Like London Buses...

...you wait for ages then three come along at once!  Considering how uncommon the moth is in Bucks, I'd thought my lucky Fox Moth catch in Bernwood Forest on 22nd May would have been it for the year (or decade, even) but no, last night I had two more females to light in the same trap on Stoke Common.

Fox Moth females, Stoke Common 6th June

The trapping session there with Martin Albertini was a last-minute change of plan because the weather for once seemed entirely suitable, but unfortunately Stoke Common has its own micro-climate which often makes it several degrees cooler than the surrounding countryside!  It got very cold quite quickly and there wasn't much insect activity at all around three of the five traps, but species such as Birch Mocha, Narrow-winged Pug, Grass Wave, Grey Birch & True Lover's Knot all put in appearances.  The chilly conditions didn't seem to affect the local Marsh Frog population and we had their incessant croaking to keep us amused!

Grass Wave, Stoke Common 6th June

The final list comprised just over 50 macros and about 25 micros.  Amongst the macros was the smallest Scorched Wing I've ever seen (a 'normal' example is included in the picture below to give a better sense of its diminutive size).

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks