Feeling inspired by Dave Wilton's recent post on Plumed Prominent, I retrieved the trap from the shed where it had been mothballed for the Winter and had another go at trying for this species in the garden - living in Marlow Bottom and bordering a wood with Field Maple, I always think this moth could be present, but have not been successful as yet, though my trapping at this time of year is light.
Unfortunately, I failed again, but had good compensation when an Oak Rustic arrived some time between 5pm and 7pm. I think this might be a first for VC24?
Otherwise, usual fare: December Moth (16), Feathered Thorn (10), Red-green Carpet (8), Mottled Umber (2), November sp (4), Yellow-line Quaker (1), Chestnut (1).
Adam Bassett
Marlow Bottom
Oak Rustic also here at Garsington last night
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Definitely a first for Bucks, Adam, but I think we're going to have to share the honours because I had one here at Westcott too!!
ReplyDeleteWell done Adam and Dave on the Oak Rustics! Like Adam, I've tried trapping at this time of year in hope of a Plumed Prominent. We're surrounded by quite a lot of Field Maple so I live in hope. . . .
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Nigel.
ReplyDeleteRe Plumed Prominent, all of the Bucks records (including historical ones) are from south of the M40 so you are probably a little bit out of range although there's no harm in trying! It is odd how the larval food-plant is so widespread yet the moth itself is so exceedingly localised. There are a very small number of garden sightings amongst the 70 or so Bucks records (the late Tony Harmon used to get it at Turville Heath and Alan Gudge has had it in his garden in Frieth) but mostly they're from woodland sites. Of those currently trapping, I'd say Adam has the best chance of all of getting a garden record because there has been one previous find in his kilometre square.