Westcott, Bucks

It has been a slow start to 2021 so far but that's nothing unusual for January.  I had to wait until the 10th for my first moth of the year, a Mottled Umber, then had Early Moth two nights later before getting Pale Brindled Beauty, Chestnut & Dark Chestnut together on the 13th.  There would have been another addition on the 18th but a likely Acleris ferrugana managed to escape as I was trying to pot it up for a better view.  Finally, last night brought in a rather dark Spring Usher. 

Spring Usher, Westcott 21st January

I've also had caterpillars of Angle Shades, including a fully-grown example which was the only visitor to the light on the 20th.  In the sunshine this morning after last night's frost I paddled around our partially flooded garden to have a quick look for the leaf-miners which are active here through the winter and, as usual, managed to find live examples of both Stigmella aurella (on bramble) and Phyllonorycter leucographella (on pyracantha).  It beats me how they manage to survive at this time of year.   

Stigmella aurella, Westcott 22nd January

Phyllonorycter leucographella, Westcott 22nd January

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks