Westcott, Bucks

Numbers over the past week have been lower than expected and that bright moon and constant bat activity haven't helped.  However, new species have continued to appear in the garden here.  Adult moths added to the list so far this month have comprised Streamer (1st), Mompha subbistrigella, Emperor Moth & Brindled Beauty (all 3rd), Acleris literana (4th), Oak Nycteoline (5th) and Engrailed, Spectacle & Herald (all 7th), taking me past 50 species for the year.  The Spectacle is my earliest by nine days although the late George Higgs holds the record for Bucks with one on 2nd April 1998.

Spectacle, Westcott 7th April

Active yesterday afternoon was this mid-instar caterpillar of Dingy Footman (8mm in length), found browsing on lichens on our wooden garden fence.

Dingy Footman caterpillar, Westcott 7th April

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks