Monday 9th
The heavy rain caught up with us yesterday but fortunately dropped off after dark. The clearing sky allowing the temperature down to 12.1°C and apparently temperatures are going to drop both day and night. There were 243 moths of 36 species. Setaceous Hebrew Character dropped below three figures to 92. There were two Diamondbacks, one Pearly Underwing, one Golden Twin-spot but no SilverYs.
A Large Wainscot was the first one for the main trap this year.
Sunday 8th
Once last nights well attended moth night waqs over the trap was back out even though thundery showers were forecast. They never arrived but the cloud kept the temperature above 15.8°C. This did not improve the catch in terms of numbers and there were 320 moths of 40 species. Two Four-spotted Footmen were the highlight along with a Large Thorn. Visitors traps added another Four-spotted Footman plus a Portland Riband Wave and the first Large Wainscot of the year.
Saturday 7th
More cloud last night but the rain still kept away and the minimum was 12°C. In preparation for the moth evening two traps were set plus visitors had traps out.
The car park trap had 314 moths of 48 species. This included 104 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, 11 Silver ys five Rusty-dot Pearls, four Diamondbacks and singles of GoldenTwin-spot and Pearly Underwing.
The Feeders trap 200 moths of 44 species. This included six Diamondbacks, three Rush Veneers and just one Silver Y. A Vapourer was the first to make it into the trap this year.
Of particular note the visitors added Old Lady to the year list plus another Golden Twin-spot
This all made for a successful moth evening.
Friday 6th
Overcast conditions gave a mild night with a minimum of 11.6°C. This led to another very good moth catch. There were 533 moths of 68 species.
The highlight was a Clifden Nonpareil. Other migrants included 13 Silver Ys, seven Diamondbacks, three Dark Swordgrasses, a Rush Veneer and a Scarce Bordered Straw. There has been a steady flow of Red Admirals flying inland all today and there was one in the moth trap last night.
Resident moths of note were a Large Thorn, 17 Delicates ( probably a mixture of migrants and locals) and another Agriphila latistria.
Kent Black Arches are resident here but were over by early August and so one last night may well have been a migrant.
I Hunter
Thursday 5th
As the wind picked up and showers set in the temperature stayed above 15.4°C. A catch of 359 moths of 40 species was very respectable. Migrants included four Diamondbacks, two Silver Ys, Convolvulus Hawkmoth and Scarce-bordered Straw. Notable locals included another Bloxworth Snout and a Bulrush Wainscot.
The humid nature of the air was reflected by the continuing occurnce of Great Silver Diving Beetles.
Wednesday 4th
A bit cooler last night as unsettled weather approaches. The minimum was down to 12.9°C. There were 401 moths of 58 species. Setaceous Hebrew Character increased to 115. There were a few migrants namely nine Silver Ys and singles of Rush Veneer, Rusty-dot Pearl and Palpita vitrealis. Amongst residents a Large Thorn and Evergestis limbata were of note
Tuesday 3rd
The warm run continued and the moths continued to come. Last night it was 17.2°C. There were 503 moths of 65 species.
Setaceous Hebrew Character led the way again with 104. Silver Y represented the migrants well with 64. There were also two Scarce Bordered Straws, five Diamondbacks, three Rusty-dot Pearls, two Golden Twin-spots and singles of Rush Veneer and Dark Sword-grass.
Bad news for the local Box bushes, the next generation of Box-tree moth is emerging and there were three last night.
Monday 2nd
Another warm and therefore interesting night, The minimum was 16.3°C and it was humid. There were 458 moths of 72 species. Two Large Thorns were new for the year and Cydia amplana and a Four-spotted Footman were of note. Other migrants included 16 Silver Ys and two each of Palpita vitrealis, Dark Sword-grass, Diamondback and Rusty-dot Pearl.
Sunday 1st
Last night was interesting as the minimum of 18.2°C was only three less than the daytime. This bought 402 moths of 57 species out. Centre-barred Sallow was new for the year. There were some migrants including only the second Convolvulus Hawkmoth of the year. There was also a Scarce Bordered Straw, a Diamondback, a Palpita vitrealis and five Silver Ys.