Dolforwyn Woods Event

Setting up base camp

Checking the white sheet

The first event of the year took place at Dolforwyn Woods on Saturday 1^st April. In previous years these early events have produced some challenging weather conditions, and Saturday didn’t look too promising, a bit windy and heavy showers for most of the day. By early evening, however, the rain had cleared, and the wind had dropped, and as we set up the traps it was reasonably warm and very still, and a good catch was anticipated.

Purple Thorn on the white sheet

Lunar Marbled Brown

Checking the catch

Dark Sword-grass

Frosted Green

As dusk descended the traps were lit up and it wasn’t long before the first moths appeared, Engrailed followed by the first of many Brindled Pugs. Peter was then kept busy as the list of macros grew quite rapidly and included

Pale Pinion
Double-striped Pug

Lunar Marbled Brown, Dark Sword-grass and Dotted Border, all new species for the site, and Pale Brindled Beauty, which had only been recorded on one previous occasion. Micros were represented by two colour forms of Acleris literana and large numbers of Diurnea Fagella, both of which were new species for the site.

Acleris literana

additional species were brought back to base for identification in quick succession.

Water Carpet

At 11.30pm the temperature was still a reasonable 9C, but the rain commenced again, and we began to pack up. The traps yielded a Mottled Grey and Dyseriocrania subpurpurella as they were being emptied; both of these were new to the site. A total of 30 species 27 macro and 3 micro, were recorded, some of which were present in large numbers.To see the full species list please click here.

Thanks to those who brought along their traps, and to Sue who once again provided refreshments.

Paul Roughley.