<title>Suffolk Moths Blog » Brian</title>
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<description>Topical information from the Suffolk Moth Group</description>
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<title>First moth of 2020 – a plume</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2020/01/02/2020-first-moth-is-a-plume/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2020/01/02/2020-first-moth-is-a-plume/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jan 2020 00:10:35 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Brian</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=8047</guid>
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<![CDATA[ For me the first moth of the New Year 2020 was a plume. Amblyptilia acanthadactyla was sitting on the conservatory wall this morning (1st). Probably off the geraniums outside on the patio which have not succumbed to the frost yet … <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2020/01/02/2020-first-moth-is-a-plume/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>For me the first moth of the New Year 2020 was a plume. <em>Amblyptilia acanthadactyla</em> was sitting on the conservatory wall this morning (1st). Probably off the geraniums outside on the patio which have not succumbed to the frost yet as it has been so mild. I have been browsing through the distribution maps on the new Suffolk Moths site. With the records now completed up to 2018, it’s interesting to see that some of the species we consider common up here in the top NE corner of Suffolk are scarcely recorded over the rest of Suffolk. Best example is probably Common Marbled Carpet with a concentration of dots and many records in the NE but very few elsewhere. A few others similarly recorded are Grey Shoulder-knot, Blair’s Shoulder-knot, Figure of Eighty, Yellow Horned, Crescent, Freyer’s Pug and Least Yellow Underwing. There are some that are the reverse of this with Nut-tree Tussock and Great Prominent never seen in the far NE of the county.</p>
<p>Also we can now see from the maps a pattern of how some of the new invaders such as Olive Crescent are gradually moving up through the county.</p>
<p>Many thanks to all involved with bringing things up-to-date and best wishes for the New Year which I’m sure will produce some good moths and a few surprises.</p>
<p>Brian</p>
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<title>Fourth of July Celebrations at Somerleyton</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/07/06/fourth-of-july-celebrations-at-somerleyton/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/07/06/fourth-of-july-celebrations-at-somerleyton/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 06 Jul 2019 13:50:02 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Brian</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7962</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[ On the 4th July, Keith invited Alan and me to join him to record an area on the Somerleyton Estate that had not been surveyed before. This is the area next to the Hall and gardens. So we were all … <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/07/06/fourth-of-july-celebrations-at-somerleyton/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>On the 4th July, Keith invited Alan and me to join him to record an area on the Somerleyton Estate that had not been surveyed before. This is the area next to the Hall and gardens. So we were all keen to see what would turn up on a night when the weather was kind to us and conditions were what you dream of for good recording. The habitat is a mixture of really mature parkland trees mostly Oak and Lime, a lot of grassland and a good selection of wildflowers plus the formal ones from the nearby gardens.<br />
It wasn’t long before we could see what would be the most abundant species. C culmella arrived in swarms and in no time every one of the 9 traps was heaving with them. But there were many others of much more interest among the catch of 202 species of which 92 were micros. The many very good micros included Monochroa pallustrellus, Phtheochroa inopiana, Epagoge grotiana, Acleris holmiana, Hedya ochroleucana, Epinotia tenerana, Sitochroa verticalis (not many records for this area), Evergestis limbata (a new local site for this one), Pempelia plumbella plus two that will have to be checked before accepted Endothenia gentianaeana and Monochroa lucidella.<br />
The macros were slower to arrive but one that we were hoping to get because of the mature Limes on the site, eventually turned up. Pauper Pug topped our list of macros along with Shaded Fan-foot, Dotted fan-foot, Cream-bordered Green Pea, Scarce Silver lines, Coronet, Purple Clay, Triple-spotted Clay, Least Carpet and several pristine Privet Hawk-moths. The rest were typical for the habitat at this time of year but it was good to see all the traps brimming with moths with many Large Yellow Underwings causing their usual chaos that seemed to be missing from last years sessions.<br />
A number of bats were also on the wing including some large slow-flying examples. There were so many moths that after doing the final check I switched my lights off and left them for half an hour hoping that the moths would disperse, but I still had to shake out large numbers before I could pack away. We hope for a few more evenings like this during the rest of July.<br />
Brian</p>
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<title>Many Diamond-back</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/06/11/many-diamond-back/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/06/11/many-diamond-back/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Jun 2019 18:42:49 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Brian</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7945</guid>
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<![CDATA[ There must have been a large influx of Diamond-back Moth last night. They are everywhere today. Just in the garden they are on the fences and shed and everything you touch, plants, tools etc. they fly out of. There was … <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/06/11/many-diamond-back/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>There must have been a large influx of Diamond-back Moth last night. They are everywhere today. Just in the garden they are on the fences and shed and everything you touch, plants, tools etc. they fly out of. There was a brief thunderstorm and a strong east wind yesterday evening, so I suppose they came in on this. </p>
<p>Brian</p>
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<title>The torch can sometimes be more rewarding.</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/02/15/the-torch-can-sometimes-be-more-rewarding/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/02/15/the-torch-can-sometimes-be-more-rewarding/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2019 15:08:37 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Brian</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7837</guid>
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<![CDATA[ After the warm spring-like day yesterday I ran a couple of traps for a while after dusk in the woodland, but the temperature dropped off so quickly with clear skies that not much came to the traps. A walk round … <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/02/15/the-torch-can-sometimes-be-more-rewarding/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>After the warm spring-like day yesterday I ran a couple of traps for a while after dusk in the woodland, but the temperature dropped off so quickly with clear skies that not much came to the traps. A walk round the woodland with the torch was far more rewarding with Dotted Border seen in abundance. Males perched on twigs were everywhere with a few seen paired up with females. During the hour and half I was there, 15 moths of 4 species came to the 2 traps (1 x actinic & 1 x UV LED). But by torchlight I counted at least 40 Dotted Border, all within 100 meters of the traps and not one came to the lights!</p>
<p><a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_20190214_183908-001.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7843" alt="ptr" src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_20190214_183908-001-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>(sorry about the poor quality of the photo, it was taken with my phone camera)</p>
<p>Brian</p>
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<title>UV LED</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/02/06/uv-led/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/02/06/uv-led/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 Feb 2019 12:42:09 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Brian</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7831</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[ Just as a follow-up to Neil’s addendum to his post on 13th January. I tried out my new 7w UV LED bulb yesterday evening (5th Feb) in the nearby woodland. I set up 2 traps, my old 40w actinic and … <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/02/06/uv-led/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>Just as a follow-up to Neil’s addendum to his post on 13th January. I tried out my new 7w UV LED bulb yesterday evening (5th Feb) in the nearby woodland. I set up 2 traps, my old 40w actinic and the new 7w UV LED about 50 meters apart. The LED performed the best with higher numbers. For example in the 1 and half hours I had them running (5.15 to 6.45) I recorded 37 Pale Brindled Beauty 12 of which came to the actinic and 25 to the LED which also attracted first Dotted Border of the year plus Chestnut and a few Spring Usher and Satellite. So, there were 32 moths at the LED and 17 at the actinic, but strangely enough not a single Tortricodes alternella.</p>
<p>Brian</p>
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<title>SMG visit to North Cove 14th July</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/07/17/smg-visit-to-north-cove-14th-july/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/07/17/smg-visit-to-north-cove-14th-july/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2018 09:03:12 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Brian</dc:creator>
<category>
<![CDATA[ Field meetings ]]>
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<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7611</guid>
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<![CDATA[ Our follow-up visit to North Cove told us nothing about the interesting moths we found there in July 2017 as none of them were recorded even though there was just 7 days difference in the dates. Six of us with … <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/07/17/smg-visit-to-north-cove-14th-july/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>Our follow-up visit to North Cove told us nothing about the interesting moths we found there in July 2017 as none of them were recorded even though there was just 7 days difference in the dates. Six of us with 10 traps met up on a clear evening which felt chilly out on the marsh with a thin mist making it quite damp.<br />
These conditions no doubt contributed to the slow trickle of moths that came to the traps and the sheet light, so that by the time we packed up with the thermometer showing 11 degrees we had only recorded around 160 species which was well down on last year’s bumper numbers. Those recorded were typical for the time of year. Most interesting was Catoptria verellus (3) which is now appearing regularly in the Waveney Valley and must be considered as resident but was a ‘first’ for several present. <em>Anclis baddiella, Ypsolopha nemorella, Stathmopoda pedella , Monochroa palustrellus</em> and <em>Phtheochroa inopiana</em> were the only other micros of note with a <em>Phalonidia</em> that looked interesting turning out to be <em>manniana</em> and not the rarer <em>udana.</em><br />
Of the macros, Muslin Footman (3) was probably the most interesting and none of the others came in any great numbers. An unusually marked Clouded Bordered Brindle was the only macro we had to deliberate over.<br />
It illustrates well how much we rely on the right weather conditions even on a prime site such as North Cove.</p>
<p>Brian</p>
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<title>North Cove Reminder</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/07/10/north-cove-reminder/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/07/10/north-cove-reminder/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2018 11:51:57 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Brian</dc:creator>
<category>
<![CDATA[ Field meetings ]]>
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<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7609</guid>
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<![CDATA[ This coming weekend it’s the SMG event at North Cove the Waveney Valley site of SWT. We have the option to trap Friday or Saturday. At the moment Saturday looks the better choice with higher night-time temperature forecast. So at … <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/07/10/north-cove-reminder/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>This coming weekend it’s the SMG event at North Cove the Waveney Valley site of SWT. We have the option to trap Friday or Saturday. At the moment Saturday looks the better choice with higher night-time temperature forecast. So at this moment with no rain forecast we will say meet in the car park next to the railway line (TM471905) at 9pm on Saturday 14th July. Last year’s visit was very rewarding; this one should be interesting too.</p>
