28/4/18 - A minor variation on my 25/4 post - 7 moths in total again, this time 5 Hebrew Characters and 2 Common Quakers.  (At times like this I wonder if it's worth it) To be honest, I'm tempted to blame the cricket season having started, as it usually presages cold and/or wet.  Heigh ho.

A couple of traps run; under the circumstances (cold, full moon, northerly/easterly winds) good numbers of moths.  On the woodland/moorland fringe, surprisingly good numbers of Early Grey and Double-striped Pug.  On the open moor, it was surprising to get any insects at all, and only two species, but reasonable numbers of Red Chestnut and Hebrew Character.  Now I know what the red moth is that I see in my car headlights flying about the moor.

T Min 7.4°C. Nine moths of six species with Brimstone and Garden Carpet both FFY.  Also: Oak-tree Pug, Common Quaker, Hebrew Character and Early Grey.

6 Hebrew Characters and 2 Red Chestnut......never mind - not long to Christmas !

25/4/18 - well, that didn't take long to sort out.  6 Hebrew Characters in the traps, and 1 Shoulder Stripe on the wall, and that's all folks !  Early breakfast today.

Only 18 moths due to cool and breezy conditions. FFY included singles of Double-striped Pug, Purple Thorn and Lunar Marbled Brown + Powdered Quaker (4).

Only twelve moths of ten species on a chilly, mostly clear, night. Mullien, Brimstone and Nut-tree Tussock (2) the only newcomers.

I note Nigel found this unusual species in his trap as I did in a trap on Sunday and almost dismissed it as a species of Caddisfly due to its very hairy head and thorax so one to watch out for!

Dyseriocrania subpurpurella Leaf mine on Oak

22/4/18 - probably a bit too chilly for moths last night, with only 12 individuals, of 5 species - 5 Hebrew Characters, 3 Clouded Drabs, 2 Common Quakers, plus FFYs Streamer and Muslin Moth.

T Min 10.8°C. 14 moths of 11 species with Scorched Carpet and Nut-tree Tussock FFY and Dyseriocrania subpurpurella FFG.

Dyseriocrania subpurpurella

Not too bad last night, with 31 moths of 13 species. FFY were Parsnip Moth, The Streamer, Water Carpet (2) Double-striped Pug, Brindled Beauty, Early Tooth-striped and Nut-tree Tussock. Others were Shoulder Stripe, Early Thorn (4), Dotted Border, Common Quaker (6), Hebrew Character (6) and Early Grey (5).

T Min 8.9°C. 19 moths of 10 species including FFY Esperia sulphurella and Eudonia angustea.

Since 2nd April I have now released 20 Mompha divisella from my garage where they obviously hibernated.

20/4/18 - poor numbers again, just 25 moths, 5 species.  16 Hebrew Characters, 5 Clouded Drabs, 1 Early Thorn, 1 FFY Waved Umber, and 2 FFG Brindled Beauties.There was a FFY Pale Brindled Beauty found in the house on Wednesday, presumably having escaped from the traps in the morning, when I was looking the other way. Sneaky!

73 moths of 16 species. Still a little disappointing for the time of year.  Three FFY : Spruce Carpet (1) ; Purple Thorn (1) ; Brindled Beauty (3).  Others of note : Streamer (3) ; Brindled Pug (3) ; Early Tooth-striped (1) ; Early Thorn (5) ; Oak Beauty (1) ; Notably, once again no Micro's.

Genuine signs of migration last night with very few residents recorded but I did have a Silver Y and 4 Dark Sword Grass. This is the largest number of DSGs I've recorded in one night for nearly 5 years.

A Hummingbird Hawk reported from Walton Common today:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/207417919699636/permalink/441104386330987/

A Diamond-back Moth (pale form) at Thurlbear this afternoon; first one I have seen this year.

18/4/18 - Another quiet night here, just 47 moths, 10 species.  22 Hebrew Characters, 9 Common Quakers, 7 Clouded Drabs, 2 Early Thorns, 2 Small Quakers,and singles of Shoulder Stripe, Early Grey, Dotted Chestnut,March Moth, and FFY Herald.

40 moths of 9 species last night, so thing are looking up (slightly). Best was a Brindled Beauty (FFY) - I didn't see one here last year.

I ran two traps at Castle Neroche until 01:00h this morning.

259 moths of 23 species (22 macro, 1 micro).

Diurnea fagella (5), Shoulder Stripe (4), Streamer (1), Water Carpet (3), Brindled Pug (13), Oak-tree Pug (6), Early Tooth-striped (5), Early Thorn (9), Purple Thorn (1), Brindled Beauty (14), Oak Beauty (4), Engrailed (1), Lunar Marbled Brown (3), Early Grey (3), Chestnut (61), Satellite (1), Clouded Drab (23), Common Quaker (76), Small Quaker (5), Powdered Quaker (2), Hebrew Character (8), Twin-spotted Quaker (1) and Red Chestnut (10).

Apologies for another late posting. During this period I managed 4 moth trappings and as expected most of the moths were repeat performers for the year. However, there were also a few notable FFY including Brindled Beauty 1 (6th), Tawny Pinion 1 (7th), Brindled Pug 1, Diurnea fagella 1, Emmelina monodactyla 2 (8th) and Red Sword-grass 1 (10th), the latter being a FFG and FFM.

At the weekend, on Sunday the 15th of April, I found a caterpillar on the floor of my kitchen, near to the back door. I presumed it had come in on my clothing or footwear as myself and my girlfriend had been out that day. It could have come off my clothes from the garden or from WWT Steart, where we had been earlier that day. I did not know what species it was so I took it outside into the garden to take a photo of it. I then released it into the garden at the base of our hedge there.

I posted the two photos on Twitter (a place I often find gives quick and reliable identifications if you know the right people to ask) and was soon given an identification of Scarce Bordered Straw. This identification was from both Richard Lewington and Roy Leverton (via Tom Tams). They suggested that the larvae may have come in on flowers or vegetables. We did have some bought flowers in our house, so that is possible. Further research has shown they do turn up often on Carnations bought from supermarkets. The flowers I bought did have Carnations in them so this is the most likely source I think. 

Fortunately for me I have seen the adult moth of Scarce Bordered Straw once before, however I do still wish I had kept it now and tried to rear it. I also now wonder if it will be able to find anything to eat in my tiny garden! A lesson learnt, I should have kept it until I knew what species it was!

16/4/18 - A bit too breezy last night for most moths I suspect, so only a few out and about braving the elements.  15 in the traps this morning, of 5 species - 6 Common Quakers, 4 Hebrew Characters, 2 Clouded Drabs, 2 Early Thorns, and a FFG Semioscopis steinkellneriana.  An exceptionally long name for such a small moth !.

Night of 14th April.

16 moths of seven species including FFG Elachista canapennella

(Identified by Phil Sterling after I posted a picture on the 'UK Micro Moth Identification' Facebook page).

14/4/18 - still no great shakes in mothing terms - just 23, of 6 species last night, in spite of the mild, dry weather, and very little in the way of moon or wind.  11 Hebrew Characters, 5 Clouded Drabs, 4 Common Quakers, and 1 each March Moth & Early Thorn, plus a FFG Dotted Chestnut.

Lots of Brimstone butterflies in Great Breach Wood SWT Reserve (near Butleigh, if you don't know it) when the sun finally came out yesterday afternoon.  Spring is finally sprung. (I think)

107 moths of 18 species, including 5 FFY : Scalloped Hook-tip (1) -only the second record for the garden ;Streamer (1) ; Water Carpet (1) ; Double-striped Pug (1) and Grey Shoulder-knot (1).  The best sighting of the day today was of course THE SUN ! which enticed Slow worm, Common Lizard , Grass Snake and Brimstone to show themselves in the garden.

Consistent figures this last week. Last night produced 20 moths of 9 species. FFY were Agonopterix heracliana, Early Thorn and Oak Beauty. Others were Shoulder Stripe, Small Quaker, Common Quaker (6), Clouded Drab (2), Hebrew Character (6) and Early Grey. This afternoon's sunshine produced the first butterflies of the year in the garden - Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell.

A Dark Sword Grass two nights ago was my first possible migrant of the year.

Little change here, just 5 Heb. Ch, 2 each of Common and Small Quakers, 7 Clouded Drab, 3 Brindled Beauties and a FFY Streamer.

Once again last night a good number of Small Quaker at 150 . I will try and send some your way Paul ! Another 40 moths of 10 species including 11 Common Quaker and 17 Hebrew Character . One ffy a Red - green Carpet .

Left the trap out in Butleigh Wood last year. Compared to same time, site and conditions last year - dismal. Just 2 Small and 2 Common Quakers, 8 Clouded Drabs, 2, Diurnea fagellas and the most exciting moth was a Shoulder Stripe!

12/4/18 - another below par catch, just 30 moths, 7 species, nothing new.  10 Hebrew Characters, 7 Common Quakers, 6 Clouded Drabs, 4 March Moths, and 1 each Powdered Quaker, Early Thorn and Shoulder Stripe. 

I am beginning to think that all the Small Quakers have migrated westwards to Holford, as I've only had three singles this year (probably the same moth looking for its missing mates). Please can you send some back, Pam?

Another night of good Small Quaker numbers at 193 . Otherwise in total 228 moths of 10 species and one ffy a Pale Pinion .

Despite a cold wind and problems with my timer that caused loss of light for half of the evening, I managed 16 moths of 7 species yesterday. FFY were Common Plume, Dotted Border and Small Quaker, none of which were in the trap. Other were Common , Clouded Drab, Hebrew Character (6) and Early Grey (5).

Yesterday had 37 moths of 10 species and one FFY a Tawny Pinion . Last night despite the rain I trapped 157 moths of 11 species and 2 FFYs . The largest count was 127 Small Quaker and the FFYs were a Streamer and Fosted Green . Not sure when the heavy rain started but I hope the moths were sfae and sound berforehand !

Loadsa rain, apparently (I didn't hear it !), although the forecast said "drizzle/mist".  So, not surprisingly, NOT loadsa moths - 16 Hebrew Characters, 6 Clouded Drabs, 2 Common Quakers, 1 March Moth, and a FFY Early Grey.  It's supposed to be Spring next week - I live in hope.

Last night moth trapping saw 83 moths of 11 species . Just 55 Small Quaker this time and one FFY a Dark Chestnut .

A couple of stragglers to add to Saturday night's catch - March Moth and Shoulder-stripe, bringing the total to 23 moths of 7 species. These figures are not untypical for this time of year here.

A surprisingly poor night - the usual Orthosia species plus one Tawny Pinion Lithophane semibrunnea. However 3 good beetles - a Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, a female Dytiscus marginalis and a Silver Diving Beetle Hydrophilus piceus.

This was more like it. 92 moths of 22 species. Micro's produced ; Caloptilia stigmatella (1) ; Zellaria hepariella (1) ; Agonopterix ocellana (1) - all three FFG.  Also Agonopterix heracliana and White-shouldered House Moth.  Thanks go to Paul Wilkins for confirming the micro ID's.  Macro's were: Shoulder Stripe (1) ; Mottled Grey (4) ; Brindled Pug (3) ; Early Thorn (2) ; March Moth (19) ; Oak Beauty (6) ; Dotted Border (4) ; Early Grey (5) ; Chestnut (3) ; Dark Chestnut (1) ; Clouded Drab (5) ; Common Quaker (9) ; Small Quaker (5) ; Powdered Quaker (1) ; Hebrew Character (15) ; Twin-spotted Quaker (3) and Red Chestnut (1).

Better weather and time to do so , I used my moth trap for the first time in 2 wks . It produced 307 moths of 14 species . Small Quakers doing well again like last year at 227 moths . F F Y s were 6 Twin -spotted Quaker , 3 Early Grey , 3 Red Chestnut , Early Thorn , Early Tooth-striped and 5 in the Pug family . Other moths were 1 March Moth , 19 Common Quaker , 8 Clouded Drab , 24 Hebrew Character , 2 Oak Beauty , 6 Chestnut . I have also sent a photo to John for identification .

Finally, moths! I've been waiting to use my new 30W actinic kit. The cloud lifted but I still managed 21 moths of 5 species, namely Brown House-moth, Early Grey (3), Hebrew Character (13), Clouded Drab (2) and Common Quaker (2). All were FFY.

73 macros of 13 species last night with 38 Common Quakers making up the bulk of the catch. Powdered Quaker, Angle Shades and Brindled Pug were firsts for the year with it being the first time I've ever recorded Brindled Pug before seeing a Double Striped.

7/4/18 - Given the milder weather, and only a small moon, I hoped for good things, but got a slightly disappointing total of 25 moths.  12 Hebrew Characters, 10 Clouded Drabs, plus 2 FFYs, Early Thorn and Shoulder Stripe, and a FFG Powdered Quaker.  Could have been worse!

