The cold conditions at the end of 2010, probably played little or no part in affecting moth numbers, as most species are adapted for this. The extremely weather of December meant that trapping in a milder January was quite productive, with December Moth and Mottled Umber still relatively common and even a Red-green Carpet turned up at the trap on January 12th and Winter Moths were still hatching in early January, even while snow remained on the ground.

A much colder February produced very little during two short trapping sessions, but once milder weather appeared late in the month, a trapping session on 25th saw a total of 210 moths in two hours. This total included 97 Yellow-horned and well over 30 March Moths, both common species but still notable totals.

With favourable weather during April and May, it was a very mild and overcast May 5th that saw over 50 species trapped for the first time this year, but only Brown Silver-line, Orange Footman and Pale Tussock returned double-figure totals on the night. By June, trapping totals was already indicating that many species were around in low numbers. Although the total number of species being trapped was near what would normally be expected for the short length of time the trap was operated on each occasion, the vast majority were being recorded in low single figure counts. Even many common moths were affected the same way. Moth of the month for June, had to go to the first Sherwood record of the attractively marked Pyralid Cryptoblabes bistriga (below) that was attracted to an MV light run at Clipstone Old Quarter 04/06/11. Five Great Oak Beauty on the same night were welcome and a single Blackneck (recorded for the first time here last year) showed that a small population is becoming established.

An insect event at the visitor centre on July 2nd produced the first ever record of Hummingbird Hawk-moth flying through, whilst Silver Y's were in very short supply, but there was certainly a small arrival in July, when four were seen by day at Budby South Forest on the 17th. Just two other Silver Y records included singles by day at Sherwood Heath (02/09/11) and Budby South Forest again on 13/11/11.

There were four records of Dark-Sword-grass between July 7th and August 13th, this moth becoming increasingly regular here. A short series of Rusty Dot Pearl records feautring four fresh adults trapped between September 15th and 28th, indicated that this moth had also arrived in July and bred. Just one Diamond-back Moth (by day from Budby South Forest on November 13th) was an incredibly poor showing from a very common migrant, especially considering the favourable winds and weather throughout the whole of the Spring and Summer.