Bernwood Forest, Bucks

Two MV traps were run for the usual three hours in Bernwood last night and wine ropes were hung out in the hope of attracting some of the Catocala species which seem to be in vogue at the moment, but unfortunately no Underwings of any shade of red put in an appearance!  About 100 species turned up but there was nothing unexpected.  A dash of colour was provided by Large Emerald (a fresh-looking specimen) and Rosy Footman but otherwise it was mostly various shades of brown.  It was good to see Poplar Lutestring, Birch Mocha & Poplar Kitten, while Pandemis corylana, Phycita roborella and Buff Footman were around in very large numbers, as were flying ants which made it quite an uncomfortable session!  August records of Poplar Lutestring seem to me to suggest a second brood as in my experience the species flies mainly between May and early July.  I've had odd August records before but the five seen last night (and five at Oakhill Wood, Milton Keynes on 5th August) suggest more than just hangers-on from the earlier brood.

Birch Mocha, Bernwood Forest 10th August

Poplar Lutestring, Bernwood Forest 10th August

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks