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: 7th April 2023
Weather:
Its been awhile since my last trapping session way back in November of last year. I had put the trap away as it is very quiet here in the winter months. I've tried in the past and had very little to show for my efforts.
I had planned to start again in February, but I was busy sorting other stuff out, and then I nearly tried to do it in March, but then the weather turned and it was very cold and very very wet.
Not good conditions for moth trapping!
Now we are in April, and its better late than never eh? We've had a few days of dry weather, and its starting to get a bit warmer in the evenings too. Today has been a high of 12C, although the temp is forecast to drop down to just 6C. There is mist forecast for later, but I shall be turning off at midnight anyway there's no point staying up for hours and hours like I would at the peak time in the middle of Summer.
At this early time of year, I'm not expecting a great deal, so I have gone with the smaller trap for tonight as it is easier to manage...here we go!
Results: 3 moths of 3 species
Summary of Results:
Ah well, I'm not gonna beat about the bush on this one... it was a really quiet night out there. There were 3 moths seen, and all 3 were seen while setting up the trap before darkness fell, so technically my trap didn't attract anything!
The records still count though, so they will be added to the spreadsheet that I will eventually send to the local moth recorder at the end of the year.
Throughout the evening I popped out to check the trap and the surounding area to see if anything had turned up
er... nope!
and then I went back inside again. I think the main issue was the clear skies we had tonight. It may have been warm during the day, but after the sun set then the temperatures plummeted.
It wasn't a complete no show however!
At about 10pm I spotted a Dock Bug walking on the fence panel behind the trap (below picture is from a walk down in Hampshire if my memory serves me!)
Dock Bug - Coreus marginatus
And then when I checked the trap one final time at midnight before ending the session, I saw a lone Yellow Dung Fly in the trap. The below picture wasn't taken tonight haha! I believe it was in a local woodland a few years ago, although I'm not entirely sure which one.
Yellow Dung Fly - Scathophaga stercoraria
As the name suggests, the female lays her eggs in animal dung (preferably cow pats, but any old shit will do!)
But nevermind... I'm at least up and running for my moth recording for this year. It is currently Easter here in the UK, which means a 4 day weekend! The forecast for Sunday is meant to be better than today, and as I won't be working Monday then I think I will give it go.
Make sure you check make in a couple of days to see if I can get some better results next time!
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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All Photos taken by 
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