On the 29th Allan and I went back to Ashby Warren. With the records of the two fresh Red-necked Footman on the 23rd it seemed a good time to visit the local hub of the species. A minor ride was selected for its tree cover and traps switched on at 22.00 on a clear but very warm night. Moths soon started to come in one of the first being M. choragella, until midnight the traps were dominated by micro moth species and the ride gave a good variety of habitats for the four traps. Among the more interesting species seen were E. grotiana, S.weirana, S. nitidana. Many Grey Arches were seen and again Shaded Fan-foot through which you have to scour through to find any other fan-foot species such is their number. I would be interested to hear of any suggested food plant for the species other than bramble as that is not really possible at this site. I think they are on the withered leaves of a tree or trees or dead leaves on the ground possibly. Highlights of the night were Red-necked Footman with 15 counted, A freshly emerged female Four-spotted Footman was the sole example of the species, the first June female recorded there since discovery in 2014. A single Captoptria verellus may have been an immigrant as there are a few at the moment, this was the first recorded on the Somerleyton Estate with the nearest known site for breeding 9 miles away. Also new for the site a single Oncocera semirubella. 141 species recorded.
]]>These two were found while cutting grass and were both feeding on the bindweed covering the ground. There may have been more hidden by the nettles. There were signs that they had previously fed higher up the plants but perhaps they spend their last few days feeding close to the ground due to size and weight. I have not seen images of them on climbing bind-weeds before as they are often found wandering to perhaps pupate or in search of more food. The green form is well camouflaged being the same shade of green as the foliage and the round dark dots represent the shot holes frequently found on the leaves as illustrated in the photo
]]>Herringfleet Hills 17th July; Brian and I joined by Allan again. I’d promised him 220+ species but for the 2nd time my target at this site not met, with 195 species recorded and nothing outstanding. Lots of Triple-spotted Clay a site specialIty, and high numbers of P. alpinella. Best moth probably the locally common White-mantled Wainscot with a single recorded.
]]>100 species recorded with the trap on the marshes being very busy, woodland traps pretty quiet. E. demarniana, Water Ermine, Gold spot seen, with several first for year recorded. Highlight for me was Green Arches. My first record in the entire Lothingland area and first for the Somerleyton Estate. Surprise was no Flame Wainscot, which according to Brian hasn’t showed up at several known sites for the species so far this year.
]]>No more trapping until 23rd when I had a run of sessions as the last week of September/first week of October usually provide some nights of excellent conditions and usually some good records for me here, although the same time last year I decided conditions were unfavourable and didn’t put out any lights at this time. Each night, 23rd through 26th and then again on the 28th had a highlight or multiple highlights.
On the 23rd the first of many Black Rustic recorded. The Mallow was also recorded on each night. While others were looking for Blue Underwing I had my one and only Red Underwing, Scarce Bordered Straw and my second Dewick’s Plusia of the year. Autumnal Rustic which I only get about once a year.
The 24th brought L-album Wainscot, only the third night I have ever had it, 2 Delicate( light and dark variants), Dusky-lemon Sallow ( usually annual) Dark Spectacle which was also recorded on the 23rd. The 25th brought the first Large Wainscot of the season and they appeared nightly thereafter. A single Delicate, 2 L-album, Ruby Tiger, Feathered Ranunculus, contaminella and glaucinalis. It also seemed odd to still be seeing Rosy Rustic, although it’s not unusual but it was first seen back on the 7th of July at North Cove, what a long season they have had! Copper Under-wing seen also after a long absence. 26th highlights; Delicate upstaged by 2 L-album, 2 Pale-lemon Sallow( a home special annually but never had two in a night before) and that was even bettered for me by my first sighting ever of Feathered Brindle. My first Brindled Green of the autumn also put in an appearance. The 27th was given a miss. On the 28th the species count dropped from 40+ to 34 but it wasn’t as good a night. I only really put the traps out for a Gem ( male recorded) but also had a late brood Southern Wainscot and saw my first Green Brindled Crescent, Red-Green Carpet and Red-line Quaker of the Autumn along with another Pale-lemon Sallow. Leaving me pretty chuffed with my September catches.
Pics of Dusky-lemon Sallow and Feathered Brindle
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