1926  Pale Brindled Beauty (Phigalia pilosaria)  2

1932  Spring Usher (Agriopis leucophaearia)  2 NFY

2259  Dark Chestnut (Conistra ligula)  1

06-01

I put out two Skinner traps and three moths were found on the shed wall by the trap at the bottom of the garden. With the two pictured was a single Winter Moth, but no hoped for Early Moth.

Mottled Umber

NFY

Pale Brindled Beauty

 A second record for the year

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.

Garden.......24/02

Best night of the year so far..............

Common Quaker

 Dotted Border

 Hebrew Character

 Pale Brindled Beauty

Upper Caldecote Garden- 12 of 8 species-

0688	Agonopterix heracliana		3
1524	Emmelina monodactyla		1
1926	Phigalia pilosaria	Pale Brindled Beauty	1
1932	Agriopis leucophaearia	Spring Usher	1
1934	Agriopis marginaria	Dotted Border	1	NFY
2187	Orthosia cerasi	Common Quaker	2	NFY
2190	Orthosia gothica	Hebrew Character	2	NFY
2259	Conistra ligula	Dark Chestnut	1

Garden Update..........

This Pale Brindled Beauty was the only moth of note last night (23rd), slim pickings really with only a couple of A. heracliana to keep it company. A Chestnut on 20th was a welcome addition to the list. However, in the next couple of days the wind will drop slightly, allowing for a foray into Home Wood. This will probably be on Tuesday 28th. In the meantime I'm still hoping for Early Moth as its now getting a bit late.............

Pale Brindled Beauty

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..........

Winter Beauty...........22/01

A slight rise in temperature gave me reason to power up the trap for the 1st time in a few days. The reward was almost instant as I found this on the shed wall at 8.00pm. Nothing else to report as the trap was empty this morning..........

Pale Brindled Beauty

The Lodge.......07/02

Another trip up to The Lodge this Sunday with the kids and a few moths to boot!

• Winter Moth x4
• Pale Brindled Beauty x2- including a monacharia (photo top)
• March Moth (middle)
• Grey Shouder-knot (bottom)
  
  
  

P.B.B........

Species no. 7 for the year is this Pale Brindled Beauty, another garden 1st ever in 2010. The only moth 'caught' as it is still pretty cold out there!