I am still shaking with excitement, after securing the first Crimson Speckled at Bawdsey since May 1885!
The story goes like this. Knowing there have been a few pulchella about on the south coast this week, I left my bathroom light on all night at home in Hollesley, with the window open, in the vain hope that one might fly in! I thought this was one extra opportunity (albeit a very long shot!) to catch one, as well as running the Bawdsey traps. I then went to bed and was dreaming about this moth last night, until I was awoken by thunderstorms early this morning.
The only moth in the bathroom was a Feathered Ranunculus! I then drove to Bawdsey Hall, arriving in the dark at 5.45am. I always empty my traps each morning in the same order. The first trap by the black wooden barn is first to check. I look on the wall before inspecting the trap contents. The first moth I saw was an Angle Shades. Moth number two was incredibly a Crimson Speckled! I was elated! Inside the trap was a Palpita vitrealis.
The remaining traps held 3 Diamond-back Moths, 4 Rush Veneer, 1 Convolvulus Hawk-moth, 1 male Four-spotted Footman, 3 Dark Sword-grass, 2 Delicate, 3 Silver Y and a Red Admiral. A nycteoline bearing black spots will warrant closer scrutiny.
Residents included my first Flounced Chestnut of the year and Merveille du Jour, a variety of sallows and a lovely range of Beaded Chestnuts. An Acleris emargana was a good record for here too.
It is worth noting here that anyone out in the field this weekend, particularly on the coast, should keep a look out for pulchella in any vegetated areas. Most records are ‘kicked up’ from long grass in a similar fashion to noctuella. I will certainly be looking around the Bawdsey areas.
The memory of this morning will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Congratulations Matthew! You clearly earned the reward of a crimson speckled – but we don’t always get what we deserve! A moment to treasure.
I’ve only ever seen this iconic little creature abroad (most memorably in the Sudan desert!), but when I was a boy it was one of the species I really did dream about!