Westcott, Bucks

I continue to run the actinic light nightly here in the garden and have yet to suffer a zero return this month, although having said that now it is bound to happen this week!  Not tonight, though, because despite dismal weather six Winter Moths have turned up already and it is only just gone 5pm.  

Of course diversity has been poor, as you would expect at this time of the year, and some nights have produced just a single Winter Moth.  The only species recorded in December have been Acleris sparsana, Acleris hastiana, Epiphyas postvittana, Udea ferrugalis, December Moth, Red-green Carpet, Winter Moth, Pale Brindled Beauty, Mottled Umber, Scarce Umber & Brick.  There was a milder spell with southerly winds for several days from the 11th onwards which had the potential to bring in a few migrants but ferrugalis on the 15th was the only thing which turned up here.

Making a pleasant change from the usual Mompha species, yesterday evening a micro found flying around in the kitchen proved to be Caloptilia stigmatella which was nice to see.  It is one of several from that family which over-winter as adults. 

Caloptilia stigmatella, Westcott 19th December

 Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks