Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 8.9 degrees

Twenty moths of nine species including FFY - a Buff Ermine.

25 moths of 14 species . Ffys were Lesser Swallow Prominent , Brimstone , Herald , Pale Tussock , White Ermine and first hawkmoth of the year , a Poplar Hawkmoth .

Just to let everyone know that the moth trapping at Shapwick Heath tonight is cancelled because of the bad weather. Sorry to anyone who wanted to come. We will be doing another one next month.

58 moths of 17 species, best of which was an Ocherous Pug (thanks to John Bebbington for confirming ID) Other FFY were : Syndemis musculana (1) ; Pebble Prominent (1) ; Pale-shouldered Brocade (1) (thanks to J.B again) Most numerous was Hebrew Character (29).  An afternoon spent gardening on Wednesday 26/04 turned up Parsnip Moth and Silver-Y (both FFY)

The 'warmest' night forecast here for a while but it was breezy and felt colder than ten degrees. Consequently, I had remarkably few moths - 10 of 8 species with 3 FFY: Vines's Rustic, Green Carpet and White Ermine.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 6.8 degrees

We did not put the trap out last night but had on a lighted window a Flame Shoulder and a FFY Buff Tip.

Another poor night, with only 10 moths - 5 Hebrew Characters, 2 Brimstone Moths, and singles of Common Quaker, Currant Pug (FFY) and Green Carpet (FFY) Maybe Sunday's forecast rain will liven things up a bit.

Amongst a handful of moths it was good to see my first Hawk Moth of the year, a male Poplar.

Due to work commitments I have been driving around South Somerset much more than I normally do. Whilst on the A303 Ilminster bypass I have noticed several larval webs that looked like Small Eggars but at 60mph it's difficult to be certain with the Id. Last night I saw another two webs on the minor road to Podimore just past the services. This time I was able to stop and confirm that they were Small Eggars.

An example of Pancalia leuwenhoekella at Thurlbear today; perched on a Daisy. This is one of the few sites in the county for this beautiful micro. Also several Pyrausta purpuralis and Micropterix calthella.

I've just had a copy of the latest issue of e-Moth from Zoë Randle at Butterfly Conservation. It's a PDF file - if anyone would like a copy please email me.

Larvae...Brick, Sallow and Red-line Quaker.

Apologies for the late posting of records for the last two weeks - only just had broadband installed. I have focused mainly on the NFY since last trapping on 15/3/17. 10/4/17 - Powdered Quaker 1; 12/4/17 - Early Grey 2, Muslin Moth (male) 1, Lunar Marbled Brown 1, Yellow-barred Brindle 1; 13/4/17 - Pebble Prominent 1, Great Prominent 1, Frosted Green 1; 14/4/17 - Nut-tree Tussock 1, Angle Shades 1, Swallow Prominent 1; 15/4/17 - Lesser Swallow Prominent 1; 16/4/17 - Brimstone Moth 1; 19/4/17 - Brindled Beauty (male) 3, Flame Shoulder 1, Scalloped Hazel 1; 20/4/17 - Chocolate-tip 1, Waved Umber 1, Streamer 1, V-Pug 1, Red-Green Carpet 1, Brindled Pug 3, Seraphim 1, also of note on a milder night 35 Hebrew Character, 10 Brimstone Moth and some micros at last - Pseudoswammerdamia combinella 1, Nematopogon swammerdamella 1, Agonopterix yeatiana; 21/4/17 - Silver Y 1, Knot Grass 1, Small Waved Umber 1, Coxcomb Prominent 1, Red Twin-spot Carpet 1, Emmelina monodactyla 2, another mild night with 33 Hebrew Character and 16 Brimstone Moth. Finally, 23//4/17 - Mullein 1. I have been surprised to get Great Prominent on 5 occasions so far as I've only seen this moth on one previous occasion in 8 years trapping in Berkley Marsh.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 4.2 degrees

26 moths of eleven species including FFY - Grey Shoulder-knot and a Purple Thorn.  Also FFY a May-bug!.

Pleased to have added Small Yellow Underwing to the Netherclay LNR species list yesterday afternoon. I then trapped down there until 01:00h this morning. Typically, all the cloud cover disappeared in the hour or so before sunset so it turned into quite a chilly night. 32 moths of 13 species (no micros). Green, Scorched & Common Carpet, Brimstone, Herald, Double-striped & Oak-tree Pug, Nut-tree Tussock, Common Quaker, Hebrew Character, Clouded Drab, Flame Shoulder and Pine Beauty; the latter also a first for the site.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 5.1 degrees

27 moths of 9 species including FFY - A Pale Prominent and a Lunar Marbled Brown.

Still too cold for much to be happening here - just 12 moths altogether between two traps, 8 Hebrew Characters, 2 Brimstone Moths, and 1 each Clouded Drab and Muslin Moth.

Another interesting catch with 65 moths of 24 species, together with the years first Cockchafer and a Shore Sexton Beetle. FFY were : Red Twin-spot Carpet(3) ; Purple Bar(1) ; Small Phoenix(1) ; Oak-tree Pug(3) ; Brimstone Moth(2) ; Great Prominent(1) and Least Black Arches(1)

Hebrew Character 6, Early Grey 6, Brimstone 6, Brindled Beauty 5, Light Brown Apple 4, Swallow Prominent 2, then singles of, Garden Carpet, Common Quaker, Early Thorn, The Streamer, Nut-tree Tussock, Water Carpet, The Engrailed, Waved Umber, Scorched Carpet, Least Black Arches.

Some lovely moths came to two actinic traps at my new trapping garden on the outskirts of Frome. It turned out to be a bit of a Prominent fest!

59 moths of 23 species.

Highlights being: Puss Moth (3 males on the wall within inches of each other), Great Prominent (1), Coxcomb Prominent - dark form (1), Pale Prominent (1), Pebble Prominent (1), Swallow Prominent (1), Pale Pinion (1), Pale Mottled Willow (1), Brindled Beauty (1), Waved Umber (1), Least Black Arches (1), V-pug (1), Oak-tree Pug (3), Brindled Pug (1), Chinese Character (1).

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 9.3 degrees

The best moth night of the year to date with 45 moths of 23 species including FFY - Spectacle, Brimstone, Chocolate-tip, Herald, V Pug (2) and Twenty-plume moth (2).

As conditions here were good last night I tried both the actinic and the MV light. Quite a few FFY, not unexpected especially as the last time was nearly a fortnight ago. The MV had more moths in total(54) than the actinic's total of 33, but the actinic had 20 and the MV 19 species. 11 species were common to both traps. Altogether 28 species including 6 micro species. The FFY in MV only were Agonopterix arenella, Paronix sp., Knot grass, Pale Tussock, Oak-tree and Brindled Pug, Waved Umber. FFYs found in both MV and Actinic traps in roughly equal numbers(mostly singles) were V Pugs, Powdered Quaker, Least Arches, Chocolate-tip. FFY in the Actinic only were Swallow Prominent, Peeble Prominent, Iron Prominent, Pale Prominent, Scorched Carpet, Yellow-barred Brindle, Shoulder Stripe(my second ever!), Pale Mottled Willow and 0247 Tinea trinotella (pictured).

Also seen today in daytime were these mating Esperia sulphurella.

The next monthly moth trapping at Shapwick Heath will be on Sunday the 30th this month. We will be meeting at the Avalon Marshes Centre at 8:00pm. Again, anyone is welcome to come.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 7.4 degrees

28 moths of eleven species including FFY - a Flame Shoulder.

28 moths of 14 species last night including only my second Water Carpet here at Pen Elm. Five other FFY were: V Pug, Waved Umber, Muslin Moth, Flame Shoulder and Oak-tree Pug (2).

Something interesting by our balcony lamp this morning Nola infantula... a close relative of Jersey Black Arches

I have a backlog of postings, so here are some highlights from April so far, most of them NFYs.

Mill House, Frome 08/04/2017: Swallow Prominent (2), Lunar Marbled Brown (1)

Blatchbridge, Frome 09/04/2017: Brindled Beauty (1), Brindled Pug (1), Streamer (1), Early Thorn (1) Nut-tree Tussock (1)

Mum's, Frome 14/04/2017: Swallow Prominent (1), Brindled Beauty (1), Oak-tree Pug (1), Shuttle-shaped Dart (1)

Blatchbridge, Frome 16/04/2017: Flame Shoulder (1), Streamer (1), Powdered Quaker (3), Brindled Pug (1), Oak-tree Pug (1), Tawny Pinion (1) lifer for me, Red Twin-spot Carpet (1), Knot Grass (1), Chinese Character (1) and a very worn Rush Veneer (1).

Home, Frome 19/04/2017: Bright-line Brown-eye (1), Currant Pug (1) and Dotted Chestnut (1) (photo) which was a great thrill. I'd been wanting to see one of these for ages.

There must have been a Bar-mitzvah in my garden last night - no fewer than 17 Hebrew Characters turned up, and only one Clouded Drab to spoil the party !!

41 moths of 18 species including 7 new FFY.  Twenty Plume moth (1) ; Frosted Green (2) ; V-pug (1) ; Lunar Marbled Brown (1) ; Muslin Moth (1) ; Nut-tree Tussock (1) ; Flame Shoulder (2). Also of note : Streamer(1) ; Swallow Prominent(1) and Powdered Quaker(1).

Leaf mines collected last autumn still emerging regularly at the moment. Phyllonorycter dubitella (photo) P. ulmifoliella, P. nicellii, P. platani and Stigmella atricapitella all emerged today after a warm day yesterday.

Phyllonorycter dubitella

Just a solitary male Orange Tip on the Buckland Wood transect but I did find an Adela reaumurella pair in cop.

Adela reaumurella

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe. Min Temp 5.5 degrees

32 moths of 12 species including FFY - Swallow Prominent (3), Small Phoenix and 695 A.Alstromeriana.

Several 49.234 (BF1150) Epinotia abbreviana larvae found on Elm at Netherclay this afternoon. I've never trapped an adult there so this is the first site record.

Epinotia abbreviana

A reasonable haul last night, with 20 moths of 10 species. FFY were Semioscopis steinkellneriana (2), The V-pug, Muslin Moth and Flame Shoulder (earliest record). The pug was my first April record for the species, and the earliest by around three weeks.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 9.3 degrees

At last a warmer night. 30 moths of eleven species including FFY - Waved Umber (2), Muslin Moth and Oak Tree Pug.

Another slight improvement in numbers, this time 17 moths, 11 species.  FFY were Flame Shoulder, Spectacle, Red Twin-spot Carpet and Oak-tree Pug, the first here since 2011, and only the third record.  There is also a UFO to be investigated.  6 Brimstone Moths the most numerous.

5.45 pm UFO confirmed as a Least Black Arches - almost new to me, as I've only ever had it once before.  Thanks to Paul Wilkins for confirmation.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 4.0 degrees

Seventeen moths of five species including FFY - a Chamomile Shark.  Only our fourth since the first in 2003.

This stigmella atricapitella emerged today from a leaf mine on Oak collected autumn 2016

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 6.6 degrees

Nine moths of five species including FFY - a Pebble Prominent.

Still not large numbers, but at least a good variety this time. 4 Clouded Drabs, a Nut-Tree Tussock, and FFY Lunar Marbled Brown, Pebble Prominent, Brimstone Moth, Muslin Noth and Common White Wave, a FFG Lesser Swallow Prominent, plus two small Caddises.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 3.8 degrees

Twelve moths of seven species including FFY - a Frosted Green.

Pretty chilly here last night, just 3 Heb Ch. 1 each of Clouded Drab, Small QuAker, Early Grey and. FFY Pebble Prominent.

This Parornix finitimella emerged yesterday from a leafmine on Blackthorn collected last autumn from Tucking Mill Nr. Bath.

A late decision to put out the traps when the wind dropped and some cloud rolled up was rewarded with 42 moths of 20 species. Early emerging Geometridae featured.  Shoulder Stripe(1) ; Streamer(3) ; Spruce Carpet(2) ; Red-green Carpet(1) ; Water Carpet(1) ; Early Tooth-striped(1) ; Yellow-barred Brindle(1) ; Scorched Carpet(1).  Micro's : Pseudoswammerdamia combinella (2) and Agonopterix arenella (2)

Early Grey 6, Hebrew Character 4, Common Quaker 4, Brimstone Moth 4, then one each of Small Quaker, Early Thorn, Streamer, Nut Tree Tussock, Flame Shoulder and Muslin Moth.

I collected a caterpillar on Hesperis matronalis in the garden recently that has today emerged as Plutella porrectella - a new garden record.

Still nothing very exciting happening here - a small gathering at the Friends' Meeting House.  One Small and two Powdered Quakers.

One of five Phyllonorycter emberizaepenella adults that emerged today from mines on Leycesteria formosa collected from the Royal Victoria Park, Bath last autumn.  Spent ages this morning trying to get a decent photograph, they just don't stay still!

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 4.5 degrees

Seven moths of five species including FFY - a Nut-tree Tussock.

I have trapped several times over the last week but have had small numbers and little of note except for two Parsnip Moths, Depressaria radiella (FFY, pic), which is described as 'occasional and local' on our maps. Other species new for 2017: Brimstone Moth, Streamer, Small Quaker and a suspected Acleris Schalleriana.

I gave the trap a go last night, despite the lack of thick cloud. The result was 16 moths of 7 species. FFY was The Streamer. Others were Shoulder Stripe (3), Early Thorn, Common Quaker (4), Hebrew Character (4), Early Grey (2) and Nut-tree Tussock. So far this year I've recorded 23 species, compared to 6 on the same date last year!

A couple of traps run.  Up at altitude it is still the Orthosia season at present.

Webber's Post - Early Tooth-striped (10), V-Pug, Frosted Green.

East Water (Horner Woods) - Common Quaker (3), Twin-spotted Quaker (2), Small Quaker (2), Chestnut, Clouded Drab, Early Thorn, Lunar Marbled Brown, Hebrew Character.

Dunkery Beacon car park - 3 Red Chestnuts at sallow blossom.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 6.8 degrees

Eleven moths of seven species including FFY - a Red Chestnut.

