Pagham has a long history of moth monitoring and 2017 completed a 13th consecutive year of data collected from the visitor centre. Over that period 777 species have been recorded majority of them are recorded annual such large yellow underwing and this extensive data set allows the monitoring of these species and track the trends in their populations. Others are not so common and a wide range of more unusual species have turned up such as the Marsh Dagger (only 2nd record for the UK since 1933) and the Latin (recorded less than 20 times in the UK).
Marsh Dagger
Latin
2017 continued to produce the surprises, with nearly 400 species recorded over the year. The weather is increasingly playing a role in the species that are recorded and the opportunities getting the trap out. The weather in 2017 has proved hit and miss on a moth front with more windy days in the early part of the year the mothing opportunities were limited. However as with birds Pagham is excellently placed to attract the unusual, as moths also migrate. The weather conditions have not been the best in 2017 but the reserve continued to attract some regular species from the continent species such as the Vestal, Gem and Scarce Bordered Straw are almost annual now. Periods of migration can also bring in other more surprised species that are not seen often on the reserve some may be from the other areas of the south but some from further away. 2017 was no exception with four dotted Footman (first for the reserve), Splendid Brocade (2nd for the reserve) Oncocera semirubella (first for the reserve) and Small Marbled.
Splendid Brocade
Small Marbled
Oncocera semirubella
As the warden I carry out the majority of the moth recording so come July/August there was a twist to the mothing year, the opportunity for a sabbatical in Scotland. This was to carry out surveying for Dark Bordered Beauty, a species which only occurs at four sites in the UK, three of them being in Scotland.
Dark Bordered Beauty
Anomalous
Cousin German
This was a great opportunity to expand my knowledge of a range of species not encounted in the south and to contribute to an important conservation programme. It reveal that 2017 was the most intensive trapping regieme since the beginning of monitoring in 2010 and was successful in locating the moth. As well as excellent results for the target species a whole new community of moths were opened up increasing my experience of other moth habitats. Also the wildlife of the region was a great bonus to the trip.
Gannet
Dotterel
Dipper
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon