Let there be light

 Another ridiculously warm day here in deepest Dumpton. The moth trap is still turning up odd surprises but, given the current conditions, there are not as many individuals being attracted as I would have expected. The airflow across The Channel, from mainland Europe, is almost directly from the east and, surely, a few potential migrant species will utilize these conditions to explore new opportunities for colonisation? Quite probably they are but, one thing's for sure, steering well clear of our garden! 

Diamond-back Moth - Plutella xylostella

This is a situation where the internet is able to offer massive insight into what's happening elsewhere. I found it absolutely astonishing that Dungeness BO only trapped five moths (in two traps) the night before last. At least I'm attracting a lot more than that even if they are mainly Light Brown Apple Moths and Common Wainscots! 

Clancy's Rustic - not up for discussion?
That UKmoths describe it as similar to Pale Mottled Willow has me wondering if
the hobby is the domain of "guide dogs" and white sticks?

One aspect of mothing in 2022 that is causing me massive problems, hence refusal to join in, is the continued reliance on killing insects in order to undertake genitalia detail examination. Sure, I understand that the Victorians had to resort to such techniques, but today? If we haven't developed the photographic and DNA sequencing techniques to a level, where the need to "take a specimen" hasn't been consigned to history books, then the hobby deserves to go the way of the dinosaurs. 

Brown Knot-horn - Matilella fusca
My best guess without the need to kill it? Does it matter if I'm wrong? Got it in one!

"Is that a Greater Sandplover?" Don't know "Let's shoot it!" Absolute uproar if such a thing happened in UK birding today. Is it not time to ask questions about the mentality of those, who purport to be, naturalists yet have no qualms about killing the very creatures they claim to be the reason that they're interested? Science and technology are advancing at ridiculous rates, so why haven't these traits been utilized by the "pan-listing" community? Must be because the Victorians had got it right and Grouse Moors are no place for Hen Harriers. A phone call from Benno announced the fact that I'm able to return to The Stour, although the Fordwich Lake complex remains closed. Onward and upward - if the angling Gods are smiling!