Some micros at last

On 7th May I made a first trapping visit to Yoesden Bank at Radnage, Bucks which is one of half a dozen places at which I have permission to survey regularly this year.  Ideally I would have liked to get started there in April in order to tick off some of the early Orthosia species, but the weather really hasn't been suitable for sitting on an exposed hillside in the Chilterns.  Despite the temperature remaining in double digits on Sunday it was a depressed catch even for early May with only 30 species recorded between three lights (two MV Robinsons and a 15w Heath trap).  The target of Light Feathered Rustic failed to show - it isn't known from the site although theoretically should be present - but there was some welcome activity at last from our smaller moths.  Best of the bunch was Falseuncaria ruficiliana, four of which came to light.  This is a reasonably widespread tortrix on good chalk grassland sites across the Chilterns but hasn't previously been recorded at Yoesden.  Further tortricids seen included Syndemis musculana, a Cnephasia species (probably communana but awaiting examination), Cochylichroa atricapitana & Rhopobota stagnana (which looks to be another first for the site), while other micros included Nematopogon swammerdamella, Elachista argentella, Scrobipalpa acuminatella & Pyrausta aurata.  

Falseuncaria ruficiliana, Yoesden Bank 7th May

Falseuncaria ruficiliana, Yoesden Bank 7th May

Syndemis musculana, Yoesden Bank 7th May

Cochylichroa atricapitana, Yoesden Bank 7th May

Rhopobota stagnana, Yoesden Bank 7th May

There was little of note amongst the macros, the most abundant of which were Green Carpet, Brimstone Moth & Nut-tree Tussock.

Back home in the garden at Westcott, since 1st May I've settled into the routine of running two nightly traps (one 125w MV and one twin-30wt actinic) and results have slowly been improving.  Even with rain throughout, last night proved to be one of the best yet with 27 species recorded, of which Elachista canapennella, Syndemis musculana, Cochylichroa atricapitana, Pebble Hook-tip, Frosted Green, White-spotted Pug, Mottled Pug, Lime Hawk-moth, Pale Prominent & Silver Y were new for the year-list.  Apart from Hebrew Character I thought I'd seen the last of the Orthosias back in April but last night saw visits from Common Quaker, Clouded Drab & Powdered Quaker to prove that there's still life in them yet!   

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks