Dark Crimson Underwing - a new one for me but not totally unexpected. It's the third one to be recorded in Devon this week, but there have been many more further east. Am immigrant species and one which all 'mothers' should be on the look-out for as they can turn up pretty much anywhere.
Moths grabbed today's headlines, with very little in the way of migrant birds on Orcombe. Totals included just 3 Wheatear, 6 Swallow, 1 Stonechat, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat and 6 Chiffchaff.
Off Mudbank - 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 3 Wigeon.
Yesterday morning on Orcombe - my first Redstart of the year and 3 Tree Pipit.
The Dark Crimson Underwing was quite willing to play dead (thanatosis) but less keen to reveal its crimson underwings...
Gem - an immigrant species that I don't often catch. Other immigrants were 2 White Point, 4 Turnip Moth, 1 Vestal, 12 Silver Y, 4 Rusty Dot Pearl and 1 Dark Sword-grass.
Adder's-tongue - Dawlish Warren.
Carline Thistle - a very quick trip, in sweltering heat, to Dawlish Warren to see this yesterday. For some inexplicable reason it's one I really wanted to see. I now know why it took so long - it's small!
Small White and Green-veined White - Duckaller Farm, Dawlish.
White-streak Grass-veneer Agriphila latistria - Nick trapped this beauty in Budleigh last night, and kindly popped in with it this afternoon. It's only my second, following one about a year ago that Nick also trapped. It's a very localised species that I've yet to record in Exmouth.
Nick also trapped this Bedstraw Hawkmoth last night. Incredibly it's a different individual to the one he trapped just over a week ago! He's noticed significant differences in the shape and thickness of the black underwing markings. Great work Nick and thank you for bringing it over.
White-streak Grass-veneer Agriphila latistria - Nick trapped this beauty in Budleigh last night, and kindly popped in with it this afternoon. It's only my second, following one about a year ago that Nick also trapped. It's a very localised species that I've yet to record in Exmouth.
Nick also trapped this Bedstraw Hawkmoth last night. Incredibly it's a different individual to the one he trapped just over a week ago! He's noticed significant differences in the shape and thickness of the black underwing markings. Great work Nick and thank you for bringing it over.
Some tremendous moths, Matt. There have been some London Dark Crimson Underwings-have heard of records from at least Richmond Park & Wimbledon Common. Very smart Gem! Looking at all the posts online been an amazing couple of weeks for migrant moths-lots of exquisite Beautiful Marbleds & a new pug to the UK.
ReplyDeleteHi Neil - yes very exciting times for the moths with many formerly rare species turning up in numbers. Lots of Devon 'mothers' hoping for Beautiful Marbled. Personally I'm after Oak Processionary (controversial) or Jersey Mocha, but there are a host of other species I'd settle for. Still waiting for Toadflax Brocade down here too. The Portland Pug was a fantastic record. Best wishes. Matt
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