Just a reminder that the group AGM will be at Ruishton Village Hall next Thursday evening at 7.30pm.

I'll be sending out paperwork and a newsletter tomorrow (Friday).

I haven't trapped since last Thursday night (winter GMS week 2) when I drew a blank but there was a Scarce Umber by the outside light last night - my first for the garden.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 10 degrees

After three nights when strong wind discouraged us from putting out the trap we had ten species last night including, on the fence, a Cypress Carpet.  A new species here and apparently the most westerly Somerset record.

A poor night here with singles of Light Brown Apple Moth, Common Marbled Carpet, Feathered Thorn, Red-line Quaker and Green-brindled Crescent.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 8 degrees

A very foggy night but warmer and we had ten species including eight Feathered Thorns but the highlight was a single Sprawler which we have only recorded twice here - the last time on 10 Nov 2002. We took it regularly in Northumberland particularly at our door-light.

Not a lot in the trap last night but I did have singles of Feathered Thorn, Red and Yellow Line Quaker, Silver Y, Angle Shades, Pale Pinion and December Moth. The latter was my first for the year and probably my last new species for 2009 whilst I believe it is the first Autumn Pale Pinion I have ever had.

On 30 October whilst taking a lunchtime walk around Bath Golf Course I was very surprised to see a Grass Rivulet on the wing; the species is common here but the date is definitely atypical!

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 4 degrees

As others have reported the moth situation has completely changed this week. Last week we had over 20 species in the trap each night while this week numbers are down to single figures. However last night we had our first December Moth of the season.

After a reasonable catch including a Gem in the trap on Sunday morning,I found, like Ian, a different result this morning including the first WInter Moth. I suppose it had to happen!

The difference in the weather conditions at the start and the finish of last weekend were illustrated by the moth catches on Friday and Sunday night. On Saturday morning I had nearly 50 Macros of 15 species with Feathered Thorn and Grey Pine Carpet being firsts for the year. This morning the total catch was just 2 Beaded Chestnuts.