Last 2 nights have been clear, so even though it has been warm during the day the temperature has dropped overnight. I’ve run a trap in the garden both nights, same results really with very low numbers of the common species and nothing really of note, around 32sp both times.
Neil
My now semi-regular lunchtime stroll over Broom Hill, this time to look for Six-belted Clearwing. Either they’re not out yet or my pheromone’s stopped working. Back at the bottom, and on a different poplar tree, I noticed two exuvial cases sticking out the base. I knew for a fact that they weren’t there at 9am when I parked the car cos I had a good look. Then, when I stood up, I found myself on eye level with a near fully pumped-up adult Hornet Moth. It seems that I can’t miss this fantastic moth at present 
Ran four lights at Iken. Highlights were Cream-spot Tiger, Ghost Moth; Eyed, Privet, Poplar and both Elephant Hawk-moths, Dog’s Tooth, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Clouded-bordered Brindle and Gold Spot.
35 species recorded at Spexhall on a cool clear night by myself, Tony, Clive and Tony Hopkins. Highlights: Figure of Eighty, Scorched Wing, Ingrailed Clay, Beautiful Golden Y, Silver Y, Burnished Brass and Green Silver-lines. Also a Red Admiral at light.
The first time we have had a trap up on the acid grassland. This was on 150m of cable. The potential in this particular part remains untapped with nothing specifically from that habitat trapped on the night. Probably due to the plummeting temperatures with fog hanging over this trap and the one on the marsh. The other traps covering Woodland and sheltered clearings remained warmer. Over all the traps all did ok with moths still turning up after the fog had risen. Brown Silver lines being the most prolific moth as per the last visit on 27 May. Nicest moth being Green silver-lines, Elephant, Eyed and Poplar Hawks several Ingrailed Clays and plentiful Peacock moths, Double Square-spot, Small square-spot and the first Scarce Footman of the season also seen. Buff Ermine also out in number with one couple taking advantage of the bed sheet Brian had laid out for them! Not that many micros with none of note. At the end of the night 76 species recorded. Far short of the 100 I was hoping for at the beginning but more than we expected once the the temperature had dropped. Thorough checking of both lists for the night leaves the revised tally at 76 species with Brians list not having Peppered moth and my list no Dioryctria abietella
I netted this moth yesterday afternoon while out looking for clearwings. It caused quite a bit of excitement as to what it might be (more so than the football!). Turns out that its most likely nothing more than an aberrant Common Carpet (confirmed by Neil & Matthew).
Brian
What a difference a day makes. I was just finishing my lunchtime walk when I noticed a Hornet Clearwing exuvial case lying at the base of the poplar tree that stands just outside the Council Offices, Hadleigh. I quickly found three more, including one that was still occupied. After carefully extracting the case/moth it must have responded to the little extra warmth of my hand and emerged almost immediately.
By far the best night of the year so far for me. 2 traps with plenty of moths in, including good numbers of micros for the first time this year.
86sp in total, of interest were: Telechrysis tripuncta, Satin wave, Pine hawk (first for year), Dingy shell (2), Triaxomera parasitella (2), Small elephant hawk, Alder moth and what I am fairly certain is a specimen of Argyresthia laevigatella, a moth I’ve not seen before.
Neil
Put out the two traps last night, as it was 15c at 10pm and seemed unlikely to rain much before dawn. One trap would appear to have not been placed very well with the majority of the 58 species taken in the ‘ hotspot’ trap. The best mothing night of the year with several micros Deltaornix torquillella amongst them. Best macros being Dark Spectacle which is a regular catch. First for years of fresh Freyer’s pugs and Scorched wing, Large yellow underwing, Grey Dagger, Mottled Rustic. 6 White-point were taken also 2 Silver Y AND 3 Diamond-back. Hoping to go to Herringfleet Hills tomorrow night.
Neil & I went out this afternoon to look for Orange-tailed Clearwing – at Lakenheath RSPB (where a worn individual was graphed in late June last year) and at Barton Mills where Lee Gregory discovered the moth back in 2004. Despite the promising weather conditions we failed to record the moth at either site. In fact, there was very little Guelder Rose at Lakenheath, apart from a couple of small bushes just outside the visitors centre. It wasn’t all doom and gloom there though, thanks to a young Jackdaw that’s been making friends with passers by.
