With warm conditions and some cloud cover, this was a much better night for recording than what we had for the Lackford lakes meeting. 8 members attended, running 9 lights, 5 of which were actinic traps. Main target for the night was to try and record Barred umber, but, unfortunately none were seen. Around 87 species were found, with some traps being very busy whilst others were strangely more quiet, despite conditions appearing good. Packed up just after midnight when a Buff-tip was seen, normally the signal to call it a night! Moths of interest included the following:
Beautiful golden-Y, Cream wave (a few, all worn), Poplar lutestring (small numbers at each trap), Small white wave, Brindled white spot, Alder moth, Lobster moth, Small fan-foot (first for year for most), Sandy carpet, Ancylis laetana ( a few, from the Aspen), Poplar kitten (at least 3 seen), July highflyer (an early one), Seraphim, Grey arches and Rivulet. A small greyish Elachista with a pale bar across the wing was tubed up at the twin 30w actinic trap, and once checked at home the next day it appears to be Elachista adscitella. With no listing on the Suffolk moth guide this could potentially be new to the county, although there appears to be a dot in the MBGBI book for west Suffolk. Foodplant is Tufted hair grass which is abundant in the wood. Certainly moth of the night for me.
The bad news on the night was that a single Hornet ‘buzzed’ the sheet light a few times during the evening, this seems quite early for them to be out, perhaps they are going to have a good year too and make checking the traps later this year more dangerous?!
Neil
Sounds like a good night! Had my first hornet on 19 May but seen no more to date.