Tuesday, March 18, 2014

March- so far.........

Well, what a contrast to last year's weather. The start of March really did seem to herald the start of the moffing season. At present I am 7 species in front of this time last year with a few notable absences still to get. I also managed to drop a battery powered trap off in Home Wood on the 14th, unfortunately I picked a less favourable night which is reflected in the list further down the post. Also a list for 16th- the best night of the year so far..........

Oak Beauty

NFY- 6th March, 3 recorded so far

Small Quaker

NFY 6th March

Grey Shoulder-knot

NFY- 3 caught 8th March and another 17th March.

Yellow Horned

NFY- 9th March, 2 caught so far.

Engrailed

NFY- 12th March, not recorded in 2013.

974 Argyrotaenia ljungiana
NFY- 12th March, 2 recorded so far. This is one of the most striking tortrix species and in VC30 at least, one of the commonest.

Home Wood

A little disappointing really. The 14th wasn't great by any means. A strong, cold westerly breeze blowing straight along the woodland rides seemed to have affected the catch.

Shoulder Stripe

Only one caught. Also surprisingly no Dotted Border, a moth that in previous years has been extremely common.

Home Wood- 14-03- Battery powered Actinic/BLB Skinner- 19 of 8 species-

0663  Diurnea fagella  1- NFY
1663  March Moth (Alsophila aescularia)  2
1746  Shoulder Stripe (Anticlea badiata)  1- NFY
1947  Engrailed (Ectropis bistortata)  1
2182  Small Quaker (Orthosia cruda)  6
2188  Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)  2
2190  Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)  2
2258  Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii)  4

Back in the garden

Twin-spotted Quaker
NFY- 15th March, 2 caught so far

 Early Thorn
NFY- 16th March, 2 records so far.

 Oak Nycteolene
NFY- 16th March. An incredible 3 recorded in one night. Only the 5th, 6th and 7th garden records.

 Pine Beauty
 NFY- 16th March, 2 recorded so far.

Upper Caldecote garden- 16-03-2014- 3 traps- 69 of 13 species

0688  Agonopterix heracliana  1
0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  1- NFY
1524  Emmelina monodactyla  3
1663  March Moth (Alsophila aescularia)  3
1862  Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)  1- NFY
1917  Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)  1- NFY
2179  Pine Beauty (Panolis flammea)  1- NFY
2187  Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi)  30
2188  Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)  10
2190  Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)  11
2243  Early Grey (Xylocampa areola)  3
2258  Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii)  1
2423  Oak Nycteoline (Nycteola revayana)  3- NFY