New Day, Old(new) Camera........

..........and having heard good things about the exceptional performance of the now ageing Nikon Coolpix 4500. When a BNIB one came up for sale for just £25! (thank you Robin!) I had to have it and luckily I got in just before his inbox was deluged with offers to buy.

So after charging the battery, I took a few experimental shots with last nights catch. Although harder to use than modern cameras, I can see with a bit of practice those noisy Lumix close ups could be a thing of the past. OK the screen is small, it's only 4 mega pixel and it takes ages to focus- but what a piece of kit. It's only a mystery why this model wasn't developed any further........

See what you think about my initial efforts.

 List at the bottom of this post-

Yellow-barred Brindle

NFY- 4th May. A little out of focus- but pleased with it as a 1st effort.

Muslin Moth

 Nut-tree Tussock

I'm really please with the definition you can achieve. I've barely cropped this image.

 Powdered Quaker

 Shuttle-shaped Dart

 NFY- 4th May

Also notable was a 2nd female Emperor Moth attracted to light in the early evening. Unfortunately Louie moved it and when we went back for a closer look, it was gone. Hopefully it's in my back garden hedge somewhere and will attract mates later today. Trent has now taken the pupa back to his for another go at assembling- he'll do anything for a garden tick!

Upper Caldecote- 04-05-2013- 3 traps, 25 of 12 species-

1524  Emmelina monodactyla  3

1643  Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia)  1

1883  Yellow-barred Brindle (Acasis viretata)  1 NFY

2063  Muslin Moth (Diaphora mendica)  1

2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  1 NFY

2186  Powdered Quaker (Orthosia gracilis)  2

2187  Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi)  5

2188  Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)  3

2190  Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)  4

2243  Early Grey (Xylocampa areola)  1

2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1

2425  Nut-tree Tussock (Colocasia coryli)  2

Garden Update 03-05

A quick update with nothing too startling to report. Notable was a haul of  3 Powdered Quaker and the only other new moths recently have been Brindled Pug and Muslin Moth. The real surprise is the Orthosias are still going strong into May!

Powdered Quaker

NFY 28-04, six caught so far this year.

974 Argyrotaenia ljungiana

Louie and his sweep net were responsible for this year tick.

Upper Caldecote- 3 traps- 22 of 10 species-

0974  Argyrotaenia ljungiana  1 NFY
1524  Emmelina monodactyla  1
1917  Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)  1
2063  Muslin Moth (Diaphora mendica)  1
2186  Powdered Quaker (Orthosia gracilis)  3
2187  Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi)  3
2188  Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)  4
2190  Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)  6
2243  Early Grey (Xylocampa areola)  1
2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1 NFY

Belated Home Wood Update..........

.....As well as the ongoing survey of the wood, myself and Trent Duval were also testing a new light source for use with a battery. We put the traps 10 metres apart in a location that we've used many times before and simply compared the catch. The trouble is, from early on it was clear that the original Actinic/UV was performing much better than the low voltage 4.8w white LED lights on the other trap. By the next day the extent of the difference was very clear despite the LED appearing(to our eyes at least!) to be far brighter than the actinic.

Original battery 30w actinic/UV

The whole reason for the experiment was to devise an extremely light alternative to lugging the heavy car battery into the wood. The fold down sides and control box already fit into a rucksack, so the battery is the stumbling block. Here is the list for the original-

36 moths of 11 species-

0663  Diurnea fagella  4

1746  Shoulder Stripe (Anticlea badiata)  1

1927  Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria)  3 NFS

1930  Oak Beauty (Biston strataria)  5

1947  Engrailed (Ectropis bistortata)  2

2182  Small Quaker (Orthosia cruda)  9

2187  Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi)  3

2188  Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)  1

2190  Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)  2

2258  Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii)  5

+ 1 micro to identify

 4.8w white LED version

Alas, as can be seen by the low catch. Moths clearly don't really like the LED lights. So back to the drawing board as I don't think there is an actinic LED solution out there? If filters or a coating for the lights could be used- could it be made to work? A shame really, because weight and size wise, it's perfect. Strangely though, it was preferred by one species; Streamers seemed to like it! More info HERE

Just 5 moths of 4 species-

1747  Streamer (Anticlea derivata)  2
2182  Small Quaker (Orthosia cruda) 1
2190  Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica) 1
+ 1 acleris sp. to be identified

Quick Update......

Not too much time of late, but have been putting up to 3 traps on in my garden mainly to keep up with Trent. Who is once again building up an early lead. My extra efforts have been rewarded so far though..........

Dotted Chestnut

A 2nd record on 22nd April, after making it's debut last year.

Nut-tree Tussock

NFY, 23rd April

Emperor

A real slice of luck; I found this female in my trap on 24th April. After a few photos it was put in the hedge and later that day- three males turned up and mating took place. So hopefully more next year. I still have a female in pupae that looks as if it will hatch in the next few days. I may take it round Trent's if he's lucky..........

The early bird catches the worm.............25th April.

2nd best is nowhere and this male 'went home alone'.

1054 Acleris cristana

A 2nd record for this striking micro, NFY 24th April

 808 Platyedra subcinerea

NFY 24th April for this locally common annual visitor.

Upper Caldecote Garden 24-04-2013- 2x Twin 15w Actinic/UV, 1x Twin 25w FUL Skinners- 54 of 19 species

0688  Agonopterix heracliana  1

0697  Agonopterix arenella  1 NFY

0808  Platyedra subcinerea  1 NFY

1054  Acleris cristana  1 NFY

1288  Twenty-plume Moth (Alucita hexadactyla)  1 NFY

1524  Emmelina monodactyla  3

1643  Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia)  1 NFY

1747  Streamer (Anticlea derivata)  2 NFY

1760  Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)  1 NFY

1862  Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)  6

1917  Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)  2

1927  Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria)  1 NFY

2179  Pine Beauty (Panolis flammea)  1 NFY

2182  Small Quaker (Orthosia cruda)  3

2187  Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi)  8

2188  Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)  7

2190  Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)  11

2243  Early Grey (Xylocampa areola)  2

2256  Satellite (Eupsilia transversa)  1

Brindled Beauty

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.

Back in Blighty.............

.........So feeling jet-lagged and cold. But the good news is it seems, I have not lost any ground in the wine race against the hard working Trent and Ben. I've managed 3 trap nights since we've been back, with the best coming last night.

Twin-spotted Quaker

Clouded Drab

I've caught 3 Clouded Drabs so far. 

Cayman Moths Pt 2........................

Here is another small selection of what has been trapped. As with last week, there were plenty of micros. I will have a better sort through the photos when I get back to the UK. The weather is far better this week, with warmer night time temperatures and just a light breeze.

A real cracker! Resembles a Footman sp. in shape and is 16mm long. Caught by my nephew Oliver Capewell.   

This is very similar to a Marbled Minor agg. in size and shape.

Geometer sp. 26mm wingspan.

A different Marbled Minor type moth.

Almost identical to a Buff Footman.

Pyralid, slightly smaller than the moth pictured below.

Pyralid, very similar in size and resembles Rusty Dot Pearl.

Brittania Golf Course

Just a couple of shots whilst having lunch on the veranda at the golf course................

Green Iguana

 Tricoloured Heron

Cayman Moths...............

Well, the Ratface USA has been out for a 3rd time in a week. The electrics perform well on the 110v power supply, but unfortunately it has been fairly windy and pretty cold for the time of year. However, there has still been a host of various beetles, lacewings, flying ants and even a grasshopper!

Anyway here are a few of the moths; I can't find out any information about any of them as I don't think mothing is high on the average Caymanian's agenda. There is a surprising amount of micro moths out here and most of the macros are on the small side. I have yet to catch anything huge, but I've got a bit longer to try. See What you think and try naming them if you can.

Botanical Gardens- Grand Cayman...........

.........Well, what a lovely place and what a temperature difference from Blighty!

After convalescing at my sister's house for a few days, it was time to get out and about. Luckily we've got a car at our disposal for the next couple of weeks and we made full use of it by yesterday going to the Botanical Gardens in the centre of the Island. I brought along my trusty compact Lumix and have been experimenting with some digiscoping ready for another foray in the next few days.

  

Trying to look like a rugged adventurer.....

 Greater Antillean Grackle

One of the commonest birds on the island.

 Caribbean Elaenia

 Green Heron

 Northern Mockingbird

 West Indian Woodpecker

 West Indian Whistling Duck

Uncommon in the region, but fairly plentiful on Grand Cayman. We saw 3 at the Botanical Gardens.

 Other birds not pictured were- Northern Flicker, Northern Water Thrush, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricoloured Heron, Least Bittern, Pied-billed Grebe, Black-winged Stilt, Common Gallinule, Magnificent Frigatebird, Yellow-faced Grassquit, Cuban Bullfinch, Palm Warbler, Bananaquit, American Redstart, Grey Catbird, Cayman Island Parrot and more.............

Acleris hastiana.....

..............Trapped in the garden for the first time since March 2010.

1053 Acleris hastiana

Chestnut................03-02

............was the only moth caught last night, despite having a couple of traps and a shed light burning last night. Other than this just a single Pale Brindled Beauty on 1st. These are the only trap nights since the 6th January!

Chestnut