Finally picked up my first Dotted Border on 25th. Other additions from the 27th Double-striped Pug, Oak Beauty, Agonopterix scopariella and a beautifully marked Acleris cristana. The Speculation: well I have picked up a second Red-headed Chestnut. The first was a male of typical colouration. This second one a female of the abberation glabra. On the presumption that the female has or will mate then the chances are there will be larvae this year. Whilst this species is regarded as an immigrant, these specimens are more likely to have overwintered than be February immigrants. I see a number of recent records for Bawdsey, which is the next but one parish to the south. Perhaps we have an established breeding population of the Red-headed Chestnut here.
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Congratulations on the Red-headed Chestnuts, Raymond! Speculating, the moths may have come over together last Autumn as its not unusual for uncommon migrants to turn up in two’s or three’s, male or males following female for example. However they could have become established or may be on the brink of establishing in your area, certainly Matthew has had quite a few down that way over the last few years, hopefully further catches may follow, if not in the next few weeks,in the Autumn.
Keith
It is possible that there could be a population establishing in that area but it is also possible that the two moths caught were migrants from the good weather last autumn that have hibernated successfully. There was a good influx of this species in the UK then. As Keith says, time will tell. Not heard of anyone else catching any in Suffolk yet so that may add to the evidence for a local population. Hopefully one comes my way soon!
Neil