Hot and steamy

This weekend was distinctly warm, and the moths were loving it! A total of nine new species for the year over two trapping sessions, the gap is closing.
Treble Bar

The apparently rare Webb's Wainscot

The first Copper Underwing of the year

The amusingly named Maiden's Blush The other newies were Vine's Rustic (finally), Orange Swift, White Satin, Purple Bar and Tawny Speckled Pug

No lack(ley) in moths

The star of last night was a single fluffy Lackey, and Single-dotted
Wave was new for the year too.

17th July:
2050 Common Footman - 4
1931 Peppered Moth - 1
1994 Buff-tip - 3
1860 Green Pug - 1
2284x Dark / Grey Dagger - 1
2047 Scarce Footman - 2
2321 Dark Arches - 14
1921 Scalloped Oak - 2
1705 Dwarf Cream Wave - 1
2314 Dingy Shears - 2
1862 Double-striped Pug - 1
1699 Least Carpet - 2
1732 Shaded Broad-bar - 3
2011 Pale Prominent - 1
2089 Heart and Dart - 1
2128 Double Square-spot - 1
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 5
2343x Common Rustic agg. - 1
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing - 1
2112 Least Yellow Underwing - 2
1742 Yellow Shell - 1
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth - 2
1713 Riband Wave - 2
2029 Brown-tail - 1
1634 Lackey - 1
1708 Single-dotted Wave - 1
2387 Mottled Rustic - 1

Come and have a drink(er) at the (dun)bar

New moths over the last few days have included The Drinker, Cloaked
Minor, Dun-bar, Scalloped Oak, White Satin, Toadflax Pug, and Dot Moth.
At least, I think they're all new for the year.

16th July:
2321 Dark Arches - 12
2050 Common Footman - 1
2278 Poplar Grey - 2
2477 Snout - 1
1654 Figure of Eighty - 1
2389 Pale Mottled Willow - 1
2199 Common Wainscot - 1
1742 Yellow Shell - 2
2284x Dark / Grey Dagger - 2
1994 Buff-tip - 2
1937 Willow Beauty - 1
2193 Clay - 3
1732 Shaded Broad-bar - 3
2107 Large Yellow Underwing - 1
1713 Riband Wave - 1
1921 Scalloped Oak - 1
1991 Elephant Hawk-moth - 1
1699 Least Carpet - 1
2322 Light Arches - 3
2384 Vine's Rustic - 2
2198 Smoky Wainscot - 1
2192 Brown-line Bright Eye - 1
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 1
2341 Cloaked Minor - 1
2029 Brown-tail - 1
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye - 1
1640 Drinker - 1
2047 Scarce Footman - 1
2164 Broad-barred White - 1
2387 Mottled Rustic - 1
2314 Dingy Shears - 1
2318 Dun-bar - 1
2128 Double Square-spot - 1

14th July:
1732 Shaded Broad-bar - 3
2050 Common Footman - 3
2321 Dark Arches - 5
2047 Scarce Footman - 1
2006 Lesser Swallow Prominent - 1
2193 Clay - 1
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth - 1
2128 Double Square-spot - 1
1713 Riband Wave - 2
1834 Common Pug - 1
2031 White Satin - 1
1921 Scalloped Oak - 1
2155 Dot Moth - 1
1816 Toadflax Pug - 1

Hot and cold

One warm night, one not so warm night. The 9th was ace - lots of moths,
and quite a few new species for the year - best being Dingy Shears,
Brown-line Bright Eye, Wormwood Pug, Dwarf Cream Wave, and a Brown-tail
(wonder how common they are going to get this year?). The 10th was wet
and a bit chilly with numbers down with nothing of any real note.

10th July:
1887 Clouded Border - 1
2050 Common Footman - 5
1713 Riband Wave - 2
2069 Cinnabar - 1
2322 Light Arches - 4
2192 Brown-line Bright Eye - 1
1937 Willow Beauty - 2
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye - 2
1976 Privet Hawk-moth - 1
2164 Broad-barred White - 1
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 2
2199 Common Wainscot - 2
1732 Shaded Broad-bar - 1
1931 Peppered Moth - 1
2089 Heart and Dart - 2
2321 Dark Arches - 8
1994 Buff-tip - 2
2477 Snout - 1
2384 Vine's Rustic - 1
2098 Flame - 1

9th July:
2192 Brown-line Bright Eye - 1
2145 Nutmeg - 1
2314 Dingy Shears - 1
2128 Double Square-spot - 4
1728 Garden Carpet - 1
1992 Small Elephant Hawk-moth - 1
1713 Riband Wave - 4
2050 Common Footman - 7
2387 Mottled Rustic - 1
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye - 1
1699 Least Carpet - 1
2322 Light Arches - 5
2321 Dark Arches - 10
2199 Common Wainscot - 6
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 4
2107 Large Yellow Underwing - 1
2098 Flame - 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 2
2089 Heart and Dart - 1
2421 Scarce Silver-lines - 1
2007 Swallow Prominent - 1
1994 Buff-tip - 1
2278 Poplar Grey - 2
2389 Pale Mottled Willow - 1
2029 Brown-tail - 1
1937 Willow Beauty - 2
1860 Green Pug - 1
2284x Dark / Grey Dagger - 1
2088 Heart and Club - 1
1705 Dwarf Cream Wave - 1
2193 Clay - 2
2047 Scarce Footman - 1
1830 Wormwood Pug - 1
1862 Double-striped Pug - 1

Windy Miller

A surprising haul for such a damp weekend. Highlights include another
Small Elephant Hawk-moth, a grisea form Miller, and the first Clay, and
Shaded Broad-bar of the year (and a few other newies).

8th July:
1937 Willow Beauty - 4
2280 Miller - 1
2193 Clay - 2
1713 Riband Wave - 4
2050 Common Footman - 4
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 1
1732 Shaded Broad-bar - 1
2000 Iron Prominent - 1
2098 Flame - 2
1699 Least Carpet - 1
1992 Small Elephant Hawk-moth - 1
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye - 1
2321 Dark Arches - 5
2088 Heart and Club - 1
2198 Smoky Wainscot - 1
2087 Turnip Moth - 1
2284x Dark / Grey Dagger - 1
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 3
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character - 1
2387 Mottled Rustic - 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing - 1
2199 Common Wainscot - 1
1860 Green Pug - 2
2047 Scarce Footman - 1
1976 Privet Hawk-moth - 1
1941 Mottled Beauty - 1
1834 Common Pug - 1
2164 Broad-barred White - 1

A thoroughly British summer

Woke up to a very soggy moth trap. However, it was also full of moths!
Best: Blackneck, Varied Coronet, and a female Ghost moth. Spooky.

5th July:
1713 Riband Wave - 3
2047 Scarce Footman - 2
2050 Common Footman - 4
2164 Broad-barred White - 4
1991 Elephant Hawk-moth - 2
2088 Heart and Club - 2
2107 Large Yellow Underwing - 1
2389 Pale Mottled Willow - 2
2089 Heart and Dart - 4
2333 Large Nutmeg - 6
2387 Mottled Rustic - 1
2170 Varied Coronet - 1
1834 Common Pug - 1
2098 Flame - 1
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 2
2450 Spectacle - 1
2011 Pale Prominent - 1
2321 Dark Arches - 9
2278 Poplar Grey - 3
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth - 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 1
14 Ghost Moth - 1
1742 Yellow Shell - 1
1765 Barred Yellow - 1
1837 Grey Pug - 1
2466 Blackneck - 1

Totally tropical

Hot and sticky at the moment and the new species just keep on coming.
Best of recent trappings include Scarce Silver-lines, Buff Arches, Small
Dusty Wave, Common Emerald, and both Common and Common White Waves.

4th July:
1713 Riband Wave - 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 6
2047 Scarce Footman - 3
1931 Peppered Moth - 1
1976 Privet Hawk-moth - 2
2050 Common Footman - 1
1937 Willow Beauty - 4
2089 Heart and Dart - 3
2278 Poplar Grey - 1
1834 Common Pug - 3
2088 Heart and Club - 3
2192 Brown-line Bright Eye - 1
1837 Grey Pug - 1
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing - 1
2321 Dark Arches - 6
2087 Turnip Moth - 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing - 1
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 1
1728 Garden Carpet - 2
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing - 1
2421 Scarce Silver-lines - 1
1956 Common Wave - 1
1653 Buff Arches - 1

1st July:
1860 Green Pug - 1
1937 Willow Beauty - 4
1699 Least Carpet - 1
2321 Dark Arches - 10
2089 Heart and Dart - 3
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 1
2333 Large Nutmeg - 7
2050 Common Footman - 1
2164 Broad-barred White - 1
1860 Green Pug - 1
2098 Flame - 1
2199 Common Wainscot - 1
2322 Light Arches - 1
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character - 1
1887 Clouded Border - 1
2088 Heart and Club - 1
1837 Grey Pug - 1
1765 Barred Yellow - 1
2389 Pale Mottled Willow - 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart - 1

29th June:
1887 Clouded Border - 1
1834 Common Pug - 2
1937 Willow Beauty - 1
2321 Dark Arches - 13
2088 Heart and Club - 2
2333 Large Nutmeg - 2
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 1
2050 Common Footman - 1
2089 Heart and Dart - 4
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 4
2164 Broad-barred White - 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing - 2
1994 Buff-tip - 1
2278 Poplar Grey - 1
1976 Privet Hawk-moth - 1
1931 Peppered Moth - 1
2199 Common Wainscot - 3
2322 Light Arches - 2
1839 Bordered Pug - 1
1955 Common White Wave - 1
1728 Garden Carpet - 3
1669 Common Emerald - 1
1707 Small Dusty Wave - 1

Back in the hunt

After a very pleasant week in Orkney, where mothing was made tricky by the distinct lack of darkness, I put the trap out last night for the first time since 21 June. The reward was an impressive 11 new species for the year including Lime Hawkmoth and a lovely Buff Arches along with a slightly bizarre looking Snout which had lost its snout! Lime Hawkmoth 1 NFY Elephant Hawkmoth 1 Cinnabar 1 Pale Mottled Willow 1 NFY Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 Dark Arches 10 Large Yellow Underwing 1 Double Square-spot 1 NFY Heart and Dart 1 Rustic 1 Brown Rustic 3 Riband Wave 2 NFY Common Emerald 2 NFY Heart and Club 2 Broad-barred White 1 Willow Beauty 1 Common Footman 1 NFY Peppered Moth 1 Uncertain 1 Bright line Brown Eye 1 NFY Middle-barred Minor 1 NFY The Snout 1 NFY Buff Arches 1 NFY Smoky Wainscot 1 NFY

Nelly the Ele and friends

Had two good nights, but last night I did borrow an MV and lit up my
whole street! Felt a little embarrassed when it got dark. Left it out
though! Best from the MV were Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Barred Yellow,
Lychnis, and Burnished Brass.

Here are the lists:
28th:
1711 Treble Brown Spot - 1
2322 Light Arches - 32
1994 Buff-tip - 3
2154 Cabbage Moth - 3
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 3
2381 Uncertain - 1
2321 Dark Arches - 35
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 7
2089 Heart and Dart - 9
2098 Flame - 3
2450 Spectacle - 1
2199 Common Wainscot - 4
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing - 2
1991 Elephant Hawk-moth - 3
2333 Large Nutmeg - 14
1937 Willow Beauty - 5
2050 Common Footman - 4
1765 Barred Yellow - 1
1837 Grey Pug - 1
1992 Small Elephant Hawk-moth - 1
1887 Clouded Border - 1
2088 Heart and Club - 2
2173 Lychnis - 1
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character - 1
2434 Burnished Brass - 1
2102 Flame Shoulder - 1
1376 Eurrhypara hortulata - 1
1906 Brimstone Moth - 1
1860 Green Pug - 1
2164 Broad-barred White - 1
2061 Buff Ermine - 1

27th:
1937 Willow Beauty - 14
2164 Broad-barred White - 1
2333 Large Nutmeg - 13
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 2
2089 Heart and Dart - 2
2087 Turnip Moth - 1
2321 Dark Arches - 7
2322 Light Arches - 2
1994 Buff-tip - 1
2098 Flame - 1
2050 Common Footman - 2
2199 Common Wainscot - 1
1728 Garden Carpet - 1
1834 Common Pug - 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 2
2387 Mottled Rustic - 1
1860 Green Pug - 2
2302 Brown Rustic - 2
2418 Cream-bordered Green Pea - 1
1827 Freyer's Pug - 1
2343x Common Rustic agg. - 1
2278 Poplar Grey - 1

Poor but improving

Another catch-up post. Recent highlights have included another Poplar
Kitten, and Middle-barred Minor.

Still very poor catches though...

20th June:
1906 Brimstone Moth - 1
17 Common Swift - 1
2333 Large Nutmeg - 2
1728 Garden Carpet - 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 3
2321 Dark Arches - 1
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character - 1
2164 Broad-barred White - 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing - 1
2477 Snout - 1
2087 Turnip Moth - 1
1860 Green Pug - 1

24th June:
2069 Cinnabar - 1
1937 Willow Beauty - 3
1860 Green Pug - 3
1976 Privet Hawk-moth - 2
2389 Pale Mottled Willow - 1
1991 Elephant Hawk-moth - 2
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 3
2199 Common Wainscot - 1
2321 Dark Arches - 1
2098 Flame - 1
2164 Broad-barred White - 1
1728 Garden Carpet - 3
2087 Turnip Moth - 1
2088 Heart and Club - 1
1830 Wormwood Pug - 1
2450 Spectacle - 1

25th June:
1834 Common Pug - 5
2164 Broad-barred White - 2
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 4
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 2
1937 Willow Beauty - 4
1906 Brimstone Moth - 1
2333 Large Nutmeg - 5
2321 Dark Arches - 4
1991 Elephant Hawk-moth - 1
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 1
1728 Garden Carpet - 2
2441 Silver Y - 1
1998 Poplar Kitten - 1
2087 Turnip Moth - 1

26th June:
1994 Buff-tip - 1
1937 Willow Beauty - 3
2333 Large Nutmeg - 9
2321 Dark Arches - 7
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 2
2199 Common Wainscot - 2
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 7
1839 Bordered Pug - 2
1837 Grey Pug - 1
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 2
2322 Light Arches - 5
2089 Heart and Dart - 3
2098 Flame - 1
2278 Poplar Grey - 2
1742 Yellow Shell - 1
1858 V-Pug - 1
1860 Green Pug - 1
1834 Common Pug - 1
2387 Mottled Rustic - 1
2340 Middle-barred Minor - 1
1654 Figure of Eighty - 1
2145 Nutmeg - 2
1862 Double-striped Pug - 1

Flame-in June

Finally got a decent haul of moths last night, still a long way behind Steve, but at least the comeback has started! Willow Beauty 4 NFY Shears 1 Brown Rustic 1 Treble Lines 1 Elephant Hawkmoth 1 NFY Privet Hawkmoth 2 Dark Arches 2 Common Swift 1 Mottled Rustic 2 NFY Scorched Wing 1 NFY Broad-barred White 1 NFY Green Pug 1 NFY Common Carpet 1 NFY Light Emerald 1 NFY Treble Brown Spot 1 NFY Flame 1 NFY

Puggered

A warm evening! And more new moffs. Two new species of pug (that I'm
pretty certain of their id), and one I have no idea about! I might post
a photo if it settles down.

19th June:
1728 Garden Carpet - 2
1937 Willow Beauty - 4
2380 Treble Lines - 1
2098 Flame - 1
1976 Privet Hawk-moth - 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 5
2333 Large Nutmeg - 4
1994 Buff-tip - 1
2381x Uncertain/Rustic - 2
1931 Peppered Moth - 1
1941 Mottled Beauty - 1
2087 Turnip Moth - 1
1776 Green Carpet - 1
1991 Elephant Hawk-moth - 1
2389 Pale Mottled Willow - 1
2278 Poplar Grey - 1
2050 Common Footman - 1
1834 Common Pug - 3
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character - 1
2128 Double Square-spot - 1
1392 Udea olivalis - 1
1827 Freyer's Pug - 1
1837 Grey Pug - 1
2343x Common Rustic agg. - 1

Plus one unidentified Pug, and a possible Rustic Shoulder-knot (just
looks a bit odd!)

Taking the pea

Another catch-up. Best from recent catches: Cream-bordered Green Pea,
Shears, Light Arches. Also another Hawk-moth to add to my list -
Privet.

15th June:
1860 Green Pug - 1
1654 Figure of Eighty - 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 6
2380 Treble Lines - 1
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 3
2107 Large Yellow Underwing - 1
2061 Buff Ermine - 1
17 Common Swift - 1
2087 Turnip Moth - 1

17th June:
2061 Buff Ermine - 2
1937 Willow Beauty - 6
2050 Common Footman - 1
2333 Large Nutmeg - 2
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 1
2069 Cinnabar - 2
2107 Large Yellow Underwing - 1
2380 Treble Lines - 1
1991 Elephant Hawk-moth - 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 2
2060 White Ermine - 1
2199 Common Wainscot - 1
1834 Common Pug - 1

18th June:
2418 Cream-bordered Green Pea - 1
1937 Willow Beauty - 2
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 3
1976 Privet Hawk-moth - 1
1825 Lime-speck Pug - 1
2321 Dark Arches - 1
2380 Treble Lines - 2
2322 Light Arches - 1
2384 Vine's Rustic - 2
2147 Shears - 1
1860 Green Pug - 1
2477 Snout - 1

Catching up

I've got a bit behind posting, so here's my most recent set of catches.
Highlights include Common White Wave, Sandy Carpet, and Peppered Moth.

8th June:
1994 Buff-tip - 1
2381 Uncertain - 2
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 1
1961 Light Emerald - 1
1937 Willow Beauty - 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart - 2
2087 Turnip Moth - 2
2441 Silver Y - 1

9th June:
1955 Common White Wave - 1 NFY
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character - 4
17 Common Swift - 3
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart - 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 2
2302 Brown Rustic - 1
2441 Silver Y - 1
1937 Willow Beauty - 1
2069 Cinnabar - 1
1728 Garden Carpet - 2
1906 Brimstone Moth - 1
2389 Pale Mottled Willow - 4
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 4
2333 Large Nutmeg - 1
2384 Vine's Rustic - 1
2157 Light Brocade - 1
1834 Common Pug - 2
1819 Mottled Pug - 1

10th June:
2333 Large Nutmeg - 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 2
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 2
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character - 1
2157 Light Brocade - 1

12th June:
1961 Light Emerald - 1
2441 Silver Y - 2
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 1
1808 Sandy Carpet - 1 NFY
2284x Dark / Grey Dagger - 1

13th June:
1728 Garden Carpet - 1
1931 Peppered Moth - 1 NFY
1937 Willow Beauty - 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart - 1
2441 Silver Y - 1
1834 Common Pug - 1

The haunted moth trap

Proof that ghosts exist (and that I still trap very occasionally).

About time

It's been a long time coming, but finally when I went to check out the trap this morning there was a monster privet hawkmoth sitting happily in the bottom. I'm never quite sure how these manage to fit inside the trap. Also had a Grey Pug which makes two extra for the year.

Hawk-moth anyone?

Especially for Will.  These are what hawk-moths look like.

Not much in the trap last night but quality not quantity is what counts.

2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 2
1991 Elephant Hawk-moth - 1
1979 Lime Hawk-moth - 1
17 Common Swift - 2
2381 Uncertain - 1
2089 Heart and Dart - 1

Proms in the park

Three new moths last night - Brown Rustic, Iron Prominent, and Lesser
Swallow Prominent. Four species of prominents were nice to see.

2450 Spectacle - 1
1961 Light Emerald - 2
2302 Brown Rustic - 1 NFY
17 Common Swift - 31
2011 Pale Prominent - 1
1764 Common Marbled Carpet - 1
1819 Mottled Pug - 2
2384 Vine's Rustic - 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 3
2333 Large Nutmeg - 1
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character - 1
2382 Rustic - 1 NFY
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart - 1
2000 Iron Prominent - 1 NFY
2321 Dark Arches - 1
2007 Swallow Prominent - 2
2006 Lesser Swallow Prominent - 1 NFY
1834 Common Pug - 1
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 2

David and Goliath

A damp night on Fridayn (1st June), but a good one. Three new moths for the year,
with the highlights being David and Goliath - Dwarf Pug, and two Pine
Hawk-moths.

Here's the list:
1819 Mottled Pug - 1
1776 Green Carpet - 2
17 Common Swift - 34
2384 Vine's Rustic - 1
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth - 1
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 2
2333 Large Nutmeg - 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 2
2069 Cinnabar - 1
2389 Pale Mottled Willow - 2
1994 Buff-tip - 2 NFY
2441 Silver Y - 1
1978 Pine Hawk-moth - 2 NFY
2380 Treble Lines - 1
2007 Swallow Prominent - 1
2321 Dark Arches - 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart - 1
1834 Common Pug - 2
1857 Dwarf Pug - 1 NFY

Five more

Better than I thought it was going to be last night. Five new moths
again - Common Marbled Carpet, Light Emerald, Dark Arches, Mottled
Rustic, and Waved Umber. Will I catch up with Will? We'll see. (there
are too many w's and l's in that last bit...)