A rare visit to Somerset this weekend and trapped in my parents garden in Shipham the last two nights. Friday produced 20 moths of 10 species but nothing worth mentioning, last night was 21 moths of 10 species but included two NFM's! Never trapped before in Somerset at this time of year but was still pretty surprised and pleased! Totals are for the two nights combined. Emmelina monodactyla 1 Shoulder Stripe 1 NFY March Moth 3 Brindled Beauty 1 NFM Oak Beauty 1 Early Grey 3 Dotted Chestnut 1 NFM Satellite 1 Clouded Drab 2 Common Quaker 2 Small Quaker 1 Hebrew Character 18 Twin-spotted Quaker 4 Red Chestnut 1

With reference to my 3rd April post. Paul has confirmed my Mompha sp. by dissection as M. divisella. I have now released a total of 11 (eleven) from my garage where, presumably, they spent the winter. I do have some Willowherb in the garden so this may have been the source - I'll be sure to check these for larval signs this season.

A better night - 28 moths of 9 species. Double-striped Pug 1, Early Thorn 1, Hebrew Character 14, Clouded Drab 6, Common Quaker 2, Small Quaker 1, Powdered Quaker 1, Dotted Chestnut 1, Early Grey 1.

Some tedious weather has made for some fairly tedious mothing with little in the way of variety. A Pale Pinion and another Red Sword Grass were welcome but I have only recorded half the number of species this year compared to last.

With the help of makeshift shelters I managed to get my Skinner trap set up for two consecutive nights this week and despite the wind and rain both proved to be successful. On 2/4/18 I 'trapped' 80 moths - well, not quite, as there were only 10 moths in the trap - the other 70 were scattered throughout surrounding short grass and on a house wall. A similar result on 3/4/18 with 35 moths in the trap from a total of 97. The vast majority were the usual Orthosia but overall there were 15 species, including Twin-spotted Quaker, March Moth, Chestnut, Grey Shoulder-knot, Streamer, Engrailed, Oak Beauty, Dotted Border, Shoulder-stripe, Early Grey and Emmelina monodactyla. Looking forward to some dry, calm and mild nights sometime soon, I hope!

Likewise here, a quiet night for moths, even with only a small amount of rain.  9 Hebrew Characters, 11 Clouded Drabs, and 1 Common Quaker, plus FFY singles Twin-spotted Quaker, Oak Beauty, Satellite and A.alstromeriana.

Your are doing much better out there, just 6 spp here 42 assorted Orthosias, 1 Early Grey and 1 Diurnea fagella.

T Min 10.3°C. 15 moths of seven species. Light Brown Apple Moth, Double-striped Pug, Oak Beauty, Early Grey, Clouded Drab, Common Quaker and Hebrew Character.

Despite the rain and wind, the forecast of a mild night tempted me to trap, albeit with the trap tight up against the house and under a small balcony. 12 moths showed up, including FFY White-shouldered House Moth ; Early Grey (1) and Twin-spotted Quaker (5). 3 Oak Beauty were clinging to the pebble dash outside the trap.

Sustrans have kindly given me permission to record moths along the cycle path/former railway line between Frome and Radstock, and I ran a couple of traps there last night in the Mells Down/Newbury Firs area.  242 moths of 16 species, including some good numbers of moths that I usually find in ones and twos (Water Carpet, Satellite, Twin-spot Quaker) as well as Streamer, Shoulder Stripe and Brindled Pug.

Of particular note was this dark Shoulder Stripe.

Having started to suffer withdrawal symptoms I fashioned a rain guard using the washing line to allow a trapping session last night. The result - 24 moths of 8 species with Clouded Drab (2) and Common Plume being the only new species for the year.

Today I found no fewer than nine Mompha sp. in my garage (at the window trying to get out). Either M. bradleyi or M. divisella I think. I've sent one to Paul for gen. det.

Langport, VC 6, 1 April Left the trap plugged in by accident last night and then didn't fancy going out in pouring rain to switch it off! Surprisingly 6 moths- Early Thorn 1, Oak Beauty 2, Hebrew Character 2, Common Quaker 1

Excellent new record for Somerset me thinks!

Clearing out the shed yesterday in the rain, as you do. Ejected this chap from a box of old toys...Mohica tedinella?