This weeks highlights

 A couple of nice species in the last week. Firstly on the 14/5 I trapped 55 species in Whitchurch, lower Wye Valley, the highlight of which was a Lead Belle. I have found this before in May, in the Forest of Dean, which is nextdoor, but a site first nonetheless. Last night 19/5 Bordered Straw to actinic in Hereford. Also a couple of examples of what looks like Platyedra subcinerea, which I recorded in Hereford last May (gen det). If there is a colony here it's a long way from any others, distribution is mainly south counties and the SE.

John

Lead Belle

Bordered Straw

Platyedra subcinerea

Buttoned Snout

Was surprised on the evening of 2nd May to find a Buttoned Snout in my Evesham trap, took my a few minutes to workout what it was through the perspex, larger than I expected

Nice moth to get before I move to Colwall, Malvern at the end of the month

Pheremone trapping in Whitchurch

 I've put out a few pheremone lures occasionally in the Whitchurch garden over the last few weeks. Not exactly been inundated with moths but the first garden record of Pammene giganteana came in on 23/3 and possibly Pammene suspectana on 17/4 (retained for Peter to examine). These both were attracted to the versatile MOL lure. A few Phyllonorycter sp. have also come to the NIG lure, also retained for examination.

 Gasworks Wood, Bridstow 4th April

A mild and overcast forecast prompted me to secrete the battery operated actinic Skinner in a small local wood at Bridstow. The woodland has several old oaks, holly, hazel and silver birch. I sat with the trap for between 8pm and 9pm with only a single March Moth and Hebrew Character coming in. By morning a modest catch of 45 individuals of 10 species including 2 Dotted Chestnuts, 1 Frosted Green (NFY), 2 Brindled Pugs (I believe, awaiting PH's confirmation)), 1 Clouded Drab, 16 Common Quaker, 1 Dotted Border, 1 Early Grey, 16 Hebrew Character, 3 March Moths and 2 Small Quakers.

Upper Thames Moth Atlas

 This became visible on-line a couple of days ago. Still just macro-moths, they hope micros will follow fairly soon. You'll see the similarity to our West Midlands site, in fact they were so impressed with our atlas, they wanted one. Well worth a look and you can also help them by uploading some nice quality images too. I'll add it ot the useful links part on our blog opening page. https://upperthamesmoths.co.uk/index.php Peter Hall

Pammene giganteana

 4 individuals of Pammene giganteana to Grapholita funebrana pheromone lure here in my Halesowen garden, over the last 48 hours. All rather sombre looking specimens with a less distinct dorsal 'horse shoe' compared to some examples I have seen.

Patrick Clement

P.S.    Typically, as soon as I say all the specimens here are poorly marked, I take a brighter one.

Norchard Moths

Moths have been up and down with and like the weather so far this year in my garden at Norchard, Worcs. Some highlights have been Oak Nycteoline 1/2, Acleris logiana 8/2 the sixth county record for this spreading species, and Small Brindled Beauty 15/2 by no means annual here. Mild nights have produced numbers of Spring Ushers and Pale Brindled Beauties etc. and the Orthosias are now emerging.