Work time opportunities

21st April

A late shift at work had me checking the walls and light around the unit on the way out and found a couple of species.

Parsnip Moth

Early Thorn

 

 

It always makes sense to check around the lights and on white walls for creatures of the night.

April Warmth

20th April 2018

We have has a couple of very warm days for April due to a weather system stemming from North Africa with temps up to the high twenties in the afternoon but with clear skies the nights are still coll but remaining above 10 C. Had the trap out last night hoping we have had some exotics blown up here from the continent but  slightly disappointed with the numbers and lack of species type.

Double stripped Pugs again made an appearance with two examples.

As usual found on the white wall which looks like it needs some painting!

Also new for the year we had an Early Grey. Not the best picture but took some with the bridge camera as well so will replace when get to see them.

 Early Grey

Also had another type of Pug which I believe is a Brindled Pug. Have checked with Facebook Group  for confirmation and will update as needed.

Update a worn doubled striped Pug.

Just show how worn they get if this emerged this spring

Double Striped Pug - Worn

The Night of the Pugs!

13th April 2018

There must of been an emergence of double striped pugs due to the improvement with the weather and had 5 last night to the actinic trap. From what I hear and read they are more likely to come to actinic traps than  the MV ones but even then they tend to be all outside, on walls etc. Two were eight foot up on the wall! Managed to get some photos but these three are the best.

Double Striped Pugs

Also the old faithful, the common quaker made an appearance with two specimens, one of which was quite worn and had half a moment where I thought it was a powdered quaker.

 Common quakers

The weather is due to get even warmer so hopefully more species ahead!

Steaming Ahead

09.04.2018

The weather forecast had the weather as being generally dry but with possibilty of thunder. Also mild so out went the trap with the sunshade up to help protect from the rain with some hope of a decent catch return.

Well in the final egg carton looked at the following morning  a little common quaker was hiding so we have a grand total of two moths so far this year!

Common Quaker

However other wildlife arrrived this last week when I saw the first bumble bee in the garden on the muscari. A nice fat queen which kept on warming herself in the sun on the white walls.

Bombus terestis
 

Disappointing weather!

03.04.2019

Well the weather forecast was showing a higher temperature and humidity for the night with even a thunder storm. 

Some rain was forecast so the old sunshade went up to give some protection but at 6 am the next day it was really cold and damp and NO MOTHS. 

Not unexpected though!

Hopefully the weather will pick up next week as predicted but a rubbish spring so far.

Out of Hibernation and the new Mothing year starts!

25th March 2018

Since Christmas the weather has been generally cold and wet and then we had the beasts from the east where Siberian weather came in March to dump snow in Torbay causing chaos!

The amount of snow was the worst in living memory but thankfully only lasted for < 48 hours on both occasions. The picture above is from the 2nd coming on the 18th March! There may be further problems ahead until May!

However on the 24th the night was clear, no rain and little wind so decided to break out the trap. Next morning there was nothing in the trap; not surprisingly as temperature went down to 4C; but on the outside a lovely Oak beauty was resting which is new for the Garden so a good start to the year.

Oak Beauty.

I will pick and choose my nights but at least the season has begun!

New Year 2018!!

Moth Trap tucked away since last October but found this moth fluttering around the kitchen and after checking online is confirmed as a Bloxworth Snout which must have been slumbering in are around the house as normally hibernates till spring.

Depending on how mild it becomes Trapping will start February/March.