Stoke Common, Bucks

There we were, Martin Albertini and I, sitting next to my Skinner trap on Stoke Common at about 10pm last night, when this enormous stripey thing appeared and started to circle us.  It looked like a super-sized Red Underwing but the colour was entirely wrong - blue instead of red!  It disappeared into the undergrowth behind Martin and we had to scrabble about to find something big enough to put it in -  the moth was quickly and safely extracted from the vegetation into a large yogurt pot retrieved from my car.  Phew!  Unlike in Berkshire, and maybe Oxfordshire too having just seen Marc's post below, this beast is still very rare indeed in Bucks and was a first for both of us.

Clifden Nonpareil, Stoke Common 26th August

Even on its own this sighting would have made it a worthwhile visit.  However, the three-hour session using five MV lights (six for the first hour until technical failure brought Ched George's trapping to a premature end) produced a really good result for the time of year.  In excess of 110 species were recorded and other notables included Box Moth Cydalima perspectalis, Birch Mocha, Chevron, Narrow-winged Pug, Cypress Pug, Oak Processionary, Jersey Tiger, True Lover's Knot, Dotted Clay, Neglected Rustic (getting on for 100 seen), Beautiful Yellow Underwing, Heath Rustic, Hedge Rustic, Feathered Gothic, White-point (about 70 seen), Tree-lichen Beauty, Old Lady, Scarce Bordered Straw, Red Underwing & Pinion-streaked Snout.

Dotted Clay, Stoke Common 26th August

Heath Rustic, Stoke Common 26th August

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks