Devon Carpet - Clough Wood

Decided to try Clough Wood again last night with Brian Statham, despite rather wet conditions during the day and consequent cool temperatures, about 14 Centigrade when we set up at 8:45pm. Running two MV traps there was almost no activity in one but we immediately attracted a few micros to the second, mainly Apotomis turbidana but very few macro moths. 
In all we only caught 15 macro's of 8 species which included Angle-striped Sallow and a superb Devon Carpet, taken at around 9:30pm.
There is one previous record for Derbyshire near Ashbourne on 5th September 1984 and at least one for Sherwood Forest in Notts. A new colony was discovered near Hebden Bridge in S Yorks in 2010 and the first Suffolk record was 2009 so it appears to be expanding its range. Clough Wood has been trapped regularly over the years particularly by Brian so it is unlikely the species has been overlooked in the past.

Devon Carpet

Acleris sparsana

Also added Acleris sparsana last night.

Acleris sparsana

Frosted Orange

More rain and cool temperatures but Frosted Orange was new for the year, also another Barred Chestnut and a striking black and white example of Acleris variegana.

Frosted Orange

Barred Chestnut

Another example, not in great condition

Barred Chestnut

Acleris variegana

A nicely marked example.

Acleris variegana

Agriphila tristella

Resorted to checking the grass moths and added Agriphila tristella which is no surprise. Another Feathered Gothic, Sallow and Copper Underwing were the only other moths of note.

Agriphila tristella

Peregrine Falcons

Three Peregrines flew over the house late this afternoon, an adult with food closely followed by two juveniles which were clearly after a meal. There was much calling as they chased after the adult. I had little time to get the camera so the exposure was not great.

Red Underwing

First Red Underwing of the year, I usually get 2 or 3 at home each autumn from the Poplar wood about half a mile away. Ling Pug, another Canary-shouldered Thorn, 2 Copper Underwing were the best of the rest. It rained most of the night so the Red Underwing was a good result.

Red Underwing

Canary-shouldered Thorn

A cooler night again but Canary-shouldered Thorn is a nice addition to the year list also the first Feathered Gothic in the garden and another Tawny-speckled Pug.

Canary-shouldered Thorn

Neglected Rustic - Beeley Moor

Conditions looked good last night for Beeley Moor but fairly quickly after setting up a cool wind started to blow. It was a slow start with the catch largely of Antler Moths (50+) but we gradually picked up a few interesting species which included Neglected Rustic (4), Heath Rustic and Small Wainscot (2 but no photo) which made the trip worthwhile.

Neglected Rustic

Heath Rustic - Beeley Moor

Heath Rustic 

The Sallow

Slightly better at home last night; 195 moths of 25 species which included the first Sallow of the year also Turnip Moth which has been scarce, Least Yellow Underwing the first in the garden this year and another Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing.

The Sallow 

Centre-barred Sallow

Feels like autumn is arriving now with the first Centre-barred Sallow of the year. Also a single Angle Shades which has been decidedly scarce this year but otherwise just 48 moths of 14 species.

Centre-barred Sallow

Angle-striped Sallow

Caught a fresh Angle-striped Sallow last night also Acleris variegana and an Ear Moth. large Yellow Underwing reached 90, singles of Copper Underwing and Common Marbled Carpet.

Angle-striped Sallow

Ear Moth agg.

Definitely an Ear Moth even though somewhat battered but it could be any of four so is reported as aggregated.

Ear moth agg