First newbie of 2012

2011 was my first spring so until the 2nd anniversary of garden mothing at the start of June, I am hopeful of a couple of new editions. This smart looking species was one I was hoping for as there are a few pines around both in nearby Wardown Park and probably more significantly as odd specimens across the large gardens of the local suburbs.

Pine Beauty - in classic resting pose. New for garden 24th March

Pine Beauty showing the bright orange and white wing pattern more extensively

Shoulder strip - new for year 24th March, I had a handful of these last spring. Nice to see the daintier moths beginning to appear.

Mid-March deja vu

A steady catch of the normal Common and Small Quakers, Hebrew Characters and Clouded Drabs has been enlivened this week with the first Early Grey of the year and single Twin-spot Quaker and a couple of Oak Beautys. Very much like the same week last year then...

Twin-spotted Quaker, 21st March 2012 (just one in 2011 - on the 22nd March ! )

Oak Beauty - different individuals trapped on 12th and 14th March (just one last year on the 12th March ! )

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

Second half of November round-up

Significant reduction in numbers, a few blanks and abandonments due to weather forecast was as expected of the season but still the odd moth to report.

Chestnut

Winter Moth on the wall - first for year 21st Nov

Scarce Umber - second record for garden 15th Nov after first on 11th Nov

Dark Arches - late record of 17th Nov with others in VC30 on the same night. This individual looks very tidy presumably freshly emerged.

Only other species trapped during the second half of November were Silver Y (three) and Feathered Thorn

Another dead leaf blown into the trap ?...

... no; another garden first, did not get either of the late autumn umbers last year. Only other moth caught last night, 11th, was a Silver Y

Scarce Umber, garden first 11/11

Just one in the trap - but a Gem

I had left the trap in the shed for the nights of 6th and 7th due to continuous drizzle for about 48 hours but decided to get it out at 11pm last night (8th) as conditions had improved and Matt B had mentioned migrants over a pint earlier in the evening. My reward was a garden first and I think 11th or 12th for the county, and an otherwise empty trap - not complaining though !

The Gem (female) - garden first 8th Nov

Squeezing the pot

Numbers are well down now to between zero and four macros and the odd micro each night in the last week. Surprise was a total of nine Juniper Carpets with a maximum of three on one night when I already had a fourth individual in a pot. Specialities of the season though still come along to add to the year list and there are a few more still to get so I will keep the trap out when it is not intending to chuck it down. Nothing new for the garden but all of these were caught last year in single figure numbers.

Satellite 1st Nov (just one in 2010 on Nov 7th)

Red-line Quaker

Yellow-line Quaker

1497 Amblyptilia...