2157 Light Brocade - 1
1764 Common Marbled Carpet - 2 NFY
1961 Light Emerald - 1 NFY
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 3
17 Common Swift - 13
1752 Purple Bar - 1
2441 Silver Y - 1
1834 Common Pug - 2
2380 Treble Lines - 3
1724 Red Twin-spot Carpet - 1
2389 Pale Mottled Willow - 3
1776 Green Carpet - 1
1937 Willow Beauty - 1
2028 Pale Tussock - 1
2321 Dark Arches - 1 NFY
2387 Mottled Rustic - 1 NFY
1936 Waved Umber - 1 NFY
1819 Mottled Pug - 1

Snout playing dirty tricks

I thought the trap was going to get a soaking last night, but luckily the storm missed.  A bit of stalking during the evening produced a few new moths, and included the nights highlight - Buttoned Snout.  However it was half-way up my house wall, so the only way I could id it was to get my 300mm lens and flash gun out and hope it was in focus!  Luckily it worked:

Buttoned Snout about 11 feet up the side of my house

Otherwise five new for the year: Buttoned Snout, Large Nutmeg, Poplar Grey, Mottled Pug, and Scalloped Hazel.

The rest of the nights crew:

1776 Green Carpet - 1

2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 2

17 Common Swift - 16

1728 Garden Carpet - 2

2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 2

2480 Buttoned Snout - 1 NFY

1834 Common Pug - 1

2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart - 5

2157 Light Brocade - 1

1906 Brimstone Moth - 1

2389 Pale Mottled Willow - 2

2306 Angle Shades - 1

2333 Large Nutmeg - 1 NFY

2028 Pale Tussock - 1

1752 Purple Bar - 1

2278 Poplar Grey - 1 NFY
1920 Scalloped Hazel - 1 NFY

1819 Mottled Pug - 2 NFY

Scalloped Hazel

Slim shady

Shed-load of Common Swifts

Three new ones last night, and a shed load more Common Swifts:
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth - 1
2069 Cinnabar - 1
17 Common Swift - 26
2306 Angle Shades - 1 NFY
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 2
2028 Pale Tussock - 1
1906 Brimstone Moth - 1 NFY
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart - 3
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 2
2089 Heart and Dart - 1 NFY

Who will win the Hawk-moth cup? Poplar Hawk-moth

Will the real Slim Shady please stand up? Angle Shades.

We are the Campions

Last night was a belter for me, with 20 different species recorded. Haven't got any photos, so here's a spangly Campion from last week to go with the list.
Buff-tip 2
Green Carpet 2
Large Nutmeg 2
Garden Carpet 1
Brimstone 1
Light Brocade 1
Rustic Shoulder-knot 1
Treble lines 6
Pale Tussock 1 NFY
Heart and Dart 1 NFY
Common Swift 2
Campion 1
Peppered Moth 1
Bordered White 1 NFY
The Shears 1 NFY
Bright line Brown Eye 1
Chinese Character 1
Oak Hook-tip 1 NFY
Mottled Pug 2 NFY
Minor agg 1

Over 40's

Another good night with over 40 moths trapped, and five new for the year:
1728 Garden Carpet - 1 NFY
1654 Figure of Eighty - 1 NFY
17 Common Swift - 21
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 2
2088 Heart and Club - 3
1937 Willow Beauty - 1
2007 Swallow Prominent - 2
2384 Vine's Rustic - 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart - 2
1752 Purple Bar - 1
2028 Pale Tussock - 1 NFY
2157 Light Brocade - 1 NFY
1834 Common Pug - 1 NFY
1776 Green Carpet - 1

Seeing Treble

Well, I was away for the weekend so only managed to moth last night. Apart from 20 Treble Lines and a few of the other common ones for this time of year, I had a Poplar Hawkmoth, a White Ermine, Figure of Eighty, Large Nutmeg, Small Waved Umber and a Poplar Grey. I would take some pictures out but can't find my camera...

