The moth season is always slow to get going for me but, with reasonable conditions of late, the traps been out most nights this week. Both Small and Common Quaker have made up the bulk of the catch (there were 50 of each on 27th), with a supporting cast of Hebrew Character, Clouded Drab, Twin-spotted Quaker and Early Grey. A Pale Pinion (19th), Oak Beauty (27th), and Brindled Beauty (29th) were best. Last night (30th) delivered my first pugs of the year – one each of Brindled and Double-striped. Also noted last night was the second record this month of the aptly named March Moth. If there was a downside, I guess it would be that Dotted Chestnut still seems to elude me. Away from the garden, a day trip to Wolves Wood on Fri 29th was rewarded with about half-a-dozen Light Orange Underwings – a species I had not specifically looked for at this site for a few years now. From social media, I see that Neil faired much better than me when he saw at least 26 the next day (Sat 30th). With a cool, unsettled week to start April, I think the trap will be staying in the shed until things improve again.
[Pictured below: Pale Pinion, Early Grey, Clouded Drab & Brindled Beauty]