Plumed Prominent

Because the imminent COVID lock-down means that I won't be able to get out to look for it, this is just a timely reminder that the flight season of the nationally scarce Plumed Prominent is about to start and should last through until early December.  Our local stronghold is in the area around Marlow and Henley-on-Thames where our three counties meet so if you live in that general area please keep your eyes open for the moth (it comes readily to light and in Bucks we have had the occasional garden record).  Please report any sightings.  My own records (78 individuals from seven sites in that area over the past ten years) indicate that activity from males tends to be from an hour or so after dark until about 8.30pm.  I've only seen one female over that time period and the books suggest that they usually fly much later in the night, but I've never hung around long enough anywhere to find out!

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks