I took a couple of MV Robinsons to one of my local ancient woodlands, Finemere Wood, last night. The lights produced 370 moths of 8 species between them, either on/under the sheet or in/on the trap. Well over 200 were Winter Moths while more than 120 were Mottled Umbers. There actually seemed to be many more Winter Moths around just about every nearby oak trunk, especially at the start of the three-hour session when the males were very active and some newly-emerged females were seen scampering upwards. On one particular trunk I noticed half a dozen mated pairs and a couple of solitary females.
The other species seen comprised
Acleris ferrugana/notana (3), Northern Winter Moth (at least 11), Satellite (3) and Chestnut (13), all of which were expected, while I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised at the early emergence of Pale Brindled Beauty (3) and Spring Usher (2) which are really next year's moths.
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| Pale Brindled Beauty, Finemere Wood 22nd December |
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| Spring Usher, Finemere Wood 22nd December |
Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks
Peter and I had a similar experience with 100s of Winter moths at Finemere Wood back in late November 2002. A lot at the traps but there would be certain bushes which would have dozens flying around them.
ReplyDeleteIt was certainly good to see. The local Blue Tit population must have been licking their lips at the thought of all those caterpillars in the spring!
ReplyDeleteWhat a haul Dave!
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