Westcott, Bucks

There was a full set of the common Sallow species in the garden last night with the first appearance of Barred Sallow, joining Centre-barred, Orange, Pink-barred and Sallow itself.  The less common elm-feeding Dusky-lemon Sallow should hopefully appear eventually but that doesn't normally happen here until well into the second half of the month.  Pale-lemon Sallow would be exceptionally nice, especially as this area is overflowing with black poplars, but the moth hasn't been recorded anywhere in Bucks since 1972! 

Barred Sallow, Westcott 3rd September

Last night's collection was actually very good for numbers, comprising 443 moths of 50 species, but the large individual moth count was mainly down to Large Yellow Underwing (79), Setaceous Hebrew Character (70) & Square-spot Rustic (110).  Amongst the remainder, second broods doing well at the moment include Small Blood-vein (3) and Light Emerald (10) but fresh singletons of Mottled Rustic and Purple Thorn were unexpected (the latter a third brood here as the second brood with 16 individuals recorded came between 3rd and 23rd July then none subsequently).

Small Blood-vein, Westcott 3rd September

Purple Thorn, Westcott 3rd September

Micro species numbers have been holding up nicely at the moment with fifteen different species last night, including the rather dull-looking Ypsolopha horridella and European Corn-borer Ostrinia nubilalis which were new for the year.  Celypha striana has started to re-appear having not been seen here since mid-July so this must be a second generation.

Ypsolopha horridella, Westcott 3rd September

There has been no sign of decent migrants recently but the sighting of a Hummingbird Hawk-moth on what remains of the buddleia outside our kitchen window a few minutes ago is the 34th consecutive daily record here and 60th individual of this year (pairs have occurred regularly, while we had three at once on 17th and 22nd August).  The moth is currently one short of equalling its best ever total here of 61 achieved in 2006.  Sightings of it are helped along by the fact that it is the one species which the rest of the family show some interest in!

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks