19th May 2010 Still very slow despite being the end of May but starting to see a couple of migrant species 1 White Point and a Rusty Dot Pearl

National Moth Night (15 May): 228 moths, 57 species @ 7 garden traps all within a mile.

Best species 1 Scarce Chocolate-tip; 1 Splendid Brocade; 1 Portland Ribbon Wave;3 Green Silver-lines; 2 Agonopteryx alstomeriana (v. rare here).

Most numerous 48 Shuttle-shaped Dart.

Only migrants = 2 Diamond-backed, 1 Silver Y, 1 Pearly Underwing

Bats recorded at 8 sites, mainly Common Pipistrelles

Hopefully attached picture of Rob's Portland ribbon wave from last night at Ventnor Botanic Gardens

Preliminary results for NMN 2010 indicate that rather cool conditions prevailed over much of the U.K.

Most recorders enjoyed seeing at least a few resident moths, albeit in lower than expected numbers.

Migrants were sparse with Dark Sword-grass, Silver Y, Rusty-dot Pearl & Diamond-back Moth reported. The Portland Ribbon Wave recorded on the Isle of Wight must rate as one of the most interesting captures of the night (R. Wilson - see posting below).

If you know of any other rarer migrant species recorded, we would be pleased to hear the news.

Night of 15 May: 2 Dark Sword-grass, 1 Rusty-dot Pearl

7 Ruddy Highflyers at public event at Windmill Farm

NMN public event at Oversley Wood near Alcester was very successful with 38 species of macro...best species included Square Spot,Poplar Lutestring,Chocolate-tip and Seraphim.

22sp at Wolves Wood, near Hadleigh at public event (best Poplar Lutestring, Seraphim, Poplar Hawk-moth & Nut-tree Tussock).

9sp from two sites at Rendham (one trap emptied whilst watching a Long-eared Owl!). Very cold at Rendham, 3 degrees at 01.30am.

No migrants at either site.

Is there a wooden spoon prize for NMN?
22W Actinic trap ran overnight in urban, near-coastal garden, 9 deg. C min, caught 0 moths.
Nothing.
Zilch.
:(

1 Dark Sword Grass.
Cold!

15th May 10 Once again very poor catch but one migrant a single diamond back moth