Red-veined Darter reported from several locations in southern England over recent days, though usually only singletons. Sites include New Forest, Portland Bill, Martin Down and Greenham Common.

Red-veined Darter on pool opposite cafe

Red-veined Darter(male) at Caerthillian Cove, also big arrival of Silver Y

A single Diamond back again in Garden trap. At least 5 Silver Ys nectaring in Sned Wood. I still haven't found one in the trap this year. Painted Ladies still going through.

At least 6 Silver Y nectaring on Hesperis matronalis in garden last night.
Hummingbird Hawkmoth this am.

Dark Swordgrass to 125W MV

Steady passage of Painted Ladies plus a single Red Admiral today at Shobdon Hill Wood plus a Silver Y. A Clouded Yellow was seen in Haugh Woods today.

28th May 2009

The Southernly air stream has help maintain the Painted Lady Invasion with over 50 seen just near the Visitor Centre in an Hour. Also with favourable Conditions the number of migrant moths are starting to arrive. The highlight of the evenings trapping was a stripped Hawkmoth trapped at Mill Pond Marsh also caught at this location was European Cornborer and Rush Veneer. A second Trap near the Visitor Centre produced 1 Rush Veneer, 2 Pearly Underwing, 2 White Point, 1 L Album Wainscot and 3 Rusty Dot Pearl.

Night of 28/05/09 at 125W MV:

Striped Hawk-moth - fourth Bawdsey record; I've unearthed a record from 1949! The one from 26/05 still fridged.

1 Rush Veneer N. noctuella
4 Diamond-back Moths P. xylostella
2 Straw Dot
2 Dark Spectacle
3 Evergestis extimalis

Also Coronet (fourth site record), 23 Cream-spot Tigers; two Small Elephant, one Lime and two Poplar Hawk-moths best of c100 species trapped overnight.

Night of 28 May: 1 Striped Hawk-moth, 4 Silver Y, 3 Rush Veneer

This year's National Moth Night will feature a colour marking experiment in which we will be asking people to look out for marked moths. Full details are shortly to be announced on the NMN website but in refining the methodology we have been carrying out some colour marking in west Cornwall. This Striped Hawk-moth was marked last night with a small red patch on the left wing. Look out for it if you are fortunate enough to catch one!