Taken from Alton Nat Hist Soc and CP.
Our final Moth Night of the year was last week. Chris Piper gave us a run down of his findings...
"Unlike July, numbers were markedly down on the same day last year. In addition to the weather over Winter and earlier this year, other factors might have been at play including the temperature low of 12c cf 17c. On the night, guests saw and enjoyed a good variety representing what is flying at the moment, such as Angle Shades, Black Arches, Brimstone, Dingy Footman etc on this occasion finishing with the delight of an Elephant Hawk-moth. In the cooler morning, we counted 155 moths of 62 species (cf 409 of 86 last year). There were far fewer wasps, hornets and other insects around as well as fewer moths. We had two notable new species for the garden - (Neo)cochylis molliculana - on the one hand just another slightly differently marked tortrix on the other, another insect apparently on the move - still described as 'very rare inland' in the Field Guides. Also a Hoary Footman (Eilemma caniola) at the moment Nationally Scarce B but spreading now it seems. Some highlights for the recorder (!) and perhaps a taste of what we saw in the morning….
Yellow-tail - a bit shy to reveal the reason behind the vernacular name!
A Canary-shouldered Thorn.
A fantastically fresh Angle Shades taking moisture from the picnic table! Haven’t noticed the articulated neck quite so much before. And a view to show the rather impressive crypsis.
More on the species can be found https://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/index.php in addition to Field Guides and apps. "
And a members talk on Thursday night in the barn covering butterflies and transects and moths over the greater Selborne area was informative. In the early part two or three Roe Deer were quite close in although they melted away into the dusk as a late night dog walker strolled around the grounds!!
Sunday morning at home was dire with just the first Flounced Rustic (below) of the year and just six other moths; it was cold and windy overnight and next Tuesday looks to be the best opportunity for the week.
PS My purchase of 100 30ml screw top specimen tubes looks to have been overly optimistic; maybe I need to offload some!!
