The first stirrings...........

............finally appeared after the worst start to a year I've ever had. In fact up until the 16th February, I had only recorded three species; Pale Brindled Beauty, Agonopterix heracliana and Emmelina monodactyla. To be honest I hadn't really put the trap out much, electing to use the single BLB bulb on the shed at the bottom of the garden. On 17th February the wind had finally died down, it had stopped raining and the temperature had increased, so I put out two traps as well as using the bulb.
A quick patrol at 8.00pm revealed a single Ypsolopha ustella, attracted to the bulb, that evaded capture. A moth I didn't see last year. The rest I found in the morning.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 17-02-14 7 of 6 species-

0461  Ypsolopha ustella  1 NFY BLB Bulb
0688  Agonopterix heracliana  2 BLB Bulb
1663  March Moth (Alsophila aescularia)  1 NFY Twin 20w Synergetic Skinner
1932  Spring Usher (Agriopis leucophaearia) 1 NFY Twin 15w Actinic Skinner
2236  Pale Pinion (Lithophane hepatica) 1 NFY  Twin 20w Synergetic Skinner
2258  Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) NFY  1 Twin 20w Synergetic Skinner

Chestnut

March Moth

 Pale Pinion

Spring Usher

The night after, another night with three lights burning produced two more NFYs. Singles of Dark Chestnut and Hebrew Character brought the years total to 11 species.

A Belated review- 2013

Firstly, remember this? The original post is HERE. Well, it seems almost certain that this was indeed a Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet. There doesn't appear to be any red in the 'bar' whatsoever. But despite this, a gen. det. by Andy Banthorpe found it just to be a plain old Red Twin-spot. So back to the drawing board to find this species, not seen in VC30 since 2010.

 Red Twin-spot Carpet

 Caught by Actinic light- 7th May 2013

A total of 522 species were recorded in the garden in 2013.

Micros-
I recorded 218 species in 2013, below is a list of the 33 new additions for the year. All species requiring gen. dets. have been confirmed by the David Manning- VC30 micro moth recorder.

0099 Stigmella hybnerella
0254 Leucoptera laburnella Laburnum Leaf Miner
0266 Bucculatrix nigricomella
0293 Caloptilia syringella
0318 Phyllonorycter tenerella
0325 Phyllonorycter mespilella New for VC30
0358 Phyllonorycter froelichiella
0385 Anthophila fabriciana
0428 Yponomeuta rorrella Willow Ermine
0495 Coleophora spinella Apple & Plum Case-bearer
0559 Coleophora peribenanderi
0563 Coleophora argentula
0602 Elachista apicipunctella
0629 Biselachista utonella
0718 Ethmia dodecea
0719 Ethmia quadrillella
0737 Monochroa palustrella
0756 Parachronistis albiceps
0822 Scrobipalpa acuminatella
0868 Helcystogramma rufescens
0877 Stathmopoda pedella
0879 Batrachedra pinicolella
0936 Cochylimorpha straminea
0987 Ptycholomoides aeriferanus
1023 Cnephasia genitalana
1097 Endothenia gentianaeana
1165 Zeiraphera isertana
1168 Gypsonoma sociana
1192 Eucosma conterminana
1329 Donacaula forficella
1354 Cataclysta lemnata Small China-mark
1454b Dioryctria sylvestrella
1495 Marasmarcha lunaedactyla

0719 Ethmia quadrillella

Garden first- 14th July 2013

Macros- 
I recorded 304 species in 2013, below is the list of 36 new additions for the year. If required, all contentious species were confirmed by A & M Banthorpe- VC30 macro moth recorders.

1652 Thyatira batis Peach Blossom
1720 Orthonama obstipata  Gem
1722 Xanthorhoe designata Flame Carpet
1736 Catarhoe cuculata  Royal Mantle
1749 Pelurga comitata Dark Spinach
1788 Rheumaptera cervinalis Scarce Tissue
1792 Philereme transversata Dark Umber
1807 Perizoma albulata Grass Rivulet
1816 Eupithecia linariata Toadflax Pug
1874 Euchoeca nebulata Dingy Shell
1882 Pterapherapteryx sexalata  Small Seraphim
1889 Macaria notata Peacock Moth
1907 Epione repandaria Bordered Beauty
1920 Odontopera bidentata Scalloped Hazel
1944 Hypomecis punctinalis Pale Oak Beauty
1962 Hylaea fasciaria  Barred Red
1984 Macroglossum stellatarum   Humming-bird Hawk-moth
1992 Deilephila porcellus Small Elephant Hawk-moth
2014 Drymonia dodonaea Marbled Brown
2035 Thumatha senex Round-winged Muslin
2039 Atolmis rubricollis Red-necked Footman
2049 Eilema depressa Buff Footman
2105 Rhyacia simulans Dotted Rustic
2119 Peridroma saucia Pearly Underwing
2120 Diarsia mendica Ingrailed Clay
2223 Calophasia lunula Toadflax Brocade
2276 Xanthia ocellaris Pale-lemon Sallow
2323 Apamea sublustris Reddish Light Arches
2326 Apamea crenata Clouded-bordered Brindle
2331 Apamea unanimis Small Clouded Brindle
2335 Apamea scolopacina  Slender Brindle
2336 Apamea ophiogramma Double Lobed
2345 Photedes minima Small Dotted Buff
2399 Pyrrhia umbra Bordered Sallow
2400 Helicoverpa armigera Scarce Bordered Straw
2410 Protodeltote pygarga  Marbled White Spot

Peach Blossom

Garden First- 12th July 2013

............And now onto the wine.

The remit at the beginning of 2013 was for the contest to take place over a decent bottle of red wine to the value of £10 or more.

We won't go into statistics, (it will take too long) but safe to say both Trent and Ben had their arses handed to them last year!

Ben Sale

A plucky effort, that very early on, fell on stony ground. So far I haven't heard a lot from Ben, but consider him an honourable man. I think Stevenage could be a problem for him though, as quality wine shops could be a bit few and far between. Ben is a relative newcomer to said town, but has probably realised that most of the indigenous people prefer to drink alternatives such as HSL, Carlsberg Special Brew and Meths.

Ben- I await your offering!

Trent Duval

Trent made huge efforts in 2013 and early on at least he was the front runner, but through Summer and Autumn he took a real spanking. Last week, I managed to finally prise some wine out of him. Trent went more for quantity than quality, though that being said. Lindeman's Tollana punches well above it's weight for a wine of just £4.00 per bottle. This is a half price offer from Asda, so making his 3 bottle deal an acceptable offering.

Lindeman's Tollana

Acceptable- if you get three!

While I wait................

.............for something to actually happen in the garden this year, it was nice to get a modicum of success with the Pearly Underwings (see this POST). After the eggs hatched , I fed them on Dandelion leaves. Unfortunately, most didn't make it and the larvae just died as they reached their final instar. Then out of the four that pupated, just two hatched and developed into adults. One hatched and died before developing its wings and one is still in the pupal case presumed to be dead. I don't know why the mortality rate was so high- perhaps the food plant?

Pearly Underwing Pupae

Just four out of the sixty plus larvae that hatched from eggs in mid November 2013 made it to Pupa.

Pearly Underwings

 Just two survived to adulthood and hatched 18th January. They were released in Bigglewade a few days later. But I really don't know if a migratory species will survive a British winter?

#305- 13th Nov

An expected species, but are there any more to get? As predicted, Sprawler has proved to be difficult yet again. It's not too late yet though and I'm just hoping for a few more mild nights. My other targets include Scarce Umber and Northern Winter Moth, both of which I've trapped before.

December Moth

Just one so far, the only other moths recently were a Diamond-back on 14th. Red-line Quaker, Agonopterix alstromeriana on 11th.

October Top 20..................

Here is a quick summary for October from my garden traps in Upper Caldecote. I didn't trap on 8 of the 31 days. It is no surprise that Setaceous Hebrew Character topped the league again as it did in September. A high count of 63 was recorded on 2nd. Also notable was the exceptional catch of Dark Sword-grass, a total of 22 caught this year so far after 3 in September.

2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character  208
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing  118
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut  117
2240 Lithophane leautieri Blair's Shoulder-knot  76
2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow  44
2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic  39
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing  39
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing  35
1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty  31
2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword-grass  19
1745 Larentia clavaria Mallow  19
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart  17
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades  15
0998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth  14
2264 Agrochola macilenta Yellow-line Quaker  12
2375 Rhizedra lutosa Large Wainscot  12
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet   11
1760 Chloroclysta siterata Red-green Carpet  9
2263 Agrochola lota Red-line Quaker  8
1524 Emmelina monodactyla  8

Moth Gods keep Smiling........

........and they really do! In my last post, I dared to hope for a Pearly Underwing and Halloween night duly obliged. Having waited a long time for this species, I made sure all the diagnostic features were there before calling it. This particular individual really does resemble a Turnip Moth, as colour, pattern and size are all very similar.
 It has just laid c60 eggs in the pot I was keeping it in- apparently they feed on low growing plants such as Docks, Dandelions and Clovers. But the larvae are rarely found in Britain.

Pearly Underwing

 The size of the 'mohawk' is one of the distinguishing features- Pearly Underwing display a prominent raised stripe down the middle of the thorax. This one has very little frosting though.

The best feature is the 'pearly' hindwing and this one does have dark-veined, semi-translucent wings so is a clincher!

Feathered Thorn

Nice to see a few of these about too.

So what's left to get now?

Well I can think of a few more- Scarce Umber, Herald, Sprawler and December Moth are all possible.

Oh, and dare I hope for a Clancy's Rustic or a Delicate................

Upper Caldecote Garden- 31-10-2013- 1 trap- 6 of 6 species

1524  Emmelina monodactyla  1
1760  Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)  1
1923  Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria)  1
2119  Pearly Underwing (Peridroma saucia)  1 NFG
2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)  1
2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1

Gotcha!

After several days of warm southerly winds, it was about time that something other than the more common found its way into my trap. On the 21st an unprecedented four Dark Sword-grass seemed to be a prelude of what was to come. The 22nd was again ridiculously warm, after sunset it was still 16°C! The wind then began to strengthen and just before the first of many short, sharp downpours I found this-

Scarce Bordered Straw

 Macro #345 for the garden and a very smart individual too. Now, dare I hope for a Pearly Underwing as well? The way this year has gone in the garden, you just can't rule it out.

Rather than using two traps, I have opted for the 25w BLB bulb at the other end of the garden to my main twin synergetic skinner trap. Mainly to save a bit of time in the morning.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 trap, 1 BLB bulb- 22-10-13- 27 of 17 species-

1524  Emmelina monodactyla  1
1745  Mallow (Larentia clavaria)  1
1760  Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)  1
1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  3
2091  Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon)  2
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  1
2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  1
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  1
2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  1
2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)  5
2247  Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina)  1
2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  4
2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1
2381  Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines)  1
2400  Scarce Bordered Straw (Helicoverpa armigera)  1 NFG
2434  Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)  1
2477  Snout (Hypena proboscidalis)  1

19-10

Another fairly productive night and migrants are still in very good supply. Unfortunately they were all the usual suspects. But with a brisk southerly wind, it was a bit disappointing not to get a scarcer species. My latest ever Burnished Brass was also notable. A quick look in the garden, this time on the Alder produced three mines of  Phyllonorycter froelichiella. This common micro is a new species for the garden.

Total unrelated is this. Like other bloggers, I neglect all the common species and only feature more interesting rarer stuff

1342 Eudonia angustea

A common species. But not represented for a long time on my blog.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 trap- 27 of 18 species-

0229  Monopis obviella  1

0464  Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella)  1

1342  Eudonia angustea  1

1398  Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella)  1

1795x  November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.)  1

1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  1

2091  Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon)  2

2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  1

2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  1

2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  2

2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  2

2245  Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)  1

2264  Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta)  1

2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  3

2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  3

2375  Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa)  1

2389  Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)  5

2434  Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)  1

17-10............

A slight upturn in the catch, but nothing new in the trap. However, a quick look around the garden added a new micro for the year as I found a couple of Phyllonorycter acerifoliella mines on Field Maple.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 trap- 26 of 18 species-

0688  Agonopterix heracliana  1
0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  1
1342  Eudonia angustea  1
1760  Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)  2
1769  Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica)  1
1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  1
2087  Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum)  1
2091  Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon)  1
2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  1
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  5
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  2
2245  Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)  2
2259  Dark Chestnut (Conistra ligula)  1
2264  Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta)  1
2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  3
2272  Barred Sallow (Xanthia aurago)  1
2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1
2375  Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa)  1

November/Rain

I've had a three day break from trapping, mainly because of the constant rain. Last night however was slightly fairer, so on went the lights. Not ideal by any means as it was quite foggy this morning. Nothing new, but eleven species isn't too bad.

November Moth agg.

Most likely a November Moth?

I recently noticed the leader board on The Garden Moth Challenge blog. Former Beds recorder Les Hill is in the lead on 528 species. As this includes butterflies, I quickly totted up my list and found that with Butties (16) I am on 532 for the year. However, looking at the rules, this total can't include exited leaf mines (of which I've had a few). But why not? If the mine is identifiable and the leaf has not blown into your garden and is still on the tree, presumably the moth has gone through its pupal stage in your garden and therefore is countable? Is there another reason why this can't count?
Well done to Tristian for setting this up though, it really has added a new dimension to mothing- allowing 'competitors' to compare counts and species directly with those in different parts of the country.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 trap- 15-10-2013

0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  1
1795x  November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.)  1
1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  2
2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  1
2237  Grey Shoulder-knot (Lithophane ornitopus)  1
2245  Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)  1
2263  Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota)  1
2264  Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta)  1
2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  1
2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1
2389  Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)  1

Everyone loves Merv!

