Westcott, Bucks

Last night's collection of moths in the garden amounted to 370 individuals of 58 species, of which more than half that number was made up of Setaceous Hebrew Character (98), Vine's Rustic (50) and Heart & Dart (48).  There were four species new for the year, comprising Cypress Pug, Centre-barred Sallow, Frosted Orange and Webb's Wainscot.  Centre-barred Sallow is my earliest ever record but only by five days and it is usually out in numbers by the last week of August.  Frosted Orange is more a moth of September and October.  I've had a few August records, mostly during the last week of the month so this one is also early but it doesn't beat my earliest which was on 11th August 2011. 

Cypress Pug, Westcott 17th August

Centre-barred Sallow, Westcott 17th August

Frosted Orange, Westcott 17th August

Webb's Wainscot, Westcott 17th August

A fresh Waved Black last night was interesting.  I have had a handful of records in the first half of August in previous years but this one, coming after its best ever showing here this year with 14 sightings in the garden between 27th May and 27th July and then none subsequently, is perhaps indicative of a second brood.  I'll have to wait and see if any more appear.


Waved Black, Westcott 17th August

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks