Titchwell’s Moth Mornings sightings April 2024 by Sue Bryan
Moth mornings in April started quite well, with a total of 58 moths of 19 species recorded in the first two weeks of the month.
Highlights included Dotted Chestnut, one of the relatively small number of moths which overwinter as adults, flying in late-autumn, then re-emerging in spring (mostly March-April). This has been a scarce moth in Norfolk until recently but is now spreading. It has expanded its range northwards in recent years and all Norfolk records have been since 2013; it is still classed as ‘Nationally Scarce’.
Dotted Chestnut Photo Credit: John Geeson
A Northern Drab was good to see in the trap. This is a single-brooded species flying in April and May. It is also a species whose Norfolk distribution is concentrated along the north coastal fringe and makes it one of the early spring specialties at Titchwell. It is very local in Norfolk with most records coming from the north Norfolk coast especially around saltmarshes, where the larval food plants include Sea Lavender.
Northern Drab Photo Credit: John Geeson
Of the commoner early spring moths, Powdered Quaker seems to have had a good year, and was our most numerous moth in the 2nd week of the month. This common moth (though nowhere near as numerous as its near-relatives, Common Quaker and Small Quaker) are widespread in Norfolk and throughout most of England. They are single-brooded, flying in April and May and are found in marshes, woodlands, gardens, etc. They feed on a range of tree and shrub species.
Powdered Quaker Photo Credit: John Geeson
An attractive Streamer moth was good to see in the trap. It is a Geometer moth that is on the wing from April to May. It inhabits woods and hedgerows and the larvae feed mostly on wild rose. They are widespread in Norfolk.
Streamer Photo Credit: John Geeson
However, things went quickly downhill in the last two weeks, with some of North Norfolk’s worst late April weather for years resulting in a total of just 13 moths of 5 species recorded. Things can only get better!
Information kindly supplied by Roger Ward, Julie Stroud and John Geeson