Latest Newsletter -

 The latest Carmarthenshire Moth Group Newsletter is now available - see `newsletters` on the right-hand side of the blog page to access it. It comprises a summary of the most interesting records for the 2020 season.

Maenol 08-04-2021

 A modest catch of 19 moths from a single actinic trap last night: Shoulder Stripe (FFY), Early Thorn 2, Dotted Border, Small Quaker 4, Clouded Drab 2, Hebrew Character 8, and pick of the bunch this Pale Pinion:

Maenol 02-04-2021

 The actinic skinner trap placed at the back of my bungalow last night attracted a single Hebrew Character, which was inside the trap.  No moths were found outside it; I put this down to a brisk, cool north-easterly which was swirling around the trap.  On the other hand another actinic trap, situated at the front and sheltered from the wind, contained 47 moths of 11 species.  Worthy of note were Mottled Grey, Early Tooth-striped, and this rather battered White-marked:

I do hope that I've got this one right!!

The Late Show

 A modest catch on Tuesday (30 March) has kept me busy ever since and with my fingers in ruins from scratching my wooden head. I still need expert help for two species witch are shown below. Only 14 species were found, but many of them were firsts for the site. Among these was this very striking Brindled Pug:

The moths that have defeated me included this Geometrid which I am sure will be obvious to most who inhabit this sight - I confess to significant brainfade and am relying on your expertise and help, if you will:

Unfortunately, I forgot to measure wing length before releasing the moth.

This micro seems to resemble a Cnephasia sp. in its markings, but not in its shape - I have never seen one of those and am likely to be way off the mark here. Wing  length about 10mm. The second picture shows the wings bent due to its positioning in the pot lid - this was not a permanent injury.  Again, help would be welcomed:

Maenol 31-03-2021

 MV and actinic traps were set last night and attracted 100 moths of 13 species.  Considering the conditions, which seemed ideal (cloudy, mild, light southerly wind, we don't get it like that very often here!) I'm a little disappointed. Nothing unusual turned up and only two species were FFY: Brindled Beauty and Early Tooth-striped:

Early Tooth-striped

Oak Beauty, which featured regularly mid-month, was notable for its absence.

Pale Pinion

 This morning I found a single Hebrew Character in the trap and another hiding under the extension reel. In the crack of the shed door by the trap was a Pale Pinion, another new moth for me and my garden.

Ffairfach 22 March 2021

 It's good to be back!

A massive crash of my laptop PC lost all data stored on it. Everything since moving down from the mountain was lost - fortunately, Cwmllwyd  data was still on my old desk top machine, but its taken a looooong time and lots of pennies to get the laptop up and running again.

My first real mothing effort of the year took place last night. Only small numbers were seen and of mostly "the usual suspects" that others have already reported. Pick of the bunch for me was Mottled Grey, shown below: