Last night I took my first half-decent migrant of the year at Bawdsey Hall – a Silver Barred. This is not a moth that I see every year; although as it happens 2013 was particularly good for the species with three caught.
I have also been lucky enough to catch three individual Red-necked Footman in recent nights. It is possible that this moth has colonised the peninsula as it is recorded each year now. Diamond-backed Moths, European Corn-borers and Silver Ys have been trapped in small numbers too.
The last week or so has been particularly good for pyralids. I obtained a single of the spruce-feeding Assara terebrella – only the second site record on the 7 June. Evergestis limbata and extimalis have been noted too. The recent colonist tortrix Cochylis molliculana has also appeared and the rare Ethmia terminella.
Seven species of hawks have appeared at the Hall: Privet, Pine, Poplar, Lime, Eyed and both the Elephants. Last night I took the first Garden Tiger or the season along with a fresh Cream-spot Tiger – nice to see the two together!
A couple of Flame Wainscots have appeared in the past week. Water Ermine has had a good year here. A Lilac Beauty last night (10th) was a Bawdsey rarity. One of my favourites the L-album Wainscot is now flying.
I was quite surprised to take the Dun-bar so early as the night of 9 June. Uncertain now out in some numbers and first Common Emerald too. Large Yellow Underwing and Dark and Light Arches numbers building too!