<p>Brian</p>
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<title>SMG event Gunton Meadows Friday 8th June</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/09/smg-event-gunton-meadows-friday-8th-june/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/09/smg-event-gunton-meadows-friday-8th-june/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 09 Jun 2018 21:23:58 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Brian</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7538</guid>
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<![CDATA[ The SWT reserve at Gunton Meadows is small compared to their marshland sites the other side of Lowestoft. But this small area is rich in its variety of species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers and as we walked round on … <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/09/smg-event-gunton-meadows-friday-8th-june/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>The SWT reserve at Gunton Meadows is small compared to their marshland sites the other side of Lowestoft. But this small area is rich in its variety of species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers and as we walked round on Friday evening picking the spots for our 9 traps we were admiring the fine show of wild orchids in full bloom.<br />
Good management is encouraging plants such as Yellow Rattle to thrive and in time hopefully this could encourage some of the less common species such as Grass Rivulet to move into the site.<br />
Four recorders and the assistant warden assembled for the evening and we had the luxury of four generators between us. There was no specific target moth as this was a first occasion trapping at the site so none of us knew what to expect.<br />
However it wasn’t long before we agreed which moth was to be the most abundant of the night. Common Swifts started to arrive in great abundance with several pairs using our traps to spend the evening in their mating activities.<br />
It was quite a pleasant night for recording, with good cloud cover, calm conditions and a temperature of 14 deg. and easy access to the site was a bonus. Just short of 100 species recorded including a few that Stewart Wright found in a before-dusk search that produced Dusky Plume larva and case bearers Coleophora follicularis and paripennella. The traps produced good numbers of moths. I lost count of how many Common Swift but there were at least 40 in one trap and most of them had similar numbers. Ghost Moth and Waved Umber were unusual to record on the same night and a couple of Seraphim off the poplars were probably the least common of the mainly typical time-of-the year species. But we did get a few hawks including Eyed, Poplar and Elephant that were kept with a few other colourful species overnight in my fridge to show visitors to the wildlife event on Saturday. One of the traps was also retained (not in my fridge) with its contents and provided great interest to the visitors.<br />
Further visits in the future could turn up something unusual.</p>
<p>Brian</p>
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<title>Gunton Meadows this weekend</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/05/gunton-meadows-this-weekend/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/05/gunton-meadows-this-weekend/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jun 2018 21:00:25 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Brian</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7532</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[ Just a reminder that our arranged SMG venue for this weekend is on Friday evening 8th June at the SWT reserve Gunton Meadows, Lowestoft. Meet up at 9pm at the gate which is on the right about 100 yards past … <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/05/gunton-meadows-this-weekend/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>Just a reminder that our arranged SMG venue for this weekend is on Friday evening 8th June at the SWT reserve Gunton Meadows, Lowestoft. Meet up at 9pm at the gate which is on the right about 100 yards past the Tesco filling station on the road that leads to Pleasurewood Hills theme park (turn off the A12 Yarmouth Road at the roundabout). This is a new site that we have not recorded before and will co-inside with an event SWT have organized for the following day (Saturday) to encourage interest in wildlife in the area. So the plan is to retain some specimens for visitors to look at and also a moth trap with its contents from our recording session. Be good if we can run 6 or 7 traps around the reserve. Plenty of room on the road for parking .</p>
<p>Brian</p>
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<title>Nice find on a misty night</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/02/nice-find-on-a-misty-night/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/02/nice-find-on-a-misty-night/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 02 Jun 2018 23:07:45 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Brian</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7529</guid>
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<![CDATA[ There are several macro moth species that are quite widespread over most of Suffolk but are never recorded in my area of the Waveney Valley (the NE corner of Suffolk). Among these are Nut-tree Tussock, Great Prominent, Blotched Emerald and … <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/02/nice-find-on-a-misty-night/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>There are several macro moth species that are quite widespread over most of Suffolk but are never recorded in my area of the Waveney Valley (the NE corner of Suffolk). Among these are Nut-tree Tussock, Great Prominent, Blotched Emerald and Cream-spot Tiger. These have all been on my list of ‘hopefuls to find in my area’ for years but without success until last Thursday 31st while recording at the nearby SWT reserve at Fen Barn, Lound. To my delight when opening one of the traps, inside was a pristine fresh Cream-spot Tiger. Hopefully it is breeding in the area or could be a wanderer from an established colony some distance away. Not on the same par as Matthew’s Scarce Merveille, but a ‘wow’ moth for me!<br />
There were several migrants in the catch including Dark Sword Grass and large numbers of Silver Y and Diamond-back.<br />
<a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cream-spot-Tiger.jpg"><img src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cream-spot-Tiger-300x230.jpg" alt="Cream-spot Tiger" width="300" height="230" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7530" /></a><br />
Brian</p>
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