More News than the BBC

Has been a good week at Wychwood Moths with four new for the garden, one expected and the other three not really on the radar. Indulging in some images, I trust a least a couple are actually helpful in recognising difficult species.

Wormwood - new for garden 26th July. Nice to get after mates had been showing off theirs in the pub the week before !

Ear Moth agg. - new for garden 19th July 2014

Southern Wainscot - new for garden 26th July 2014. Initially recognised as different from the pinky-brown colouration and the suggestion of a curved line of dots across the forewing. I am now informed also that the dark and pale lines across the front of the thorax are also a distinctive feature, and this is illustrated in the picture below.

Southern Wainscot (left) and Smoky Wainscot (right) from the front

Southern Wainscot from below also looks much cleaner than Smoky,  just lightly dustedand has the pointed wing shape

Least Yellow Underwing - anticipated as a new for the garden for a long time, finally arrived on 25th July

Small Scallop - separated from Riband Wave by the wing shape, though this dark individual looks very like that species n colouration, second garden record

Tree Lichen Beauty - second record after first in July 2013

Three Top Ticks

Not sure where to start with last week's headlines as there were three top drawer garden ticks to choose from so I have gone for the one species that no local blogger has already publicised. All three species very notable records for VC30 and continuing a purple patch for the garden

Barred Hook-tip - NFG 23rd July 2013 = first for VC30 since 2009

Tree-lichen Beauty - NFG 25th July 2013 = fourth record for VC30 ?

Royal Mantle - NFG 24th July 2013 = ninth record for VC30 ? and the second time illustrated on this blog after one found in daytime on Galley Hill on 7th June 2011