Catch up

I've neglected the blog for a few days for various reasons. I've got a few garden trap list summaries, but first here's a cracking caterpillar to share:

This is a first instar Oak Eggar. I had a few eggs from the female I caught in the garden on 11/07/2010 and all hatched on 28/07/2010. I'm rearing them on sallow at the moment. Even at first instar and newly hatched they are a fair size, c10mm. Hopefully I can get a few to final instar, and hopefully a few of those will be big fat females for assembling with next year.

Now for the garden trapping:

23/07/2010
Total catch 162 of 52sp.
(125W MV 84 of 36; 80W/100W actinic/tungsten combo 78 of 31)

First for year in garden:
1048 Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana) 3
2064 Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa) 1

Highest counts:
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 29
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 22
1036 Acleris forsskaleana 12
1304 Agriphila straminella 9
1424 Endotricha flammealis 7
1390 Udea prunalis 5
2318 Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina) 5

Best of the rest:
2044 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola) 2
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1


25/07/2010
Total catch 311 of 86sp.
(125W MV 175 of 62; 80W/100W actinic/tungsten combo 136 of 54)

FIRST FOR GARDEN:
1016 Cnephasia longana 1
2165 Small Ranunculus (Hecatera dysodea) 1

I'd missed that longana was new for the garden - I'd let it go before realising as it was not the smartest individual for a photo. Small Ranunculus is triple-tick for me (British, County, Garden).

First for year in garden:
0411 Argyresthia goedartella 1
0425 Orchard Ermine (Yponomeuta padella) 1
1362 Pyrausta purpuralis 1
1839 Bordered Pug (Eupithecia succenturiata) 1
2049 Buff Footman (Eilema depressa) 1

Highest counts:
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 46
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 30
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 21
1036 Acleris forsskaleana 20
0873 Blastobasis adustella 12
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) 12
1439 Trachycera advenella 9
2318 Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina) 8
0647 Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) 6

Best of the rest:
0898 Limnaecia phragmitella 1
1183 Epiblema foenella 1
1207 Pine Leaf-mining Moth (Clavigesta purdeyi) 1
1424 Endotricha flammealis 5
1513 White Plume Moth (Pterophorus pentadactyla) 1
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi) 2
2011 Pale Prominent (Pterostoma palpina) 1
2030 Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis) 2
2031 White Satin (Leucoma salicis) 1
2044 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola) 1
2064 Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa) 1


26/07/2010
Total catch 152 of 56sp.
(125W MV 91 of 41; 80W/100W actinic/tungsten combo 57 of 32)

FIRST FOR GARDEN:
0366a Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner (Cameraria ohridella) 4

This is the first time I've picked up this species at light.

First for year in garden:
0428 Willow Ermine (Yponomeuta rorrella) 2
1139 Nut Bud Moth (Epinotia tenerana) 1
2297 Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidea) 1

Highest counts:
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 22
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 14
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) 10
1304 Agriphila straminella 8
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 8
1036 Acleris forsskaleana 6

Best of the rest:
0125 Emmetia marginea 1
0602 Elachista apicipunctella 1
2030 Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis) 1
2044 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola) 4
2434 Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) 1

Willow Ermine

Bird-cherry Ermine - a bit worn

Dun-bar

Copper Underwing

Copper Underwing - underside of hindwing

28/07/2010
Total catch 125 of 57sp.
(125W MV 71 of 37; 80W/100W actinic/tungsten combo 54 of 34)

First for year in garden:
1790 Tissue (Triphosa dubitata) 1

Highest counts:
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 19
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) 11
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 9
1439 Trachycera advenella 7

Best of the rest:
0254 Laburnum Leaf Miner (Leucoptera laburnella) 1
0602 Elachista apicipunctella 1
1398 Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella) 1
1653 Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides) 1
1726 Large Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata) 1
2011 Pale Prominent (Pterostoma palpina) 1
2030 Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis) 1
2044 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola) 2
2319 Lunar-spotted Pinion (Cosmia pyralina) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

Trachycera advenella

At Last!!

I've got a couple of garden lists to get onto the database and summarise, but last nights catch included a long-awaited and superb garden tick so I couldn't wait to show off ...

Small Ranunculus - get in!

This species first turned up in Leicester in 2006 and has fairly rapidly spread around the city turning up in various moth recorder's gardens on the way. I've been expecting it ever since but frustratingly no sign either in the garden or when out and about - until last night. Shame it has a knackered wing, but like the Pine Hawk last week I'll take it!

Bordered Pug

Common / Lesser Common Rustic - these very dark brown individuals with pale reniform stigma are the best candidates for confirming as Lesser Common.

Also in the trap last night was this click beetle, subsequently identified as Stenagostus rhombeus thanks to 'Boris' on Flickr.

Not sure yet of this species VC55 status.

Flickr Me!

I've had a Flickr account for nearly 3 years - no idea why, never used it. However I've also got 1000s of digital images that are badly archived etc, and I'm not sure how much of my blogger account webspace is left to abuse. So - I'm going to try using the Flickr account and then pasting the embed code. So, you'll see the photos here but they will actually be there. You probably knew that anyway.

My Flickr photostream is here. Though not much point looking yet as there are only two images uploaded, which are these from Devon a few years ago:

Could do with one of those here in VC55!

Big Garden Trap List 19/07/2010

A superb night for garden mothing - warm, humid, light breeze, occasional light showers and feeling like a big thunder storm could brew up any minute. This morning I was up at first light keen to see how the traps had done, and was rewarded with a big catch and a big garden tick.

Total catch 475 of 105sp.
(125W MV 190 of 79; 80W/100W actinic/tungsten combo of 285 of 75)

FIRST FOR GARDEN:
1978 Pine Hawk-moth (Hyloicus pinastri) 1

Okay - not the freshest specimen but beggars can't be choosers (and any other cliche or saying that fits)

First for year in garden:
0455 Ypsolopha scabrella 2
1183 Epiblema foenella 1
1197 Eucosma campoliliana 1
1207 Pine Leaf-mining Moth (Clavigesta purdeyi) 1
1356 Garden Pebble (Evergestis forficalis) 1
1417 Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis) 1
2112 Least Yellow Underwing (Noctua interjecta caliginosa) 1
2341 Cloaked Minor (Mesoligia furuncula) 1

Highest counts:
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 80
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 59
1036 Acleris forsskaleana 26
1304 Agriphila straminella 19
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) 15
2318 Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina) 13

Best of the rest:
0462 Ypsolopha sequella 7
0898 Limnaecia phragmitella 2
1086 Hedya salicella 1
1336 Eudonia pallida 1
1424 Endotricha flammealis 2
1792 Dark Umber (Philereme transversata britannica) 2
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi) 4
2044 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola) 2
2278 Poplar Grey (Acronicta megacephala) 1

Meal Moth

Limnaecia phragmitella

Eucosma campoliliana

Epiblema foenella

Cloaked Minor

Garden Trapping 17th/18th

The wind had dropped a little, and the rain had stopped, so the garden traps were back out on Saturday night despite the clear cool temperatures. Considering it is mid July the catch was very poor, but predictably so given the conditions.

Total catch was a mere 109 of 53sp.
(125W MV 74 of 46; 80W/100W actinic/tungsten combo 35 of 21)

First for year in garden:
1001 Lozotaeniodes formosanus 1
1388 Udea lutealis 1
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 1
2145 Nutmeg (Discestra trifolii) 1

Highest counts:
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 17
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 11
1205 Bud Moth (Spilonota ocellana) 4
1304 Agriphila straminella 4
2318 Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina) 4
2387 Mottled Rustic (Caradrina morpheus) 4

Best of the rest:
0125 Emmetia marginea 1
2434 Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

Lozotaeniodes formosanus

Trapping last night was better, with warmer muggy conditions bringing in another completely unexpected garden first and the total catch being a much more like it 313 of 95sp.
(125W MV 172 of 71; 80W/100W actinic/tungsten combo 141 of 53)

FIRST FOR GARDEN:
0470 Orthotelia sparganella 1

First for year in garden:
1086 Hedya salicella 1
1138 Epinotia nisella 4
1159 Holly Tortrix (Rhopobota naevana) 1
2044 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola) 1
2319 Lunar-spotted Pinion (Cosmia pyralina) 1

Highest counts:
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 44
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 28
1036 Acleris forsskaleana 16
2318 Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina) 11
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) 10
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 10
1205 Bud Moth (Spilonota ocellana) 9
1304 Agriphila straminella 9
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 9
0972 Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis heparana) 8
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 8
0647 Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) 7

Best of the rest:
0266 Bucculatrix nigricomella 1
1001 Lozotaeniodes formosanus 1
1002 Lozotaenia forsterana 1
1292 Calamatropha paludella 1
1336 Eudonia pallida 1
1424 Endotricha flammealis 1
1792 Dark Umber (Philereme transversata britannica) 1
1917 Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria) 1
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi) 1
2164 Broad-barred White (Hecatera bicolorata) 1

Also seen yesterday was a first for the year male Vapourer fluttering about on the front garden.

