Friday 3 February 2017

Good numbers last night

I took a single MV trap into some local oak woodland for four hours last night, hoping to get a decent 'fix' of moths for February because there are likely to be few further opportunities until well into March as the weather is due to turn colder again.  It was very windy but a reasonably sheltered spot was found and, as is the norm in suitable conditions in woodland at this time of year, the moths quickly became very active.  The count by the time I packed up was 186 individuals from ten species:  Ypsolopha ustella (1), Acleris ferrugana/notana (2), Torticodes alternella (7), Winter Moth (4), Pale Brindled Beauty (29), Spring Usher (129), Dotted Border (1), Mottled Umber (7), Early Moth (5) & Chestnut (1).   It was interesting to see Winter Moths hanging on into February, something that doesn't seem to happen every year although my latest ever date is still a couple of weeks away (the 15th).

Ypsolopha ustella, 2nd February

Tortricodes alternella, 2nd February

Dotted Border, 2nd February

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks 

2 comments:

  1. It was a special treat, allowing myself to stay one hour longer than usual! Made such a pleasant change to see so many moths, even if the majority were just one species, that I found it difficult to tear myself away.

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