Migrant moths

One of the outstanding features of the blogging network is the ability to instantly disseminate information; to share opinions and experiences with other, like-minded individuals. Over a period, as a blogger, you discover a bunch of other bloggers who become cyber friends. You follow their blogs and empathise with their highs and lows - you might even pass comment on occasion?  Then there are the specialist websites - designed to provide news and/or assist with identification of various species, bird, insect or plant, etc. We all have our favourites just as we do in all other aspects of our lives - football team, music and reading material for instance.

Bird-cherry Ermine

My re-discovery of the enjoyment of garden moth trapping seems to have coincided with another very good year for moth migration? By perusing the various contributors news, it is possible to keep track of what's been going on at a local and national level. The Bordered Straw influx has come to an end, whilst the remarkable arrival of Red-necked Footmen has probably peaked? 31 at Folkestone Warren (1st July) must have been spectacular, indeed! Here in my little Dumpton garden, it would appear that I am still attracting good numbers of moths, that are absent from the Folkestone and Sandwich areas? Diamond Backs are still very plentiful, yet only occurring in dribs and drabs elsewhere. Dark Sword-grass haven't been mentioned lately on any of my regularly visited sites, yet I am recording them nightly, so are they breeding locally? Silver Y numbers fluctuate between 0 - 15 depending upon the conditions, but also, I feel, the demise of the Red Valerian impacts on the numbers I record. When the garden Buddleia gets flowering, then I'll get some very high counts again. Small Mottled Willows have been recorded on several nights, two being the best count on the 3rd July.



Dark Sword-grass

I can't wait for the arrival of my Micro Moths of Great Britain & Ireland - there is so much more awaiting my discovery and this book might assist me in a way that www.UKMoths is unable. Surely Diamond Backs can't be the only micro migrant? Of course they're not, I'd almost forgotten Rush Veneer - because I haven't seen one for so long! For all of those who follow this nonsense, due to the angling content, I'm off out with the rods this evening. I am going back to the drain for a dabble after tench. I won't catch any less than I do whilst sat at my laptop, however, with my camera gear to hand and some superb scenery, I'll have something to blog about tomorrow morning, before I head off to work.

Large Fruit-tree Tortrix (Archips podana) - a species which was easily identified using the superb web facility UKMoths

This little rascal remains un-id'd due to my complete lack of knowledge. I don't have the first idea where to start
looking on UKMoths, so the arrival of my new book should ease this problem and allow me to
gain an insight into the various family groups?