Footman@Somerleyton Estate

3rd July, Brian and I revisited the site by Fritton Lake where we first encountered Four-spotted Footman on 22 June obviously hoping for more, and a female which I have never seen before. 9 traps deployed, 7 on the main ride from the point where we got the first one, last visit, covering 425 metres to the 7th trap closer to more concentrated broad-leaved woodland. The other 2 on spurs off the main ride. What a night it turned out to be. All the good micros seen on the 22nd were seen again with the addition of Indian meal moth identified by Matthew Deans. Gold Swift was seen, I think there were only two Hawk-moths in the whole catch of 162 species. Red-necked Footman had a good turnout with 27 counted. Four-spotted turned out in abundance and 45 recorded, potted to avoid recounting and including 7 females. The furthest trap from the starting point accounted for 20+ alone, suggesting we may have only just reached the peak area for the moth at the site. We left in daylight at 03.45. Four-spotted Footman, Female, Ashby 03-vii-2014

On the 5th I went to Wicker Well, Somerleyton, and trapped on  woodland/arable margin high up over the broad hidden by trees. 164 species, my highest solo count to date. Best macro was Muslin Footman, best micro probably Evergestis limbata, the second area record but I expect to see it again soon. It was really a night for micros, interesting to me where,  crocealis, S. punctalis, Yarrow Plume, A. xylosteana, E. quadrimaculana. Hoards of midges and Mosquitos. A Hornet gave me some grief going to the actinic with my head torch on and a Barn Owl was attracted to one of the traps. Managed to get packed away and home before the rain set in.

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One Response to Footman@Somerleyton Estate

  1. Raymond Watson says:

    Certainly impressive on the Footmans. I have yet to see the Four-spotted. The 2nd and 3rd July have given me huge catches too such that I am still wading through the IDs as I overdid it by placing traps both out and at home on both days. Will report once I have got my act together.

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