Latest Sightings

Highlight here a superb Lobster Moth sat on one of the traps. Best of rest Small Emerald, Southern Wainscot and Double Lobed.

Only 25 species, including 1 Muslin Footman, 1 Cinnabar, 1 Eyed Hawkmoth, 2 Elephant Hawkmoth, 1 Privet Hawkmoth, 1 Drinker, 2 Lackey, 1 Plain Golden Y

Also, many Five-spot Burnet and Six-spot Burnet on Sherborne Terraces during afternoon on 29th June

38 species including 3 Lackey, 3 Straw Dot, Elephant Hawkmoth, 1 Light Emerald, 1 Spectacle, 1 Herald, 1 Muslin Footman, 1 Small Fan-footed Wave, 1 Double Square-spot, 1 Brussels Lace, 1 Haworths Pug.

Numbers holding up here, with 212 individuals of 58 species (so far).  FFG Beautiful Golden Y.  FFY included: European Corn Borer, Swallow-tailed Moth, Muslin Footman, Garden Tiger, Beautiful Hook-tip and Fan-foot.

Pempelia formosa the best here.

Numbers down to around 130 of 45 species with FFY Small Yellow Wave and 2 Drinker.  Amongst the others: 2 Ghost(f) & Sm Blood-vein, Barred Straw, Buff Arches, Fanfoot.  Micros: Archips podana, Pterophorus pentadactyla, Udea olivalis & prunalis, Pandemis cerasana, Eudonia lacustrata Cloudy 11.7 degs C

New for recorder was a Scallop Shell. Also of note & immigrants include Diamond-back Moth, Orthopygia glacinalis, Meal Moth, Catoptria falsella, Rusty-dot Pearl, European Corn-borer, Lobster, an early Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Grey Arches, Broom Moth, Sycamore, Dark Spectacle & Marbled White Spot.

A mild, overcast evening was also fairly good for moth activity with a few gems found in this mornings trap including highlights of Kent Black Arches, Plain Golden Y, Scorched Carpet, White Point, Shoulder-striped Wainscot and Garden Tiger.

Back for more house clearing. 24 species including 1 Small Elephant Hawkmoth, 1 Poplar Hawkmoth, 1 Spectacle, 1 Magpie, 2 Lackey, 1 Single Dotted Wave, 1 Swallow-tailed, 1 Common Emerald.

Foxglove Pug the best here.

Have seen 6 Small Elephant Hawk in the last few days, more than I have ever known.Wood Carpet on 22nd and 25th June and Morris's Wainscot on 23rd and 27th.

A Hummingbird Hawk-moth started the day, nectaring around lavender early in the morning.  Among the pretty routine selection in the traps were: Hedya pruniana, Lilac Beauty, Grey Arches, Double-striped Pug and Small Fan-footed Wave.

Fewer moths than previous nights with the change of weather. Highlights were a Beautiful Golden Y , first for the garden and a Kent Black Arches. Also just one Rusty-dot Pearl

New for garden was a Purple Clay, appears to be only the second Weymouth record according to DMG. A Pine Hawk-moth also of note, by far the rarest of the commoner Hawk-moths here.

By day at Hardy's Monument on the 25th June, new for recorder Twin-spot Carpet. Also, Gold Swift, Brown Silver-line, Vapourer (cat) & Timothy Tortrix.

Another varied selection, but still lacking anything unusual, and no immigrants.  Micros included: Epiblema rosaecolana and Epiblema trimaculana, while among the larger moths were: Plain Golden Y, Miller, Buff Arches, Treble Lines, Beautiful Hook-tip, Small Angle Shades and Pale Mottled Willow.

A brief evening walk in Wareham Forest added among others, Pempelia palumbella, Batia lunaris and the beautiful Purple-bordered Gold to the day's list.

Pempelia palumbella

Mark Parsons of Butterfly Conservation has asked for any records of Forester in Dorset to be sent to him at mparsons@butterfly-conservation.org . By way of encouragement he recorded 9 at the Lankham Bottom BC reserve on Monday 23rd.

Around 190 of 70 species inc: Barred Straw, Dagger(agg), Ghost Moth(m&f), Clouded Brindle, Miller, Double Square-spot(5), Barred Yellow, Muslin & Common Footman, Silver Y, Burnished Brass (f.aurea).  FFG Mottled Beauty.  Amongst the many micros: Pterophorus pentadactyla(2), Mompha ochraceella, P.combinella, Udea prunella, olivalis & (2) ferrugalis, Eudonia delunella.  FFY Pleuroptya ruralis, Yponomeuta evonymella, FFG Ethmia dodecea (15.9 degs C)

Approximately 200 macro moths of 67 species to MV 125 overnight. Nothing particularly unusual or rare in the catch but of note: Purple Clay, Small Yellow Wave, Small EHM, Phoenix, the Dot, Clouded Brindle, Satin Beauty, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Double Square-spot, Garden Tiger, Drinker and Beautiful Golden Y. Generally geometers were very few. Quality woodland is some distance from the centre of the village.

Micros included: Eucosma cana, Red-barred Tortrix and Mother of Pearl, and larger moths included: Light Emerald, Common Emerald, Brussels Lace, Mottled Beauty, Early Thorn, Fan-foot, Pale Mottled Willow and Small Blood-vein among 65 species.

Walk from Portesham to Hardy's Monument in the evening produced of note, new for recorder Anania lancealis & Merrifieldia baliodactylus. Also, several male Gold Swifts.

Portesham Traps: 400 moths of 88 species. Of note were 2 Rusty-dot Pearl, Diamond-back Moth, NFY Endotricha flammealis, Ghost Moth (m), Haworth's Pug, Scorched Wing, 3 Scorched Carpet, Miller, Cream-bordered Green Pea & 2 Beautiful Hook-tip.

Ethmia dodecea was the highlight here, presumably a migrant, along with singles of Udea ferrugalis and Dark Sword-grass..

Highlight my second ever Dingy Shell.

Highlights from a couple of nights trapping - singles of Eana incanana, Pempelia formosa, Spatalistis bifasciana, Brindled White-spot, Red-necked Footman, Four-dotted Footman and Beautiful Snout (2). Good diversity, but overall abundance not that high considering the great weather that we have had.

60 species including highlights of Kent Black Arches, Synaphe punctalis, Diamond Back, Blackneck along with Swallowtail, Brussels Lace, Small Blood-vein, Peach Blossom, Fan-foot and Dot moth.

42 species including 2 Clouded Silver, 2 Lackey, 1 Plain Golden Y, 4 Buff Arches, 1 Cinnabar, 2 Common Emerald, 1 Sharp-angled Peacock, 1 Fan-foot, 1 Peach Blossom, 1 Double Square-spot, 1 Lilac Beauty, 1 Small Blood-vein, 1 Brown China-mark, 1 Lazotaonia forsterana. In addition, 5 Scarlet Tigers seen flying in garden during early evening.

Another Palpita vitrealis the best here.

Around 190 of 60 species inc: Eyed & Poplar Hawk Moth, Sandy Carpet, Fanfoot, Swallow-tailed, Dusky Brocade, Lackey FFY Shark, Buff Arches, Sycamore, Turnip Moth.  Amongst the micros: Eucosma cana, Aphomia sociella, Celypha lacunana 13.9 degs C

By day Hardys Monument 22nd & 23rd June: Two visits produced several species, of note were two different Beautiful Snout.

Portesham: 22nd June: 520 moths of 100 species, with new for recorder being Nemapogon clematella. Also, Ghost, Cypress Carpet (2), Fern, Scorched Carpet, Swallow-tailed Moth, Buff-tip (3), Muslin Footman (18), Miller (2), White-point (3), & Beautiful Hook-tip (3). Also, Privet, Poplar, Eyed (2), Elephant (13), & Small Elephant (12) Hawk-moths.

Striped Wainscot the best here, only my 2nd ever record.

six Scarlet Tigers during early evening. Over night, 30 species including 2 Cinnabars, 1 Muslin Footman, 4 Beatiful Hook-tip, 3 Fern, 2 Lackey, 2 Buff Arches, 1 Burnished Brass juncta, 2 Elephant Hawkmoth, 3 Common Emerald, 1 Grey Dagger, 1 Scorched Carpet

A Hummingbird hawk-moth nectaring at dusk.  Species in the traps included: Clouded Brindle, a fresh-looking Double-striped Pug, Beautiful Hook-tip, Brussels Lace and two Grey Dagger agg. among 150+ larger moths, and Nemapogon clematella was a new species here among the micros.

