After an April of cold, wind and rain when Wychwood Moths went into virtual hibernation, things started to pick up this week with a selection of NFY moths, low numbers still and surprising few noctuids so far but seven different Carpets this week. (A late and pale Streamer, Silver-ground, Common, Garden, Spruce, Scorched and Red Twin-spot).
Also added in the last few days were first Common Pugs and Peppered Moth.
Of note on 20th May was a Rustic (previous earliest 22nd June) sharing an egg box with an Early Grey (previous latest 22nd April)
Silver-ground Carpet
Common Carpet
Spruce Carpet
Red Twin-spot Carpet
The Rustic (rather early) on 20th May
Common Marbled Carpet, the most frequent and numerous Carpet sp in the garden this summer with lots in June and a second generation around end September and early October.
Common Marbled Carpet. This one is the darker form which was more regular than the pale.
Least Carpet (just two of these in July)
July Highflyer (seven of these - all in July)
Phoenix (five of these - 27/6 and four in July) showing resting position with the abdomen curled upwards
Common Carpet (not common at all in the garden )
Spruce Carpet which appeared in summer and again in October
Grey Pine Carpet appeared in June and October - not all grey as this one shows
Garden Carpet - the second most common with nearly as many visits as the CMC
Blue- bordered Carpet (a scarcer moth and from this group probably my favourite due to its beautiful blue hues) - occurred 25/6, 29/6 and 18/7
Broken-barred Carpet (another scarcer local species) - three in June
