Suffolk Moths Blog » Mark Nowers

Two to go

Mark Nowers — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 21:50:31 +0000

Went out for an hour tonight to check one of the Stutton ivy stretches and managed to find Black Rustic, Orange Sallow and Deep-brown Dart among 15 species. This takes the season’s list to 51 since we started checking on the 20th August, just two shy of last year’s total. There are enough species left that we have yet to locate which should take us to 60 species at least. Commonest moth tonight was Lunar Underwing.

Early start on the ivy.

Mark Nowers — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:50:35 +0000

Tony Fox and I paid our first visit to the abundant ivy flowers in Stutton on the 20th August. Since then we have been out on a further three occasions. Last year we didn’t start until the 12th September. This early start has enabled us to pick up some late-summer species and to date we have recorded 26 species.

I had limited mobility last year, but with my shiny new hip now bedded in, the village is my oyster and we don’t have enough time in an evening to get around to all the good spots. We target one area for about 90 minutes-2 hours of searching shortly after dusk. Neil – if you fancy bringing a squad down this way one evening you would be most welcome.

Highlights so far have been Lunar Yellow Underwing (2 on 23rd), Plain Pug (23rd) and the first Dark Sword-Grass (2 on 28th).

Last year we recorded 53 species on ivy (flybys don’t count in my book) and weather permitting we are on target to pass that this year.

Small Ranunculus

Mark Nowers — Sat, 31 May 2014 08:00:09 +0000

Trapped in the garden last night, more in hope than expectation and was pleased to find a single Small Ranunculus amongst the slim pickings.

Day-flying micro

Mark Nowers — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:03:48 +0000

During a family stroll this afternoon, this micro came to my attention flying around a Holly hedge. Any thoughts please?

Pug help please

Mark Nowers — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:49:43 +0000

Seems that the upgrade from 15w to 30w actinic has pulled a few more pugs in and I had six last night that were quite variable, but assume they were all Brindled. Could I canvas opinion please.

Cracking haul

Mark Nowers — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 19:45:38 +0000

Overcast, calm and with the car thermometer reading 11 celsius, things looked promising for the 30w actinic/skinner this morning. And so it proved. 132 moths, with 91 being Common Quaker and just 13 Small Quaker. The other usual suspects were Early Grey (7), Hebrew Character (6), Clouded Drab (4). The four that had me buzzing were Herald (new for the garden), Satellite, Oak Nycteoline and Early Thorn. A pristine Shoulder-Stripe was a joy to behold too.

I am intrigued that my fellow Stutton moth-er Tony, who runs a twin 30w actinic/robinson in a much richer garden only pulled in 46 moths of nine species last night.

I have set the trap in a large hall garden tonight, close to a poplar plantation.

Double-figure Drabs

Mark Nowers — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 21:22:11 +0000

First time I have trapped since the 17th and a respectable tally for the garden. It seems that Small Quaker haven’t really taken off this year, unless I am being a impatient. I have continued to use the 30w actinic loaned to me after I trod on my 15w. Totals were – Clouded Drab 10, Common Quaker 15, Small Quaker 7, Hebrew Character 10, Early Grey 5, Twin-spotted Quaker 2, March Moth 2 and singles of Oak Beauty and Brindled Pug (the only new moth of the year).

Wonder if these easterlies will blow some Blossom Underwings across?

Picking up

Mark Nowers — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:27:20 +0000

I wasn’t expecting much of a catch last night – it seemed rather cool and the fog that was forecast also gave me some doubt. Delighted therefore to record 46 moths of 8 species – Common Quaker 32, Small Quaker 4, Clouded Drab 3, Hebrew Character 2, Early Grey 2, with singles of Dotted Border, Double-striped Pug and Diurnea fagella. The last three all new for the season.

I have set the trap on the private estate in the village tonight (always provides the best returns). I managed to step on and break my 15w actinic bulb whilst doing so (cue some cursing), but fortunately my fellow Stutton moth-er Tony was able to lend me a 30w.

Drab check please

Mark Nowers — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 20:31:06 +0000

I had these Drabs in the trap this morning, but just wanted to check that they were all Clouded. Be grateful for confirmation please.

Full scores were Oak Beauty (1), Common Quaker (23), Clouded Drab (5) – unless I am told differently, Twin-spotted Quaker (2), Small Quaker (3), Early Grey, Early Moth.

It is fascinating to read how catches vary across the country on Twitter – I find it a very useful media for sharing and learning from like-minded folk and would recommend it. One Surrey trap had over 90 Small Quaker last night.

Finally, I have just discovered that the wooden coffee-stirrers you get with a takeaway cup make for excellent tools in wheedling moths out of tight spots in the trap. Superior to the standard HB pencil!

Ivy still producing in Stutton

Mark Nowers — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 19:48:30 +0000

For about an hour shortly after dusk last night it was surprisingly mild, so I thought it would be rude not to check the Ivy along Lower Street. I wasn’t expecting to see many migrants, so was extremely surprised that my first moth was a Vestal. It was in almost exactly the same spot as one I had on the 6th, which made me think it may have been the same individual. Too much of a coincidence surely? In all, in a little under an hour I had 36 moths of 10 species. 11 were Angle Shades and 9 were Chestnuts. Common Marbled Carpet took bronze with 4; there were only two Dark Sword-grass. Incredibly, as I returned to the start point I had another Vestal!

The point made about hibernating Chestnuts is interesting. We have only found two Dark Chestnuts (22 Sept and 4 Oct) whilst Chestnuts didn’t start until the 3 October. Behaviourally, we tend to find them on the back of ivy flowers which would suggest that they have crawled out from within. The same tends to apply with Setaceous Hebrew Characters.