So far this year, Elmbridge Borough Council’s moth nights have been pretty successful, with only one cancellation, and interesting results.
Operations began in April, not always a productive month, but exceptionally good this year. On 27 April at Black Pond we recorded 20 species, including unusual moths such as great prominent, frosted green, dotted chestnut, horse chestnut and balsam carpet. On 25 May at Lardy Pond we had only a dozen species but a lot of moths, notably a great number of pale tussock, four marbled brown, and a fine lime hawk. We constantly needed to clear the trap of cockchafers; could have been worse, last year it was hornets!
On 26 June, at Fairmile Common, we expected little after a lot of heavy rain. But we stayed dry, and the humid, cloudy conditions proved ideal. Thirty species were recorded, with a constant stream of moths (mostly common species) into the trap including over 20 heart & dart, and at least 10 dark arches, but also a lobster moth, burnished brass, shears, and poplar grey.
On 25 July at The Ledges we had another good night, with more moths than we could cope with and at least 40 species including large elephant hawk, old lady, herald, miller, pebble prominent, swallow prominent, iron prominent, several ruby tiger, peppered, and broad-bordered yellow underwing, and dozens of dun-bar.
The meeting planned for 23 August had to be abandoned because of rain, unfortunately. Two more evenings are planned for September and October but details are not yet available.
Dick Alder