Saturday, 18 September 2021

Clifden Nonpareil


Well, it's arrived at last - on opening the trap this morning I saw what I thought at first glance was a Red Underwing, but when I moved it to get some photos it flicked it's wings and I saw a flash of blue which told me right away I had recorded that iconic species a Clifden Nonpareil. A first record for Montgomeryshire and only the second record for North Wales. After getting a few photos it flew off to safety into the nearby shrubbery. I must say, even though I've been moth trapping for 30 years the whole experience of recording this moth did leave me rather trembling a little.




Peter.

Saturday, 4 September 2021

Lockdown species challenge - August update.

 


Hello Moth-ers,

The data for August in our ‘lockdown Target species challenge’ is now in and can be viewed on our blog as well as our Facebook page.

New records are still rather slow in coming in, but Douglas Boyes now heads the table on 11 points, with Alan Sibley on 9 points. Equal third are are Stuart Thomas and Peter Williams on 7 points.

This months target species is the Oblique Carpet (worth 2 points) If you've already recorded one please let me know and I'll add it to the table, thanks.

Please note the following 'Challenge' points:

1) That all target species will remain active in the challenge (although some may have finished their flight time), so please let me know if you record one of these at any time and I’ll update your points on the table.

2) Also, it may well be you’ve already recorded a species before I add it to the target list, that’s fine, just let me know and I’ll add the record to the main table.

3) This challenge is open to everyone without any restrictions and you can join in whenever you like, just let me know and I'll add your name to the chart.

The target species added in previous months are (and quite a few will still be on the wing) ; -

13) Leopard Moth (2 points)

12) Clouded Brindle (2 points)

11) Shaded broad-bar (1 point)

10) Yellow Shell (1 point)

9) Yellow-barred Brindle (1 point)

😎 Tawny Pinion (2 Points)

7) Any migrant hawk moth – this might seem rather unlikely, but it does of course include the Humming-bird Hawk-moth, so everyone will have a chance to record one of these (3 points)

6) White-marked (1 point)

5) Pine Beauty (2 points)

4) Oak Nycteoline (1 point)

3) Blossom Underwing (2 points)

2) Shoulder Stripe (1 point)

1) Small Brindled Beauty (2 points)

Updated table attached below.