Large Wainscot

105 moths of 19 species braved the weather to reach the actinic trap here at Westcott last night, including a nice year-first Large Wainscot.  Large Yellow Underwing and Setaceous Hebrew Character re-appeared, although only a handful of each, with the top performers being Lunar Underwing (57), Black Rustic (14) and Beaded Chestnut (9).  I expect those last three species will make up the bulk of the catch here for the next few weeks.

Large Wainscot, Westcott 22nd September

Although I saw one at Finemere Wood three weeks ago, Brick is overdue in the garden and I expect Mallow, Feathered Thorn, Green-brindled Crescent and Blair's Shoulder-knot will appear any day now.  As we head into early October there will be the Novembers, Merveille du Jour, Grey Shoulder-knot and (hopefully) Tawny Pinion to look forward to, then later in the month Figure of Eight, Sprawler and Scarce Umber, with December Moth to follow in November.  Anything else for 2018 will be a bonus because Winter Moth and Mottled Umber were seen here way back in January and Red-green Carpet, Pale Pinion and the three Chestnuts (Dark, Dotted and Chestnut itself) were all recorded in the spring after hibernation.

One bonus autumn species I can see appearing here sooner or later is Oak Rustic which seems to be creeping its way northwards.  It is already one to look out for in Berkshire and Oxfordshire during October, if not yet in Bucks.

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks