Not all the moths recorded during the year are listed on this page. Many are still netted in the traditional manner, found resting or flushed from vegetation during the daytime, rather than being attracted to light.

September summary

There was only one night's trapping conducted on the 15th.

Although (like most trapping sessions) only lasting for an hour, it was successful in adding two new moths to the species list - the beautifully marked Pink-barred Sallow pictured on the right and a Red-green Carpet.

Numbers of The Snout remained good, these being from the year's second brood. These adults tend to be smaller than those of flying earlier in the Summer. The Light Emerald was also a second brood individual.

August summary

Though trapping only occurred on three nights, some interesting species were recorded.

New species for the area were Least Yellow Underwing trapped at Eakring Flash and Willow Beauty at Lound Wood, but by far the commonest was the Mother of Pearl, which was abundant at most sites visited. At Eakring Flash, most flower spikes of Rosebay Willowherb held one of these moths at dusk, but significant numbers were attracted to light.

Silver Y moths were also extremely common as large numbers moved through the area during the month. This was the only migrant species attracted to light.

There was also a taste of March, with adult Emmelina monodactyla and Agonopteryx heracliana trapped, as they began to emerge once again.

July summary

Trapping occurred on just two nights - both at Eakring Flash. Although numbers and species' variety were down, July did produce some three new species for the area.

The highlight of the month was the area's first Small Elephant Hawk-moth and another Grade 3 listed species. It was netted as it flew around the trap and was also my first sighting of the species away from captivity. Carcina quercana and Dipleurina lacustrata were other area firsts taken.

Small Elephant Hawk-moth

By far the commonest species was the Mother of Pearl, present in large numbers at most sites where Nettles grew in profusion. The Snout quickly became scarce as July continued after providing large counts in June. Crambus pascuella and Common Wainscot also were attracted to the light.

June summary

Huge numbers of moths appeared on the wing during June. A drive along any of the roads here soon showing hundreds along the roadsides. Much of the weather was condusive to good catches, being warm and calm. Main sites used were again both woodlands, but trapping took place along the old hedge at Eakring Flash on a couple of occasions and proved very positive, with a new range of species not found in numbers at the more traditional site of Lound Wood.

Trapping occurred from dusk onwards, which is why few members of the Noctuidae group were taken. A total of 430 moths, of 46 species were caught at light during June. Trapping near large patches of Nettles provided good counts of Silver-ground Carpet, The Snout and Small Magpie.

Light-trapping on each night carried out, proved productive and three new species for the area were caught. These included July Highflyer, Map-winged Swift and LIttle Emerald (The latter species taken at Eakring Flash)

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July Highflyer

Common species caught were again Silver-ground Carpet, The Rivulet and White-shouldered House-moth. As the month progressed, large numbers of The Snout appeared and by the end of June, considerably out-numbered Silver-ground Carpet - as their flight season came to an end.

Udea olivalis was a common Pyralid found at all sites and area numbers of that species are much larger than actual trapping counts suggest.

Of the more spectacular or unusual moths, species like The Drinker, Pale Prominent and Ghost Moth were all recorded. Casual observations seemed to indicate a good year for Ghost Moths, with favoured sites providing gatherings of these white males.

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Map-winged Swift

The area's first Map-winged Swift was attracted to light in Lound Wood and represented another Grade 3 species addition for the area. Regular coverage continues to pay dividends and a huge amount of work remains to be done on recording the moths found here.

May summary

May's counts suffered from a prolonged period of cool often wet weather, meaning that trapping counts were often very low. It was'nt until the last week of the month, that counts (and the numbers of moths on the wing in the area generally) began to increase.