Saturday 22nd
A layer of cloud with occassional light rain kept the temperature above 9.7°C. This resulted in an even better catch of 139 moths of 14 species. This included the first migrant- a Dark Swordgrass. Twin-spot Quaker, Herald and Agonopterix arenella were new for the year. A large Dytiscus fortunately did not cause any damage in the trap.
Friday 21st
Although the minimum was higher at 7.3°C there were less moths- 48 of eight species.
Two Small Quakers and an Angle Shades were new for the year as was a Great Silver Diving Beetle.
Thursday 20th
The warm daytime conditions build up but it still dropped to 2.5°C overnight with a clear sky. The warmth one out though and there were 106 moths of seven species in the car park. I do not remember a three-figure March count before. There were 52 Hebrew Characters, 23 Common Quakers, 22 March Moths, five Clouded Drabs, two Dotted Borders, an Acleris hastiana and, new for the year, a Red Chestnut.
Wednesday 19th
What a difference a day makes. The same two traps were put out last night in the same places but saw much higher numbers. The carpark trap held 40 moths including 26 Hebrew Characters and Early Grey and Pine Beauty new for the year. The Elms trap had 15 moths of five species including a Diurnea fagella.
Tuesday 18th
Still freezing conditions but two traps were put out to show University of Kent students the methodology. The mv trap in the carpark managed a mighty eight moths of four species and an actinic in The Elms scored nine, including our first Chestnut.
Tuesday 11th
It remained mild with a minimum of 7.8°C. There were 23 moths of seven species. Dotted Border and Oak Beauty were new for the year. The others were 14 Hebrew Characters, two each of March Moth, Common Quaker, and Clouded Drab plus a Common Plume.
Monday 10th
Although it was warm during the day the night time temperature dropped to 3.6°C. There were still 24 moths. Hebrew Character was the first to reach double figures with 16. There were also three Common Quakers, two Clouded Drabs, two March Moths and an Acleris hastiana.
It looks as if we will squeeze one more night in before the cold returns.
Friday 7th
The mild spell continues and the trap along Sandown Road was operated. There were 13 moths- ten Hebrew Characters, two Common Quakers and new for the year Diurnea fagella
Thursday 6th
The lure of a mild night meant the trap was out in the car park for the first time this year The clear sky did allow the temperature to reduce to 5.3°C but there were still 17 moths.
These were eight Hebrew Characters, three March Moths, two Common Quakers plus singles of Dotted Chestnut, Clouded Drab, Common Plume and Agonopterix alstroemeriana. There was a similar range to Actinic traps in the Elms.
