Patio Window BP

With a short cold snap upon us now, just had time on Tuesday evening for an optimistic all-nighter with the garden Robbo. Result a Pale Brindled Beauty on the patio French Window doors by midnight. Just a couple of Winter Gnats in the actual trap at dawn.....the winter grinds on this year

Pale Brindled Beauty

Overwintering Buttoned Snout

A Buttoned Snout was reported indoors in Little Marcle on Friday, probably emerging from overwintering in the loft when the trapdoor was left open overnight. Phyl King

Overwintering Buttoned Snout   Photo Jo Hackman

Acrolepia autumnitella

Just found one individual on the inside of the kitchen window. Patrick Clement

Acrolepia autumnitella

That Old Chestnut Again!

Back home in Warndon, the garden Robinson was put away at 00:35 due to a strengthening wind arriving. Next morning one solitary noctuid may be the richer red form of Dark Chestnut.  
Much discussion has been 'aired' on these over the years and slightly worn ones in spring following hibernation can present a challenge! The hind edge of the forewing looks reasonably straight and the apex is almost square. Small but quite distinct whitish spots are present along the costa. If anybody thinks it is 'just a Chestnut' I am sure you can let us know! It looked 'different' to the 10 or so Chestnuts seen in the nearby wood the night before.

'Dark' Chestnut

Warndon 1st February

A half decent night was forecast for Wednesday, so the 15w battery Actinic was again secreted in Warndon Wood at dusk and retrieved at 23:30. Light rain was evident from the start but did not become a problem. A Mottled Umber is getting late but 3 Spring Usher, 3 Tortricodes alternella and 10 Chestnuts made it worthwhile. Close by and just before midnight, a male Early Moth was torched in the perimeter hedge, which the council is hell-bent on making thinner every year. 

two of the Spring Ushers

On time Early

With the temperature at minus 1, I was surprised to see my first Early moth flying at the living room window this evening. That brings the total for the year to 3 species. Peter Hall

Bringsty Common: Early moth

 

Bringsty Common January 15th 2017

Inspired by Steve's Warndon Wood effort, I dusted down the large MV trap and set it up at the bottom of the garden, close to the line of trees that runs along the dingle. The minimum night temperature was 8.7, so I expected a few moths to appear and hoping to add Spring Usher to the garden list. I got one moth, so the trap has been moth-balled again for a while. Peter Hall

Bringsty Common: Pale Brindled Beauty