From the garden trap 12/03/2011

I had considered venturing out to woodland last night, but the late afternoon drizzle and the threat of further precipitation put me off. The garden traps went out though, and produced the first decent sized catch of the year including two garden yearticks:

Total catch 63 of 8sp.(125W MV 38 of 6; 80W/100W actinic/tungsten combo 25 of 7)

0688 Agonopterix heracliana 4
1054 Acleris cristana 2 (NFY)
1497 Amblyptilia acanthadactyla 1
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 2
2187 Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi) 38
2188 Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta) 11
2190 Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica) 4
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 1 (NFY)

The two Acleris cristana were especially pleasing; one on 18/04 last year was a garden tick, and it is always interesting to know if these first individuals are going to be a complete one-off or the start of more regular appearances. Seems like it could be the latter for cristana. I also like to see this species as I find the sheer variation amazing.

This one in particular still showing large scale-tufts on the forewings.

Much less exciting, though aptly named.