16/1/21 = quite disappointing really, as it was slightly less cold and windy last night, and with still very little moonlight, but not one moth came calling.  Never mind, try again in a couple of days.

Winter Moth at the window tonight, in very good condition as this should be the end of their flight period now.

14/1/21 - just a solitary Chestnut in the MV last night, plus the lone Winter Moth on the kitchen window all evenng - it's probably warmer there than in the great outdoors.

Just two December Moths and a lot of flies in the trap this morning. Agonopterix alstromeriana fluttering round the bedroom!

Just two December Moths and a lot of flies in the trap this morning. Agonopterix alstromeriana fluttering round the bedroom!

Just two December Moths and a lot of flies in the trap this morning. Agonopterix alstromeriana fluttering round the bedroom!

Unfortunately, no moths to my trap on 11th - due to poor location in too much wind. However, better luck on 12th with 4 moths of 3 species - Winter moth 1, Spring Usher 1 and Pale Brindled Beauty 2. For a while I thought I had a Small Brindled Beauty as one individual was very much smaller than the other - but probably too early for this species and it didn't look quite right - pity though. Only one moth on 13th - another Pale Brindled Beauty.

A Pale Brindled Beauty and a Dark Chestnut last night took my annual total up to 4. I did not reach that figure until March last year. Early days, I know, but still encouraging.

First trapping of the year produced 5 December Moths and a Chestnut. That's 3 times as many moths as I recorded in all of January last year. Already this year is looking better than 2020!

A late decision to put out a trap paid off. Tucked away just outside the patio doors to avoid the worst of the rain and wind. 18 moths broke social distancing, the offenders being : December Moth (5) ; Winter Moth (11) ; Mottled Umber (1) and a good candidate for Acleris ferrugana. A good start to the year.  Stay safe.  PS. Paul Wilkins has kindly confirmed the A.ferrugana

12/1/21 (a nice palindromic date) - the first time I have trapped since mid-November due to vision problems and quite a lot of adverse weather - rewarded with a Winter Moth in the Actinic and a December Moth in the MV.  Also earlier on, a Winter Moth spent the entire evening on my kitchen window - clearly not the adventurous type.

So far this month I have seen 3 moths - a Pale Brindled Beauty at rest on an outside stone wall on both 6th and 10th. This follows similar sightings on 27th & 30th December - possibly the same moth on each occasion but can't be sure. Also a Herald seen whilst checking the loft for vermin on 8th. I have been tempted to put the MV Skinner trap out tonight as it is a bit milder but of course it is windy and rain expected. I doubt I will get many moths, if any, but at least there is a possibility!

First macro of 2021 - a Chestnut fluttering at the window this evening.

Last ramble of 2020 round Butleigh Solar Farm yesterday, cases of Coleophora glaucicolella plentiful on Hard Rush, Juncus inflexus. Larva shows the characteristic features to distinguish it from c. alticolella.

Already seen the first 'leps' of the year, some very prominent mines of Ectoedemia septembrella on the Hypericum bushes outside my study window.