Westcott, Bucks

The first half of March proved to be a bit disappointing after all that promise of an early spring following the very mild weather in February.  It was back to rather more seasonal chillier nights for much of the period and there was very little let-up in the rain which has meant that much of the lawn in our back garden is still under water even now.  There was moth activity every night but it wasn't until the 9th that a new species was added to the garden year-list.  The following take that list to 50 species for the year, of which 47 are adult moths:

       (9th)  Acleris literana
     (11th)  Red Chestnut

     (12th)  Grey Shoulder-knot, Twin-spotted Quaker

     (13th)  Early Thorn, Early Grey

     (14th)  Pammene giganteana (to MOL pheromone lure at 11am) 

     (15th)  Agonopterix arenella, Double-striped Pug

The 12th produced a very acceptable return to the actinic with just over 80 moths altogether, but the catches on most other nights haven't achieved even half that number.  Micros have been in short supply with only Agonopterix heracliana and Emmelina monodactyla appearing with any kind of regularity.  The Acleris literana (9th) was very nice to see although it had a chunk missing from one wing and wasn't as nicely marked as Martin Harvey's example back in February (see here).

The local bat population was tempted out of hibernation early by our mild February weather and at least one medium-sized individual (almost certainly Brown Long-eared) has been on patrol in the garden on most nights during this period.  I've certainly lost the odd Orthosia or two each session, and probably more than that judging by the sets of wings left lying around near the light.   

Acleris literana, Westcott 9th March

Red Chestnut, Westcott 11th March

Twin-spotted Quaker, Westcott 12th March

Early Thorn, Westcott 13th March

Early Grey, Westcott 13th March

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks