New Moth Species (1)

The most splendid, apart from the Poplar Hawkmoth (see below), I trapped was the Peppered Moth (Biston betularia).

Moths

I borrowed a Moth trap and did my first proper trapping a couple of nights ago. Lots of new species to add to the list. It would have been a lot more but having potted up loads of micromoths I released them all as I realised that I wasn't going to have enough pots or enough identification time to deal with the number of moths in and around the trap. I needed id help for most of the larger moths in any case which I got in the early afternoon (thanks Steph). I'll highlight a few of the new species in separate blogs and start here with the magnificent Poplar Hawkmoth.

Orchid final? total

I haven't seen any fresh Orchids to count in the last few days so this may be the final total for the year. However Broad-leaved Helleborines are down in number and I still have vague hopes that a few more might appear. This dry spell probably won't encourage them however. All in all it's been a reasonable year and the trend of increasing Orchid numbers year on year is maintained. The overall total is 810 Orcids which is a 5% increase on 2021. This is tiny compared to the 148% increase last year but there does seem to be a pattern of large increases followed by much smaller increases in numbers. In 2018 numbers rose 59% and in 2019 by 5% for example. The good news is the appearance of a Greater Butterfly Orchid for the first time. The downside this year has been the destruction of unprotected flowering Orchids by Deer which has reached unprecedented levels. However I have a plan to counteract this next year!

Marsh Bedstraw

I was surprised to find Marsh Bedstraw on the grassy bank by the house some years ago - it is not a wettish area. I have avoided cutting it before it has time to seed and this year I am rewarded with a significant expansion of the area. From a few isolated examples to a nice patch.

New Species - Scarlet Tiger Moth

Found on the drive rather than through Moth Trapping (which I hope to organise soon) this is a rather splendid looking Moth whose distribution is South West of the UK and whose habitat is marshy ground and riverbanks. I am not quite sure what it was doing on our drive!

Marbled White back and other butterflies

First one was seen on 21st June and sightings are still occasional at the moment. Meadow Browns are flying in huge numbers. They are enjoying the long grass that has sprung up this year in certain areas of the fields and around the house. I am not quite sure whether the longer grass is a product of the weather or of my cutting regime last year or a combination. I have also seen the first Ringlets which again are looking quite numerous. Photo is an old one of a Meadow Brwon.

New Pond Update

I'm pleasantly surprised but there seems to be water hanging around to a reasonable depth (as in a few inches) after the rain three days ago. I'd love some more serious rain to see if I can get a serious depth of water in there at which point transpiration via the clay/soil will reduce.