Saturday 16 March 2024

Westcott, Bucks

The first half of March proved to be a bit disappointing after all that promise of an early spring following the very mild weather in February.  It was back to rather more seasonal chillier nights for much of the period and there was very little let-up in the rain which has meant that much of the lawn in our back garden is still under water even now.  There was moth activity every night but it wasn't until the 9th that a new species was added to the garden year-list.  The following take that list to 50 species for the year, of which 47 are adult moths:

       (9th)  Acleris literana
     (11th)  Red Chestnut
     (12th)  Grey Shoulder-knot, Twin-spotted Quaker
     (13th)  Early Thorn, Early Grey
     (14th)  Pammene giganteana (to MOL pheromone lure at 11am) 
     (15th)  Agonopterix arenella, Double-striped Pug

The 12th produced a very acceptable return to the actinic with just over 80 moths altogether, but the catches on most other nights haven't achieved even half that number.  Micros have been in short supply with only Agonopterix heracliana and Emmelina monodactyla appearing with any kind of regularity.  The Acleris literana (9th) was very nice to see although it had a chunk missing from one wing and wasn't as nicely marked as Martin Harvey's example back in February (see here).

The local bat population was tempted out of hibernation early by our mild February weather and at least one medium-sized individual (almost certainly Brown Long-eared) has been on patrol in the garden on most nights during this period.  I've certainly lost the odd Orthosia or two each session, and probably more than that judging by the sets of wings left lying around near the light.   

Acleris literana, Westcott 9th March

Red Chestnut, Westcott 11th March

Twin-spotted Quaker, Westcott 12th March

Early Thorn, Westcott 13th March

Early Grey, Westcott 13th March

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks   

Thursday 14 March 2024

Numbers on the rise in woodland

Last night I spent the three hours from dusk at Finemere Wood, Bucks, my first away trapping anywhere since December.  This wasn't in the hope of getting anything exciting but mainly to check that the equipment (generators in particular) was working satisfactorily prior to the season ahead.  Well over 1,000 moths of 22 species came to the two MV traps and, much as expected, Small Quaker (354) and Common Quaker (524) were the most numerous, followed by Oak Beauty (54) as the next in line.  The other macro-moths seen were March Moth (12), Shoulder Stripe (1), Water Carpet (2), Brindled Pug (3), Early Thorn (2), Pale Brindled Beauty (1), Small Brindled Beauty (17), Engrailed (1), Early Grey (1), Chestnut (20), Satellite (1), Clouded Drab (23), Lead-coloured Drab (20), Twin-spotted Quaker (7), Hebrew Character (32) & Red Chestnut (33).  The lack of Spring Usher came as no real surprise as it started so early this year and must be over by now, but it seemed odd not to get a single Yellow Horned because they've started to appear elsewhere in oak woodland.  Apart from Diurnea fagella (28) the micros were in very short supply, the only others to turn up being Tortricodes alternella (3, like Spring Usher presumably almost over by now) & Acleris ferrugana/notana (1).

Water Carpet, Finemere Wood 13th March

Brindled Pug, Finemere Wood 13th March

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks 

Wednesday 13 March 2024

Alstromoeriana?

 



I'd be grateful for help with this micro whose 'fan' pattern I don't recognise, though in other respects it seems to fit Agonopterix alstromoeriana which also came two nights ago. We have Alstromerias in the garden, the famous 'Poor Man's Orchid' now also of filling station fame. Perhaps the lines are wing-fold creases?  Meanwhile it was very cheering to get the first showy moth of the year last night, this Oak Beauty below.  Martin Wainwright Thrupp Oxon


Monday 11 March 2024

id help please Acleris? Quaker/Drab?

 Grateful for id help please with this tortrix - an Acleris spp perhaps?  

 

 And is the macro Clouded Drab or a dark Common Quaker or something else?

Sunday 10 March 2024

Pale or Tawny Pinion

 Hi there,

I'm thinking Tawny (which would be new for our local commons in Cholesbury/Hawridge) but I would appreciate confirmation. The dark pointed shoulders look right, but the diagnostic blackish bar isn't at all clear - but then it's worn, having survived the wettest winter on record!

Please tell me it isn't just a very dark Pale Pinion!!

Thanks, David

PS It's amazing what can fall out of a bird feeder when you clean it out!!







Saturday 9 March 2024

Yellow Horned

I had this Yellow Horned visit my garden trap last night, which is only the second record for my garden, the first being back in 2018.
Steve Trigg, Cookham

Blossom Underwing

 Amongst rather slim pickings last night, this Blossom Underwing appears to be the earliest for the region by about six days, unless there are earlier 2023 records not yet in the Atlas.



Monday 4 March 2024

Struggling

 I am struggling with the  macro on the right ,trapped on 25th September.I thought Knot Grass but too late.Any thoughts?