New Wave!.........

...........Well, more like misidentification really. On 2nd July 2010 this rather battle hardened moth turned up in the trap. Due to the lack of black markings around the trailing edges I originally called Satin Wave. However, once submitted, the VC30 recorders immediately correctly identified a very faded Small White Wave. To be honest either way it's a winner as Satin Wave with 6 records hasn't been seen in the county (Beds) since 2004. But SWW is almost as rare, after not being seen in the county since 1985, two were found in Chicksands Wood in 2010. Of the 13 records in VC30 so far (including this one) this is one of the only examples that hasn't been caught in woodland..........

Small White Wave

National Moth Night @ Chicksands Wood...15/05

The VC30 Moth-ers

A field meeting in the heart of Chicksands Wood was very productive even though the temperature dropped below 5°C. It was well organised, being run in conjunction with the Beds Bat Group. Not many bats around, but finally at 0100hrs a single Natterer's Bat was recovered from a mist net.

35 species of moth were recorded (report on VC30 to follow) from 5 traps, these are a few of the highlights I managed to photograph-

Broken-barred Carpet

A broken example! 2 were trapped on the night.

Clouded Border

Just 1 of these found by an MV skinner trap.
Iron Prominent

Just 1 recovered by the tripod MV with sheet. (see top photo)
Maidens Blush

Only 1 found, again on the tripod sheet.

Scalloped Hazel

2 found by the tripod MV.
Scalloped Hook-tip
Found on my 15w 12v Actinic trap!
Scorched Carpet
The 1st moth caught- in a net by Andy Banthorpe.
Small White Wave
A real highlight, caught in a net by Stephen Plummer, it's the 1st VC30 record since 1986!
Seraphim
Quite common- with 20+ found around 4 traps.