The moths keep coming in.....plus a Fox!

Thursday 30th May 2024.

This Fox walked along my back wall and then stood on my neighbours Shed roof.

The Moth Box was back on overnight and another three species were new for the year, including the infamous Box-tree Moth. The Starlings popped into our neighbours garden tree, including a few juveniles but then they started giving off their alarm call. I thought it was going to be a Cat until I saw a Fox walking along our back wall and then perched himself up on our neighbours Shed roof. Thankfully, it was a dry morning although the weather forecast does not look all that good for today.

Above, one of two Heart & Dart moths. One of the most common moth I get in my moth box over the next several months. Below, the micro moth Red-eyed Buff was also new for the year.

Above, this pristine Common Marbled Carpet moth was present today.

The Moth Box:

There were four species that were new for the year that included two Heart & Darts, a Box-tree Moth and the micro moths, Red-eyed Buff (Agonopterix ocellana) and Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella). My second Least Black Arches of the year was also present as was a Dark Spectacle. A good variety this morning that included 38 moths of 23 species were recorded today.

Above, a Least Black Arches and below, the Box-tree Moth.

The following moths were present this morning:

• White Ermine 2
• Common Marbled Carpet
• Heart & Dart 2 (New for Year)
• Bright-line Brown-eye
• Garden Carpet 4
• Lime-speck Pug
• Common Pug
• Silver Y
• Vine’s Rustic 2
• Pale Mottled Willow 3
• Dark Spectacle
• Least Black Arches
• Willow Beauty 7
• Shuttle-shaped Dart
• Garden Carpet
• Brown House Moth
• Box-tree Moth (NFY)
• Narrow-winged Grey
• Southern Bell
• Garden Grass-veneer (NFY)
• Red-eyed Buff (NFY)
• Light Brown Apple Moth 
• Ruddy Streak 2

My first Garden Grass-veneer of the year.