Moths: January
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 they will start to appear soon. 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…
Moths: December
Thank you to everyone who contributed moth records to us in 2025. It’s been an excellent year. Now is a quieter time for Moth sightings but they will start to appear soon in the New Year. 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…
Moths: November
Friday 28th While extremely windy, the forecast predicted overnight temperatures to be as high as 12°C so traps were placed in the shelter of the Ringing Room and The Elms. Amazingly, there were moths! The Elm’s trap had our first Winter Moth of the year, a November Moth, a Mottled Umber and a Rusty Dot Pearl. Another Rusty Dot Pearl,…
Moths: October
Friday 31st There were six moths of six species including an unseasonal Caloptilla stigmatella, likely disturbed while trying to overwinter nearby. The weekend is a mix of wet and wind and unsuitable for trapping. Thursday 30th Another cold night at 4.1°C and there were accordingly 20 moths of 14 species. Another Merveille du Jour was the highlight and there was…
Moths: September
Tuesday 30th I do not think there was any cloud overnight and the temperature reduced to 5.6°C. The catch went down to 166 moths of 24 species. Two Red-line Quakers were new for the year. The only migrant related species was a single Rusty-dot Pearl. Monday 29th There must have been some cloud last night as the temperature did not…
Moths: August
Thursday 28th The best overnight conditions for a while now with light rain, complete cloud cover and a slightly breezy South-westerly pushed numbers to 463 moths of 72 species. A Shining Marbled was the clear highlight, the 3rd record for the Obs. A good showing all-around by migrants with two Pearly Underwings, three Scarce Bordered Straws and a Dark Sword-grass, plus…
Moths: July
Wednesday 30th There were 229 moths of 74 species in the trap. An Oak Processionary was the best of the bunch and the only addition for the year. Two Small Wainscots, one of each colour form, added some variety and a Maple Prominent was a good find for the main trap being scarcely seen away from the Jubilee Field. Tuesday…
Moths: June
Monday 30th The warm nights continue with a minimum of 16°C resulting in another busy trap. Four hundred and ninety four moths included the following firsts for the year; Dunbar, Scalloped Oak, Orange Footman, three Dusky Sallows, Lunar-spotted Pinion, Maple Prominent plus the very local Gymnancycla cannella (2). Chrysoteucha culmella was down to 13. The only migrants were a Rush Veneer,…
Moths: May
Saturday 31st A nice, warm, day welcomed people to the first moth evening and they were treated to an excellent variety of moths. The two traps at the Observatory caught 302 moths between them of 66 species. Highlights included ten Small Elephant Hawk-moths, a Cream-spot Tiger and four Diamond-Backs. Clouded Bordered Brindle was new for the year as was Pinion-streaked Snout and…
Moths: April
Wednesday 30th Similar conditions again and the catch dropped slightly to 39 moths of 16 species. A male Gem was our earliest record by a week of this migrant species. This added weight to my suspicion that the Turnips we are getting might also be migrants- there were five last night. Also new for the year were Large Yellow Underwing, Dark Spectacle,…