31st July 2009

Silver Y 27
Willow Ermine 3
Rush Veneer 1
Rusty Dot Pearl 1
Tree-Lichen Beauty 2
Whitepoint 3
Pearly Underwing 1
Dark Sword-grass 3

also first for the Reserve Anania verbascalis and Stored Nut moth

Male Four-spotted Footman to porch light last night (31/7/09). They seem to be resident on the Carms/Pembs coast but haven't wandered this far inland (25 miles) before. Maybe a primary migrant?

Clouded Yellow:2 males & helice female on July 31st;male 27th-29th;2 males on 25th;helice female photographed by Geoff Jones on 23rd.

Night of 28 July:

Highlight was the third Tree-lichen Beauty of the year.

Other migrants included:
Diamond-back Moth 2
Dark Sword-grass 12
Silver Y 80

Night of 28 July:

Highlight was a Dewick's Plusia.

Other migrants including:
Willow Ermine 2
Diamond-back Moth 5
European Corn-borer 1
Rush Veneer 12
Evergestis limbata 1
Langmaid's Yellow Underwing 2
Small Mottled Willow 1
Silver Y 12

Night of 25/7/09 : Silver Y (5) & Diamond-back (24).

Sorry for the late posting - but it would appear that Death's Head Hawkmoth passed by earlier this year. A migrant that can turn up in the UK around now.
The caterpillar (10 cm) was found in our garden today. Will it successfully emerge as a second generation before the end of the year or perish over-winter? I would appreciate any feedback, as it is shown as only breeding successfully in Corsica for France. Thanks

A French neighbour rescued a "baby snake" from her cat on Saturday, 25th. Investigation showed it to be a Willowherb Hawkmoth caterpillar. So proof of breeding in this area - about 250 miles from the UK coast. My guide books have it only in Southern France.
A record of this moth, on the 9th June last year, came from a garden just 20 mins north of us, near Redon.
A protected species throughout France, we let it go again.

Night of 26 July:

Diamond-back Moth - 3
Dark Sword-grass - 4
Tree-lichen Beauty - 1 (second site record this year)
Silver Y - 91

Night of 25 July:

Diamond-back Moth - 2
Rush Veneer - 1
Sitochroa palealis - 1 (5th site record)
Dark Sword-grass - 5
Large Yellow Underwing - c1,000
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing - c600
Langmaid's Yellow Underwing - 2
Tree-lichen Beauty - 1 (first of year)
Small Mottled Willow - 1
Silver Y - 95

Also singles of Cream-bordered Green Pea, Lunar-spotted Pinion, Sandhill Rustic & Small Ranunculus.