Gold Triangle

Slimey

Nothing remotely interesting on the moth or bird front - the weather here over the last couple of days has been absolutely miserable with very strong winds (which have ripped of the roofing felt from my shed) and torrential rain (which is not a good thing when your roofing felt has been blown off).

So, here's a few shots of various Brown-lipped Banded Snails from Narborough Bog last time I trapped there. They were prolific on the reeds and scrub in the early morning dew.

Also loads of these Amber Snails ..

Garden trap 11/07

Catching up on the last time I ran the garden traps. A garden tick is always appreciated, especially when it's a new for me species full stop!

11/07/2010 : Total catch 388 of 99sp
(125W MV 244 of 77; 80W/100W actinic/tungsten combo 144 of 66)

FIRST FOR GARDEN:
1079 Piniphila bifasciana 1

First for year in garden:
0410 Argyresthia brockeella 1
1292 Calamotropha paludella 1
1398 Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella) 1
1637 Oak Eggar (Lasiocampa quercus) 1
1947 Engrailed (Ectropis bistortata) 1

Highest counts:
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 45
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 28
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) 24
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) 16
2089 Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) 15
1036 Acleris forsskaleana 14
2128 Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum) 13
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 11
2381 Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines) 11

Best of the rest:
0363 Phyllonorycter platanoidella 1
1210 Pine Shoot Moth (Rhyacionia buoliana) 1
1424 Endotricha flammealis 3
1452 Phycita roborella 1
1652 Peach Blossom (Thyatira batis) 1
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi) 5
1994 Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala) 1
2314 Dingy Shears (Parastichtis ypsillon) 2
2434 Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) 2
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

Dingy Shears

Calamatropha paludella

Pine Shoot Moth

Peppered Moth f. cabonaria

Scalloped Oak

Cullen Skink

Cullen Skink
. Finnie haddie
. Potato
. Onion
. Milk
. Butter
. Seasoning

There is only one place on Earth where you should really enjoy this glorious creamy fish-based soup - Cullen.

Every now and then I have to visit a customer somewhere or other - usually a simple drive there, go in and drive back day visit. When I can, I bolt on a visit to somewhere en route or nearby for a spot of birding (like the north Norfolk coast if I'm in Wisbech in the spring/summer, or Eldernell on the way back in winter etc). Yesterday though I had to get to a fantastic area that I would really like to make more of but with business constraints that meant there was no way I could capitalise. Arse.

Anyway, I flew up to Aberdeen yesterday afternoon, arriving in superb bright sunshine. One hire car later and I'm on my way to the Moray/Banffshire coast. The customer (Baxters - soups, jam, beetroot, tourism etc) is actually based between Fochabers and Mosstodloch immediately next to the glorious Spey. However by choice I stayed at the coastal town of Cullen overnight.

I had a couple of hours in the evening to enjoy the town and harbour, and to grab a couple of pints of decent beer before returning to The Seafield Arms Hotel for dinner.

The harbour had the unforgettable enigmatic smell of seaweed and seafront - as an inlander it's something I enjoy. Flying over were screaming Swifts, and a few Swallows, House Martins and even a couple of Sand Martins. The beach held a few Oystercatchers, and Gannets were fishing just offshore. Great stuff.

After enjoying the sea front and fresh air for a while, I headed to The Three Kings Inn which is a great old traditional pub serving guest ales. I enjoyed a pint of Three Monkeys from the Caledonian Brewery and a Red MacGregor form The Orkney Brewery - both great beers which set me up nicely for dinner including the aforementioned Skink. A couple of pints of draught Belhaven Best in the hotel also went down well, but I opted to avoid sampling any of the 150+ malts on this occasion (in previous visits with more time I've tried a fair few!).

This morning the weather was shite - cold and rainy. Nothing better to do than get the business done and get back to the airport for the afternoon flight back. More time and better weather and maybe I could've driven down to Abernethy or across to the huge Culbin Forest. Nevermind.

Here's a few shots from around Cullen.

Narborough Bog Pics 2 of 2 - Micros

Agonopterix angelicella

Cydia fagiglandana

Aethes rubigana

Epinotia signatana - now obligatory!

Athrips mouffetella

Parachronistis albiceps - just about, too skittish for a better shot

Garden Pebble

Phlyctaenia perlucidalis - the relatively rare 'fresh' look for this species