Is it really October?

After a busy first half to last week with no time for trapping, I was able to run lights for the rest of the week to take advantage of the warm conditions. Species counts impressive for the time of year with between 30 – 45sp a night with a mix of running a single trap up to a maximum of 3 again depending on time available to sort them.
A sprinkling of migrants seen, nowhere near the numbers Matthew gets on the coast but pleasing for me all the same. I’ve seen Four-spotted footman (a male, my third this year), Udea ferrugalis (a small number most nights my first for a few years), Silver Y (only a couple), Dark-sword grass (1) and numerous Diamondbacks.
Nice autumnal species have included the following. Merveille Du Jour (regular now with an impressive count of 10 seen on the 16th in 3 traps), Satellite, Blair’s shoulder knot (good numbers), Mottled umber (16th, first for autumn), November moth (first for year), Flounced chestnut (17th, first for year), Grey shoulder knot (18th). Red-line quaker and Yellow-line quaker now regular. Red-green carpet, Pine carpet, Spruce carpet seen in good numbers with fewer numbers of Grey pine carpet. Unseasonal things continue to appear with Yellow-tail, Rosy footman (in numbers), Buff footman (2), Treble-brown spot, Pebble hook tip and Carcina quercana (a good count of 11 trapped on the 16th) all noted. One moth that hasn’t been around in any kind of numbers here is Barred sallow, normally the commonest species here. This year I’ve seen more Sallow.
I’ve had bulb problems myself too, lost one last night due to the heavy rain. I think although the air is warm the rain is cold hence why the damage is occurring.

Neil

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