Thursday 31st
I am guessing the cloud cleared during the night and the big moon then affected the catch. The temperature fell below 10 to 9.3°C as well. There were only 70 moths of 26 species, none of which were migrants. Clay Triple-lines was new for the year.
The night was saved by a visitors trap which caught our second ever record of Shining Marbled.
Wednesday 30th
It rained last night and, judging by the number of moths the cloud must have masked the super moon. There were 307 moths of 58 species. There was evidence of migration with three Convolvulus Hawk-moths and singles of Scarce Bordered Straw, Pearly Underwing, Diamondback and Palpita vitrealis. Whether our first ever record of the very local tortrix Celypha rufana was a true migrant or just a wanderer is up for debate.
Cypress Pug was new for the year and the Box-tree Moth expansion continues with another four.
Tuesday 29th
Last night was just 0.4°C warmer but the catch increased to 260 moths of 54 species. White-point increased to 25 and there were 14 Six-striped Rustics.
The visitors trap added a Pine Hawk-moth to the tally.
Monday 28th
The run of cooler nights continues but the minimum temperature hovers just above 10°C. The catch was 126 moths of 50 species. There was one Dark Sword-grass and two Silver Ys. White-point continues its healthy showing with another 14.
The highlight was a Convolvulus Hawk-moth in a visitors trap.
Sunday 27th
It was feeling a bit more autumnal and the temperature went down to 10.5°C. The moths were not very numerous but there was a good variety to show visitors to our Open Day.
The car park trap held 168 moths of 43 species. Feathered Gothic and Bulrush Wainscot were new for the year and there was an example of the migrant tortrix Cydia amplana.
The Feeders trap had 129 moths of 41 species. This included a Rush Veneer, a Silky Wainscot and yet another Gypsy Moth.
Saturday 26th
There must have been some heavy showers overnight judging by the puddles and the forecast cooler weather came in giving a minimum of 11.6°C. There were more moths but less species than the previous night - 293 of 42 species. Silver Ys increased to eight but top spot was taken by Setaceous Hebrew Character with 63. The odd Rest Harrow continues to show.
Friday 25th
Yesterdays rain did arrive eventually and cooled the temperature a bit but it still felt muggy. The main trap held 249 moths which was less than half of yesterdays catch There were 61 species. There was a hint of migrants with a Convolvulus Hawk-moth, a Dark Sword-grass and a Rush Veneer.
A trap by the feeders added a Gypsy Moth, Pearly Underwing and a Dark Sword-grass.
Hopefully this variety will still be going for Sunday when we have our Open Day.
Thursday 24th
Warm and muggy conditions with a low of 17.2°C brought about a big increase in the catch to 598 moths of 98 species.
There was bad news for local Box bushes as there were eight Box Tree Moths in our isolated trap including the first melanistic example this year. Common Wainscot remained most numerous with 94 and White-point was second with 67. Four Rest Harrows suggest they are having a successful second generation and Jersey Tigers continue their increase with another three.
A Fern and a Svensson's Copper Underwing were new for the year.
Wednesday 23rd
Similar to the previous night but a fraction cooler at 13.8°C. The catch increased to 444 moths of 90 species. Common Wainscot was most numerous with 68 followed by Setaceous Hebrew Character with 65. The latter is usually one of the most numerous by September. Again it was mostly resident species and next generations, including a Peach Blossom. Having recorded the second record of Monopis monachella just the other day there was our third ever last night. The most interesting moth we will have to wait to get confirmed, if correct it will be our first record of Porters Rustic.
Tuesday 22nd
Last night was calm and started cloudy but cleared. The minimum was 14.1°C but without the wind it felt muggy. There were 309 moths of 71 species made up mostly of the regulars such as Large Yellow Underwing, White-point and Vine's Rustic. Copper Underwing and Orange Swift were new for the year. The only migrants were a Scarce Bordered Straw and a Rush Veneer. The best moth was in the Feeders trap - an Ethmia quadrilella.
Sunday 20th
A cooler night with the temperature down to 12.3°C. The catch reduced accordingly to 283 moths of 82 species. Large Yellow Underwing was most numerous with 34. There were two Vestals plus another two in a visitors trap. Species of interest included Lesser-spotted Pinion, Lesser Treble-bar and the first Orange Swift for the year.
Saturday 19th
The previous night was humid with some thunderstorms. The temperature did not fall below 18.8°C and helped provide an excellent selection of moths for the moth night, which was well attended. The car park trap held 499 moths of 93 species and the Feeders trap had 418 moths of 102 species. In all there were 915 moths of 132 species. There were also at least two new micros both of which need further determination to be confirmed.
Migrants included Small Mottled Willow, Scarce Bordered Straw, Vestal, 15 Silver Ys, a Dark Sword-grass and a Diamondback. Local species included Oblique-striped, Rosy Wave, Plumed Fan-foot and Leopard Moth. Jersey Tiger had a good night (for us) with five and their were seven male Gypsy Moths. Both species seem to be increasing rapidly.
Friday 18th
After the drop of the previous night the minimum remained the same but it was much more humid. The catch increased to 266 moths of 70 species - quite a change! Vine's Rustic was most numerous with 48 closely followed by White-point with 40. Moths of note included Clouded Buff, Scarce Bordered Straw, Hedge Rustic and two Mullein Waves. Things look good for Saturdays moth night.
Thursday 17th
Although the temperature did not drop below 17.3°C it was windy and clear. There were just 92 moths of 39 species. There was yet another Gypsy Moth and Common Wainscot was most numerous with 13.
Wednesday 16th
Calm and clear last night allowing the temperature down to 11.5°C. There were 255 moths of 68 species. There were singles of Silver Y, Dark Sword-grass and Rush Veneer. Common Wainscot was the most numerous with 40 followed by 17 White-points. The next generation of Reed Daggers are appearing.
Tuesday 15th
Warmer with a minimum of 16.6°C and fairly calm. The catch shot up to 388 moths of 94 species. It was mostly a good mix of resident species. Six Garden Tigers were of note considering their apparent plight these days. There was also another Jersey Tiger and Gypsy Moth. There was a new micro Mompha lacteella.
Monday 14th
A bit cooler at 13.3°C but there was a slight increase to 184 moths of 66 species. Dusky Thorn and Hedge Rustic were new for the year and there were two Rush Veneers and another Plumed Fan-foot.
Sunday 13th
Although the temperature only went down to 15.1°C it was a much reduced catch of 164 moths of 58 species. There were two highlights from a visitors trap though. The first was the distinctive 'micro' Monopis monachella. The only previous record was in 1995 by three recorders moth'ers will have heard of - messrs M.Parsons, D. Agassiz and the late B.Skinner. The other moth was a Four-spotted Footman.
During the day a Red-tipped Clearwing was found in the Gullies.
Saturday 12th
It was a humid night with a minimum of 16.8°C. This resulted in a busy moth trap with 472 moths of 124 species identified so far. Lesser-spotted Pinion was new for the year. The most notable moth was in the ringing room though - a Toadflax Brocade. Although we have had the larvae of this around the two previous years, but not this year, this is only the second ever record of an adult.
Two Jersey Tigers were also seen in Little Gully during the day.
Friday 11th
The wind dropped and the night was milder at 15.3°C. The catch increased accordingly to 262 of 74 species.
Highlights included three more male Gypsy Moths, two Rest Harrows and our third adult record of Swammerdamia pyrella (there have been a few larval sign records). Wainscots put in another good show with two each of Silky, Small, Twin-spot and Webb's, plus a Southern and 11 Commons. The smart micro Apodia bifractella was seen in the Haven during the day.
Thursday 10th
The main event was the luring of a new species for the Bay, namely Raspberry Clearwing.
Quite what was expected to be lured by the pair of underpants by the moth trap is another question.
The sky cleared last night and the temperature went down to 11.8°C. There were 159 moths of 55 species. Pinion-streaked Snout was new for the year. Small Wainscot, Brown-veined Wainscot and Pigmy Footman also added to the variety.
Wednesday 9th
A bit warmer last night at 12.2°C and the catch increased a bit to 131 moths of 55 species. Of note were two male Gypsy Moths. We have not seen a female here ever and these are probably wanderers, the males tend to do the moving around. There was also a Clancy's Rustic but no Silver Y.
Tuesday 8th
It was cooler at 10.3°C and the catch reduced to 98 moths of 42 species. Common Rustic agg. reduced to 12. A further sign of the approach of the end of summer was the first Straw Underwing of the year. Single Small Elephant Hawk-moths continue to appear but this was outweighed by another Convolvulus Hawk-moth. There was also the first Rush Veneer for a while and another Plumed Fan-foot.
Monday 7th
after stormy conditions prevented another night of trapping last night calmed enough but was a bit cooler at 11.1°C. There were 196 moths of 70 species. Plumed Fan-foot was new for the year. There were 43 Common Rustic agg's, four Silver Ys and a Dark Swordgrass.
Saturday 5th
It was a bit warmer (min. 13.8°C) with cloud blotting out the moon at times. The catch increased to 226 moths of 71 species. The Mouse, Ear agg. and second generation Oak Hook-tip were all new for the year. There were 11 Silver Y's and a Dark Sword-grass.
Friday 4th
Last night was better than forecast but the moths were possibly distracted by the increasing bright moon. There were 127 moths of 54 species. All were local species. of note was an Ethmia bipunctella, a regular but attractive micro, a Rest Harrow and a fresh White-point.
Wednesday 2nd
A bit more humid last night and the catch increased to 190 moths of 51 species. A Peacock moth was a notable catch, most of ours are Sharp-angled Peacocks. Small Elephant Hawk-moths continue to trickle on with another two last night.
A stormy night is forecast and so the trap will be kept inside.
Tuesday 1st
A Convolvulus Hawk-moth was found on a fence post between Restharrow Scrape and the Little Elms.
The unsettled, breezy spell continues. The minimum temperature was not too bad at14.1°C but the catch was just 74 moths of 37 species. Dark Spinach was new for the year and a single Langmaid's Yellow Underwing appeared after a ten day gap.