And they're off...

After a quiet February despite some warm nights when I just got a couple of Chestnuts, the mothing year has finally kicked off in the last few days with the usual suspects for the season and an early Angle Shades.

The starting line - 2012

March Moth - in March, this one from evening of the 9th

Hebrew Character - I expect to reach three figures total count for these by this time next month

Angle Shades - an early record trapped on March 2nd

Dark Chestnut - a slightly battered one

August / September change-over

It's been a quiet week at Wychwood Moths with nothing around that attracts a "scarce" tag and none of the autumn specials yet for the yearlist. Close to half the catch this week has been Large Yellow Underwings, so just a couple of catch-up pics and a quick pug quiz for todays post.

Red Underwing - just the one so far this year

Old Lady - getting a couple of these each night

Angle Shades

Straw Underwing - missed the peak of these by being away most of August this year

Flounced Rustic - not so numerous as last year

Un-ID medium pug (trapped on 27th July)

Un ID large Pug (trapped 27th August)

An early October selection

A few new ones have come into the garden in the last week. The tally for the year continues to climb almost daily and still a few of the more common autumn species have yet to appear. With some warm and dry nights forecast it's looking good...

Red-line Quaker (first on 6th Oct)

Rosy Rustic (first on 6th Oct)

Sallow (first on 5th Oct)

Red-green Carpet (first on 7th Oct)

Angle Shades (29th Sept, previously only in June and early July)

In addition, a few more Blair's Shoulder-knot and Black Rustic have been trapped over recent nights and thankfully numbers of yellow underwings have gone right down making the trap a more peaceful place for the remainder of the moths to rest for the night