Similar disappointing results up here in the Waveney Valley. I have trapped 3 times over the past week on sites away from my garden (which is still producing very little) and even though conditions seemed quite favorable, the results were not up to expectations,
On the 15th I recorded just 27 moths of 18 species, the only highlight was the first Flame Wainscot of the year. Tuesday 17th was a small improvement with 37 species and around 140 moths the bulk of which were Green Carpet and this on a site where I generally record around 60 to 80 species in mid-May. Among these were single Alder Kitten and first generation Balsam Capet, this being the only one I’ve seen this year after several tries and on a site where it is usually abundant in mid-May.
Last night on a different site to the other two, it was also very slow considering the temperature was around 14 degrees. Once again nothing in the catch of 34 species to get excited about with Small Magpie, White-spotted Pug and Marbled Brown the only new ones for the year. The bats were very active swooping low over the sheet trap. Not that they were taking any moths, as there were only 2 Pale Tussock that came to that light. But there was an abundance of Caddis and May flies to keep them occupied. Keep trying.
Brian