A couple of FFYs - Buff Ermine and Flame Shoulder, along with Brindled Beauty, Swallow Prominent, 2 Brimstones, Common Quaker, and 3 Hebrew Characters.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe

FFY, Least Black Arches, Flame Shoulder, Dark Sword-grass, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet and a Diamond back Moth.

Foggy, T Min 9°C. A paltry nine moths of four species: Brimstone (2), Hebrew Character (2), Dark/Grey Dagger (1) and LBAM (4).

Numbers up again - 14 this time !!  - 6 Hebrew Characters, 3 Muslin Motha, 3 Brimstone Moths, 1 Swallow Prominent and 1 Depressaria daucella. This last one is a bit plain, but I expect its mum loves it.

My turn to walk the Gilling Down UKBMS Transect this week. Whilst there I came across a couple of dozen 150 Adela reaumurella 'dancing' around a Hawthorn bush and a single example of 1365 Pyrausta despicata

Numbers up to the heady heights of 13 !!  5 Hebrew Characters, 3 Muslin Moths, 2 Clouded Drabs, and singletons Brimstone Moth, Red Twin-spot Carpet, and FFY Garden Carpet (first April record here).

I have found numerous Scarlet Tiger larvae this spring at various sites around the Bath area, these have been found feeding on a variety of herbaceous plants including Comfrey, Green Alkanet and Forget-me-not.

Scarlet Tiger larva feeding on Forget-me-not

Disappointing here as well, with 14 moths of three species, all but two of which were Hebrew Characters. Others were Clouded Drab and Shuttle-shaped Dart.

Reverted from the wemlite to the MV in the hope of increasing numbers...but no. 9 Hebrew Characters, 1 Muslin, 1 Powdered Quaker, a FFY Shuttle-shaped Dart, but the first Hawkmoth of the year, an Eyed was a nice surprise.

T Min 9.2°C with some heavy rain overnight. Not much here either Paul; 10 moths of seven species including FFY Muslin Moth.

Yet another poor catch - only 9 moths, of 4 species. The only FFY was a Shuttle-shaped Dart

Cool (T min 7šC) and quite wet here overnight but a better catch:

Lime Hawk-moth 1 Pebble Prominent 1 Pale Prominent 1 Muslin Moth 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 Hebrew Charcter 2

The Lime Hawk was particularly welcome as I was teaching close-up photography tpday

Saw my first Nettle-tap of the year today and netted this example of 1136 Epinotia immundana beside the R. Tone.

Chilly & rainy, so only 5 moths between the two traps - 2 Hebrew Characters, and 1 each Clouded Drab, Brimstone and Chocolate Tip. Ho hum.

Wet and windy last night and just 8 moths of seven species - Brimstone, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Common Quaker, Hebrew Character, Early Grey and 2 FFY micros Light Brown Apple Moth and Eudonia angustea.

Trapped at Netherclay until the rain started at midnight. Only 36 moths of nine species: Common Quaker (13), Brimstone (8), Hebrew Character (4), Nut-tree Tussock & Clouded Drab (3) and single Waved Umber, Scorched Carpet, Flame Shoulder & Shuttle-shaped Dart - no micros.

Very poor night, Hebrew Characters and a Com.Quaker, but at least a FFY early Common Pug.

Pretty poor results in the trap, just 12 moths, the only two of note included a single Chocolate-tip and a rather worn yet to be identified Pug.

Moths to emerge this morning from overwintering pupae and Leaf Mines included Mullien, Phyllonorycter coryli, P. Maestingella, P. harrisella and P. nicellii pictured below.

0359 Phyllonorycter nicellii

2019 Chocolate-tip

A quiet night last night, with 17 moths of 5 species, mostly Hebrew Characters. FFY were Common Plume and Brimstone Moth. This morning I found a Ruby Tiger locally, another FFY.

Back down to low numbers again - only 7 moths altogether, including one FFY - a Chocolate Tip.  This is only the second record here since 2008.

T Min 7.8°C. 13 moths of 10 species including Brimstone, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Angle Shades, Nut-tree Tussock, Early Thorn and FFG Semioscopis steinkellneriana

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe. Min Temp 9 degrees and wet.

Only 18 moths of six species including FFY a Purple Thorn.

Netted this at Thurlbear this afternoon; I think it is 1251 Grapholita jungiella

A few Common Carpet seen this afternoon along with a couple of Grizzled Skipper and this wonderful Duke of Burgundy.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 10 degrees and very wet,

59 moths of 23 species including FFY - Spruce Carpet, Angle-shades and a Twenty-plume moth.

Easily the best night of the year so far with 79 macros of 25 different species. First for year were Waved Umber, Scorched Carpet, Flame Shoulder, Spectacle, Pale Tussock, Pebble Hook Tip, Chinese Character, Oak-tree Pug, least Black Arches and my earliest recorded May Highflyer.
This brings the total number of species seen this year up to 41. This time last year I was struggling on just 14.

I had a good trap last night, despite the rain, with 39 moths of 19 species. Of these, 9 were FFY - Semioscopis steinkellneriana (only my 4th record), Light Brown Apple Moth, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Pebble Prominent, Muslin Moth, Flame Shoulder (3), Shuttle-shaped Dart, Pale-mottled Willow and Nut-tree Tussock. Of the total, 14 were Hebrew Character and there was another Lunar Marbled Brown.

A surprising 33 mouths of 9 sps last night before the heavens opened, including 3 Muslins (m), 2 Swallow Prominents, a Brimstone, Brindled Beauty and the usual suspects.

T Min 9.8°C with plenty of rain overnight. Nine moths of six species including two FFG: Waved Umber & Parsnip Moth and two FFY: Nut-tree Tussock & Shuttle-shaped Dart.

In the words of the old song, "what a difference a day makes" (anyone under about 60 won't know what I'm talking about !!) In spite of the rainfall in the night, 29 moths this morning, including FFY Waved Umber (2), Swallow & Pebble Prominents, Flame Shoulder and Double-striped Pug.  Also detached wings of Early Thorn and Muslin Moth, so the birds must have got up before I did.

Garden Moth Scheme on Friday night was pretty prdinary - 10 Hebrew Character and 1 Common Quaker.

Yesterday evening at dusk, walking the dog in the field opposite our house, I was suddenly surrounded by Swallows flying purposefully North - too many to count. Amazing experience - they were chattering away to each other as they swept all around me.

A fair night, 13 Heb.Ch., 1 each of Common and Powdered Quakers, Clouded Drab, Early Grey, Brindled Beauty and FFY Muslin and Swallow Prominent.

No trapping for a few nights but have found a few hairy caterpillars on the walls of the house. On investigation, I've discovered they are Scarlet Tiger larvae. Intriguing, because I've yet to record an adult. I await the next couple of months with bated breath!

Yet another poor night - only 4 each Hebrew Characters & Clouded Drabs - where are the others ?  (probably inside the bats)

Thanks Sue I'm glad you like them. They are quite a challenge to photograph as they just don't keep still.  I have found the best way is to put them in the dark for an hour or two so they settle but you have to be quick because they soon start moving around again.

Here's a couple more that emerged today

0293 Caloptilia syringella from mine on Ash

0366a Horse-chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella)

Really enjoying your pics Paul, keep posting.

Another Phyllonorycter species emerged today. These minute leaf mining moths are stunningly beautiful but can only really be appreciated by viewing under a microscope or through a camera with a macro lens. 

Phyllonorycter harrisella from mine on Oak, collected 14-11-13 from Elm Farm, Burnett.

Thanks, John. It does look right for this species. Regards, Rob

Hi Rob, I'd say you're correct. There's a very similar photo of one on UKmoths.

This spell of warm weather has caused a number of my overwintering leaf miners to emerge including Pyllonorycter oxyacanthae, P. coryli, P. maestingella, P. sorbicolella, P. acerifoliella and P. Spinicolella.

Phyllonorycter acerifoliella

Phyllonorycter spinicolella

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 7 degrees

Over 40 moths of 12 species including FFY - Red Twin spot Carpet, Dotted Chestnut, Swallow Prominent and Early Tooth-Striped.

A more interesting session last night; 10.2C. 27 moths of 10 species, almost half being Hebrew Character (12). Also single Shoulder Stripe, Water Carpet, Brindled Beauty (FFY), Small Quaker, Powdered Quaker (FFY) and Early Grey . Others were Common Quaker (5), Clouded Drab (3) and, best of all, and FFG, was a single Lunar Marbled Brown. The garden list has now reached 400!

Mostly Hebrew Characters(12) and Common Quakers (11), also Clouded Drab(3), Early Grey(2), Knot Grass(1), Herald(1), FFY Flame Shoulder(1), FFY Peeple Prominent(1), FFY Brimstone(1), and my first and much admired Shoulder Stripe. Of the micros; Parsnip Moth (Depressaria heralei) Probably 3 but two were too worn too be sure (I have a Hogweed problem! - hogweed being their foodplant ). Agonopterix alostromeriana and heriacliana (1 each)

Another chilly night, just 3 Hebrew Characters, and 1 each of Common Quaker, Clouded Drab, Nut-tree Tussock and a Purple Thorn only my first, first generation in garden.

T Min 7.2°C. A very quiet night with only Hebrew Character (2), Early Grey (1) and FFY White-shouldered House Moth.

A slightly better catch - 10 moths of 7 species, including FFY Red Twin-spot Carpet, Brimstone Moth and a Purple Thorn which is only the second record here, the previous one being in 2008.  Good to see it again.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 4 degrees

Only five moths but with day-time temperatures improving we saw Orange Tips and also a Brimstone butterfly the first in our garden for several years. Last week I reported a surprisingly early Painted Lady. Today the smallholder down the lane suggested it probably came from his poly-tunnel as one left him about then after spending the winter in the warm! Our House Martins are back!

T Min down to a chilly 4.2°C. Just five moths of four species: Clouded Drab (1), Hebrew Character (2) and FFY Brimstone Moth and Angle Shades.

A few of us met in February and decided to plan a couple of meetings, mainly for micros. The first is this Saturday, 19th April 2 p.m. Ashton Court, meet at Church Lodge Car Park near the Dovecote Pub on Ashton Road (cost £1.20 to park) ST554 711.  This is mainly for Psychidae cases. afterwards if time and weather permit we'll move on to look in some birch woods. The second is planned for Thurs. 22nd May on Exmoor, near West Luccombe (details to follow) to look for Schiffermuelleria grandis and larvae on bilberry.

Despite the unpromising forecast, I decided to give the trap a go last night. To my surprise, it was slightly better than the previous session, with 19 moths of 7 species. I seem to be stuck in a bit of a rut, with the same handful of macros being recorded. Most were Small Quaker and Hebrew Character.

The only new species for the year was a micro, shown below. I've been struggling with it. It looks a bit like a worn Eudonia angustea, which I've only recorded before in September (though Phil Sterling says it flies all year round). Does anyone have any thoughts on it?

T Min 7.2°C. Just five moths of four species but I'm not complaining as Purple Thorn was FFG & a Dark Dagger / Grey Dagger FFY.

Still in the realms of poor catches - only 6 moths altogether - with a FFY Brindled Beauty the only one of interest.

Last night was worst trapping session for nearly a month - 17 moths of 6 species. Just Early Thorn (2), Shoulder Stripe (2), Hebrew Character (7), Small Quaker (2), Common Quaker (1) and Clouded Drab (3).

Spotted a Holly Blue in the sunshine this morning - first since April 2012.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 7 degrees

Twenty moths of seven species including FFY - Pale Tussock and Engrailed. Also another Mottled Grey which is having its best year since 2000.

A clear, cool night with a bright moon here last night. Min. temp. 5°C. No micros again and not that many macros either but what I thought at first sight was my first Oak Beauty since 2010 turned out to be a first for garden Brindled Beauty so no complaints. Skinner 40 W actinic - Brimstone Moth 1 FFY, Common Quaker 1, Clouded Drab 1, Hebrew Character 10, Early Grey 1, Brindled Beauty 1 FFG.

T Min 6°C. Just seven moths of three species: Common Quaker (2), Clouded Drab (1) & Light Brown Apple Moth (4).

Yet another poor catch - only 8 moths - 5 Hebrew Characters, 2 Clouded Drabs and a FFY male Muslin Moth.

Thanks, Nigel. It's a good article. I had another look at the moth before release time. It was greyer than the photos show. Probably need to record it as a worn specimen. Moths are fun, aren't they!

Rob, I'll stick my head above the parapet and say that I think it is Clouded Drab. A useful document on how to separate Clouded & Lead-coloured can be found here:

http://montgomeryshiremoths.org.uk/articles/Identifying%20Lead-coloured%20Drab.pdf

Regards Nigel

A clear, cooler night, minimum 8C. Trapping numbers remain consistent with 40 moths of 7/8 species - Water Carpet, Early Thorn, the usual Common and Small Quakers, Clouded Drab, Early Grey and Hebrew Character (18, my highest count now). Plus an interesting 'Drab' which is perhaps Lead-coloured. Any thoughts on the photos?

The second photo doesn't clearly show the right wing tip, which is obscured.

Last night was chilly, 19 moths of 5 species, but FFY, 2 Nut-tree Tussocks and FFG, 2 Engrailed.

Clear skies and T Min 4.2°C. Just four moths in the trap this morning: Early Grey (1), Common Quaker (2) and FFG Brindled Beauty.

An Orange Tip flying in the orchard, and assorted Vanessids nectaring on lesser celandines all over the place.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 1 degree

16 moths of eight species including one FFY - a Muslin Moth. as usual this was a dark male as, oddly, the white female does not come to light. I have only once caught a female flying in sunshine in the garden. Wow ! While typing this a Painted Lady has just settled on my window in the sunshine!

A first for me in Meare Heath woods yesterday (near the hide) when large numbers of Dyseriocrania subpurpurella (Eriocrania subpurpurella) were seen around the oak trees. A tiny but beautiful little moth. Also my first male Orange Tip of the year near the car park plus a few Peacock and Small tortoiseshell despite the cold wind.

A Small White butterfly in the garden this afternoon (I had hoped it was a female Orange Tip, but no) and a FFY Twenty-plume Moth inside the kitchen window this evening. This is the earliest in the year that I have ever recorded this pretty little moth.

First Brimstone moth flying in the garden this afternoon.

Minimum temperature last night 8.7C.

Despite a cooler, breezy night, with clear spells and showers, the trap produced 38 moths of 5 species - Early Grey (6), Clouded Drab (4), Common Quaker (10), Small Quaker (1) and Hebrew Character (17, my highest ever count)). Still a lack of micros.

A breezy night with clear skies and T Min down to 5°C. Just single Common Quaker & Early Grey in the trap this morning. On the up side I did see my first Orange Tip of the year this lunchtime.

A paltry 6 moths in the two traps, 5 Hebrew Characters and one Early Thorn.  I haven't seen any wrens breakfasting near the traps, but I suspect there are bats earlier in the night having a late supper !!

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 12 degrees.

A wet and windy night with 28 moths of eight species including one FFY - a Frosted Green.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 11 degrees

Only 16 moths of six species including one FFY - a Pebble Prominent. There was also a Wren having an excellent breakfast !

Phyllonorycter schreberella:

Phyllonorycter tristrigella:

Phyllonorycter harrisella:

Phyllonorycter acerifoliella:

Ran the 125MV Skinner at Netherclay LNR until 02.30h this morning; the first time I have trapped there this year. 110 moths of 22 species. Orthosia species were in the majority including Common Quaker (28) and Clouded Drab (38); also Shoulder Stripe (5), Oak Beauty, Pale Pinion, Brindled Beauty, Chestnut, Caloptilia elongella and three examples of Semioscopis steinkellneriana.

Semioscopis steinkellneriana

Another poor night - only 13 moths in total, with the usual Orthosias and a couple of March Moths (first here since 2011). I think the bats must be taking all the others.

No micros at all last night. Apart from a few last week they have hardly showed at all to date this year. Mostly Orthosias last night with a fairly early Knot Grass being the first this year. 2 Double-striped Pug, 3 Common Quaker, 6 Clouded Drab, 5 Hebrew Character, 2 Early Grey and 1 Knot Grass.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe.

I did not run the trap last night but left an actinic light in a window and was delighted to attract yet another Marbled Grey but this time the variety nubilata which, according to the authorities, is commoner in the Midlands.

Minimum 11C last night. Trap produced 37 moths of 10 species. Best was FFG Oak Beauty. Otherwise a mixture of the commoner Quakers, Clouded Drab, Hebrew Character, Shoulder Stripe, Early Thorn and Early Grey.

Very low moth numbers here at the moment and not a single micro to be seen, however I was rewarded with a second Early Thorn this week.

Yes Sue you're right this is a False Widow spider, they have become quite common here in the south of the country, apparently some people have quite a severe reaction if bitten by one. They tend to like dry dark places and can stay there for a number of years. I had one in the corner of my loft for at least five years (well I presume it was the same one!)

Nothing much of interest last night apart from an early Knot Grass and what I think is a False Widow spider, Steatoda nobilis, lurking on the wall by my trap..any experts out there?

Apart from the expected fare i was supprised to have a Pale Tussock in the trap, another infrequent visiter was a Silver Water Beetle.

50 moths of 10 species, more Powdered Quakers, Pale Mottled Willow and FFY, 2 Shoulder Stripes, also a rather fine Black Sexton Beetle.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 11 degrees

62 mo0ths of nine species including FFY - a Broken-barred Carpet.

Pam Cambell took a fine female Emperor Moth at Hodderscombe on Monday night. Here are 2 images.



Both images ©Pam Campbell 2014

T Min 10°C. 25 moths of nine species including FFY Brindled Pug and Pine Beauty & Pale Pinion which were both FFG.

Minimum 11C last night. Had to withdraw trap into open porch when heavy showers started but still had second best trap of year, with 47 moths of 13 species (best species count of year). Best was an FFG Early tooth-striped; also FFY Twenty-plume, Brimstone Moth, Streamer (2) and Powdered Quaker. Still good numbers of Common Quaker and Hebrew Character.

50 months of 11 species with 20W wemlite. FFYs, Powdered Quaker-1, Pale Mottled Willow-1, Dotted Chestnut-1, Alucita hexadactyla.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 12 degrees

48 moths of nine species including FFY - Lunar Marbled-Brown (2)

In spite of the milder weather and new moon, another very disappointing night - only 4 moths, singletons of Hebrew Character, Common Quaker, FFY Early Thorn & Diurnea fagella, of which only three previous records here (2 in 2006, 1 in 2012)

A sudden emergence of a number of Phyllonorycter from their mines today - a couple each of quercifoliella and strigulatella, and a single tristrigella.  These are beautiful moths when seen under magnification, particularly the strigulatella, but sadly most reluctant photographic subjects owing to their inability to sit still and tendency to flutter off at the slightest chance - the least bad photo I managed shown below (Phyllonorycter quercifoliella).  Caught in the right light these are a wonderful golden colour.

Signed up for the garden moth challenge this year which is still has growing numbers with some 40 or so contributors so far. Details at http://gardenmothchallenge.blogspot.co.uk

• Highlights from the garden in March:
• March Moth on 14th which was new for the garden
• Tawny Pinion and Oak Nycteoline on 29th March, the Pinion being new for the garden
• Agonopterix alstromeriana and Agonopterix heracliana on 30th March, the latter being new for the garden.

The mild weather has meant a good first three months of the year in Taunton. Usually there is nothing until mid Feb but there have been moths most nights. A few things have reappeared for the first time in a while - Red Sword-grass and Small Eggar. Also of interest were single Mottled Grey on successive nights (15 and 16 Mar), the first time I have seen these here.

Last night,being colder,i had 37moths of 9species. No ffys BUT one FFG a female Emperor Moth. I was very excited as i hadn't even seen one before. It is very beautiful and i have managed to photo it. I have yet to master how to submit a photo here.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 7 degrees.

A busy week end with FFY - Small Square spot, Nut Tree Tussock and Tawny Pinion.  Pam may be interested to learn that I trapped one night at Woodlands, Holford and had 48 moths of 13 species there including Mottled Grey, D.flagella and A.literana.

Thick fog and T Min 7.5°C. 10 moths of eight species with Pale Mottled Willow FFY and Herald FFG.

Herald

Hooray !!  Finally got into double figures (but only just) - 13 in total, mostly same old Orthosia species, but I had 2 Small Eggars, which I have only recorded here twice before - singletons in 2007 & 2011.  Also, for the record, one Caddis fly and one Crane fly.