SURPRISING NUMBER OF MOTHS AT THE BEGINNING OF WINTER

Each day I read the latest sightings at the Dorset Moth Group and I am really surprised at the level of moth activity reported even at the beginning of winter. For example:

21st November 2011
At East Lulworth 17 Rusty-dot Pearl, a Palpita vitrealis, December Moth, two Red-green Carpet, four Spruce Carpet, 17 November Moth agg., 13 Feathered Thorn, a Scarce Umber, six Mottled Umber, a Satellite, a Red-line Quaker and seven Yellow-line Quaker (L Hill).

20th November 2011
By day at Chickerell, a Hummingbird Hawk-moth feeding on various garden flowers at noon (C Pinder).

Immigrants at Portland were nine Rusty-dot Pearl, a Rush Veneer and a Gem (per PBO website). A Dark Sword-grass the only moth of note at Broadwey (P Harris). Another quite mild night (with a bit of rain) at Tincleton, with 49 moths of 12 species; of interest were a Diamond-back, Rusty-dot Pearl, 17 Feathered Thorn, a late fresh Large Yellow Underwing, and 15 Chestnut (R Cottle). Two 6W Actinic run at Waddock Cross overnight, produced a Spruce Carpet, eight November Moth agg., 24 Feathered Thorn, five Scarce Umber, 11 Mottled Umber, a Satellite and two Chestnut (V Giavarini). To light at Winterborne Stickland were singles of Rusty-dot Pearl, December Moth and Dark Chestnut (L de Whalley).



http://www.dorsetmothgroup.org.uk/latest_sightings.htm