Monk’s Hole/Scale Marsh 7th April

Allan  joined Brian and I for my first moth trapping of the year. The habitat being good marshland/woodland both wet and dry with lots of birch pine and oak and lots of fallen timber. It so happens that in 2015 we trapped on the same date, then recording 20 species. I was expecting a bigger catch this time around. Then, as this night, we set up under the watchful eyes of a small herd of Red Deer out on the marsh. Allan brought along an experimental black light (40w). As the definition of black light seems to cover many things this was similar to a wem in appearance but was dark purple and suspended from a low branch on a tree over a ground sheet. Brian turned up late and was set up by 20.30 whilst my and Allan’s light on at 20.10 giving ten lights in total. A warm night, during the trapping session remaining above 11c, we decided to pack up at 22.30. Shortly after it started to rain which was very warm but steady, like rain in the height of Summer. 28 species  recorded. It was good to get some Red Chestnut, which Brian was on the look out for, six in total, all on or bordering the marshes. Nothing outstanding, no literana, but all were new for year for me. Plenty of Pine Beauty. Also seen; Double striped and Brindled Pugs, March Moth, Shoulder Stripe, Early Tooth Striped, Yellow Horned, Engrailed, Water Carpet. My 60w actinic was placed by the Monk’s Hole Pond especially for Great Silver Water Beetle, 2 recorded. (6 on 7/4/2015) along with a female Great Diving Beetle. It did very well for moths too. The black light attracted lots of D. fagella which was the most abundant moth on the night and as we had our torches on, scouring the sheet below, a few noctuids flew in.   Everyone left pretty satisfied.