An eventful night of garden mothing

The warm weather continues, and so there is every incentive to catch moths. Last night it wasn't just moths. The trap was also frequented by tens of frantic caddisflies, and an enormous queen Hornet. Meanwhile another Cockchafer crashed into the side of the box before I took it to the front of the house for release.

Hornet

The Hornet was still present in the morning and was extracted from the trap with great care. Rather less health and safety was in evidence when I climbed onto a garden chair to photograph what turned out to be the first Mottled Pug for the garden. The chair tipped and I tumbled, somehow getting my leg to straddle the back support and thus sustaining a bruised groin in the process. Fortunately the camera was not dropped and although the moth flew off, its image was captured for posterity.

Mottled Pug

The surreal nature of the morning continued when I heard a cow lowing from the direction of Alders Drive. Not a sound I expect to hear from our Redditch garden. I have no explanation.

The tally of moths this morning was about the same as in recent mornings, but as well as finally cracking Mottled Pug for the garden list I noticed another overdue first, a Middle-barred Minor.

Middle-barred Minor

Neither the Minor nor the Pug are scarce moths in Warwickshire or Worcestershire, and the fact it has taken me three years to catch either species shows that there is still plenty of potential for new discoveries.

The remaining moths included the first Poplar Grey since 2018, and Light Emerald, Marbled Orchard Tortrix, Bryotropha terrella (probably the most boring looking micro in the book), and an exceptionally early Eudonia mercurella. This species doesn't usually emerge until July.

Poplar Grey

Marbled Tortrix Orchard

Light Emerald

Bryotropha terrella

Eudonia mercurella

The full list was as follows:

Ruddy Streak 1
Bee Moth 1
Bryotropha terrella 1 (nfy)
Marbled Orchard Tortrix 1 (nfy)
Codling Moth 3
Eudonia mercurella 1 (nfy)
Common Marbled Carpet 2
Seraphim 1
Mottled Pug 1 (nfg)
Light Emerald 1 (nfy)
Pale Tussock 1
Poplar Grey 1 (nfy)
Middle-barred Minor 1 (nfg)
Heart and Dart 16
Flame Shoulder 1

STOP PRESS: I found a micro which had escaped into the utility room last night, and discovered it was another one new for the year; Clepsis consimilana. (nfy)

Clepsis consimilana

So the addition of that moth brings the overnight total to 35 moths of 16 species.

Even later Stop Press: We were enjoying a socially distanced street party in our road this afternoon when a Red Kite flew over. No bins or camera, just a glass of wine to hand. I must admit that an occupant of number 3 identified it as a Marsh Harrier, but unfortunately it wasn't. Neighbours eh!