Moth round up

Two new for the year moths over the last two nights. A dot moth (photo 1) was found Friday whilst a common white wave was attracted to the light this morning (2). Other notables were the micromoths white plume (3) and Agapeta hamana. On Friday the trap cotained elephant hawkmoth, privet hawk and poplar. Unfortunately the elephant hawk didn't fancy a group photo and legged it!
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Another new moth

A Small yellow wave (photo 1) was a new garden moth whilst both elephant hawkmoth (2) and clouded border added to thge 2012 list. Tonight, after a muggy day could be a very good night if the temperature remains high with accompanying cloud cover.
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Amazing night 27.06.12

After a warm, still and dry night I approached the moth trap expecting a good return. However, 2 outstanding finds made it memorable. Firstly a wood carpet (photo 1) was found. Between 1884 and 2006 only 28 records of this moth for Herts. Also, adjacent to the trap was a small, indistinct micromoth. After some research this was identified and confirmed as a Chilo phragmitella. Only 7th Herts record since 19th century! Shown in photo 2. In all over 30 species trapped, including my 14t garden light arches (photo 3.) Early in the evening both a hornet (photo 4) and a large spider (5) conspired against me as they both set themselves up to feast on incoming moths. In all, a good session
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Best moth night of 2012

Over 50 moths of 29 species, plus several new micromoths in the trap last night. No new macros for the garden list but 3 new for the year. Common marbled carpet, snout and riband wave all new. The latter I shall probably trap most nights for the next few months, the other 2 less so. Took over an hour to sort them out early this morning. Photos here of snout, (photos 1 and 2, a close up) common marbled carpet, clouded brindle (a darker form than usual,) a beautiful hooktip and a new micro: Phtheochroa rugosana
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Ash Valley and Hadham Hall walks

A 6.30 start at Much Hadham and views of both green and great spotted woodpeckers before garden warbler, chiffchaff and blackcap were all heard. Skylarks, linnets and a solitary grey partridge were observed on the golf course along with good numbers of meadow brown butterflies.
A further walk around Hadham Hall offered the regular residents, plus a camera shy tree creeper and the highlight, a spotted flycatcher. This was only 3rd parish record of spot fly, so crtainly a good bird to see. Further checks to see if it is part of a breeding pair. Photos of a photogenic web in early morning dew, kestrel, spotted flycatcher and one of many meadow browns.
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2 new moths for the Year

An iron prominent and yellowshell were observed today, the former at the trap whilst the latter was noted on a walk around Hadham Hall. Other notable trapped moths were few and far between, with a white ermine, heart and dart and dark arches being present. Another cloudless, cold night made sure moths were in small number. Photo 1 of the iron prominent, 2 shows the yelllowshell.
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Moth round up

A selection of moths in the trap over the weekend but rain and windy conditions meant it was not ideal for flight. A beautiful hooktip was new for the year whilst a willow beauty and bright line brown eye were the irregular vistors. More usual fare was supplied by heart and dart, setaceous hebrew character, dark arches and common footmen.
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New moth

After a damp night a variety of 14 moth species were in the trap. A scorched carpet was the only new moth for the year, whilst an angle shades was a moth not seen for a while. Scorched carpet 1st photo.
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Several new moths

A good trapping night, with over 20 species cauught including 2 new garden moths: Fern (photo 1) and lobster moth. The latter got off before a photo could be taken. Also new for the year were common footman, cabbage moth(3rd), heart and club (4th) and green pug (2nd)
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Quiet moth night

Clear skies meant the temperature dropped and so few moths were on the wing. A few in the trap this morning, a clouded brindle (photo 1), pale tussock (2nd) as well as a Flame, rustic shoulder knot and an uncertain.
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New moths

A wide selection of moths this morning, despite the drizzle. A privet hawkmoth (1st photo), burnished brass (2nd) double square spot (3rd) clouded silver (4th) and small china mark (5th) and pale prominent (6th) were all new for the year. However, highlight was a new one for the garden, a bird's wing (7th photo.)
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Sunday morning

A gentle rise in moth numbers, with 25 in the trap this morning. However, nothing new in the macros. A peppered moth (1st photo) was good to see along with the regular fare of rustic shoulder knots, setaceous hebrew characters and heart and darts. 2 easy to id micro moths were also present, a small magpie and udea olivalis. (2nd and 3rd photos)
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200th moth species for the garden. 16.06.12

At last: treble brown spot became the 200th species for the garden. Now for 250! Also, a stunning eyed hawkmoth and new for this year, a common wainscot, large nutmeg and clay. Photos from the top:
Treble brown spot
Eyed hawkmoth
Large nutmeg
Clay
Common wainscot
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Cold night so few moths.

Temperature at an amazing 2C at 4.30 this morning due to now cloud co ver at all. Consequently a few moths: a lime hawkmoth and a scorched wing were new fcor the year whilst a smart pale shouldered brocade was only 2nd record for the year. Photos show all three. 2 of the medium sized lime hakwk, then p.s. Brocade and finally the aptly named scorched wing.
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