An average Moth count this morning.

Wednesday 6th August 2025.

Yes, a poor quality photo of the Moon last night taken with my mobile phone camera. But, boy, was it so orange!

It was back on with the Moth Box overnight and with a beautiful ‘orange’ moon last night, it looked as though it was going to be a still and cool evening. This morning, it was overcast, but again, still though quite chilly with a temperature around 10 degrees here in Southsea. Both Matt & Emma and myself had our respective Moth Boxes on and we were hoping for a few more migrants to come in.

My Moth Box:

This Jersey Tiger moth was one of two this morning. 

Though I set my alarm for 5am, it was around 5.20am by the time I got out to check the Box, but it was still dark and so I waited another ten minutes for some daylight to filter through. Already, I could see at least two Jersey Tiger moths resting by the Box and a Common Rustic was on the white sheet.

Yellow-barred Brindle.

There was nothing new for the year present this morning, but 55 moths of 22 species wasn't too bad. I found at least 3 Garden Tigers of which two were outside the Box and one inside and migrant moths this morning included a White-point and two Turnip Moths. Both Vine’s Rustics and the micro moth Dark Moss-moths are returning and probably on their second broods now as is Yellow-barred Brindle. 

Above, one of two Dark Moss-moths this morning as well as this (below) Cabbage Moth.

The Moths present this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Cabbage Moth x1	Common Masoner x1
Double-striped Pug x6	Bramble Shoot Moth x2
Shuttle-shaped Dart x4	Light Brown Apple Moth x7
Yellow-barred Brindle x1	Brown House Moth x2
Buff Ermine x1	Mother of Pearl x2
Jersey Tiger x2	Apple Leaf Miner x1
Garden Tiger x3	Common Plume x3
White-point x1	Dark Moss-moth x2
Turnip Moth x2	Grey Knot-horn x1
Vine’s Rustic x5
Common Rustic x6
Pale Mottled Willow x1
Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing x1

While checking the Moth Box, a Willowchiff called from deep within my neighbours tree and I think I saw it fly north out of the same tree and began calling again. ‘Vis Mig’ should be starting soon (visible migration of birds) and so will keep a sharp ear out for anything of note flying over.

Matt & Emma’s Moth Box:

Dot Moth.

The Moths the guys had in and around their Moth Box this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Jersey Tiger x2	Common Grass-veneer x1
Brimstone Moth x2	Mint Moth x1
Poplar Hawk-moth x1
Rosy Footman x1
Dot Moth x1
Vine’s Rutic x1
Shuttle-shaped Dart x1