Purple chocolate kittens

Purple Bar

What a lovely weekend!  The warm weather has certainly upped the mothing in recent evenings.  Now up to about 40 (macro) species with the weekends lighlights being Poplar Kitten (tbc), Chocolate-tip, and a stunning Purple Bar.

Here are the lists for the three nights:
27th May
1998 Poplar Kitten - 1
17 Common Swift - 17
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart - 1
2007 Swallow Prominent - 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. - 2
2389 Pale Mottled Willow - 1
1776 Green Carpet - 1
2019 Chocolate-tip - 1
2380 Treble Lines - 1
2061 Buff Ermine - 1
2088 Heart and Club - 1
2384 Vine's Rustic - 2
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 1

Chocolate-tip

26th May
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth - 1
2069 Cinnabar - 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart - 1
17 Common Swift - 2

Chinese Character

25th May
1937 Willow Beauty - 1
2389 Pale Mottled Willow - 1
17 Common Swift - 4
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot - 1
2069 Cinnabar - 1
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth - 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart - 2
1752 Purple Bar - 1
2145 Nutmeg - 1
1651 Chinese Character - 1

Captain Hook (tip)

28 moths of only seven species last night. 19 Common Swifts was a big count though. Not many other highlights mind you - the best of the rest was an Oak Hook-tip.

Hawk!

A giant Poplar Hawkmoth amongs a humongous haul from last night. The play for the hawk cup begins!

Humongous might be playing up the magnitude of last nights catch somewhat. However it was more than the three moths I catch usually. Other goodies included a Chocolate-tip, and a Bright-line brown-eye. Just got to sort out these pugs...

Some light entertainment

Moth numbers are still on the low side down my way but a light brocade was a very welcome addition last night.

Toad in the hole

I put the trap out last night and it turned out to be one of those 'quality not quantity' nights.  Only one moth caught - but it was a toadflax brocade.  At least that's what I think it is!

Just the two

A bit windy last night in Biggleswade, and only two moths in the trap this morning.  Two new ones for the year though - Spectacle, and Powdered Quaker.  Where did April go?

Sharky and George

After only catching three months in the whole of April, the warm weather on Tuesday gave me hope of finally catching some new species. An iron prominent, nut-tree tussock and red twin-spot carpet were all potted before I left the trap for the night, hoping for lots more goodies in the morning. Unfortunately the weather had other ideas, and when I checked the trap in the morning it was both very wet, and empty. On the sheet to the side though was one odd looking moth, which I quickly stuck in a pot. A brief check in the book later and it was clear I had some sort of Shark, and even better, the time of year and patterning made it look good for the much rarer Chamomile Shark, only recorded 23 times before in Bedfordshire! Photos were duly taken and sent off to the county recorder, and confirmation soon followed, result!

It doesn't count, but it's still nice.

There still hasn't been much chance to stick the trap out recently.  This chap brightened up my day though.  I think it's Esperia sulphurella and it was hanging around our woodpile (formerly a rustic wooden bench).

Pining for a moth

As the number of recent posts suggest, mothing of late has been rubb-ish. Thursday's attempts in Potton resulted in a epic haul of three moths (two for myself and one for Will). Fortunately for me one was a pine beauty - a new one for my trap and for the competition I think. Apologies for the pot-shot. It was 5:30 and I wanted to go back to sleep.

Quite nice

An Engrailed from last night's catch.

Stick that in your pencil!

Looks like I finally pulled out a Lead-coloured Drab, after much trying.  Two Double-striped Pugs were also new for the year, but otherwise it was standard stuff – Clouded Drab, Common Quaker, Small Quaker, and Hebrew Character.

Pug on a rug

Had a pretty good haul last night with all the usuals plus a March Moth and a couple of Early Greys, which are always nice to see after all the drabby stuff.

Only one new moth though, this pug. It was on the side of the trap so potted it quickly, then brought it in to try to identify it. It subsequently decided to have a wonder round the room before settling on a hanging wall rug.

As with Ellen's, I think this is probably a Brindled Pug. Anyone want to second that?

Pug sp.

In the absence of Jeremy, I think it might be a Brindled Pug.  Caught two the night before last, amongst common/small/twinspotted quakers, clouded drabs, hebrew characters, chestnuts et al. 

Drabs...

but are they all Clouded?

蛾

Put the trap out last night with high hopes of a good haul, but the moths were apparently on a night off, with only 12 turning up. Amongst them was the unusual (and very early) Chinese Character, and a couple of Double-striped Pugs to add to the tally.

A mottley lot

 9th mottled grey of the year so far: plus 20 hebrew characters, 6 common quakers, 5 clouded drabs, 4 small quakers, 1 twin-spotted quaker, 1 shoulder stripe, 1 march moth and 1 chestnut.

The Moth Whisperer

If you had sat me down a couple of years ago and told me that in 2012 I would find myself waking up at 7am on  a Sunday morning to go and talk to moths I would have to have taken a long good look at my life and try to work out a strategy to best avoid my fate. Yet this morning (and indeed yesterday too) that was exactly what I found myself doing and it felt like the most natural thing in the world. What's more, as with most animals in my life (as my chickens and cat will testify) I've started to anthropomorphise them. The Clouded Drabs are quite clearly unimaginative, dull, obstinate and like most moths that play dead at my slightest touch, a bit thick. However, they are also efficient and tenacious team players - every night that I put my trap out, Cloudy and her 19 brothers and sisters Drab know their mission: get on with the business of filling it up. Once in the trap, their job is to sit perfectly still until I come and nudge them at which point they fall dead allowing me to scoop them up and throw them back in the bushes. They don't know why they do it, but it's not their business to know.

If there's one aptly named family of moths it's the Pugs. These pugnacious little brutes just won't give a guy a break. As soon as you try to place them a little better to take a good picture they're off. To the top of the barn, just high enough to be too high to reach with a chair. And no matter how patient your coaxing you won't be able to get them to come down. They stay there just long enough for you to get a ladder and start climbing and then they're off again. Over to the neighbours. That's what happened to me yesterday with a Double-Striped and I won't be forgetting it in a hurry (in case there are any Pugs out there that might have chanced upon this post - I'm watching you!).

Onto the noble moths. These are the larger moths that include the Hawks and one I caught this morning - an Angle Shades. These are obviously the nobles, the royalty, the chieftains of their tribes. Apart from their size and outfits to prove it, more impressive is their demeanour. Once they are caught, they don't go on fainting fits, they are not quarrelsome, they are patient, acquiescent and accept their fate with dignity. Moth-chiefs, I salute you!

Angle Shades, the King Kamehameha of moths

A thorn in my side

An early thorn and a chestnut were the new additions to 19 macros and 4 micros last night.

The fun part

I might get a bit of criticism for this, but what would mothing be without a little competition? Here is our stats page:

https://sites.google.com/site/cdmumoffstats/

As you can see, things are hotting up!. Will has been consistently in the lead so far, maybe in part because his garden backs on to a field. Anyway, it is early days yet, and we might soon be joined by some more competitors. Watch this space!

Getting better

23 moths of 12 species last night - only ten of them count for the 'race' though, as there were two micros in there.  Best were Yellow Horned, Red Chestnut, Twin-spotted Quaker, as they were all new for the year.

Oakey dokey

Like Col I had my best haul of the year so far, one massive burying beetle and 28 moths, of which the best was definitely this Oak Beauty.

Get knotted

The biggest haul so far - 20 macros, 1 micro and a big fat black beetle. The only new one was this grey shoulder-knot.

I fancy a cup(le) of earl(y) grey(s)!

Another good night! 2 Early greys, 3 common quakers, 2 hebrew characters, 1 satellite, 2 small quakers, 2 clouded drabs and 1 dotted border.

Foggin rubbish

Looks like I dipped out on the great weekends moffin' by not putting out the trap on Friday and Saturday nights.  I tried last night and only got two - an Early Grey, and a Dotted Border.  You know it's going to be crap when you look outside and can't even seen your trap cos of the fog.

That Old Chestnut

Thought it was about time to post some pictures too. Not exactly inspiring, though I had a relatively decent haul this weekend, which included a March Moth, Dark Chestnut, a few Clouded Drabs and Common Quakers. Hebrew Characters aplenty - five in total!!!

Had to get in there with the chestnut pun... I'm afraid I couldn't better you though Col!

Chestnut

Clouded Drab

Clouded Drab

Common Quaker

Dark Chestnut

Hebrew Character

Hebrew Character