Back up tp the dizzy heights of 4 moths in total, but at least this time there were some FFYs - Pale Pinion, Nut-tree Tussock and White-shouldered House-moth (not, I hasten to add, in the rainwater butt this time), plus another Early Thorn.  No Orthosias, which makes a change.

23 moths of 10 species, including FFY Purple Thorn(1) and Swallow Prominent(1).

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 4,2 degrees

Six moths including FFY - a Streamer.

This Phyllonorycter tristrigella emerged today from leaf mine on Elm collected autumn 2016 at Tucking Mill, Nr Bath

Jane, that is all you will see (the name of the photograph in brackets, not the actual photograph). It's only when you click to submit your posting that the photo will actually appear.  Have a test run and see if it works. Good luck.

After seeing Sue and Paul's totals, I'm quite pleased with my tally - 7 moths of 5 species! Nothing new, just March Moth, Early Thorn, Common Quaker, Early Grey (2) and Hebrew Character (2).

You're lucky Sue - I just got 1 Hebrew Character and 1 Clouded Drab, and nowt else !

Mrs. White reported a Humming-bird Hawk-moth nectaring on Rosemary flowers in her garden at Worle, Weston-super-Mare.

Just 4 moths last night, a Brindled Beauty, 2 Hebrew Characters, and made up for the miserable haul with an Acleris umbrana.

But Paul I do all that but no picture appears with my blog.  I take so many I'd like to share or am not certain of and would love it to be easy.

Hi Jane

If you click on your photograph the name of the photograph in square brackets appear in your text then when you 'submit' your blog the photograph will appear.  It won't appear as a photograph in your blog until it has been submitted.

I hope this makes sense.  Paul

ps Jenny I followed yr instructions and clicked on the little picture above blog but nothing comes and then on the name in brackets.  Sue has helped me with this but what am I not doing???  But I'm grateful to you for responding...and I don't feel quite so lonely and out on a limb.  I meant the picture was in the 'recently added' photos

Thank you very much Jenny and Paul for your help...messages found on returning from regular Bristol grandchild care.  I was more uncertain about A cristana seeing in Manley it appears in Aug. About putting in pictures...I must just do it more often (as with all stuff on computer..no good doing it once then not again for a year!)

Leaf miners are indeed emerging - a few Phyllonorycter salicicolella emerged from leaf-mines collected at various sites round Radstock in the last few days.

Even these dwarf the tiny triangular moths fluttering outside my study window at present, which I suppose are the Ectoedemia septembrella that breed on the Hypericum bush just below.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 3.8 degrees

Nine moths of four species including FFY - a Powdered Quaker.

I think it must have been quite a bit colder and breezier last night than forecast - there were only 6 moths in two traps. Nothing new either.

Leaf miners collected last autumn have started to emerge. This stunning Phyllonorycter strigulatella has just emerged from a leaf mine on Grey Alder (Alnus incana) collected last October from Tucking Mill, Nr Bath.

Spent ages trying to get it to 'sit' on a leaf or twig to photograph it but had to settle for taking it in the pot!

A breezy night but still an impressive 66 moths of 15 species plus a possible Lead-coloured Drab which, if confirmed would be FFG.  FFY were Streamer(2) and Pale Pinion(1). Others of note : Diurnia fagella (2) ; Brindled Pug (2) ; Powdered Quaker (2) ; Twin-spotted Quaker (3) and Red Chestnut (4).  The garden species tally for the year now stands at 43 which has been reached a full month earlier than last year.

17 moths of 8 species last night, despite the cooler, clear night. FFY were Red Chestnut and Nut-tree Tussock (the latter my earliest record by 5 days). Others were Brown House-moth, March Moth, Dotted Border, Common Quaker (2), Hebrew Character (6) and Early Grey (4).

I have looked at your photograph in 'Pictures recently uploaded' and can confirm that it is Acleris cristana.  With regard to the 'tufts' unless it is a very fresh specimen these are usually lost quite easily.

Jane I don't know what you mean about 'where my picture sits' as I can't see a picture of you, but if you've uploaded the photo correctly, then when you click on 'new post' to post a sighting, your photo/s should be showing just above the box where you type to post, if that makes sense. If you see your Acleris sp. photo there, then just click on it and it should show up as words surrounded by brackets in your post. Then, when you click submit, the photo should appear in your post.  I might not have worded that well, but hopefully it makes sense. Good luck.

A poor night with only 14 moths, 5 species, and nothing new.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 8 degrees

On the window at an actinic light a March Moth, an Early Tooth-stripe and FFY a Brindled Pug and a very early Common Marbled Carpet with the light brown patch on the forewing.

I'd be grateful if someone would glance at the latest photos added where my picture sits. I believe this must be Acleris cristana but without tufts in the middle.  Am I correct?  Books say it's variable.  I can't remember how to get the picture to join the blog although I've followed instructions. Sorry