Tuesday 16 August 2022

Striped Hawk, Jersey & Blair's Mocha


 Striped Hawkmoth. By far the best of last night's immigrant haul that included 1 Silver Y, 1 Dark Sword-grass and small numbers of Turnip and White-point. 

Disappointingly quiet on Orcombe this morning, following overnight rain that continued well past dawn. Just one or two Tree Pipits and 3 Swifts made it into the notebook. The hedgerows were devoid of phylloscs or anything else for that matter! Off the Imperial rec - 1 Common Tern, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plovers and a flock of 27 Black-tailed Godwits. The Wigeon count has risen to 5 individuals off Mudbank.

Nick trapped this smart Jersey Mocha last night, and very kindly popped over with it. It's a brand new species for me but one, like many others, that seems to be doing well in response to a warmer climate. I'm assuming I'll find it here in Exmouth, sooner or later. Remarkably, Nick also trapped the closely-related Blair's Mocha - a species I've only encountered in the south of France, but another one that's on the rise.


Blair's Mocha.


Tawny-barred Angle. Only trapped occasionally here in Exmouth.

4 comments:

  1. Wow! Striped Hawk-moth is probably the species most responsible for stirring the latent moth-er in me. I want one!

    Blair's Mocha and 3 Maiden's Blush here last night, plus a regular Mocha. Sounds like a good night for that particular plate in the field guide!

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    1. Hi Gav - yep, you do very well for Mochas in Bridport. Very impressed that Nick managed both Jersey and Blair's in one trap too! I'm sure you'll get Striped Hawk sooner or later - they're nowhere near as rare as Orache! All the very best. Matt.

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  2. Seems to have been a record year for Striped Hawkmoth, Matt-such splendid moths. Couple of nice mocha species too.

    Just a little light rain here so far today-hoping for quite a bit more tomorrow!

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  3. Hi Neil - yes it wasn't the biggest shock to see one in the trap. Was more surprised with the previous night's Ni Moth. Raining again here as I type, and already the grass is looking greener. Much needed. All the best. Matt.

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