Temperature is the thing

Last night's collection of moths to the garden actinic trap here at Westcott, Bucks (50 individuals of 15 species) was the best result for a week, showing that a relatively warm night makes all the difference.  Light rain is never a problem to them and they can cope with the wind by flying closer to the ground.  The biggest worry in gusty conditions like those of last night (up to 40mph here) is whether the trap itself will blow away!  The catch:  Blastobasis lacticolella (1), Red-green Carpet (1), Common Marbled Carpet (1), Large Yellow Underwing (2), Square-spot Rustic (1), Blair's Shoulder-knot (3), Green-brindled Crescent (3), Dark Chestnut (1), Red-line Quaker (2), Yellow-line Quaker (1), Beaded Chestnut (18), Lunar Underwing (11), Barred Sallow (2), Sallow (2) & Snout (1).  It looks as though we are heading towards even warmer nights with southerly winds for a short spell from Thursday onwards.  Dave Wilton