2016 'January Moth Challenge' - the results.

Hello All.

All the results for the 2016 January moth challenge are now in and have been collated into the charts below.

This years’ challenge had the potential to yield some good returns as the milder weather we've been experienceing this winter was still with us, it was especially mild during the last third of the month and on the whole January was also quite a wet month, I only recorded two dry days throughout the month. Ten moth-ers sent their results into me, so well done to everyone who had a go.

Now let’s have a look at the data its self – 19 species of macro moth (six more than last year) and 7 species of micro moth (3 more than last year) were recorded (26 species in all), a big increase from the 17 species which were recorded during 2015. Only two peaple managed to achieve the 10 species for macro, Chris Williams & myself. No one else really came close to the ten species (which is a bit surprising, considering the weather conditions) 5 species and next best, this was achieved Sue Southam & Tom Brown . The number of macro moths recorded of 225 was a good increase on the 157 from last year. The micro part of the challenge (5 species) again wasn’t achieved by anyone; the best returns were 4 species, by myself and then 2 species by Sue Southam.

The comparison chart below shows the top five species recorded in each of the five years the challenge has been going. For the first time the Winter Moth has been knocked off the top spot into second place and the Chestnut has taken over the mantle. Finally, just take a look at the number of moths in the top five recorded this year compared to previous years, 172, is an invrease on the very low figure of last year, but in general, still quite a bit lower than in previous years.

Many thanks to all of those who took part in this years 'challenge'. And please remember, as well as being ‘fun to do’ the January trapping also gives us extra data for those winter flying species which we wouldn't have were it not for extra trapping done in the 'challenge'.

The final word – A special mention must be given to Deborah who managed to trap 29 times during the month for a total catch of ‘zero’ - she takes the 'Wooden Spoon', for a second year in a row.

The full list of recorders who took part this year is:-

JH        Jeny Heard

PRW    Peter Williams

DG       Deborah Griffith

PR       Paul Roughly

AT       Alan Tadman

SOS     Sue Southam

SS        Simon Spencer

TB        Tom Brown

LW       Les Wilkins

GBC     Gavin Chambers

I hope you all have a great mothing year in 2016.

Peter.