Thursday 29th
Clear and calm again but this time the temperature stayed above 15°C. This brought about an increase to 408 moths of 71 species.
The highlight was another Porter's Rustic. Other migrants included 11 Silver Ys, two Palpits vitrealis and singles of Dark Sword-grass, Diamondback and Rush Veneer. Twenty-two Delicates may well have been all locals and 102 Setaceous Hebrew Characters will have been local.
Wednesday 28th
Clear and calm again with a minimum of 11°C. The autumn lull continued with 195 moths of 43 species. The only migrant related moth was one Dark Sword-grass. Five Hedge Rustics were of note. Although not venturing into the trap occasional Jersey Tigers can still be seen nectaring in the Observatory garden.
Tuesday 27th
The trap was connected correctly this time and worked fine. The sky cleared and the temperature went down to 12.7°C. This resulted in a typical early autumn catch of 193 moths of 43 species. With the moon and temperature micros are noticeable by their low numbers. Two Rush Veneers were notable in a year when they have been scarce. There were also eight Silver Ys, two Diamondbacks and a Rusty-dot Pearl.
Moth of the day was a Convolvulus Hawkmoth resting on a fence post during the day.
Monday 26th
Due to operator error the trap did not run last night - oops. However a check of the Observatory walls revealed six Red Underwings resting during the day.
Sunday 25th
The sky was clear and the temperature went down to 10.5°C. The catch dropped likewise and there were just 64 moths of 20 species. There was one Silver Y and a Bordered Sallow.
Saturday 24th
After a windy night off the wind persisted most of the day but it dropped overnight and the heavy rain, which had been forecast, did not arrive until the day. This left a cloudy night which kept the temperature above 14.7°C. There was a decent catch of 295 moths of 65 species. There were seven Silver Ys and singles of Dark Sword-grass and Scarce Bordered Straw. The next generation of Beautiful Hook-tip and Evergestis limbata emerged and a Scorched Carpet was of note.
Thursday 22nd
The wind continued to increase ahead of the approaching storm. It did bring cloud with it and this kept the temperature above 15.2°C. There were a few more moths brave enough to venture out and 67 individuals of 29 species were caught. This did include Scarce Bordered Straw, Silver Y, Dark Sword-grass and, most surprisingly considering the wind, a Diamondback.
The trap will be given a rest tonight due to the strength of the gusts.
Wednesday 21st
Last night broke records for the wrong sort of reason. Apart from August nights when it was not suitable to put the trap out I cannot remember such a poor catch. The sky cleared allowing the moon to broadcast its light and outcompete the moth trap. There were just 42 moths of 18 species. No species made it to double figures and Setaceous Hebrew Character was most numerous with nine specimens.
Tuesday 20th
The roller coaster of weather continues. Last night was windy but a layer of cloud kept the temperature above 16°C.
There were 145 moths of 47 species. This included the tortrix Ancylis dimutana which was our first ever record. Also notable was a nice and fresh Bloxworth Snout which we have less than ten records. Silver Y was the most numerous with 35. There were also two Diamondbacks and run of male Gypsy Moths continued.
Monday 19th
A clear sky and a bright moon with the temperature down to 11.2°C ensured that the trap was quiet with just 93 moths. I cannot remember if we had a couple earlier in the year but two Rush Veneers were notable. A Copper Underwing was new for the year.
Sunday 18th
13.2°C was the minimum this time with just a bit of a breeze. I obviously have not been looking close enough as I have not noted any dramatic coloured risings or settings of the sun. There were 161 moths of 51 species. There was nothing new for the year but there were eight Silver Ys, four Dark Sword-grasses and the run of male Gypsy Moths continued with another example. The next generation of Delicate and Oblique-striped put in their first appearances.
Saturday 17th
The sky cleared and the temperature went down to13.1°C. This brought a corresponding drop in the catch to 170 moths of 59 species. Golden Twin-spot was new for the year. Other wanderers included three Dark Sword-grasses, two male Gypsy Moths, three Silver Ys and a Diamondback. Amongst the locals the next generation of Figure of Eighty emerged.
Friday 16th
An overcast start followed by, much needed, heavy rain showers kept the temperature at a balmy (barmy?) 19.3°C. The humid warmth brought about a big increase in numbers of individuals to 404. The rain brought about a fall in species variety to 69 with only seven species of micro.
The highlight was the first Convolvulus Hawk-moth of the year. There were also seven Silver Ys and seven Dark Sword-grasses plus a Scarce Bordered Straw. Setaceous Hebrew Character resumed its customary late summer position as most numerous species with 78. Garden Tigers continued their good run with five more.
Thursday 15th
The wind picked up overnight but there was some cloud and the temperature was a bit cooler at 16.1°C. The catch reduced to 275 moths of 87 species. This included the first Vestal of the year, so some migration was continuing. There were also two Scarce Bordered Straws, three Silver Ys and a Dark Sword-grass. Ethmia quadrilella is a distinctive moth and there was one in the trap, the other new species for the year was Six-striped Rustic.
One of the unidentified moths from the previous night was our second record of Sciotia hostilis.
Wednesday 14th
The same minimum temperature but more cloud saw the catch increase to 352 moths of 93 species. The highlight was our second ever record of THREE-HUMPED PROMINENT. Sadly it seemed to have spent some of the night flying around in the trap and was very worn.
Other migrants included 18 Silver Ys, three Dark Sword-grasses and two Scarce Bordered Straws (+ three in a visitors trap, which also had the first Cydia amplana of the year).
