I am a lucky chap and really appreciate what I catch. Last night (8th Oct) produced a Cosmopolitan! This is a moth I have only seen once before in Suffolk – at Bawdsey Manor in the vintage migrant year 2006. I am only aware of one other county record which was from Landguard in the year 2000. The accompanying migrants were much the same as in recent nights, so I won’t list them; though it’s worth mentioning that a Delicate was in the same trap as the loreyi.
Of the resident species, Large Wainscots are now out in some numbers at Bawdsey Hall. 53 species were noted this morning including Tachystola acroxantha – I haven’t seen for a month or so. Most of the rest were species I have recently mentioned.
I went out looking on Ivy for an hour at East Lane, Bawdsey and recorded over 100 moths of 25 species. The first moth I saw was a Delicate! The species list was as follows:
Agonopterix arenella 1, Emmelina monodactyla 1, Acleris variegana 1, Epiphyas postvittana 5, Common Marbled Carpet 2, Angle Shades 50+, Dark Sword-grass 30+, Pearly Underwing 2, Delicate 1, Barred Sallow 1, Pink-barred Sallow 1, Grey Shoulder-knot 1, Large Yellow Underwing 4, Lesser Yellow Underwing 2, Beaded Chestnut 1, Setaceous Hebrew Character 2, Silver Y 3, Autumnal Rustic 1, Chestnut 2, L-album Wainscot 20, White-point 2, Brick 3, Snout 2 and Black Rustic 1. Herald was only noted on bramble.
Don’t feel so guilty, Matthew! At least we know that there are good things turning up in our county! And I have a sneaking feeling I wouldn’t recognise a cosmopolitan anyway.
Interesting list on Ivy Matthew, much different to what I’m finding. A lot of migrants on there, where my patch has more residents. I am regularly getting 50+ Chestnut at present, this is my commonest moth on Ivy, followed by Yellow-line quaker with 12+.
Well done on the Cosmopolitan, a moth I’ve only seen in Dorset once before.
Neil