The Smartest Orthosia

Last night Finemere Wood was visited again with two MV traps for the usual three hours, conveniently completed before the rain arrived.  Following Marc's post about Bagley Wood I'd hoped to see White-marked, which I recorded at Finemere in 2015 and 2017, but on this occasion it wasn't to be.  Although seemingly absent from Bernwood Forest, the moth appears to be resident in several of the other oak woodlands closer to home.  However, apart from one particularly good site, I've never had more than singletons and then never consistently from year to year.  Surprisingly it even appeared in the garden here in 2006 and 2012 so theoretically I'm due another one imminently... 

Finemere did produce three examples of Blossom Underwing last night, so that's another Orthosia now on the wing and probably the smartest-looking one at that.

Blossom Underwing, Finemere Wood 26th March

Blossom Underwing, Finemere Wood 26th March

Small Quaker was still about in fair numbers (447 counted) although now probably past its peak, while the other Orthosias comprised Lead-coloured Drab (9), Common Quaker (140), Clouded Drab (50), Twin-spotted Quaker (15) & Hebrew Character (14).  The overall species count was a disappointing 18, the remainder of the catch comprising Tortricodes alternella (5), Yellow Horned (23), March Moth (8), Shoulder Stripe (2), Brindled Pug (1), Small Brindled Beauty (3), Oak Beauty (23), Engrailed (4), Red Chestnut (7), Satellite (4) & Chestnut (9).

Brindled Pug, Finemere Wood 26th March

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks