Winter moths at Ynys-hir

We were tempted by a reasonable weather forecast and almost the longest night of the year to set a couple of actinic light traps in the woodland at the RSPB reserve. The result this morning was 186 moths of 6 species: Mottled Umber 107, Winter Moth 70, Scarce Umber 3, Pale Brindled Beauty 3 (the first of the season), Chestnut 2, December Moth 1.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all contributors and readers of the Blog.
   Tony and Ina

Mottled Umber

Just to show that you don’t even need a fancy moth trap to find something rather nice, here is a Mottled Umber which my wife found on the side window of her car this afternoon.

Winter Moth

3 Winter Moths were attracted to my light this evening.
In case you wonder about the photos, they were taken a) when it was still in a pot with a hedgehog place mat in the background and b) when it settled on this quarter’s copy of Broadleaf magazine.

Ynys-hir in November

We managed a couple of traps in the woodland last night, even though neither of us are firing on all cylinders at the moment.
Eleven species found and as usual at this time of year November Moth group were the most numerous with 66 counted.  Others; Scarce Umber 10, Feathered Thorn 34, Mottled Umber 12, Red-green Carpet 1, December Moth 17, Spruce Carpet 6, Chestnut 5, Winter Moth 5, Yellow-line Quaker 2 and Grey Pine Carpet 1.
It is easy at this time of year to miss the start of the Winter Moth, (especially if you are in a hurry) and count them in with Nov. agg. but size is a good indicator. The same with some plainer forms of Mottled Umber and Scarce Umber as the illustration in the field guide does give the impression S.U. is lighter in colour than it is here in Ceredigion.
Ina and Tony

December Moth

Spruce Carpet

Grey Pine Carpet

Scarce Umber

Scarce Umber

Winter Moth

Winter Moth

Llanarth Garden

A few new moths for this autumn including a well marked Chestnut. 26 moths of 11 species.

Chestnut

Black Rustic

Feathered Thorn

Mottled Umber

Red-line Quaker

Brick

December Moth

Ynys-hir in the rain

14 + species in the trap last night which was under cover due to the promise of heavy rain.
The + is for 4 carpet moths which are refusing to open their wings and the Nov aggs...but I am waiting patiently! The carpets are probably Spruce of Grey Pine but only time will tell.

Also, Acrolepia autumnitella a county first caught by a member of RSPB staff (Ellie) in the visitor centre yesterday, only tiny but very welcome!

Ina and Tony
November Moth agg. - which could be 3 species - 132, not counting the cloud that flew as I approached the trap.
Mottled Umber - 18
Feathered Thorn - 8
December Moth - 1
Merveille du Jour - 4
Spruce Carpet - 4
Yellow-line Quaker - 6
Chestnut - 4
Grey Pine Carpet - 2
Satellite - 1
Black Rustic - 3
Red-green Carpet - 1
Brick - 1

Chestnut

Feathered Thorn

Merveille du Jour

Mottled Umber

Mottled Umber

November Moth agg. female

Red-green Carpet

Saltellite

Cross Inn, Llanon

This Red Sword-grass was a ‘lifer’ for me this morning. It was also the only moth in the trap after a frosty night.

Second Generation Dark Arches

Another second generation Dark Arches last night, this time at Taliesin.
Thank you Andrea.

Wallog in October

Took three traps to Wallog last night but unfortunately one failed to light up for some reason.
Total number of moths from 2 actinic traps was 39 of 12 species.
Black rustic 5, Feathered Ranunculus 13, Yellow-line Quaker 6, Lunar Underwing 4, Green-brindled Crescent 1, Common Marbled Carpet 1, Spruce Carpet 3, Red-green Carpet 1, Red-line Quaker 1, Sqare-spot Rustic 2.
Micros Acleis laterana/comariana and Eudonia angustea.
Ina and Tony

Very worn Common Marbled Carpet

Feathered Ranunculus - (with his feathers on display)

Lunar Underwing - not co-operating at showing the crescent moon

Lunar Underwing - light

Lunar Underwing - dark

Lunar Underwing - dark with small ovals

Cross Inn, Llanon

Last night’s moths were.
Mottled Umber, The Chestnut, Lunar Underwing (a new one for me), Yellow-Line Quaker, Green -Brindled Crescent, and November Moths (not pictured).

Convolvulus Hawk-moth - Talybont

At last, we have one for the garden and only the second to make it to, and be found in, Talybont.  Still a few Nicotiana flowers in bloom in the garden, maybe everyone else in the area has a tidier garden than us?  Only four other moths; a Silver Y, a Chestnut and a Green-brindled Crescent.
Ina and Tony

Blair's Shoulder-knot

Our first Blair's Shoulder-knot for this year was caught from a garden in Aberystwyth this weekend.

Carolyn & Evan

Some more migrant moths

So far this year we have been seeing more migrants than normal for Ceredigion. Most recent report is of a Pearly Underwing, caught by Pete Skinner at Llanarth. This is the 70th county record for this species, of which 9 were in 2006 a warm summer much like this year.

An earlier post reported a Scarce Bordered Straw at Cross Inn, a second was caught by Sue & Terry at Bryngwynn. There are only 22 records for this species before this year.

Even more amazing is another record of Clifden Nonpareil caught at Sarnau. This follows closely the first ever county record a few weeks ago. What do the say about London buses!
Tony & Ina