In resident species there were 44 Common Wainscots plus the first Pinion-streaked Snout for the year and an Agonopterix arenella which is scarce here.
There are still a couple of mystery specimens to work through as well.
Tuesday 13th
The temperature plummeted overnight to 17.4°C. The moths increased to 287 of 79 species but there was another trap running in close proximity. Common Wainscot was most numerous with 28 plus one of the Matthews forms. The next generation of Hoary Footman emerged. Migrants remain thin on the ground with 11 Silver Ys and two Dark Sword-grasses. The origins of a Dewick's Plusia could be near or far these days.
Those of you who know the species (above) may see nothing different with this individual until you see the next photo.
It is only about half the size given for typical specimens.
Monday 12th
It was much warmer at 18.2°C but a bit more breezy. I was surprised the catch was less and with only a couple of Silver Ys. There were 196 moths of 79 species. The next generation of Rest Harrow is emerging and Dark Spinach was new.
Sunday 11th
There are some warm nights heading this way, last night was 14.8°C. The moths responded and there were 377 of 96 species.
Migrants have not arrived yet, there were three Silver Ys, three Dark Sword-grasses and a Diamondback. Dusky Hook-tips are becoming a feature and there was another last night. There were eight more Garden Tigers and two Jersey Tigers.
An Ant-lion was seen yesterday, this is the third year in a row.
Saturday 10th
Although it was cooler (12.7°C) the wind dropped and there was plenty of moth activity.
In the car park trap there were 203 moths of 72 species and at the feeders there were 221 moths of 100 species. The species total for the two was 116 and so there will be plenty to see this evening. Migrants were thin on the ground with just a Sitochroa palealis in the main trap and the only Silver Y plus a Diamondback in the feeders trap.
In the car park Black Arches and Dusky Thorn were new for the year. The next generation of Vine's Rustic appeared and there was another Bulrush Wainscot.
At the feeders Miller and Orange Swift were new for this year. There was a Pine Hawk-moth and another Dusky Thorn.
Friday 9th
The thermometer was out of the wind and at ground level registered an amazing minimum of 18.2°C. This was presumably aided by the warmth coming from the ground after a sunny afternoon. The wind was strong and this greatly reduced the catch to 115 moths of 46 species. Thankfully tonight's forecast is less windy. There was a second Scarce Bordered Straw plus seven Silver Ys and six Garden Tiger Moths.
Jersey Tigers continue to appear during the day.
Thursday 8th
The one that got away - our first record of the distinctive tortrix Acleris literana briefly graced a trap in The Elms.
Elsewhere there was a slightly increased catch of 267 moths (of 75 species) in the car park despite a lower minimum of 12.8°C. Silver Ys increased to 18 and there was the first Scarce Bordered Straw for the year. Of residents nine Garden Tigers continued their excellent run and there was the first Hedge Rustic for the year.
Wednesday 7th
Some cloud and the wind dropping kept the temperature above 15.1°C. This gave a catch of 238 moths of a good variety of 87 species.
The best was the sixth record of an adult Yponomeuta plumbella. Migrants were thin on the ground with just six Silver Ys and two Dark Sword-grasses. Also of note were two Jersey Tigers, male Gypsy Moth, and Ethmia bipunctella.
Tuesday 6th
Cloud gathered keeping the temperature above 14.1°C. There was a corresponding increase in the catch to 249 moths of 72 species. Most numerous was Silver Y with 31. Scarce Footman belied its name by being third with 27. There were two Dark Sword-grasses and a Diamondback. Jersey Tigers are being recorded regularly during the day and one decided to stay in the trap last night.
Monday 5th
Clear and cooler last night at 11.4°C. The catch dropped to less than half the previous night with 20 less species. 11 Silver Ys kept up their strong showing.
Sunday 4th
Last night was cooler at 13.2°C but the wind was calm and there were 300 moths of 83 species. The highlight was a female Bedstraw Hawk-moth. Archer's Dart and Bulrush Wainscot were new for the year and there was another Small Mottled Willow.
Saturday 3rd
Warm overnight with a minimum of 15.9°C but it was clearer. Two traps were run as we had the moth morning education group event. The car park held 295 moths of 84 species. The feeders trap held 157 of 69. Twenty-eight of the latter were not in the car park trap giving a total of 112 species.
Nut-tree Tussock was new for the year. Garden Tigers continued their good run with six plus 3. There were 12 Silver Ys and a Diamondback.
Friday 2nd
Last night did not feel cooler but the thermometer said 14.3°C plus it was overcast. The moths increased back up to 409 of 101 species. Sussex Emerald and Acrobasis tumidana were the most notable new for the years. The others were Rosy Rustic, Dingy Shell, Small Rufous, Tawny-barred Angle, Brown China-mark and Phycita roborella. Twelve Gold-spots added a bit of bling to the catch but an interesting pale tortrix stole the show. Two years ago we recorded the joint-first English record of the tortrix Eana argentana (with one at Dungeness the same night). The only known UK site was previously Glen Tilt in the Scottish highlands! Well now we have had a second!.
Two Jersey Tigers were prowling around the Estate.
Thursday 1st
It was the warmest night of the year so far at 18.8°C, plus it was humid, the thunderstorms did not arrive but there was rain and drizzle. In such warm conditions the catch was very disappointing - half the number of moths recorded the previous night. There were 233 moths of 82 species. Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing was the only new species for the year. There were 13 Silver Ys plus another Pigmy Footman.