Bigger moth haul & a 'Lifer'.

Sunday 24th August 2025.

Another new moth for my Moth Life List; a WHITE-FACED TORTRIX (Pandemis cinnamomeana).

I awoke a little later than usual, setting the alarm for 6am, however, the ‘body clock’ woke me around 5.45am instead! I could hear a Robin singing in the garden close to the bedroom window which encouraged me to make my way out of bed. It was fairly bright at first by the time I got out in the garden to check the Moth Box, but mist had arrived and settled low over the trees and gave it that damp feel to proceedings. Temperatures this morning were around 13 degrees centigrade and a very light south-westerly wind. 

I heard a few birds flying over, notably a Siskin and a probable Yellow Wagtail, although the latter bird was distant and only called twice. Thankfully, the Moth numbers greatly improved and the variety here included yet another ‘Lifer’ micro moth.

My Moth Box:

My second Early Thorn moth of the year.

What I thought was going to be one of the Fruit-tree Tortrix’s actually turned out to be a WHITE-FACED TORTRIX, which was new to my Moth Life List; which also put a big smile on my face this early in the morning! Three more moths were added to my Moth Year List this morning that included a Spruce Carpet*, my first Purple Bar* in many a year and the micro moth, Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix*. My second Early Thorn of the year was present inside the Moth Box (the first being in Andy’s garden last June) and up to 4 Snout moths of various guises were noted. Even Common Marbled Carpets are coming back with their second brood of the year. The Small Square-spot was my second for the year too.

Above, this Spruce Carpet was new for the year and below, a Snout moth.

Above, I was chuffed to get this Purple Bar moth this morning, not only it was new for the year, but probably only my 3rd sighting of one. Below, this Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix was new for the year.

All in all, a total of 43 moths of 19 species were noted today. (Smiley face!).

Above, one of four Common Marbled Carpets this morning and below, the Small Square-spot moth.

The Moths recorded this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Large Yellow Underwing x1	WHITE-FACED TORTRIX x1
Early Thorn x1	Common Grass-moth x12
Canary-shouldered Thorn x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x2
Snout x4	Common Masoner x1
Spruce Carpet x1*	Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix x1*
Brimstone Moth x5	Parornix species.
Common Wave x1
Purple Bar x1*
Small Square-spot x1
Flame Shoulder x4
Common Marbled Carpet x3
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1
Double-striped Pug x1

Other news:

Birding pal, Geoff Farwell, went to Farley Mount, near Winchester and recorded the following sightings: 2 Red Kites, Goshawk, Common Buzzard, 2 Ravens, Marsh Tit, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Redstarts, 4 Stonechats, 2 Whinchats, 2 Tree Pipits, Firecrest, 5 Blackcaps, Common Whitethroat, Siskin and a showy Tawny Owl!