Sharing the results from my latest Moth Trap Session. I have written posts about setting up a moth trap and on collecting the results if you want some more background info on how and why I use a Moth Trap
Date: 8th June 2024
Weather:
Its been 3 weeks weeks since the last session. The weather is just too cold to warrant regular sessions at the moment. However my partner and I had a loveley day out earlier this morning to Chambers Farm Wood, and amongst other things, I saw the below Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth:
Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth
There was also several sightings of these Green Oak tortrix
As Chambers is in Lincolnshire, I have of course added them to my moth recording spreadsheet, as they will still be useful records.
When we arrived home, I sat in the garden for a little while to enjoy the sunshine, and managed to see the below Common Rustic moth resting near the bench
Along with the productive morning exploring, to then see another species in the garden only meant one thing. The Moth Gods had spoken, and had given me a Sign that it would be worth running the trap tonight.
The weather itself looked decidedly and cool still, but the plenty of sunshine gave me cause for hope that it was worth a shot. Besides, we're in flippin' June, its high time Summer got a move on!
Right, fingers crossed, and with faith in the Moth Gods, it was time to turn everything on and get this session underway
Lights on, pots at the ready... Here. We. Go!
Results: 8 moths of 7 species
Summary of Results:
Bah!
Those Moth Gods are cruel and fickle, teasing me with little bits of excitment, and then dashing my hopes!
I might be slightly overdramatic here... but goddammit this is getting tiresome
This is in stark contrast to my post last year... on the 9th June 2023, I was on holiday up in Scotland, and my moth trap was much busier:
I know that the location in Scotland is better for moths, but the difference is clear, this season seems to be going very slowly indeed, and there are plenty of species that I would expect to have seen by now, which still haven't shown up yet
Back to tonights slim pickings, once darkness fell it became obvious that the session would be poor, and there was so little going on.
The only thing orth sharing was the 3 species below, all of which are the first time they've been seen this year
Heart & Dart
Common Marbled Carpet
Common Wainscot
Bonus Species
Pffft, not even any bonus invertebrates tonight!
This is the forecast for the next 2 weeks... and still no noticeable improvement on the horizon
Instead of the Moth Gods, perhaps I need to start praying to the Weather Gods. Maybe that will help?
...well it can't get much worse, thats for sure!
What will happen in the next session? Will it be busy and chaotic? Will it be quieter? Will I find something new to record?
Well, once again, there is only one way to find out!
Notes on Pictures: Since I started moth trapping 5 years ago, I have been slowly building up collection of Library Images. The idea being that once I have taken a picture of a particular species of Moth, I don't need another picture of the same species a year later. It’s a waste of time and energy. I only take pictures of new species, or of moths that are difficult to ID, so I can get the records verified.
While in my care, all individuals are looked after, and after Photographs have been taken, they are all released safely outside.
All names confirmed and checked via Wikispieces
Further Research from UK Moths and NatureSpot
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unless otherwise stated.Check out my website for more of my work.