Tawny-barred Angle in Burry Port

 A moderate trap of 58 individuals was reasonably diverse with 28 species present. Best of the bunch was only my second Tawny-barred Angle.

Third Time Lucky.... I get my stripes!

 The weather forecast for last night was not favourable, with gusty winds forecast (for Llanelli at least) for much of the night. Later in the early evening the forecast changed, with the winds predicted to abate by c 11.30pm or so. I therefore decided to put out the roof-top actinic, which was duly done. About 9.00pm or so, I re-checked the forecast and it had reverted to rather strong westerlies again (and more rain - which did n`t actually transpire!), but I could not be bothered to take the trap down from its lofty `perch`, so it was switched on and left to the elements.

This morning, at c 4.30 or so, I checked the contents and I could immediately see there were hardly any moths. I went through the catch and there were about 10 species in very small numbers. These I did n`t even bother to jot down as they were all repeats of the previous night. Even small mottled willow - the bumper moth of 2026 - was down to only one.

All in all, a waste of time and electricity - except - there was a very placid striped hawk-moth under one of the egg cartons. This is the 3rd that I`ve recorded in this good year for this species but the first time I`d been able to photograph it. You may recall that my first one (some weeks ago) was settled outside my trap (late in the evening after about an hour`s darkness) but was spooked and flew off when I ascended the ladder to inspect the trap. It flew off around the side of the house (and out of sight) only to return about a minute later to circle the trap but then fly off again! I expected it to return overnight, but it did n`t.  The 2nd individual was only a few nights` ago and actually in the trap - but with its wings already buzzing for `take off`, which it did in the few seconds when I turned around to get a large enough container. More cursing!

Whatever, last night`s `stripey` was a `good boy` - hence the photos below.

Catch up - 12th August

Sorry, I had rather forgotten about the Blog. As Ian has been adding some catch up posts, I thought I would post one with some photos for 12/8 at Cnwc y Llwyn Brechfa. Highlights among >100 species were Cydia amplana new for VC44, Little Thorn new for Cnwc, Coleophora discordella, and a Lesser Earwig (!).

European Corn-borer

 Reading elsewhere regarding a very recent record by Geoff Busby of his capture of an European corn-borer at Carmel, it occurred to me that I had not put an earlier record of mine on the blog. It was caught in my garden trap on 14/7. Photo below:

Postscript: I`ve just noticed that I`d already posted this photo on another `catch up` blog of mine on 25/7!

Last night`s moths (18/8/26)

 Two garden traps were set out last night - the MV at its usual sheltered SSW-facing position atop a garden seat towards the bottom of the garden and the `flat-roof actinic`, reached by ladder above the kitchen. The scarce bordered straw puzzled me initially as it was a small individual with completely undeveloped hind-wings. The wood carpet is seemingly local in Carmarthenshire - it is larger and more cleanly-marked than the similar common carpet. I used to get it at Pwll but the individual below may be the first time at my current garden.

Above: white-speck

                                                      Above: scarce bordered straw

                                                                  Above: wood carpet

                  Above: cream-bordered green peas (resident locally) were in attendance

Abernaint, Ffarmers

Just like buses Stripey #4 turned up this morning! Also had Scarce Bordered Straw, 2 Palpita vitrealis, 5 Rustry Dot Pearls, 3 Rush Veneers, 3 Silver Ys and circa 50 Small Mottled Willows.

Visiting moth'ers are greatly appreciated!

A couple of weeks ago I had an email from Rob Payne from west London asking whether there was a standard way of him inputting moth records from his forthcoming holiday at Upper Lliedi Reservoir near Llanelli. After some discussions, he has now sent me a list of 141 species recorded between 11th and 15th August. Highlights included Yponomeuta rorrella, Cosmopterix pulchrimella, 120 Nomophila noctuella on 12/8, 80 Small Mottled Willow the same night, a Maiden's Blush (which is turning up all over Carmarthenshire this year), a Little Thorn (ditto to a lesser extent), Vestal, Chevron (photo below), Pinion-streaked Snout, Double Kidney, Olive, Cream-bordered Green Pea, White Point and White Speck (photo below). If only all visiting moth'ers were as diligent in their recording and sent their records in to the County Recorders! Thanks Rob