30 January 2007 Peter Tennant - Whitefield, Wiveliscombe Grey Shoulder Knot and Chestnut My first records for 2007

Just when you thought it was all quite...

A record has just come in for Silver-striped Hawk-moth Hippotion celerio discovered by 6 year old Katrina Walsingham (daughter of Mark) at Coat near Martock on Sunday 3rd December 2006.  It was found in their house and photographed alive (above).  The moth was unknown to Katrina and Mark and was identified by Andy Foster.

This is the first record for this moth since Turner (1955), who lists 1925 on the Mendips (ARH) as the last record.

Andy Foster also tells me that he found an over wintering female Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata, beaten from oak, Woodlands Hill, Quantocks, on 8th January 2006.  So field work during the winter can be productive!

Edited 26th January.

Just added a new page - Lunar Calendar to help plan for those good dark nights this year.  Note we have a 'Blue Moon' this year (second full moon in a single month) in June.

Actually - I have got my first moth of the year.  Having responded to a call to "get this moth out of the shower please" I found a Mottled Umber...

1935 Mottled Umber

I almost had my first moth of the year: a Winter Moth was on a window last night at the approaches of midnight but when I looked again in the early hours it had gone!

Email delivery to Members

Just activated the new 'email to members' system so the first instalment has gone out this morning.  Response was a little disappointing, with replies from just over half the members.  Net result is about 25% of members requesting delivery by email.  However, this will help to reduce our costs and thanks to all who responded.  We have to assume that of those that didn't reply, they wish to receive everything by post and that the address details we have are still correct.  It isn't too late to let us know - anyone can choose to receive by email rather than paper copy at any time.

Happy New Year and "good hunting".