Suffolk Moths Blog

After a decade of regular trapping at Bawdsey it’s always an auspicious event when a new species of macro moth is added to the list.

I was completely taken by surprise this morning, to discover a specimen of Yellow Horned perched atop of the light board, of my tungsten Skinner-type trap.   Whilst a regular on nearby Hollesley commons, this is the first time the species has wandered to Bawdsey!

The lack of Birch at Bawdsey explains the rarity of such moths here.  Another example of a common moth that is exceedingly rare here is the Large Emerald – noted here just twice in the past decade.

Also last night three Early Thorns were the first of the season.

A fine catch here in the northern realms of East Anglia (Hindolveston, Norfolk) with 90 moths of 16 species to 125w Robinson Trap last night including two male Lead-coloured Drab (third in two weeks), this is a species we normally only see every other year as we have little aspen nearby. Is anyone else seeing higher than normal numbers of this species?

Jon Clifton

I tried the garden trap again last night (16th) as it was a warm evening. Very few moths about but the pick of the bunch was a pristine Water Carpet: my first record of this moth.

Mark

With warm sunshine again today, thought it would be worth having a look at Wolves wood, Hadleigh for Light orange underwing. Possibly a bit early I thought but nice to get out anyway. In the end wasn’t too early, managed to see one along the usual best ride for them, not actually flying round the treetops but flushed off the ground from a wet patch of mud, no doubt taking in some moisture, something I’ve seen them doing before. The wood is still a bit muddy in places but is not too bad considering the rain we have had.
Later on this afternoon went out to Lower Hollesley and saw at least 7 Orange underwing flying round Birches. Can’t remember the last time I managed to see both of these species in one day!

Neil

Eight years ago Pale Pinion was ‘big’ news in the county.  Now the moth is a regular at Bawdsey Hall.  I took twenty last year between April and June and in September and October.  However, I have never seen this moth here in March before so it was pleasing to record it this morning.  

Moth numbers were generally low but did include another Lead-coloured Drab.

Ran 2 traps at home last night, the 30w twin actinic and a 125w trap. Noticeably more moths in the actinic. Not a high species count with 9 seen. By far the commonest species Common quaker with 82 recorded. All other species in single figures. Small quaker still in low numbers, normally the commonest species here – only 8 recorded. No new moths for the year but nice to get an Oak beauty and a couple of Pine beauty to add a bit of colour to the catch.

Neil

I have run the garden trap for a couple of hours on each of the last 3 nights. There has been a steady trickle of new firsts for the year: Twin-spotted Quaker and Engrailed on the 12th, Satellite on the 13th, and Red Chestnut last night. Common Quaker is by far the commonest moth at the moment with Small Quaker peaking at 5 individuals on the 9th.

I was pleased to see at least 6 Orange Underwings on Westleton Common during a walk on the coast on the 13th.

Mark

It was nice to have Keith’s company at Lound Lakes SWT site this evening. Running five traps from 6.30 to 8.30 produced about 80 moths of 17 species and the temperature held up around 10 deg. For me, new ones for the year were Shoulder Stripe and Pammene giganteana which was well spotted by Keith as we were packing up one of the traps and a good record for the site.
Full list was:-
Diurnea flagella
Agonopterix heracliana
Agonopterix alstromeriana
Torticodes alternella
Acleris ferrugana
Pammene giganteana
Yellow Horned
March Moth
Shoulder Stripe
Pale Brindled Beauty
Dotted Border
Engrailed
Common Quaker
Clouded Drab
Early Grey
Satellite
Chestnut
It was also an opportunity to try out a new actinic trap I made that does not need a control box and I was quite pleased with the results.

Brian

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.

While out and about today I checked a few willow clumps, now in full bloom, for Adela cuprella without success. I was amazed though how many butterflies were on the wing. On one bush of willow flowers I counted 12 Small Tortoiseshell and 3 Peacock all looking in fairly good condition after a soft winters hibernation. I also spotted several Orange Underwing high in the birches.
Another micro turned up in the conservatory today, this time it was Caloptilia betulicola.

Brian