Boars Hill, Oxford

Yesterday evening this message was received from Michael Pocock, who is a regular garden trapper in Cholsey, Oxon:

"Last night [Saturday 10th July] I took a light trap up to Youlbury scout camp (Hen Wood, Boars Hill) to show children some wildlife. The Cub scouts were impressed by a clutch of large moths (Peppered, Lobster, Buff tip and Hawkmoths: Pine, Elephant and Poplar) but on checking the records on my return, I think I should be more impressed with the Beautiful Snout that we caught! It was in a clearing in the middle of the wood, but I’ve not noticed any bilberry growing around the wood."

Thanks very much indeed to Michael for sending the report and pictures.  Beautiful Snout is not common in any of our three counties and has a habit of turning up in unexpected places.  Either it is very good at dispersal or uses something else in addition to bilberry and heather which are known as its larval food-plants.