Well, it was a brave crew that ventured out on Saturday night to trap at Coed y Dinas Nature Reserve, and we definitely outnumbered the moths! We lit up the traps at about 8pm, having enjoyed an acrobatic display by the Swallows and House Martins over the reserve while we were setting up.
Fair play to Gavin - he made an early sweep with his net, and managed to catch an unidentifiable micro. From there on it was a slow night, with just the occasional find in the traps - and we were running 7 plus the white sheet. The Hebrew Character was the most "numerous" find of the night, and so we assume the hardiest, and the Lunar Marbled Brown was the most exotic. The first one I have seen this year anyway. Other than that it was Small Quaker, Common Quaker and Clouded Drab.
Unfortunately, the cold dampened our enthusiasm for taking photos, otherwise I would include pictures of the splendid home-made biscuits from Sue. They were thoroughly tested for quality and none were found wanting.
On one of our later forays around the reserve we were treated to the sight of hundreds of gulls (black-headed?) swirling overhead, lit up from beneath by our traps. But we couldn't get one into our pots as a surprise for Peter.
By the time the temperature plunged to 3C, we decided it was time to call it a night, and so it was with frozen fingers that we packed up at 11pm and vowed that it was sure to go better next month in Dolforwyn Woods Nature Reserve. Don't forget your hot chocolate!