175 of 63 species: Muslin Footman, Clouded Brindle, Peach Blossom Ghost(m), FFY Swallow-tailed, Sm Blood-vein, Double Square-spot, Grey Arches, Lackey, Sm Angle Shades, Dingy Shears(FFG).  Micros included Udea ferrugalis, Celypha striana, Anania coronata, FFY Aleimma loeflingiana, Calamotropha paludella, Ditula angustiorana

White-point, Clouded Brindle and Treble Brown Spot probably the best overnight here.

Some quite good quality stuff today, best being a Red-necked Footman. Otherwise both Scarce and Green Silver-lines, Dogs's Tooth, Peach Blossom and Marbled White Spot all worth a mention.

19th June. Morning of 20th best this year, with 304 macros of 64 species, tho' some got away, harrased as I was by a Robin and a Blackbird. A Cream-bordered Green Pea, A Morris's Wainscot, 2 Green Arches, a Scarlet Tiger, a Scalloped Shell, 3 Wood Carpet, and 2 Small Elephant Hawk.

Mottled Beauty and Green Arches both of some note for here.

Getting better and better.  201 individuals of 58 species, with a few still to sort out.  FFG: Synaphe punctalis, Sandy Carpet, Small Yellow Wave, Small Elephant Hawkmoth and Green Silver-lines.  FFY included Lackey, Privet Hamkmoth, Light Arches, with first sightings of various common summer species.  Only immigants were two Udea ferrugalis.

Another decent haul, though nothing especially unusual.  Immigration in the form of just two Silver Y, though both pretty worn.  Otherwise, Green Arches was a nice moth, also Dark Arches, Grey Arches, Shears, Light Emerald, Swallow-tailed Moth, Scorched Wing, Purple Clay and Lychnis all logged.  Micros Ringed China-mark, and a new record here Eupoecilia angustana, among those recorded.

Around 150 of 52 species inc: Lychnis, Heart & Club, Brussels Lace, Burnished Brass, Cypress Carpet, Ingrailed Clay, Common Footman.  Amongst the micros: Hedya pruniana, Cydia pomonella, Lozotaenia forsterana, Udea olivalis, Archips podana, with FFY Archips xylosteana, Udea prunalis, Mompha ochraceella (FFG) 14.1 degs C

Around 90 of 70 species inc: Barred Yellow, Scorched Wing, Peach Blossom, Clouded Brindle, Swallow & Iron Prominent, Green & Light Arches with FFY Muslin Footman, Purple Clay.  Amongst the micros: Epinotia bilunana, Eucosma cana, Archips podana with FFY Agapeta Hamana, Luquetia lobella, Euzophera pinguis (14.4 degs C)

Large numbers of moths - 61 macro species. Nothing new but high numbers of Elephant Hawkmoth (24), Small Elephant Hawkmoth(16), Bordered Sallow (17) and Reddish Light Arches (19).

New moth for me here in the form of Duponchelia fovealis, it's origins yet to be discussed though. Also the heathland Pyrale Pyla fusca. Best of the macros were Lilac Beauty and Satin Wave.

A very warm night here among the chalk hills.  Micros included: Udea olivalis, Crambus perlella, Lozotaenia forsterana, Pseudargyrotoza conwagana, Phlyctaenia coronata, Hedya pruniana and Epiblema trimaculana, and the rest included: Flame Carpet, Green Silver-lines, Buff Arches, Plain Golden Y, Dark Arches, Grey Arches, Beautiful Hook-tip, Shark, Green Pug, Brussels Lace, Small Dotted Buff and Grey Dagger agg.

Around 160 of 60 species inc: Cypress, Sandy & Blue-bordered Carpet, Lobster, Green Pug, Plain Golden Y, Burnished Brass, Aphomia sociella, Udea olivalis, Lozotaenia forsterana, Archips podana.  FFY Common Emerald, Barred Straw, Lt Arches, Emmelina monodactyla 15.4 degs C

A visit during daylight showed a Scarlet Tiger

Best night of the year in terms of moth numbers, nothing too exciting though. Dark Sword-grass and Rush Veneer best of the immigrants. Female Ghost, Green Silver-lines (2), Small Dotted Buff and Shark (2) best of rest.

Over 50 species present in the Learning Centre trap including White Point, Brussels Lace, Black Neck, Scalloped Hook-tip, Shark, Buff Arches, Lackey, Poplar Hakwmoth, Privet Hakwmoth and a Peacock agg

Ghost, Small Dusty Wave, Lychnis and Brussels Lace among the routine stuff, and Chrysoteucha culmella among the micros.

Clay Triple-lines, Pinion-streaked Snout and Brown Silver-line worth a mention here.

360 moths of 86 species. New for recorder was Poplar Kitten. New for year was Privet Hawk-moth, Lobster Moth, Dark Sword-grass, True Lover's Knot, Clay, Anania coronata & Eudonia pallida. Immigrants were Silver Y & Rusty-dot Pearl.

3rd Portland record of Mythimna pudorina ([D. & S.]) Striped Wainscot. Previous records not in the database so need to get the details.

Sclerocona acutellus (Eversmann, 1842) and a possible Argyresthia arceuthina (Zeller, 1839) the only recent visitors of interest with A. arceuthina retained for critical examination.

Around 150 of 50 species inc: Ghost(m), Lime Hawk, Lychnis, Poplar Grey, Burnished Brass (f.j&a) with FFY Lilac Beauty, Lackey.  Micros included Amblyptilia punctidactyla, Pseudoswammerdamia combinella, Eucosma cana

A run of mostly routine species recently, but in the trap this morning, among the regulars, a Double Line (Mythimna turca) was a surprise addition to the garden list.

Nothing of note with micros including: Bryotropha terrella and Hedya pruniana, and Single-dotted Wave, Common Wave and Dot Moth among just 35 regular species.

Green Arches the best garden moth here.

By day at Hardys Monument, Wood Sage Plume (Capperia britainniodactylus) was new for recorder. (tbc) Also, Epinotia signatana, Neofaculta ericetella & Marbled White Spot, and cats of Beautiful Yellow Underwing & Oak Eggar.

Nemapogon cloacella (Cork Moth), Enarmonia formosana (Cherry Bark Tortrix), Epiblema trimaculana and Clepsis consimilana among the micros, and Purple Clay, Scorched Carpet, Clouded Silver, Small Elephant Hawk-moth and Shoulder-striped Wainscot among the rest.

Around 170 of 50 species inc: Green Pug, Sharp-angled Peacock, Alder, Barred Yellow, Pale Mottled Willow, Flame Carpet, Lychnis, Brown Rustic, Nematopogon swammerdamella, Eudonia lacustrata, Evergestis forficalis, Diamond-back

14th June, best MV numbers this year, including 24 Elephant Hawk (is this a record?). Also an Alder (4th this year), and a Small Elephant Hawk.  15th June, only 11 Elephants today, but 2 Small Elephant Hawk, a Bordered Straw, and a Wood Carpet.

Species seen around Portesham this last week incl. new for recorder Bryotropha senectella and probable Cosmiotes consortella. Also caterpillars of Mullein, Six-spot Burnet & Oak Eggar.

Best here was Palpita vitrealis. Best of rest were: Tawny-barred Angle (2), Blue-bordered Carpet, Small Dotted Buff, Drinker, Small Angle Shades (2), Puss, Scarlet Tiger and Cream-bordered Green Pea.

A very productive night, with 480 moths of 100 species. New for recorder were Valerian Pug, Pale-shouldered Brocade, Larch Case-bearer & Metzneria lappella. Immigrants were Rusty-dot Pearl (2), Pearly Underwing, Bordered Straw (very worn), Silver Y (2), Also of note (in no particular order) were: Beautiful Hook-tip, Cream-bordered Green Pea, Green Arches, Bordered Sallow, Figure of Eighty, Shoulder-striped Wainscot (2), Small Seraphim, Muslin Footman & Red-necked Footman.

Also, 3 Peppered Moths, incl. one of the form insularia.

Another nice varied cast of characters including: Blood-vein, Willow Beauty, Riband Wave, July Highflyer, Dingy Footman f. stramineola, Sharp-angled Peacock, Fan-foot, Mottled Rustic, Peppered Moth and Light Emerald.  Micros were all regulars and included: Celypha striana, Caloptilia syringella, Phycitodes binaevella, and Udea olivalis.

Hummer feeding on Valerian in my Sister-in-Law's garden in Upwey this afternoon.

Around 240 of 80 species inc: Lychnis, Sandy Carpet, Foxglove & Green Pugs, Orange & Common Footman.  FFY Purple Bar, Blue-bordered Carpet, Beautiful Hook-tip, Riband Wave, Fan-foot, Dk/G Dagger agg., Silver Y.  Micros inc: Rusty-dot Pearl, White Plume, Lozotaenia Forsterana, Large and Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix, Brown China-mark 15.5 degs C

C Fox: 260 of 62 species inc: Miller, Large and Small Elephant, Poplar and Eyed Hawk Moths, Green Silver-lines, Knot Grass, Orange Footman, Lg Yellow Underwing, Burnished Brass, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Peach Blossom.  FFY Shark, Uncertain, Barred Yellow, Small Fan-foot, Sycamore.

Thirty-one macros...best this year with records of Ingrailed Clay, Eyed Hawkmoth, Pale-shouldered Brocade, Swallowtail Moth, and two Middle-barred Minor.

A good night generally but not a single immigrant.  Among the varied inmates were: (seven) Foxglove Pug, Green Pug, and Currant Pug, Common Wave, Small Yellow Wave, Beautiful Hook-tip, Light Emerald, and Clouded Silver, while the micros included: Pseudargyrotoza conwagana (five), Celypha lacunana, Lesser Wax Moth, Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix, Red-barred Tortrix, Large Fruit-tree Tortrix, Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix, Bramble Shoot Moth and the first of the Cnephasia group.

Delicate and Pearly Underwing represented the immigrants. Common Lutestring best of the resident stuff.

Best night for a while with a good selection of species of some note for the garden. In no particular order: Pearly Underwing, Scarlet Tiger, Beautiful Hook-tip (2), Purple Bar, Bordered Sallow, Puss Moth, Green Silver-lines, Small Yellow Wave, Barred Yellow, Brown Silver-line, Brown Rustic. Also Alder Moth on 8/6.

Walk from Abbotsbury to West Bexington (& back): 15 sp. incl. Burnet Companion (rather worn), Six-spot Burnet (ad. & larvae), Lobesia littoralis, Dolicharthria punctalis, Homoeosoma sinuella, & Timothy Tortrix. Immigrants were Silver Y & Rusty-dot Pearl.

I was a visiting recorder at the end of May - 28th- 30th, and in a grassy bowl above Durdle door (sy805804) i found at least 17 Grass eggar larvae, mainly 4th/5th instar; also below the fields here on the cliff-edge above Man-o-war cove i found another 7, so it appears they are doing ok in this particular spot. Most were feeding on course grasses, and were quite easy to spot, especially in the evenings. Other species found here included numerous Brown-tail larvae, 3 Oak eggar larvae, 15 Drinker moth larvae, 3 Lackey larval webs and 4 Wood tiger moths. I've included pictures of Grass eggar larvae. Dave Maunder

192 moths of 51 species. FFG: Lozotaenia forsterana, Celypha striana, Notocelia cynosbatella, Common Lutestring.  FFY included: Common Swift, Sycamore, Burnished Brass. Immigrants: singles of Rusty-dot Pearl and Silver Y.

Very warm, but quite strong winds Netting Hardys Monument: About an hours netting produced 18 species, including (presumed) July Belle (NFR) and Ypsolopha nemorella (NFR). Also netted of note were Satin Wave, Small Yellow Wave & Mottled Beauty. Walking to Hardys: Despite very strong winds at the top of the hill, 6 male & 2 female Ghost Moths, plus Common Swift.

Portesham MV: 308 moths of 66 species, of note were Diamond-back, Large Fruit-tree Tortrix, Rusty-dot Pearl (3), Peach Blossom, Buff Arches (2), Green Pug (2), Coxcomb Prominent, Green Silver-lines, & Dot Moth.

Actinic: 61 moths of 30 species, of which 6 species weren't in the MV. Of note were Rush Veneer & Brussels Lace.

By day on the 14th @ Portesham, 5 Muslin Footman.

Warm but with quite a strong breeze.  62 species including 1 Diamond-back and 1 Silver Y.  FFG Yellow-barred Brindle (maybe the new privet hedges have helped?).  FFY Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Clouded Brindle, Purple Clay and Buff Arches.

Spent one night in Dorset but not that good for moths. 10 macro species only, including singles of Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Flame Shoulder, Buff Ermine, White Ermine, Bright-line Brown-eye, Mottled Pug, 2 Mottled Rustic, 2 Blood-vein. 4 Micro species including 2 Small Magpie.

Around 70 of 35 species inc: Cypress Carpet, Barred Yellow, Ingrailed Clay, Mottled Rustic, Single-dotted Wave, Brussels Lace, 5 Lg Yellow U/wing.  FFY Plain Golden Y, Common Footman, Ghost Moth (FFG male), Epinotia bilunana

About 50 species.  The high brought 1 Vestal and 1 Rush Veneer. Also FFY: Satin Wave, Clouded Buff, Currant Pug, Four-dotted Footman (with very faint markings), True Lover's Knot and Plain Golden Y

In & around Portesham by day the last few days incl. Hummingbird Hawk-moths, Silver Ys, Rusty-dot Pearls, & Scarlet Tigers. Also, larvae of Mullein Moth.

Just 61 of 24 species.  Immigration represented by Silver Y and Rusty-dot Pearl in the traps, and a Humming-bird Hawk-moth nectaring late into the evening. Among the routine visitors were: Poplar Hawk-moth, Willow Beauty, Foxglove Pug, Udea olivalis, and Blood-vein.

Chilly and a bright moon.  Numbers right down.  Some migration: 1 Rusty-dot Pearl, 1 Rush Veneer, 2 Dark Sword-grass and 2 Silver Y. FFG 1 Luquetia lobella.  FFY Phlyctaenia coronata, Single-dotted Wave, Light Arches and Uncertain/Rustic agg.

Numbers still down.  39 species including 1 Silver Y and 1 Rusty-dot Pearl.  FFY Ringed China-mark and Riband Wave.

Around 65 of 40 species inc: Pale Mottled Willow, Beautiful Golden Y, Cinnabar, FFY Miller, Eyed Hawk.  Six micro species inc: Ringed China-mark, Pseudargyrotoza conwagana, Celypha lacunana (12 degs C)

40 species of moth lured into the Learning Centre trap. 2 migrants present included Rusty-dot Pearl and Dark Sward Grass whilst other highlights included Peach Blossom, L-album Wainscot, Small Waved Umber, Reddish Light Arches, Small Magpie, Spectacled and Pale Tussock.

Around 150 of 65 species inc: Angle Shades, Brussels Lace, Snout, Pale Prominent, Brown Rustic, Flame Carpet, Sm Fan-foot, Mocha.  FFY Burnished Brass (f.j), Lobster, Sm Dusty Wave, Figure-of-eighty, Heart & Club, Dk Arches.  Micros included Udea Olivalis, Pseudargyrotoza conwagana.  FFY Rusty-dot Pearl (Aethes smeathmanniana and Epiblema trimaculana to be confirmed) 12.4 degs C

C Fox: 93 of 37 species including Poplar, Lime & (FFY) Sm Elephant Hawk Moths, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Marbled White-spot, Pale-shouldered Brindle, Double-lobed.  Micros included Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix, Brown China-mark

Nothing especially unusual but the 100+ moths of 43 species included: Shark, Puss Moth, Small Phoenix, Foxglove Pug, Eyed Hawk-moth, Small Fan-foot and Clouded Silver, and among the micros were: Cydia splendana, Epiblema cynosbatella, Scoparia pyralella and Nematopogon metaxella.

An interesting mix among the 54 species recorded overnight. 16 NFY including singles of Brussels Lace, Satin Wave, Grey Arches, Marbled White Spot, Shoulder-striped Wainscot and Elephant Hawk. New to the garden were the tortricoid Olindia schumacherana and a suspected Dotted-border Wave (confirmation awaiting).

C Fox: 88 of 44 species including Dusky Brocade, Green Arches, Brown Silver-line, Privet Hawk Moth (14.1 degs C)

A warm night.  Not as exciting as I expected it to be. 49 species.  FFY Garden Grass-Veneer!!

A nice range of species on a warm night.  Just one Dark Sword-grass representing the current sparse immigration, and among the rest were: Clouded Border, Little Emerald, Tawny-barred Angle, Grey Pug, Clay Triple-lines, Small Fan-foot, Miller and Dusky Brocade, while micros included: Aphelia paleana, Batia unitella and Epinotia bilunana.

1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth in the afternoon.

A total of 23 macros to light overnight. Among the arrivals were 2 Dusky Brocade, Singles of Small Square-spot, Cabbage and Peppered Moth and 2 Freyer's Pug.

In Poole Park yesterday a Poplar Grey on the trunk of an aspen backing on to the railway line.

Around 130 with 10 Micro / 34 Macro species inc: Cabbage Moth, m & f Pale Tussock, Iron Prominent, Mottled Rustic, Willow Beauty, Green Pug, Rustic Shoulder-knot, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Clouded Border.  FFY Lime Hawk, Sm Fan-foot, Dk Arches, Brussels Lace, Barred Yellow.  Micros: Sm Magpie, Celypha lacunana, Diamond-back, Hofmannophila pseudospretella.  FFY Bee Moth.  Nematopogon swammerdamella's amazing flight this morning 12.5 degsC

Cooler and only 27 species put in an appearance here.  Among them were: Argyresthia bonnetella, Epiblema cynosbatella, Epinotia bilunana, Willow Beauty, Cinnabar, Dark Arches and Mottled Rustic. Immigration non-existent.

199 moths of 66 species. New for recorder was Green Arches. FFYs were Bryotropha affinis, Cochylimorpha straminea, Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix, Red-barred Tortrix, Epiblema bilunana, Eudonia mercurella, Crambus lathoniellus, Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, Brussels Lace, Elephant Hawk-moth, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Large Yellow Underwing (4), White-point, Smoky Wainscot (2) & Mottled Rustic.

Immigrants were 5 Silver Y & Diamond-back Moth. Also, by day on the 7th a Hummingbird Hawk-moth.

A chillier night with a lot less moths.  50 species including FFY Brown China-mark and Mottled Rustic.

Rescued the trap from the storm at 0500.  Best night of year to date - 169 individuals of 50 species, with more to identify.  Highlights included: Alabonia geoffrella (2) - superb; Pseudagyrotoza conwagama; Rivulet; Eyed Hawkmoth; Orange Footman; Least Black Arches; Shears; White-point; Shark; Clouded Brindle; Mottled Rustic; Silver Y (1).

Re-arranged everything at 3.30am during a thunderstorm, so many escaped but still around 130 of 50 species inc: Brown Silver Lines, Poplar Grey, Snout, Lst Blk Arches, Willow Beauty, Lg Yellow U/W. FFY Green Pug, Gdn Tiger / FFG Green Silver-lines, Mottled Rustic.  Amongst the numerous micros, Pseudargyrotoza conwagana, m & f Ringed China-mark, Udea Olivalis, Eudonia pallida, Diamond-back FFG Alabonia geofrella (others to ID) 13.1 degs C

A very mild night and 59 species caught including: Aphelia paleana, Epiblema trimaculana, Celypha striana, Epinotia bilunana, Sharp-angled Peacock, Silver Y, Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix, Large Fruit-tree Tortrix, Coxcomb Prominent, Brown Silver-line and Puss Moth

A very warm night.  Then heavy rain.  Best night so far this year.  79 species including 3 Silver Y and 2 Diamond-back.  FFG Bordered White and the fabulous Alabonia geoffrella.  FFY Clouded Silver, White-pinion Spotted and Marbled White Spot

By day at Hardys Monument, a total of 12 species recorded, with new for recorder being White-pinion Spotted and Micropterix aruncella. Also, of note, Marbled White Spot, Brown Silver-line, Common Heath, Cydia ulicetana & Diamond-back Moth.

Lower numbers here too, with just 32 of 16 species inc: Coxcomb Prominent, 2 Lt Emerald, 3 each of Cinnabar (none last year) and Ingrailed Clay with FFY Shears.  Micros: Sm Magpie, 2 Hedya pruniana

A second cooler night produced just 27 moths.  Of the 14 species, most were regulars with a single Silver Y representing the immigrants, and a Fern - the first of the year, as an additional morsel of interest.  An interesting looking micro, and almost certainly a new one here, decided he had urgent business elsewhere as I fumbled with a pot.

Netting around Hardys Monument for an hour 1/2, produced 11 species. Of note was a male Ghost Moth (first male of the species I have seen). Also, Foxglove Pug and about 20 Brown Silver-line. Cloudless night.

Around 60 of 27 species inc: Brown Rustic, Spectacle, Spruce, Gdn, Sandy & Red Twin-spot Carpet, Ingrailed Clay, W/S House Moth, Eudonia angustea, Pseudargyrotoza conwagana, Sm Magpie FFY Shoulder-striped Wainscot (97 degs C)

44 species of macro on 2nd June, including Alder, Foxglove Pug, Lime Hawk, Morris's Wainscot (a speciality here), Orange Footman, and Spruce Carpet.

Light rain here too and 87 in the traps.  The 39 species included: Tinea trinotella, Cydia pomonella, Celypha striana, Celypha lacunana, Eudonia angustea, Udea olivalis Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix, Small Phoenix, Flame Carpet, Toadflax Pug, Silver Y, Large Yellow Underwing and Knot Grass.

Rain overnight. 40 species including 1 Silver Y.  FFY Small Elephant Hawkmoth, Alder, Dark Arches and Pale Mottled Willow.

Best here were Cream-bordered Green Pea and Small Yellow Wave. Also a hint at some immigration with Diamond-back, RDP and 3 Silver Y. A female Ghost Moth found on the path at Lorton this evening.

A lovely selection overnight with 133 of 42 species including: Pale Mottled Willow, Lychnis, Coronet, Oak Hook-tip, Pale Tussock, Scorched Wing, Privet Hawk-moth, Udea olivalis, Eudonia angustea, and the extravagantly named Pseudargyrotoza conwagana.  Also like Phyl a beautiful Lime Hawk-moth.

52 species including 1 Diamond-back Moth and 1 Silver Y.  FFY: Mottled Pug, Swallow Prominent, White-point and Pale-shouldered Brocade.

3ist May - Numbers increasing with 53 species recorded. Notable were Mullein Wave, White -Pinion Spotted ,Scorched Wing , Lychnis and Tawny - barred Angle. 1st June - Just one trap out and 97 moths of 30 species but first for garden was a lovely Lime Hawkmoth. Also Broad-barred White and 4 each of Orange Footman and Light Emerald.

Ninety moths put in an appearance with thirty-seven species logged.  Among them were: Middle-barred Minor, Straw Dot, Lychnis, Pale Tussock, Common Swift, Willow Beauty, Poplar Grey and Lime-speck Pug.  Local mixed woodland added Micropterix aruncella and a single Engrailed/Small Engrailed larva to the days list.

Single larval web (est. 50+ individuals) of Eriogaster lanestris Small Eggar on blackthorn.

Around 80 of 40 species inc: Cinnabar, Cypress Carpet, Scorched Wing, Willow Beauty, Flounced Rustic, Sm Clouded Brindle, Brown Silver-line, Udea olivalis, Straw Dot, Ringed China-mark.  FFY Poplar Grey, Sandy Carpet, Seraphim (FFG), Nematopogon swammerdamella (by day) 11.7 degs C

C Fox: Similar numbers, inc: Eyed Hawk, Clouded Brindle, 5 Dark Arches, Rustic Shoulder-knot, Puss Moth, Beautiful Golden Y.  FFY 2 each of Ghost(f) & Lobster Moth, Lt Emerald, Spruce Carpet

Much the same as the previous night.  53 species.  FFY Water Veneer.

Portesham MV: 36 species, with NFR being a Plain Golden Y. Also of note was a dark form of Dark Arches. NFYs incl. Small Magpie (2), Buff Ermine & Pale Prominent.

Evening walk at Hardys Monument (without net): 10 species managed to pot, incl. Grey Pug, Neofaculta ericetella & Brown Silver-line.

1st June Portesham: a Hummingbird Hawk-moth.

Around 70 of 30 species inc: White-pinion Spotted, Broken-barred Carpet, Foxglove Pug, Hedya pruniana FFY Lg Yellow Underwing, Pale Mottled Willow, Ringed China-mark, Eudonia mercurella (10.7 degs C)

C Fox: Similar numbers, with Poplar Kitten, Orange Footman, Silver Y, Rustic Shoulder-knot, Spectacle FFY Small Clouded Brindle, Clouded Brindle

30/5: 55 species from 2 traps including 5 Hawkmoths - Eyed. Privet, Poplar, Privet, Elephant and Small Elephant

31/5: 30 species from 1 trap including White-point, Silver-Y, The Shark, Valerian Pug and White-pinion Spotted

Best here the pyrale Cryptoblabes bistrigia, otherwise 6 Orange Footman, Pearly Underwing and Freyer's Pug worth a mention.

A total of 31 species including: Chamomile Shark, Spectacle, Lychnis, Clouded Silver and Scrobipalpa costella.

54 species including 2 Silver Y.  FFG Shears and Tinea semifulvella.  FFY Willow Beauty, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Large Yellow Underwing, Coronet, Burnished Brass and Small Fanfoot.