After rather disappointing results from the Llanymynech event in late April, it was hoped that the endless cycle of warm days and cold nights would end before the next moth group evening event. Wrong!
With a forecast of drying air and a rapidly cooling evening, an unexpectedly rainy start was met with at Ash & Elm Horticulture, a 5 acre market garden 3 miles west of Llanidloes.
While the majority of the attendees were given a tour of the grounds, 5 traps and the white sheet were set up. An introductory talk about all things moths was given, followed by a fabulous meal, laid on by members and staff of Ash & Elm. This event was supported by Camau Gwyrdd, a climate action resilience project
https://www.farmgarden.org.uk/projects/camau-gwyrdd.
After traps were switched on around 21.15pm, and light levels dropped proportionately to temperature, the keenest youngsters arrived at the ID table with the first moth, a Pale Prominent, subsequently known by its adopted name, "Midnight Lilly"!
"Midnight Lilly". Phil McGregor.
It really was a chilly night and the moths were not keen to show themselves. However, in a familiar "dribs & drabs" fashion, we had a drawn out trickle of arrivals. Nut-tree Tussock, Pale-shouldered Brocade, Great Prominent and Scalloped Hazel were next.
Pale-shouldered Brocade. Phil McGregor.
With plenty of hot drinks available a hardy group of attendees made it to around midnight, by which time a crowd pleasing Puss Moth had been potted.
Puss Moth. Phil McGregor.
Some seriously hardcore enthusiasts potted and identified a Muslin Moth at 02.55am. Hats-off to you!
Muslin Moth. Phil McGregor.
All traps were finally switched off at 03.42am, the remnants of the group understandably by now asleep.
Considering a minimum low of 2 centigrade was achieved, a very modest list of nine macro moth species were recorded. The final moth being a White Ermine discovered in the grass below the white sheet as it was being packed away, the following morning. The final list will be available HERE in due course.
23 people attended the event. Many comments were made about the excitement of each moth being found and the extra focus it brought upon those particular species. On many occasions with lots of potted moths, the plainer ones are often completely overlooked.
A big thank you to Dave Ashley & Emma Maxwell at Ash&Elm Horticulture, our hosts for the night and their helpers. To Camau Gwrydd for supporting the event. Butterfly Conservation for our insurance cover and Y Senedd and Powys Nature Partnership's Local Place's for Nature funding support of the moth group.
Finally, a really big thank you to the warmth, enthusiasm and interest of the people attending the event.
Simon Spencer will be opening the moth trap at Llanymynech Golf Club at 08.00am on the 23rd May. 07866428875 or cerisiyi@btinternet.com for further details.
Our next moth group evening event will be back at Craig Rhiwarth, Llangynog in the far north of the county on 13th June. We will be targeting first generation Weaver's Wave, discovered at the site last year and attempting to establish the strength of the population of this scarce moth in Montgomeryshire. Further details will be published here on the blog and on the group facebook page nearer the time.
Many thanks,
Phil.
