Wednesday 22nd
Interestingly, numbers bumped up to 74 of 23 species despite the overnight temperatures dropping to 6.4°C. The main moth of note was our first Chestnut since the Spring and in terms of migrants, four Rusty Dot Pearls and five Turnips suggests things are still moving.
Tuesday 21st
Another quiet night with 34 moths of 14 species in the trap, brightened by a Radford's Flame Shoulder.
Monday 20th
Given the wet and windy conditions, it wasn't a surprise to see numbers fall off to 43 of 13 species. Migrants saw a slight increase to four Turnips and three Rusty Dot Pearls.
Sunday 19th
The wind has picked up now but there were still good numbers of moths around with 71 of 24 species in the trap. Following yesterdays Blair's, there was a Grey Shoulder-knot which is just about recorded annually at the Obs. With the wind swinging around to the South, there was a good showing of migrants with three Turnips, two Rusty Dot Pearls and a Pearly Underwing.
Saturday 18th
Very slightly cooler at 11.3°C but no wind and the trap was running from dusk giving 116 moths of 29 species. Blair's Shoulder-knot (2) was new for the year. There was an Oak Rustic this time of the orange marked type plus three Rusty-dot Pearls, two Clancy's Rustics, a Delicate and a Beet Moth.
Friday 17th
A late start to the trapping due to the car park being busy might be linked to the smaller catch. There were 38 moths of 14 species. Oak Rustic was new for the year and there was another Palpita vitrealis plus three Rusty-dot Pearls.
The trap at the back of the ringing room was even quieter with 22 moths of 14 species.
With the temperature still just in double figures - 11.6°C - wasps are still showing up in the trap.
Thursday 16th
Some clear patches before some heavy showers allowed the temperature down to 10.1°C. There were 97 moths of 25 species. There was one Rush Veneer, one Palpita vitrealis and three Rusty-dot Pearls. More White-points are emerging giving a total of ten. I commented on a late Kent Black Arches previously but that was beaten by another last night. An early November Moth agg, called for closer examination and it turned out to be a November Moth, one day we will identify a Pale November Moth...
Wednesday 15th
More damp and drizzle but despite the minimum being a bit lower at 11.4°C the catch improved to 96 moths of 26 species. Merveille du Jour was new for the year as it made its annual appearance away from its typical woodland habitat. Brick and Pine Carpet were at least new for the autumn. There were even one or two migrants - a Pearly Underwing and three Rusty-dot Pearls.
Not a lichen but a moth wing.
Tuesday 14th
A second damp, drizzly night saw the temperature not fall below 12.8°C but the catch reduced to 50 moths of 16 species. A tiny Cosmopterix pulchrimella added a bit of silver bling to the proceedings but there were no migrants.
Monday 13th
Almost unheard of but there was rain overnight. The cloud kept the minimum at 13.5°C but the rain reduced the catch to 89 of 23 species. There was another Barred Sallow and two Dusky-lemon Sallows. Migrants included a Scarce Bordered Straw and a Rusty-dot Pearl
Saturday 11th
A complete covering of cloud meant the moon had little effect and the temperature was warmer at 12.5°C. The catch rose to 145 moths of 34 species. Yellow-line Quaker, Green-brindled Crescent and Barred Sallow were new for the year. There were also some migrants, namely, Four-spotted Footman, Scarce Bordered Straw, and three Rusty-dot Pearls.
Thursday 9th
Although there was no cloud the influence of the moon is very slowly declining. There were 27 moths of 15 species. A Palpita vitrealis and two Rusty-dot Pearls were of note and a Feathered Thorn was the first this autumn.
Wednesday 8th
The moon continues to shine but there was a very slight increase to 16 moths. Three Rusty-dot Pearls hinted at what might be if the moon was in another phase.
Tuesday 7th
Although it was slightly warmer at 9.4°C the moon dominated proceedings and there were just 11 moths of ten species. September Thorn continued their good run with another example and there were even two 'micros' - Blastobasis lacticolella and Eudonia angustea.
Monday 6th
The combined effects of two windy days followed by a very bright moon resulted in just 15 moths of eight species in the trap. These were seven Lunar Underwings, two Large Yellow Underwings and singles of Beaded Chestnut, Shaded Broad-bar, Feathered Ranunculus, Feathered Brindle and Clancy's Rustic. There were no migrants nor micros.
Friday 3rd
Much warmer tonight hitting 13°C, however the heavy winds have hit us and the catch was reduced from yesterday with 115 moths of 20 species. A very autumnal trap with six Feathered Brindle, six Beaded Chestnut, a Black Rustic and the first three Feathered Ranunculus of the season. Migrants consisted of just singles each of Rusty Dot Pearl, Turnip and Rush Veneer.
Thursday 2nd
Similar conditions apart from it being slightly warmer at 7.1°C. There were 146 moths of 23 species. There were six Clancy's Rustics, two Silver Ys, two Rush Veneers and a Pearly Underwing
Wednesday 1st
Calm and cool again last night. A minimum of 4.9°C reduced the catch to 125 moths of 20 species. Despite this there was a Scarce Bordered Straw, a Turnip and a Dark Sword-grass.
