Scarce Silver Y at Ty Gwyn, Cefn Coch. 11/07/2026. In association with Butterfly Conservation and supported by Y Senedd and Local Places for Nature fund.

Ty Gwyn sits on an upland rough pasture ridge in between the upper Afon Tanat and Afon Rhaedr valleys in north Montgomeryshire. This was a new survey site for the moth group.

The area surveyed is mainly wet wildflower meadows under restoration, surrounded by rough upland pasture and scrubby carr.  

Ty Gwyn meadows. A. Bridger

For once we could actually relax about the weather forecast with the prolonged hot, dry spell suggesting a good night for moth-ing.

After a warm welcome from our hosts we were greeted by the sight of  numerous Silver Y and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth feeding on Lavender and Red Valerian in the gardens. Two for the list before we had even set up!

Shortly after bats started to appear and the traps were switched on, the first visit to the traps illustrated what would prove to be some of the most abundant macro moth species for the night including Dark Arches, Ruby Tiger, Smoky Wainscot, Common Footman and the ubiquitous Large Yellow Underwing. The more common forms of Crambus, Chrysoteuchia and Agrophila micro species were already present in large numbers.

Burnished Brass. P. McGregor.

Amongst the crowd pleasers brought back to the table were Burnished Brass, Grass Emerald and Gold Spot

Grass Emerald. P. McGregor.

Gold Spot. P. McGregor.

and a fine specimen of Freyer's Pug.

Freyer's Pug. S. Spencer.

Two Gilmeria pallidactyla (Yarrow Plume) were recorded, making for the most interesting micro species of the night with much discussion about their unusual form.

Gilmeria pallidactyla. S. Spencer.

as well a single record of Acentria ephemerella (Water Veneer)

Acentria ephemerella. P. McGregor

However, the rather unexpected star (or rather moth) of the night was the appearance of a delightful Scarce Silver Y.

Scarce Silver Y. P. McGregor

Not being too far from local rocky moorland, we concluded it must have been attracted down hill to the Robinson MV. It certainly testifies to the throw of the light from an MV bulb.

As visitors to the event gradually left, the moths kept on coming and it was down to the super hardy few still "in the zone" to continue recording deep into the night. Traps were finally all turned off by 3.30am. A minimum of 94 species were recorded, the finally tally is awaiting confirmation. The full list will be available HERE in due course.

Many thanks to our hosts Alan Bridger and Fiona Slater for what turned out to be a brilliant moth-ing site. Also thanks must go to those willing to come out into the night and participate in the event.

We would also like to thank Butterfly Conservation for our insurance cover and Y Senedd and Powys Nature Partnership's administration of the Local Place's for Nature grant funding support of the moth group.

A brief reminder that our next event is this coming Saturday, 18th July 9.15pm onwards, at Melinbyrhedin, near Machynlleth. Another new recording site. Further details for this event can be found in the previous post on this blog.

Many thanks,

Phil & Simon.