Just a year ago Ed, one of our assistant wardens, started recording moths using a light trap. This uses a light to attract the moths and holds them where they can be recorded then released unharmed.
Ed set the trap 35 nights between 23rd April and 8th October recording 1673 individual moths from over 150 species. His best find was a Waved Black which was the first recording for the vice county (a technical term based on the traditional county boundaries) and the first new record of a macro moth for several years. Well done Ed. See my earlier blog.
The commonest moth was the Smoky Wainscot (Mythimna impura) the last record of which was in September which shows an unusual - for this area - second generation.
And Ed took lots of photos.
Poplar Hawk Moth
Small Elephant Hawk Moth
Gold Spot
Lempke's Gold Spot - spot the difference!
If you care to look then these can be seen near your own home.
Ed has stared this year's recording so hopefully there will be some new finds.
Peter