After 6 months in a dusty cupboard in the warden's office, the Saltholme moth trap emerged and was set a couple of nights ago for the first time in 2015. It's one of the best things about Spring; the start of the moth trapping season.
At Saltholme we have been regularly trapping and recording moths for two years from our workshop compound, near the reedbeds at the Wildlife watchpoint and have encountered over 200 species in that time. We recorded 163 different species last year and 164 the year before.
Clouded Drab - Orthosia incerta
We had three species in the trap, which is not bad for early April in this part of the country, with a total of eleven individuals. Compare this to the 59 species and 199 individuals though recorded on the 17th July last year and you get an idea of how many more moths fly in the summer months.
We had the 'Clouded drab,' a fairly common and widespread moth which feeds at willow and sallow flowers over night, it is, as the name suggests, not the best looking creature in the lepidopteran world. Also present was the 'Common quaker' (Orthosia cerasi) which I feel has certain subtle good looks and the very common Hebrew character (Orthosia gothica) which can be encountered in almost any habitat in the country.
Common quaker
Hebrew character
Nothing unexpected then but good to start to the mothing year with three reliable Spring moths, here's to some good weather and some good moths over the next six months.