More Away-days

Taking advantage of the good weather and continuing my April visits to sites being worked regularly this year, on Monday night a couple of MV lights were taken to the BBOWT area of Homefield Wood near Marlow, Bucks.  They produced 53 species altogether which was quite a reasonable result for the time of year.  There were few moths of particular interest amongst the 38 macros apart from a gorgeous Pinion-spotted Pug which was just about the first moth to appear.  Scarce Prominent turned up again while Mocha and Ruby Tiger were first sightings for me in 2019.  15 micro species was a good count and, surprisingly, Micropterix tunbergella (that moth No.1 again) gave the highest count with 11 of them spread between the traps.  Others included Swammerdamia pyrella, Caloptilia semifascia, Cochylis atricapitana & Capua vulgana.    

Mocha, Homefield Wood 22nd April

Pinion-spotted Pug, Homefield Wood 22nd April

Last night Martin Albertini joined me at Littleworth Common, Bucks where the temperature was decidedly cooler than on Monday and our four MV lights brought in only 34 species (just seven micros), but it was still a worthwhile session.  Agonopterix scopariella and Neofaculta ericetella were the only habitat specialists seen at this heathland site but Carpatolechia decorella, Pammene argyrana, Pebble Hook-tip, Birch Mocha & Maiden's Blush were further species new for the year.

Agonopterix scopariella, Littleworth Common 23rd April

Carpatolechia decorella, Littleworth Common 23rd April

Birch Mocha, Littleworth Common 23rd April

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks