This afternoon I noticed this tiny (3-4mm) micro sitting on my greenhouse door. Photo is a bit fuzzy as it's in a (rather dirty) glass tube. I think I've identified it correctly and we have got apple trees just the other side of the fence.

It gets worse !!  2 Hebrew Characters in each trap - that's all folks.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 2.2 degrees

Only three moths in the trap, Hebrew Character (2) and a FFY - Spectacle.

Well it's been too cold here for trapping but at least I'm seeing one or two moths. This beautiful Phyllonorycter stettinensis is my fourth to emerge in the last week from overwintered Alder leaves collected last autumn.

and this Adela reaumurella brightened up my afternoon walk yesterday along with two Orange-tips and a Speckled Wood

I didn't even bother to post the results of Sunday night's trapping - 9 moths of 3 species! No trapping since.

A very meagre catch of only 8 moths. The only highlights being a Pale Mottled Willow and a Powdered Quaker, both FFYs.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 0.5 degrees.

Only two Hebrew Characters in the trap here!

Same here Paul, just 6 Hebrew Characters to show for it!

Only 5 moths last night, and nothing new.  I'm going to start sulking soon.

V-Pug, Pale Tussock, Knot Grass and Spectacle were all new for the year last night. I did record what I think is a second Northern Drab of the year but this is still to be confirmed.

Two actinics run: Brindled Beauty (17), Hebrew Character (5), Swallow Prominent (2), Common Quaker, White-pinion Spotted, Water Carpet, Nut-tree Tussock, Spruce Carpet, Early Thorn, Lunar Marbled Brown, Shoulder Stripe, Chestnut.  Also loads of caddis flies.

Brindled Beauty seems to be having a good year everywhere.

I found this White-letter Hairstreak larva on a fallen elm twig with plenty of seeds earlier this week.  It has made a hole in the bud through which it travels, and it appears to commute between the emerging foliage and the elm seeds to feed.

Sue - I'd lean towards Oak-tree for the Pug ID as well, but am far from certain.

Despite a fairly warm night just 9 moths of 5 species. 1 LBAM (FFY), 2 Bee Moth, 1 Garden Carpet (FFY), 2 Brimstone and 3 Shuttle Shaped Dart (FFY).

Grapholita jungiella at Buckland earlier this week. A lifer for me.

Small numbers of 10 Macro sps, FFYs Satellite, Pale Tussock and a Pug, 18mm wingspan, ?Oak-tree. Consensus from various "puggers" seems to confirm.

My partner found a Scarlet Tiger caterpillar on her garden trowel handle this afternoon - now released on to some comfrey.  I hope it's happy !!

I'm still awaiting my first new macro of 2015 - I had around 250 last year at our new home. Last night I had exactly 50 moths of 21 species with 3 NFG micros confirmed by James McGill. The breakdown is as follows: Chocolate Tip (2), Pale Tussock (1), Shuttle-shaped Dart (4), Common Quaker (19), Brimstone Moth (3), Double-striped Pug (2), Hebrew Character (3), Clouded Drab (3), Bright-line Brown-eye (1 FFY), Nut-tree Tussock (1), Small Quaker (1), Flame Shoulder (1), Muslin (1), Nutmeg (1 FFY), Pseudoswammerdamia combinella (1 FFG), LBAM (1), Eriocrania subpurpurella (1 FFG), Agonopterix alstromeriana (1), Depressaria daucella (1), Elachista sp. (1 FFG), and finally Emmelina monodactyla (1).

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 9.6 degrees

21 moths of nine species including FFY - Chocolate Tip.

I'm beginning to think I must have said something rude about moths, and they're staying away (or else the bats are very busy!!) Only 9 last night, 2 White-shouldered House-moths (Endrosia sarcitrella) in the rainwater butt (I think they were blinded by the MV light and went astray), and singletons of Common & Small Quaker, Brimstone Moth, Muslin Moth, Streamer, Nut-tree Tussock, and FFT Swallow Prominent. Not a lot.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 5.9 degrees

29 moths of 10 species including FFY - a Marbled Brown.

27 moths of 6 species last night. FFY was Flame Shoulder 4 (interestingly their first appearance last year was 21st April, with 3). Other were Shoulder Stripe 3 (a good year for them) and the usual Noctuids: Common Quaker 4, Clouded Drab 1, Hebrew Character 10 and Early Grey 5 (one being distinctly dark, unusual for me).  Still a few species missing compared to this time last year.

Just 21 moths of 8 sps, but FFYs Nut-tree Tussock & Powdered Quaker and to my delight a FFG Lunar Marbled Brown.

Just 16 moths of seven species. Cabbage Moth was FFY.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 7.3 degrees

49 moths of 12 species including FFY - White Ermine.  We also had Brindled Beauty (5) - they are having a good year here.

Another clear night but less cold than the previous one. 27 moths of 11 species. Only FFY was a Water Carpet. Others were Diurnea Fagella 1, Shoulder Stripe 12, The Streamer 1, Early Tooth-striped 1 Brindled Beauty 1, Muslin Moth 2 (male and female, the first time I've had both sexes in the trap and only my second female), Common Quaker 6, Hebrew Character 9, Early Grey 3 and Nut-tree Tussock 1.

Martin Evans and I trapped last night I Middleroom Wood with a couple of 20w actinics. The lights were on from 8.45-11.30 and the temperature ranged from 11 down to 8oC under a starry sky with a crescent moon. We had 91 moths of 28 species. Clouded Drab 4, Common Quaker 10, Small Quaker 2, Engrailed 4, Square-spot 1, Hebrew Character 10, Brimstone Moth 1, Brimstone Butterfly 1(asleep in adjacent vegetation), Brindled Pug 6, Mottled Pug 1, Twin-spot Quaker 1, Dyseriocrania subpurpurella 2, Epiphyas postvittana 1, Early Tooth-stripe 3, Early Grey 5, Water Carpet 3, Nut-tree Tussock 3, Lunar Marbled Brown 6, Frosted Green 4, Streamer 4, Great Prominent 2, Brindled Beauty 7, Dotted Quaker 1, Waved Umber 2, Chestnut 3, Diamond-back 1, Satelite 1, Incurvaria mascuella 2. Oh for some cloud cover. Roger

Only 16 moths of 8 species but 2 FFY a Scorched Carpet and a Grey Birch.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 7.7 degrees

34 moths of 16 species including FFY - Frosted Green, Herald, Dark-barred Twin spot Carpet and a Brimstone Moth. Flying by day we saw our first Holly Blues.

Just 21 moths of 8 sps, but FFY White-spotted Pug and first migrant, Plutella xylostella.

20 moths of eight species. Dotted Chestnut was FFG.

Even more disappointing - just 4 moths, 2 Hebrew Characters, 1 Clouoded Drab and a FFY Purple Bar

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 2.8 degrees

These clear, cold nights do not encourage moth trapping and last night we had only 24 moths of 10 species but they included FFY - Dark Sword-grass and Swallow Prominent.

Another run-of-the-mill catch last night, with 36 moths of 8 species. I'm struggling getting new species for the year. Interestingly, catch numbers are similar to this time last year, but with less species diversity.

Best was a Brindled Beauty, which I've now trapped three times this year (a record for me). Others were Streamer 1, Early Thorn 2, Small Quaker 1, Common Quaker 10, Clouded Drab 1, Hebrew Character 10 and Early Grey 10.

A butterfly highlight was my first Green-veined White of the year this morning.

Hope nobody minds me posting this here. Butterfly Conservation have launched an appeal to raise money for the purchase of Westbury Beacon on the Mendips:

http://butterfly-conservation.org/4796/support-our-appeals.html

Tony Liebert has been breeding Emperor Moths and loast year successfully tried assembling on the Quantocks. Sadly this yeaer he is unwell and unable to get out and is very happy to offer females to anyone who might be interested in trying assembling mlaes of this species.

He is happy top supply nerwly-emnerged femal;es in a net - he can be contacted on 01984 667327 either tomorrow (18th) or Monday (20th).

Incidentally Robin Clatworthy took a bred female out to Westhay and a male arrived within a minute!

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 8.9 degrees

Over ninety moths including FFY - Chinese Character, Streamer (2), hexadactylla and three, rather late for FFY, Early Tooth-striped.

The best night of the year so far with 78 moths and 20 different macro species. Lots of firsts for the year including Chocolate Tip, Lunar Marbled Brown and my first possible migrant, Dark Sword Grass. Easily the highlight was my first ever Northern Drab which has been confirmed by Robin Clatworthy.  This is one of those species I thought I might misidentify if I had one in the trap. The reality, though, was that it was immediately obviously different and looks just like the illustration in Waring. Robin is passing it on to be photographed so hopefully a photo will appear here at some stage.

Thursday night's trap saw 64 moths of 17 species. 2 FFY Waved Umber and Nut Tree Tussock. Results include 20 Hebrew Character, 10 Common Quaker and 11 Clouded Drab. Also 3rd sighting of Lunar Marbled Brown, the FFY on 09. 04.15. I had my FFY Marbled Brown on 08. 04. 15

Despite a mild and seemingly promising night only 36 moths visited but of 16 species with no less than 8 FFYs. There were several unexpected items in the mothing area but, disappointingly, no FFGs. First on the scene was a Red Twin-spot Carpet (1, FFY) and by 10pm: Lunar Marbled Brown (3, FFY), Waved Umber (1, FFY), Brindled Pug (1, FFY), Diamond-back Moth (3, FFY), Pine Beauty (2), Nut-tree Tussock (1), Streamer (2) and a Scorched Carpet (1, FFY). The rest were discovered in the morning: Chocolate Tip (1, FFY), Flame Shoulder (2, FFY), Double-striped Pug (1), Hebrew Character (9), Clouded Drab (2), Early Thorn (1), Common Quaker (6).

I think the chilly wind (NE) is still having an effect on numbers, even if the ambient temperature isn't too bad. I had only 18 moths last night, mostly the usual Orthosias, with two more Brindled Beauties, plus two FFY - Red Twin-spot Carpet (2), and Brimstone Moth.  There was also a Cranefly - a bit of a surprise for me, as I didn't expect to see one this early in the year (but then I'm not a dipterist !!).

17 moths of eight species. Powdered Quaker and Knot Grass FFY.

A better night, with 39 moths of 12 species (highest species count of year). It was a good night for micros with FFY White-shouldered House Moth, Light Brown Apple Moth and 20 Plume Moth. Others were March Moth 1 (a good year for them), Shoulder Stripe 2, FFY Double-striped Pug 1, Early Thorn 2, Muslin Moth 1 male, Common Quaker 5, Clouded Drab 4, Hebrew Character 14 and Early Grey 6.

I have just returned from another visit to Berkley Marsh, near Frome where I managed another 3 nights of moth trapping. I seem to be getting a good number of moths - 134, 64 and 87, respectively for 12th, 13th and 14th April. However, the vast majority are of 3 species, i.e. Hebrew Character 34, 16 and 37, Clouded Drab 29, 22 and 24 and Common Quaker 52, 16 and 15. The 'highlights' included Dotted Chestnut, Twin-spotted Quaker, Shoulder Stripe, Powdered Quaker, Nut-tree Tussock (FFY), Streamer, Muslin Moth (male / FFY), Ypsolopha mucronella (FFY) and Dupressaria daucella (FFY). It's also been great to see so many butterflies in the recent fine weather - lots of Brimstone and Peacock, some Small Tortoiseshell and a couple of Orange-tip (males) and a Green-veined White. Spring has definitely arrived and I am looking forward to a good mothing and butterfly season.

As it was quite warm last night I spent time hovering around the moth trap but very few moths did the same - at least not while I was there. Still only around 9 macro species with Early Grey the most common (7). New for the year were; Nut-tree Tussock, a Flame Shoulder and a Powdered Quaker. Otherwise; Common Quaker(5) Hebrew Character(5), Clouded Drab(4), Double-striped Pug(3), Early Thorn(1), LBAM(1),Common Plume(1), Parsnip Moth (1).

A slight improvement in numbers, but still not that good.  14 moths of 10 species, with FFY Brindled Beauty (2), Agapeta hamana and Light Brown Apple Moth.

MV Lamp set 15/04/2015 Hebrew Character 5, Early Thorn 1, Early Grey 5, Oak Beauty 2, March Moth 1, Twin-spotted Quaker 2, Clouded Drab 8, Small Quaker 3, Common Quaker 20, as well as one each of rather early Double-Striped Pug and Muslim Moth (male).

Few moths last night but I did have 2 very early Puss Moths near the trap. I know they were breeding in my garden last year so I hope these were home grown moths.

Few moths last night but I did have 2 very early Puss Moths near the trap. I know they were breeding in my garden last year so I hope these were home grown moths.

Another poor night - only 6 moths in all, but there were FFY Nut-tree Tussock and Muslin Moth.

P.S.  16.00 Two Orange-tips flying in the garden this afternoon.

T Min 7.5°C. 21 moths of eight species. Brimstone and Muslin Moth were FFY.

Plutella xylostella by day, on a field margin at Hog Wood, just south of Bath.

I put the trap out last night in the hope the calmer and misty conditions might pay off. There were, however, only 18 moths of 7 species. The only FFY was a male Muslin Moth, otherwise there was 1 Early Thorn, 4 Common Quakers, 1 Small Quaker, 4 Common Quakers, 5 Clouded Drabs, 4 Hebrew Characters and 2 Early Greys.

Spent a couple of hours on Lydeard Hill today looking for Emperor Moth. Unfortunately I was unable to find any but did see an Orange Underwing flying around a couple of Birch trees at ST173345.

A very good catch with 69 moths of 14 species - the best being, a first for me, a Acleris literana. I asked James McGill to confirm because it wasn't on his list just a mile away. The total count is as follows: Common Quaker (32), Small Quaker (1), Double-striped Pug (2), Clouded Drab (8), Early Thorn (5), A. alstromeriana (1), Streamer (2 FFY), Twin-spotted Quaker (1), Shoulder Stripe (1), Hebrew Character (11), Nut-tree Tussock (2), Brindled Beauty (1), Shuttle-shaped Dart (1 FFY), Acleris literana (1 FFG).

Just 6 moths of 5 species as follows: Hebrew Character (2), Early Grey (1), my first Bright-line Brown-eye (1), Double-striped Pug (1) and LBAM female (1).

My actinic trap battery had gone flat by about 10pm, and had only managed to attract a solitary Early Grey, but the MV managed to get 15 others , including another Powdered Quaker, and FFY Streamer (first here for 5 years) and a FFG Water Carpet. So not all doom and gloom !

12.20 pm - just found a Twenty-plume Moth (FFY) in the room where I open my traps, so I think I can safely say it was caught last night !

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 8.3 degrees

The warmer night produced 44 moths of 12 species including FFY Pebble Prominent and Flame Shoulder.

Nut-tree Tussock - FFY

Shoulder Stripe and Ypsolopha mucronella - FFG (The latter not as well marked as the example trapped down the road at Pen Elm last week by Steve Chapple).

Ypsolopha mucronella

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 3 degrees.

FFY - Lunar Marbled Brown and Brindled Beauty and in the garden today a Large White Butterfly.

I thought twice about putting out the trap last night since the forecast didn't look too promising. I gave in and gave it a go though. Unfortunately it turned out to be clear with a cold wind so I got only 12 moths of 4 species. The one highlight was an FFY Streamer on the wall. The others were 1 Shoulder Stripe, 9 Hebrew Characters and 1 Early Grey.

Hebrew Character (27), Clouded Drab (9), Common Quaker (7), Brindled Beauty (4), Streamer (2), Shoulder Stripe, March Moth, Semioscopis steinkellneriana.  A bit on the low side, probably because I put the traps in hawthorny areas trying to catch Small Eggar, rather than in the more productive oaky parts of the wood.

Upton Barn near Long Sutton 8 April
I trapped again at Upton Barn on Wednesday night - very low numbers (13 individuals) with min temp near freezing.
Early Thorn 1
Common Quaker 4
Hebrew Character 4
Clouded Drab 4

Quantock View (VC6) 9 April
Garden Moth Scheme week 6 - T min 1˚C
A better night with 39 moths
Chinese Character 1 (ffy)
March Moth 1
Waved Umber 1 (ffy)
Small Quaker 2 (ffy)
Common Quaker 6
Hebrew Character 18
Clouded Drab 7
Early Grey 3.

Another reasonable night with 9 species, FFY - Muslin Moth, otherwise usual suspects.

Another decent night last night, with 56 moths of 10 species. FFG was a a Parsnip Moth and FFY was Early Tooth-striped (only my second record). Others were Shoulder Stripe (3), Early Thorn (1), Brindled beauty (1), Common Quaker (11), Hebrew Character (13), Clouded Drab (9), Small Quaker (1), Early Grey (14).

It has been like welcoming back old friends this Spring. I have recorded my first Early Tooth-striped since 2000, my first March Moth since 2012, my first Water Carpet and Red Chestnut since 2013 and today I recorded my first Shoulder Stripe since 2011. Let's hope that this continues throughout the summer.

Trapped at Netherclay until just before midnight. Rather disappointing with 61 moths of only 7 species compared with 110 of 22 species this time last year. Agonopterix alstromerania (1), Herald (1), Hebrew Character (6), Common Quaker (18), Early Thorn (1), Clouded Drab (33) and Brindled Pug (1).

Still not a lot happening - 14 moths last night, 4 each Common Quakers, Hebrew Characters and Clouded Drabs, and 1 each Small Quaker and a FFY Small Eggar.  These appear to be having quite a good year all round, as I see several people have recorded them.

At last, my first FFG for the year, a nice Ypsolopha mucronella resting on my conservatory wall when I got home last night. Many thanks to James McGill for confirmation.

Apologies for a belated report on a 4 night stint of moth trapping near Frome - no internet available whilst in Berkley Marsh. This produced a total of 169 moths of 17 species, with nightly totals ranging from 11 to 77 moths. These included the expected Hebrew Character, Common Quaker, Clouded Drab, Early Grey and Small Quaker but also March Moth, Brindled Beauty, Powdered Quaker, Pale Pinion, Streamer, Diurnea fagella, Dotted Chestnut, Early Thorn, Dotted Border, Shoulder Stripe and a first for me, a Small Eggar. This was a real bonus on the coldest night (5th April) when only 11 moths came to the trap. I note that another Small Eggar was trapped in Frome on the following night so perhaps there has been a local emergence of this rather fine moth. Also had Agonopterix alstromeriana and A. hericliana in the garden and shed.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 3.9 degrees

FFY - Angle Shades, Powdered Quaker and Nut Tree Tussock.

Nothing much here either Paul. T Min 3.8°C. Early Grey (4), Hebrew Character (1) and Common Quaker (2).

You're a lucky man Rob !!  Only 6 moths here last night, plus an Ichneumon Wasp and a couple of gnats.  Nothing new, either, just 3 Hebrew Characters and single Clouded Drab, Early Thorn & Early Grey.  I did see the first Peacock of the year flying in the garden yesterday.

Last night was the best of the year so far with 50 moths of 11 species, including single FFY Brindled Beauty, Twin-spotted Quaker and Nut-tree Tussock (my earliest ever). Other were Shoulder Stripe (2), March Moth (1), Early Thorn (1), Common Quaker (13), Hebrew Character (18), Clouded Drab (2), Small Quaker (2) and Early Grey (8).

Some increased variety in my Mum's garden in Frome last night. 15 moths of 6 species as follows: 5x Hebrew Character, 1x Common Quaker, 1x Small Eggar (my first and according to the map on the website, an unusual sighting for the east of the county, is that correct?). Micros were 4x Common Plume, 1x LBAM and 3x Diurnea fagella (many thanks to Chris Iles for confirmation of the last species).

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 4.3 degrees.

Thirty moths of 11 species including (at an actinic light in a window) 2 FFY, Water Carpet and a first for our garden, a Square Spot. We also had 7 Early Grey which is having a good year here.

Martin Evans and I trapped last night in Lime Ridge Wood. We ran 2x20w actinics from 8.15 to 11.15. It went very cold as soon as the sun went down and was 7oC, dropping further to 5oC with a heavy dew. The moon didn't interfere with us as it didn't rise over the trees until gone 11.

We caught 47 moths of 14 species. 8 March Moth, 7 Engrailed, 4 Shoulder-stripe, 1 Common Quaker, 5 Hebrew Character, 7 Diurnea fagella, 3 Clouded Drab, 1 Powdered Quaker, 1 Zelleria hepariella, 1 Nut-tree Tussock, 4 Water Carpets, 1 Streamer, 1 Early Toothstripe, 3 Brindled Beauty.

We also had 2 species of Orthoptera. Both the Common and Slender Groundhoppers came to the light.

We were hoping to find and photograph Blossom Underwing and/or The White-marked but no joy.

Just a note on the temperatures. It was 5oC when we packed up but back in Bristol after midnight, it was 11oC. A 6 degree swing between town and country. Roger

Brindled Beauty and Herald were firsts for the year last night amongst a decent catch. This included my second Water Carpet of the year. Two days ago the highlight was an Early Tooth-striped. This was only my second record and the first since 2000.

A reasonable collection, 29 moths of 9 sps last night, including FFY a male Brindled Beauty and a Tawny Pinion, only the second ever. Also a FFY Depressaria daucella.

It's nice to see others getting reasonable numbers, but still only a small total here.  16 altogether last night - 9 Hebrew Characters, 3 Clouded Drabs, 2 Small Quakers, and singles of Early Thorn and Powdered Quaker (first since 2012)

T Min 6.3°C. Just 11 moths of six species here: Dotted Border (1), Early Grey (3), Hebrew Character (3), LBAM (1), Small Quaker (1) and Double-striped Pug (2).

46 moths last night including 2 FFY's: Nut-tree Tussock and Pale Tussock. Seven other species: Hebrew Character (21), Common Quaker (9), March Moth (2), Clouded Drab (6), Early Thorn (1), Small Quaker (1), Early Grey (4).

3 April 2015 Garden Moth scheme
A poor catch - 3 Hebrew Character and 1 March Moth

4 April 2015 - a better night!
Oak Beauty 1
Hebrew Character 10
Common Quaker 4
Clouded Drab 2
Early Grey 4

Last but not least this rather attractive micro.
Epermenia chaerophyllella - first record for my garden.
Thanks to James McGill for confirming my ID.

Also my best trap of the year, with 27 moths of 7 species - 1 Diurnea fagella, 1 Shoulder Stripe, 2 Dotted Border, 1 March Moth, 6 Common Quaker, 9 Hebrew Character and 7 Early Grey. Nothing new for the year. Interestingly I trapped my first Dotted Border last year and this is the first 'multiple' catch.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 3.9 degrees

Despite the low temperature we had the best catch for some weeks with 32 moths of nine species including FFY - Red Chestnut and Tawny Pinion (2) .

I reached double figures out at Lullington village near Frome last night with 12 moths of 4 species as follows 8 x Hebrew Character, 2 x Common Quaker, 1 x Pale Pinion and 1 x March Moth (my first ever).

My most numerously mothy night of the year so far, but still a mere 18 in total, of which 13 were Hebrew Characters. The others were 2 Clouded Drabs, 1 Depressaria daucella, 1 March Moth, and 1 FFY Shoulder Stripe.

Best garden night so far with 27 moths of 11 sps, FFYs Pale Pinion, Early Grey,Early Thorn, with Grey Shoulder-knot, Shoulder-stripe, Oak Beauty,Twin-spotted and Com. Quakers, Clouded Drabs,Heb. characters, and Diurnea fagella

A single digit catch at home last night which was disappointing as I thought the conditions weren't too bad. 1 x Common Quaker, 1 x Hebrew Character, 1 x Pale Pinion and 1 x Clouded Drab.  I've set the moth trap out tonight at a new site, a friends garden in the village of Lullington just outside Frome.

Another indifferent night, with 12 moths of 4 species - 1 Early Grey,1 Clouded Drab, 8 Hebrew Character & 2 Common Quaker. My highest count for any night this year is just 16 - compared to traps of 30-50 at this time last year!

As for March Moths, I didn't trap my first till last year, when I had 4 in total. This year I've had 5.

Barely scraped into double figures last night - 3 each Hebrew Characters & Clouded Drabs, 1 each Herald (FFY), Early Thorn, Dotted Border and White-shouldered House-moth. I blame the full moon !

As far as March Moths go, Ian, since 2009 I have only had 1 in 2011, 2 last year, and 2 on the same night this year.  You're not alone in seeing fewer in recent years.

Phyllonorycter quercifoliella adult emerging from mine on oak today - from Home Wood ST646476.

In March 2012 I recorded a March Moth. It was the 6th I'd seen that year and a moth that had been seen here in good numbers for the previous ten years. Over 3 years and 30 000 moths later I've finally recorded another. Why there has been such a lack when everybody else seems to be having them is a mystery to me.

Two actinics run, one in each part of the wood.  The larger and more species-rich western part had the most moths.  A strange absence of Clouded Drabs.

Harridge Wood West: Hebrew Character (17), March Moth (14), Shoulder Stripe (5), Engrailed (5), Common Quaker (4), Dotted Border (2), Diurnea fagella (2), Small Quaker, Mottled Grey, Chestnut, Water Carpet.

Harridge Wood East: Hebrew Character (3), Common Quaker, Chestnut, Oak Nycteoline.

Mottled Grey and Oak Nycteoline are new both for me and for the 10km square.

I think this was an April fool! Just 1 Hebrew Char. 1 Common Quaker and 1 Clouded Drab.  I would have been delighted with a Small Eggar John.

I left the trap on by accident on Monday night - strong winds led to low expectations but there was a single Small Eggar in the trap in the morning.