Monday 31st
More of the same but the wind dropped reducing the risk from the flood alert. The temperature was down to 3.3°C and there was an early frost. An increase of Hebrew Characters to 17 helped the total go up to 46 moths of 11 species. The highlight was a pristine female Emperor Moth. As these use pheromones to great affect it was a surprise there were no males in attendance.
Sunday 30th
The weather continues the same and although the thermometer said it was warmer at 8.3°C it did not feel like this in the northerly. There were 30 moths of six species with Powdered Quaker being the most interesting.
Saturday 29th
The nights are cool and clear and the days warm and sunny. The cool restricts moth activity but not as much as last year when the wind was stronger. Last night the temperature dropped to 2.9°C. There were 39 moths of eight species. Three Early Thorns and a Twin-spot Quaker were the most interesting.
Friday 28th
The night started clear but enough cloud gathered to keep it 5°C warmer. This did not help the catch which went down to 20 moths of six species. A Powdered Quaker was the first of its type this year.
There was more luck in the shelter of the Elms where Engrailed, Dark Chestnut and Shoulder-stripe were all first for the year.
Thursday 27th
A clear sky allowed the temperature down to 0.7°C and a frost to develop by first light.
There were 29 moths of seven species. A Lead-coloured Drab was the most notable as it is not quite annual here.
Wednesday 26th
A little bit warmer last night at 3.4°C gave a slight increase to 50 moths of 14 species.
Pine Beauties are always nice to see and a Waved Umber was new for the year. A Depressaria daucella was the first since 2019. It was warm enough for a Great Silver Diving Beetle to reappear.
Tuesday 25th
With the minimum down to 0.2°C it was not a surprise that the catch was down to 29 moths of eight species. There was 11 each of Hebrew Character and Common Quaker and no large water beetles of any type.
Monday 24th
Although damp grey conditions were well established by first light there were still 90 moths of 11 species. Two Early Thorns and an Agonopterix ocellana were firsts for the year. Two Oak Beauties were the visual highlight.
Sunday 23rd
Another overcast night with occasional light rain. It was a bit cooler down to 7.7°C and the catch dropped slightly to 126 moths but the number of species increased to 17. The highlights were our second ever record of Barred Tooth-striped and our second migrant of the year - a Pearly Underwing. Also of note was a Dotted Chestnut and one each of Pale and Tawny Pinion.
Saturday 22nd
A layer of cloud with occasional 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.
