Wychwood Moths first birthday

Today, 2nd June, is one year to the day when moth trapping and proper recording began at Wychwood Moths following collection of the "Ratface Twin 15W actinic/UV Skinner". In that first year, the garden list was 201 macro species (pending a couple of frozen confusing pugs that need to be investigated); but the official garden list is 203 as it includes Hummingbird Hawkmoth which was recorded three times in the garden but all pre-2010 and Feathered Thorn that was recorded in my bathroom in autumn of 2009. Lots of highlights in that period but for pure rarity value, the VC30 vice-county 2nd Toadflax Brocade, one month after the first, was top of the list. However, the thrill of finding such stunning beasts as the Hawkmoths in the trap in the morning still remains, and even among the commoner species there are some more subtly beautiful varieties. I have added a couple of images of favourites here which have not appeared on the blog previously:
Maple Prominent


Peppered Moth


Leopard Moth


Lunar-spotted Pinion

Privet Hawkmoth

Sallow Kitten

Shark

Tawny-barred Angle

Toadflax Brocade

Early April and early risers

As recorded by other local trappers, the warm weather is bringing some moths to Wychwood Avenue that I would not have expected to have found until the end of April or May. Also gradually adding some of the more expected species to the list...

Sallow Kitten (new for year 7/4) - would not keep still !

Nut-tree Tussock (new for year - two individuals on 8/4)

Waved Umber (new for garden - 6/4)

Brindled Pug (new for garden 10/4)

Double-striped Pug (up to 5 per night) - brown and grey individuals