First micro of the year

It was a degree or two warmer for the first part of last night, before the arrival of windier, wet conditions and then a clearance which dropped the temperature below zero once again.  In those early three or four hours the actinic light brought in three moths, Pale Brindled Beauty (2) and the first example of Ypsolopha ustella I've seen here for seven years.  Only two Ypsolopha species hibernate, this one and the very distinctive mucronella (whose larvae feed on spindle).  Ypsolopha ustella is a species of oak woodland, of which the closest is a mile away, so it is not really a moth I should expect in the garden very often.

Ypsolopha ustella, Westcott 21st January

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks