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, Oblique-striped and Light Brown Apple Moth.
Tuesday 29th
Another calm, clear, night allowed the temperature down to 4.1°C . To our surprise there were one or two small patches of frost but they did not last as the hot sun burned through taking the temperature, away from the sea breeze, up to the low 20's.
The catch and variety increased to 46 moths of 20 species. Muslin was most numerous with 14. Six species were new for the year- Puss Moth, Pale Prominent, Treble Lines, Common Wainscot, Seraphim and three examples of the locally common Pinion-spotted Pug.
Monday 28th
There was a daytime search with Butterfly Conservation for the larvae of Caryocolum blandulella on Little Mouse-ear, a species that has not been seen in Kent for almost 45 years. Some potential spinnings and larvae were found so finger's crossed that the species is still present. Quite a few Epichnopterix plumella, Thisanotia chrysonuchella, and Oblique-striped were also seen.
The sky was clear overnight and the temperature down to 5.2°C. There were 13 moths of eight species. Poplar Hawk-moth and two Turnips were the best. Interestingly there were no examples of yesterdays most frequent species-Flame Shoulder.
Sunday 27th
Last night started clear before a gentle onshore breeze brought in some cloud and thick fog. The temperature went down to 3°C but there were still 28 moths of eight species. The top three were seven Flame Shoulders, six Muslins and four Angle Shades. It was damp enough for another Dytiscus water beetle to be on the wing.
Saturday 26th
Similar conditions and just 17 moths of 11 species. Swallow Prominent and Nutmeg were new for the year. In the sun and out of the wind there is plenty of micro activity during the day with lots of 'green' longhorns reported lekking.
Friday 25th
The breeze dropped but being clearer the temperature was down to 6.8°C. There were 21 moths of 13 species. Poplar Hawk-moth was new for the year and Cinnabar and Turnip were the second examples.
Thursday 24th
There might be a warm sun during the day but a nagging, cool, onshore breeze limited what moths were moving around. There were only 15 but they were of 13 species, four of which were new for the year. These were Iron Prominent, Red-green Carpet, Least Black Arches and White-spotted Pug. The trickle of Dark Sword-grasses continued with another example.
A female Muslin seen during the day in the Oasis was a very rare event. Though male Muslin moths are in the trap daily at this time of the year the females are not attracted to light.
Wednesday 23rd
By this morning it was wet and breezy- much needed rain in this very dry period. There were 21 moths of the regular 12 species in the trap. The tortrix Cochylis atricapitana was new for the year and one of only a few 'micro' moths caught this month. There was a Streamer on the doorstep along Sandown Road.
Tuesday 22nd
Similar overnight conditions but the temperature went down to 5.6°C. Although there were only 20 moths this was of 15 species. Four were new for the year- Engrailed, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Mullein and Ruby Tiger. There was also the third Dark Sword-grass of the year. Earlier favourites such as Hebrew Character, Common Quaker and Clouded Drab are still hanging on.
Monday 21st
The wind dropped overnight and a bit of cloud gathered keeping the temperature above 9°C. There were 22 moths of 13 species. Cinnabar and Esperia sulphurella were new for the year.
Sunday 20th
Very windy overnight and there were a staggering two moths in the trap. It was so exciting I have forgotten what they were!
Saturday 19th
Some cloud counteracted the increasing breeze and the temperature did not fall below 10.9°C. The breeze did restrict the catch to 22 moths, this time of 13 species. There were four new for the year- Turnip, Flame Shoulder, Brimstone and Oak Tree Pug.
There are an increasing number of Psyche casta cases appearing around the place including in the Moffice and in the toilet. They are almost the equivalent of caddis fly cases in the pond except this time it is the adult female making the case.
Friday 18th
Another cool night with the temperature down to 4.6°C. There was an interesting mix of 23 moths of 11 species. Brindled Pug was new for the year, plus there was another Lead-coloured Drab and three Powdered Quakers.
Thursday 17th
The wind dropped and the temperature went down to 3.8°C. There were 19 moths of eight species. The highlight was a Brindled Beauty.
There was a Scorched Carpet on a fence panel along Sandown Road.
Wednesday 16th
The rain stopped but the strong wind returned. This limited the catch to 15 moths of six species. A Dark Sword-grass and two Powdered Quakers were the most notable.
Tuesday 15th
It finally rained last night after a very dry period. The cloud kept the temperature above 10.3°C. Some moths were out between the heavy showers and 19 of six species were caught.
It was a night with descriptive names including two each of Pebble Prominent and Shuttle-shaped Dart. A Chocolate-tip was the first this year.
Head end of a Chocolate-tip. April 15th 2025
Monday 14th
Fairly calm with some cloud but it was cooler at 6.8°C. There were 26 moths of seven species. This included a Pale Pinion and the first Reed Dagger this year. We do not get many examples of the first generation.
Sunday 13th
The wind dropped overnight but this time cloud gathered masking out the moon and keeping the temperature above 10.6°C. Judging by a few damp patches on the ground there must have been some very light rain as well.
The catch went up to 23 moths of 12 species. Knot-grass, Chinese Character and Shuttle-shaped Dart were all first for the year. There was a Lead-coloured Drab and another Blossom Underwing taking their total up to the best ever in a year.
Saturday 12th
Much the same as last night-clear, calm and bright moon with a minimum of 1.9°C. It is several weeks since there has been rain. Friday was very warm and this nudged a few more moths out. It shot up to seven moths of four species. Pebble Prominent was new for the year.
Friday 11th
The wind dropped again but this allowed the temperature to drop to 1.1°C and a heavy frost formed briefly before the sun burned it off. There were two moths again, this time two Hebrew Characters.
An indication of how warm the daytime sun is was an emergence of Mompha epilobiellas in the Moffice, with at least 14 on the windows.
Thursday 10th
The sky was clear and a full moon was bright. Although the stiff easterly actually kept the temperature above 7.0°C the other conditions meant there were only two moths in the trap - a Common Quaker and a Hebrew Character.
Wednesday 9th
The east wind returned and suppressed the catch to 12 moths of three species - 10 Hebrew Characters, a Powdered Quaker and a Muslin.
Tuesday 8th
The trap had a night off the previous night and last night with clear, calm conditions the temperature went down to 0.2°C. The catch was 23 moths of six species, thirteen were Hebrew Characters. There was a good number of Oblique-striped reported enjoying the daytime warm sun in the dunes towards the Point.
Sunday 6th
The wind freshened and moved into the east. Although the minimum was 7.4°C there were only 14 moths of four species, all the usual suspects.
Saturday 5th
The northerly returned but out of the wind the minimum was 7.7°C. There were 34 moths of eight species. The highlights were the year's first Oblique-striped and another Blossom Underwing.
Friday 4th
The wind relented and nudged S/SE. Although the minimum was 7.2°C there was an increase to 56 moths of 11 species.
There were three highlights - two Blossom Underwings and our second ever record of Early Tooth-striped (following on from the second ever Barred Tooth-striped the other week). Two Muslin Moths were the first this year.
There was not a lot of it left but here it is;
Thursday 3rd
A slight drop in the breeze but no change in direction (east) allowed the temperature up to 8.2°C. The number of moths went up to 27 of eight species. A Bright-line Brown-eye was new for the year. A Caloptilia stigmatella was the first 'micro' for several days.
Wednesday 2nd
No change in the conditions apart from an increase in breeze. There were 15 moths of five species, Hebrew Character led the way with eight.
Tuesday April 1st
The breezy nights continue to deter moths. Although the minimum, out of direct wind, was 6.1°C it felt cooler and there were 13 moths of five species. A Herald added a flash of colour.