I was very interested in James' entries last month about the numbers of moths that he had recorded this year. My impression was that this year, although not a classic year, was a huge improvement on 2007.
I sometimes think that I am more interested in the maths than the moths and I thought I would compare my totals, over a 5 year period, in a garden 20 miles away from Taunton with those that he has given. There is a suprising disparity between the two sets of figures. I have listed them in numerical order with the most numerous at the top of the list.

• Setacious Hebrew Character -221 individuals on 5 yr average -11%
• Heart and Dart -1151 / - 77%
• Large Yellow Underwing +30 / +2%
• Common Wainscot -95/ -13%
• Common Footman -233/ -48%
• Dark Arches -243/ -57%
• Lunar Underwing -316/ -90%
• Square Spot Rustic +223/+69%
• Straw Dot -42/ -18%
• Brimstone +14/ +7%
• Dingy Footman +51/ +34%
• Uncertain -103/ -77%
• Vines Rustic +46 /+35%
• Shuttle Shaped Dart +105/ +105%
• Green Carpet +6/ +8%
• Jersey Tiger - only one ever seen in my garden

Assuming I get a December Moth before the end of the year I will end up with about 248 different Macro species. This compares to a high of 272 different species in 2004 and a low of 231 in 2007.