I don't know if anyone is remotely interested in this, but here are some statistics from my garden in Bucks, looking purely at those 43 macro-moth species which have been recorded here by 31st March in the recent past. As well as highlighting just what an aberrant year 2017 was for the number of species recorded by that date, they also indicate that, while 2018 has seen a poorer than average first quarter for moths, there have been far worse years:
Westcott, Bucks
Wow, Dave!! Very interesting. As a newcomer, even at 66, so much more to see and learn. I do very much appreciate your patience and help.
ReplyDeleteAlan
What a contrast between 2012 and 2013. I didn't start moth trapping until spring 2013, so I have no comparable figures for those years in my garden.
ReplyDeleteIn 2012 the Orthosias exploded into action very early, which accounts for that huge total. By 31st March that year I'd had 390 Small Quaker (of 399 for the year), 272 Common Quaker (of 318), 178 Clouded Drab (of 238) & 306 Hebrew Character (of 495). As you can see, they had mostly passed their respective peaks by 31st March and Small Quaker was practically finished. Going back even further, I see that in 2005 I had 595 Small Quakers, split roughly equally between March and April, but Small Quaker numbers in the garden in other years have been nowhere near those totals. I always find it intriguing how things change from year to year!
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