…or maybe not.
I got back a few days ago from a self-indulgent mothing month in Cenral/Souther France. Saw a lot of wonderful things (and rediscovered the joys of sugaring), but what was entirely absent was any migrants. After about 30 nights of MV trapping spread over four distant and different sites I caught a total of 2 Silver Y and no dark sword grass (or diamond-back, or anything else). There was also a marked absence of migrant butterflies like clouded yellow and painted lady – I know there is an in-between time for generations, but this was really quite eerie.
I have experienced some quite magical migrations in the past – including seeing hundreds of convolvulus hawks in Northern Italy, then driving through Central and Northern France and seeing dozens every evening all the way to Calais – and then catching several in my garden MV. I really felt I had travelled with them across Europe.
But nothing this year. Last night, with the big storm, I did wonder if there might be a few intrepid rush veneers etc, but there were no migrants at all (unless they were Continental nutmegs and lesser yellow underwings sheltering in the windswept corners of my MV.). Things will change through August I have no doubt. But it’s salutary to realise that Europe isn’t always (or often) awash with death’s heads and flame brocades.
Tony H.
Just singles of Diamondback and Rusty-dot pearl in my traps last night. I agree with what you say about Europe, it’s not always full of migrants bursting to come over to the UK. I saw very few moths in Bulgaria in May this year as there had been a drought last year followed by a very cold spring. There has been a heatwave in southern Europe this year so if this is the source for our migrants there may not be any foodplants left for them to breed up on before getting here. Be interesting to see what the autumn is like.
Hopefully good!