First Crimson Speckled at Bawdsey for 128 years!

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.

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One Response to First Crimson Speckled at Bawdsey for 128 years!

  1. tonyhopkins says:

    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!

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