Photo above of BIG moth tent © Rachel Redford
On the evening of July 20th we held the annual (weather permitting) mothing event in memory of George Higgs and Gordon Redford. As was most appropriate, Frances Higgs and Rachel Redford were both there. This is a joint event between MKNHS and the Bucks Invertebrate Group (BIG) and has traditionally been held in College Wood, Nash. Martin Kincaid and I, the MKNHS trappers, were outnumbered by the BIG trappers of Phil Tizzard, Martin Harvey and Neil Fletcher. The night was hugely enhanced by their contribution since Martin brought an amazing trapping ‘tent’ of overhead height and Neil had a large vertical and horizontal sheets, both of which allowed terrific views of both moths and all the other flying invertebrates which throng the wood.
So it was most unfortunate that only two other MKNHS members turned up to enjoy these new features. Perhaps last year’s cancellation due to very poor weather and a discouraging weather forecast, which included a thunderstorm, three days before this year’s event, contributed to the low attendance.
Fortunately the latter forecast proved completely erroneous and the moths really did the business with about 60 macro species and 50 micros and counting. There was no doubt which species was numerically dominant: Drinkers were everywhere, crashing about sheets and in traps. There were a few of the much larger and yellower females to compare to the very numerous males. Other regular crowd-pleasers were Black Arches and the commoner Hawk-moths. Mere Wainscots are common nowhere, but several put in a welcome appearance, even if not the most visually exciting. Seeing moths in immaculate condition sometimes allows easier observation of the important identification features, which virtually disappear in worn individuals. This was the case with 3 or 4 White-spotted Pugs in excellent condition.
White-spotted Pug (photo © Andy Harding)
The attractive Minor Shoulder-knot proved a puzzle for one or two present, despite not hiding its features.
Minor Shoulder-knot and Small Rivulet (photos © Andy Harding)
One which did its best to hide its features was a near-melanic Engrailed. Two slightly scarcer species attracted much interest. A Small Rivulet was nice but the star was arguably the Kent Black Arches. Until the 1980s this moth was ‘Nationally rare category B’, but has gradually spread north from a few south coast enclaves. It is still not common, since I’ve not yet seen it in my Old Stratford garden.
Kent Black Arches (Photo © Andy Harding)
So, a really excellent night and early next morning. Thanks are due to the Woodland Trust for permission to hold the event in College Wood, and to Linda Murphy for sorting out all the paperwork with the WT, to the BIG trappers who were absolutely essential for the viability of the event, and particularly to Neil Fletcher who undertook the species list, to which there is a link below. Given the interest among MKNHS members in a wider range of invertebrates, than just moths, Neil has compiled a more comprehensive list than usual, which consists of:
- 155 species so far, of which 110 moths, 59 macros + 51 micros.
– The Gelechid, Birch Grey Carpatolechia alburnella was new for me, there are less than 20 county records, a first for College Wood. - 45 non-moth species of the total 155 (c.30%) is a very good count.
- 9 bees/wasps is very good, not had anywhere near that many this year.
– Several rarely recorded species, including Cratichneumon flavifrons and Lissonota lineolaris which appear to be new county records. - Beetles: well recorded and/or common species
- Hemiptera: well recorded and/or common species
The detailed Species List can be viewed here.
As well as the list link, here is an interesting footnote from Neil Harvey: ‘One of the Craneflies, Diogma glabrata, is currently listed as ‘Nationally scarce’, although to be honest it is quite widespread across the UK. But it isn’t common, and the only other Bucks record I can find was from near Rushmere Park in 2005.’
Finally, may I apologise for the tardy appearance of this piece, but less than twenty-four hours after I left the wood on Sunday morning, my wife was taken to hospital, and has returned home only two days ago: that has been my priority.
Andy Harding
20 August 2024
Another perpsective on the evening, see Joan Hughes report here.