They still fly in the cold!

Despite the very chilly nights I've continued putting the actinic trap out here at Westcott, Bucks to see what turns up.  Monday 18th produced 65 moths of 18 species, Tuesday 19th 42 moths of 14 species and Wednesday 20th 35 moths of 23 species.  Last night's slightly more diverse catch, which included a few geometers as well as the hardier noctuids, came as a bit of a surprise considering that we were close to having a frost (the temperature fell to 4C compared to 7C the previous night).  They comprised Orange Swift, Agriphila straminella, Agriphila tristella, Agriphila selasella, Eudonia mercurella, Emmelina monodactyla, Flame Carpet, Garden Carpet, Common Marbled Carpet, Brimstone Moth, Willow Beauty, Common Wave, Flame Shoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Six-striped Rustic, Square-spot Rustic, Common Wainscot, Angle Shades, Flounced Rustic & Red Underwing.  Nothing startling!  It will be interesting to see what happens tonight, when it should be warmer but there'll be rain to contend with instead.  Dave Wilton