Littleworth Common, Bucks

Unlike in Berkshire, heathland is a rare commodity in Bucks (Stoke Common & Black Park in the south and Rammamere Heath in the north-east are really the only other sites) so I was looking forward to trapping again at Littleworth Common near Burnham last night.  I ran two MV lights amongst the heather while Martin Albertini ran a couple more in adjacent woodland.  My two traps managed about 130 species altogether but the moths had to fight their way through clouds of caddis flies (mostly Mystacides longicornis), hundreds of which appeared as soon as the lights were switched on.  They made going through the catch after the usual three hours quite unpleasant, but I suppose that's all part of the fun!  Star of the show was Rosy Marbled, of which we had a double-digit count, while other nice moths included Sophronia semicostella, Elegia similella, Phoenix, Small Yellow Wave, Small Seraphim, Great Oak Beauty, True Lover's Knot, Suspected, Grey Arches & Scarce Silver-lines.

Elegia similella, Littleworth Common 23rd June

Great Oak Beauty, Littleworth Common 23rd June

Suspected, Littleworth Common 23rd June

Grey Arches, Littleworth Common 23rd June

Rosy Marbled, Littleworth Common 23rd June

I haven't yet seen Martin's full list but his was quite a different collection of species, the star of which was a smart Beautiful Snout.

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks