Stoke Common, Bucks

With permission from the management, two nights ago (1st July) Martin Albertini, Andy King and I ran a few traps again on Stoke Common which, along with Burnham Beeches, is owned by the City of London.  Between us we saw well over 100 macro species and the micro total is already well past 80 and climbing with quite a few moths still needing to be properly identified.  It was definitely 'a good night' in the end, although it didn't really seem like it at the time!  Few species appeared in any great numbers so perhaps the record high daytime temperatures (36C achieved at Heathrow) had actually had a negative effect on numbers.  Amongst the macro species True Lover's Knot was the only really abundant moth with more than 100 appearing just at my own traps.  An example is shown below with a Beautiful Yellow Underwing for company (...spot the differences!).

True Lover's Knot & Beautiful Yellow Underwing, 1st July

It was also nice to see things like Narrow-winged Pug and Suspected which are habitat specialists, while of the more widespread species we had Gold Swift, Leopard Moth, Large Emerald, May Highflyer, Scallop Shell, Dingy Shell, Bordered Beauty, Satin Beauty, Great Oak Beauty, Barred Red, Maple Prominent, Vapourer, Red-necked Footman, Scarlet Tiger & Bordered Sallow amongst many others.  However, the highlight could prove to be the knackered noctuid below which I'm hoping Peter Hall will turn into a Silvery Arches.  The species is known from the site but the last record was in 2011.

Possible Silvery Arches, Stoke Common 1st July

Micros included the expected heathland specialists such as Neofaculta ericetella, Anarsia spartiella, Ancylis uncella & Pempelia palumbella but there were a good number of other interesting species too, including Opostega salaciella, Phtheochroa inopiana, Epagoge grotiana, Epinotia signatana and Rhyacionia buoliana as well as several wetland moths such as Chilo phragmitella, Donacaula forficella and three of the China-mark species.

Anarsia spartiella, Stoke Common 1st July

My vote for the best micro of the night goes to the tiny plume below which, like the possible Silvery Arches, also needs closer attention.

Possible Oxyptilus parvidactylus, Stoke Common 1st July

Dave Wilton