After a dismal last ten days of mothing at the Hall; things are showing signs of picking up now. The cold clear nights with virtually full moon, rain and wind have been largely hopeless with no count higher than 46 species throughout this period.
Despite these uninspiring conditions, low numbers of moths have still been trapped including Dusky-lemon Sallow (one of my autumn favourites) on the night of 18th; The Sallow, Barred Sallow and Centre-barred Sallow. Brown-spot Pinion, Lunar Underwing, Brick, Autumnal Rustic, Black Rustic, Feathered Ranunculus and L-album Wainscot are all now regular.
Large Wainscots have not really got going yet – after a promising start a few weeks ago they have been largely absent. Still catching the yellow underwings; hordes of pronuba with fewer comes, janthe and orbona. Copper Underwings and Mouse Moth dwindling in numbers now with odd singles about. Red Underwings have been regular even on the worst of the cold nights! Like the pronuba, c-nigrum have been appearing in large numbers.
Migrants have included a red-striped male Vestal last night (19th Sep) along with a Pearly Underwing. Dark Sword-grass and Silver Y have been regular in fluctuating numbers. A few Diamond-back Moth and Rush Veneer about too. Odd Dark Spectacles could also be migrant individuals.
Micros have largely disappeared but Acleris rhombana, Helcystogramma rufescens, Chilo phragmitella and Catoptria falsella all on 19th were unusually late. Eudonia pallida and angustea appear occasionally – some of these may be migrants. Still the odd late Evergestis extimalis about. Scrobipalpa costella has proved to be quite regular.