Thank you to everyone who contributed moth records to us in 2025. It was an excellent year. Now is a quieter time for Moth sightings but a handful have occurred (see below). In the mean time, why not plan ahead to come visit us in the summer and see some moths for yourselves? Over 1,300 species have been recorded here, many of which are Nationally Rare. You can book accommodation to stay on site, just click HERE.
Thursday 26th
Still going strong with 84 moths of 15 species amongst three traps. A Red Chestnut was new in the car park while The Elms contributed an early Oak Nycteoline and a scarce record of Shoulder-stripe.
Wednesday 25th
Traps were set by the Ringing Room, Car Park and in The Elms in anticipation of more high numbers, although the clear night and subsequent drop in temperature to 5.9°C did lessen moth numbers. Nevertheless, 91 moths of 13 species were caught amongst the three traps, where our first Early Grey, Common Plume, Diurnea fagella and Mompha epilobiella were in the main trap. Over in the Elms, a Twin-spot Quaker was new for the year.
Tuesday 24th
Overnight temperatures kept above 10°C which seemed to induce a mass emergence. After weeks of no moths to low single figures, there were a staggering 94 moths of 13 species that took advantage of the warm weather. Hebrew Character and Common Quacker formed the bulk of the catch with new moths for the year in Grey Shoulder-knot, Small Quaker, Clouded Drab, and March Moth. A Waved Umber raised some eyebrows being around two months early for us, it'll be interesting to see if this warm snap brings any other early records.
Friday 20th
While a trap behind the Ringing Room failed to attract anything, The Elms faired much better with five moths of four species - two Common Quakers, a Pale Brindled Beauty, a Satellite, and a Dotted Border.
Wednesday 18th
It has been a horrible month for trapping but it looked up today with an Early Moth. While a common species for much of the UK, it is an uncommon moth for the Obs with only one-two generally caught a year.
Monday 9th
The weather has been particular terrible lately so it was nice to be able to do some trapping. The Car Park trap held seven moths of four species where a Hebrew Character was new for the year. A Dark Chestnut and a Pale Brindled Beauty were in the Whitehouse.