It was very docile, having had its fill of Yellow Underwings. I'm hoping that the local bat population don't make a habit of invading my moth traps, otherwise trapping might become very difficult!
The only notable moth last night was a Purple Bar, only the second one I've seen here.
These three micros are from Saturday night's trapping. The first I believe to be Phycita roborella:
The other two are Cydia sp. I think, but are they C.splendana or C.pomonella?
One of the Pembrokeshire moth group whom I met on the Orielton course, Mark Burton, has sent me the following information:
We have settled on Friday 21st August for the 1st Skomer Moth expedition date.
> Travel over 9/10 am Friday return Saturday 12:00 boat.
> Day time sweeping / beating on Friday and then light the island up with as many traps as possible on the Friday night. Giving us time on Saturday am to look through the catch.
>
> Jason is going to see how many working traps they have, I can bring a 12v mobile trap & 30w actinic 204v trap if needed. Robin can bring various mobile traps so we should have enough but feel free to bring your own. Sweep nets and pots would be worth bringing.
>
> Boat fare £11;00
> Accommodation & landing fee £30.00
>
> bring food and bed sheets (duvets & pillows provided).
> Nearer the time and once we know who is coming we can perhaps organise the food between us to save duplication and cook a main meal for everybody on friday night.
> Skomer will need to know numbers and book the accommodation.
>
> easiest way to book accommodation is through the wildlife trust - Wendy on 01239 621600
I have booked a place, Mark says that there is still accommodation available if anyone else is interested.
Are you going batty, Chris? Many years ago, some friends and I were trapping on a warm summer's night in Ham Street Woods in Kent. Almost as soon as a good stew of insects had built up over the traps it began to snow - only it wasn't snow, it was moth wings being discarded by bats feeding in flight fifty feet above the traps! Some moth species were only identified by their wings and not seen whole. Ham Street is a mega site for moths..... and for bats!
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Steve. Just shows how many moths must survive to adulthood and maintain their species in spite of such wholesale carnage. I was tempted to use 'going batty' as a title but thought it might be a bit corny!
ReplyDeleteCorny? That's me!
ReplyDeleteI`ve been twice woken up (in two different houses) by a pipistrelle flying low over my face in bed. There`s a small colony under my roof space and they can be seen flying around the moths attracted to my trap. I wonder how many rarities they`ve eaten!
ReplyDeleteSorry Steve, that comment wasn't directed at you but at myself, I've been very cautious about titles since I posted one about a possible Brown-spot Pinion as 'a matter of a pinion' and afterwards felt that it had exceeded the limits of corniness!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm still hoping that some kind person will confirm the Cydia sp. for me, if it's possible to do so from the photos.