A rubbish couple of nights really, with not a lot to show for it. Hopefully the weather will settle down again by next week. I did get out for a couple of hours this afternoon to do my WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) count this afternoon at Broom GPs. But that was pretty uneventful too.

Merveille du Jour

Second record this year, they are surprisingly common in my garden. Last year I had nine.

 1042 Rhomboid Tortrix Acleris rhombana

In contrast, this is one I struggle with- It's only my second record and its almost a whole one! Note: Missing antena.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 Trap- 21 of 10 species-

1042  Rhomboid Tortrix (Acleris rhombana)  1 NFY
1760  Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)  2
1764  Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)  2
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  3
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  4
2237  Grey Shoulder-knot (Lithophane ornitopus)  1
2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)  1
2247  Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina)  1
2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  4
2389  Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)  1

300 Macros Up!........

..............And still time for a few more this year! At the beginning of September, I really didn't expect to achieve this target. But bit by bit and with the help of a few surprises, we finally reached the triple century. The good thing is, there is still a few that I could easily get too. Feathered Thorn, Brick, Scarce Umber and December Moth are all regulars in the garden- and will there be a chance/time for one more surprise? Well, possibly not. But it's still been a hell of a year for garden trapping and one that's eclipsed all my previous records. 

November Moth agg.

NFY

As you can see by the list below, the weather has made a massive difference to the count. The temperature has plummeted to half that of the weekend. On Sunday I found a Clouded Yellow butterfly for the first time in the village, no doubt brought in on the warm southerly wind. This morning in contrast, I witnessed huge numbers of Redwing streaming over the garden heading south west in varying sized flock. There was also two Fieldfare and my largest ever garden tick flock of six Crossbill all heading in the same direction.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 trap 15 of 13 species-

1524  Emmelina monodactyla  1
1745  Mallow (Larentia clavaria)  1
1764  Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)  1
1795x  November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.)  1
2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  1
2102  Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta)  1
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  1
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  2
2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  1
2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)  1
2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  2
2272  Barred Sallow (Xanthia aurago)  1
2361  Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea)  1

At Last!

After watching what seemed like everybody else locally catching these over the last few years. Finally one turned up in my garden. It looked like the last chance for a while too, as from tonight the wind direction will swing round to become a strong northerly.
Migrant wise, I also trapped two Dark Sword-grass and a Diamond-back Moth.

Gem

NFG- 8th October 2013.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 08-10-2013- 2 traps- 147 of 29 species

0464  Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella)  1

0648  White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella)  1

0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  2

1048  Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana)  1
1413  Gold Triangle (Hypsopygia costalis)  1

1720  Gem (Orthonama obstipata)  1 NFG

1728  Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)  1

1745  Mallow (Larentia clavaria)  4

1764  Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)  2

1906  Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)  1

1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  4

2091  Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon)  2

2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  4

2102  Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta)  1

2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  11

2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  1

2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  24

2231  Deep-brown Dart (Aporophyla lutulenta)  1

2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  1

2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)  8

2245  Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)  1

2245  Green-brindled Crescent [ab. capucina] (Allophyes oxyacanthae ab. capucina)  1

2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  11

2273  Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata)  1

2299  Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis)  1

2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1

2361  Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea)  1

2375  Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa)  2

2384  Vine's Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua)  1

2389  Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)  7

A good night for Migrants............

..........for other VC30 moth-ers, as an incredible two Four-spotted Footman were caught in Kempston and another two Vestals were caught in Luton. But for me, it was pretty much standard with one NFY species in the notebook. Looks like another mild night coming up, so a customary 3-trap Saturday night will hopefully turn up something special.

Red-line Quaker

NFY

Upper Caldecote Garden- 1 trap- 77 of 21 species-

1048  Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana)  1

1728  Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)  1

1745  Mallow (Larentia clavaria)  1

1760  Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)  1

1764  Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)  1

1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  4

2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  1

2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  11

2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  1

2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  17

2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  5

2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)  13

2245  Green-brindled Crescent [ab. capucina] (Allophyes oxyacanthae ab. capucina)  1

2263  Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota)  1

2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  6

2270  Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa)  4

2273  Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata)  1

2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1

2375  Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa)  1

2384  Vine's Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua)  1

2389  Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)  4