4 moth-ers met up to trap at the Bawdsey picnic area on this night, with warm conditions on arrival we were hopeful of a good catch. 3 mv traps were put out then we sat and waited for the moths to arrive. A few drops of rain then started to fall, ‘rain’ we said ‘that wasn’t in the forecast’. We then had to dash into the cars as the heavens opened and it continued to rain hard for about half an hour. When it did stop, all the traps had survived bulbs intact, but there were big puddles everywhere and the temperature had dropped. Dam!
We carried on regardless but the numbers of moths about was low so we packed up about midnight. Highlights included: Ground lackey (2), Eucosma tripoliana, Brown-veined wainscot, Acleris cristana, Square-spotted clay, Marbled green, Evergestis extimalis, Epinotia signatana, Cochylis molliculana, Sandhill rustic and Webb’s wainscot. A few migrants were about too with Udea ferrugalis, Dark sword-grass and Silver Y noted.
A real shame the rain came, ruined what would have been a good night I feel.
Neil
I had a similar experience Friday evening. I decided to trap on the beach nearby. Conditions were great as it was warm with thick cloud, when suddenly without warning about 10.30 the heavens opened and it deluged for about five minutes. In that short time I and the three traps were absolutely soaked so I packed up.
In the hour before the rain came the moths were turning up in numbers including Tawny Wave, Crescent Striped, Small Mottled Willow, Coast, White-line & Archer’s Dart and micros including Aphomia zelleri, Pediasia fascelinella & contaminella and Evergestis extiminalis. What promised to be an interesting evening was completely spoilt and it took the following day to dry out all the equipment.
What was even more annoying was that it did not rain again for the rest of the night!
Brian