Westcott, Bucks

Things have quietened down considerably in the garden so on 17th November I reverted to "winter operations", running a twin-30wt actinic light inside the conservatory and then potting up before dawn whatever turns up at the windows.  In this period there were four occasions (19th to 22nd) when the temperature hovered around freezing at dusk and then fell further very quickly so no moths at all were seen, but otherwise I did get something for my trouble each night even though numbers fell significantly after that cold snap.

Active species here between 16th November and the end of the month were Mompha subbistrigella, Acleris schalleriana, December Moth, Red-green Carpet, Cypress Carpet, Winter Moth, Scarce Umber, Mottled Umber, Feathered Thorn, Satellite, Chestnut, Angle Shades & Silver Y, while singletons of Tineola bisselliella were found indoors on a couple of occasions.  This is far fewer species than the count for the same period last year (see here) but you can't have everything!  Last night (30th) brought in Acleris schalleriana (1), December Moth (6, including two females), Cypress Carpet (1), Winter Moth (6), Scarce Umber (1), Mottled Umber (1) & Angle Shades (1).  The Angle Shades on 28th and 30th were the only possible signs of migration.

Cypress Carpet, Westcott 30th November

Cypress Carpet has done really well here during October and November with 31 different individuals recorded, so it is definitely established now locally.  That's not bad considering the first to be seen here was in November 2021.  Three more followed in October/November 2023 and then ten appeared during May/June this year before the influx this autumn.

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks