White-line Snout (Schrankia taenialis)

This White-line Snout was caught in Orlestone Forest by the Bald Birder - one of several recent records.

White-line Snout, 19/9/14, Orlestone Forest, Kent, The Bald Birder

White-line Snout, 19/9/14, Orlestone Forest, Kent, The Bald Birder

White-line Snout, 19/9/14, Orlestone Forest, Kent, The Bald Birder

Pale Eggar (Trichiura crataegi)

This fine female Pale Eggar was caught by the Bald Birder in Orlestone Forest - this being the last(?) stronghold for the species in Kent.

Pale Eggar, 4/9/14, Orlestone Forest, The Bald Birder

Dusky Hook-tip (Drepana curvatula)

I caught this scarce immigrant at St Margaret's at Cliffe, using a modified Skinner type trap using an 80W MV lamp on 30/7/2014.

Dusky Hook-tip (Drepana curvatula)

Dark Crimson Underwing

This Dark Crimson Underwing (Catocala sponsa) was caught in a 80W MV trap on 20/7/2014 at St Margaret's at Cliffe. In  the UK it only occurs as a breeding species in the New Forest and is a rare migrant to Kent.

Dark Crimson Underwing

Dark Crimson Underwing, just showing the underwing.

 Teasing the wing open allows the characteristic "W" on the underwing to show.

 When it was released it perched awhile giving an unusual view of the underside.

Aedia funesta - a first for Britain

 Aedia funesta (photo Nigel Jarman)

A surprise for Nigel Jarman on Sunday 13/6/2014 in his garden trap at Kingsdown. Nigel recognised that it was similar to The Alchymist (Catephia alchymista) and The Sorcerer (Aedia leucomelas) and by a careful search on the WEB discovered its identity. What a great find, a first for Britain!

Pigmy Footman (Eilema pygmaeola)

 The 'Pallifrons' form of Pigmy Footman - usually considered a Dungeness speciality.

'Pallifrons' Pigmy Footman 29/6/14, Hythe, Kent, Ian Roberts

Another Pigmy Footman, caught at St Margaret's at Cliffe on 22/7/2014.

Banded Pine (Carpet (Pungeleria capreolaria) - 2nd for Britain (1st for Kent)

This striking Banded Pine Carpet Pungeleria capreolaria was trapped by Barry Banson in his garden at Greatstone, Kent. This is the second British record following hard on the heels of the first in Sussex on May 18th.

Banded Pine Carpet, 9/6/14, Greatstone, Kent, Dave Walker

Waved Carpet (Hydrelia sylvata)

10+ of these dark forms (f. goodwini) were caught at the Badgells Woodland Campsite by the Bald Birder. This was quite a faded example, with most of them looking even better. There were none of the usual paler (nominate) form caught on the site.

Waved Carpet f. goodwini, 19/6/14, Badgells Woodland Campsite, Kent, The Bald Birder

Purple Clay (Diarsia brunnea)

Purple Clay, 14/6/14, Badgells Wood Campsite, The Bald Birder

Brindled White-spot (Parectropis similaria)

Several of these Brindled White-spots were caught overnight at the Badgells Wood Campsite by the Bald Birder.

Brindled White-spot, 14/6/14, Badgells Wood Campsite, The Bald Birder

Beautiful Carpet (Mesoleuca albicillata)

This Beautiful Carpet was caught by the Bald Birder  on the North Downs in West Kent.

Beautiful Carpet, 14/6/14, Badgells Wood Campsite, Kent, The Bald Birder

Twin-spot Carpet (Perizoma didymata)

Several Twin-spot Carpets were caught at the Badgells Wood Campsite, this evening, by The Bald Birder

Twin-spot Carpet, Badgells Wood Campsite, 14/6/14, The Bald Birder

Round-winged Muslin (Thumatha senex)

Round-winged Muslin, 11/6/14, Cliffe Marshes RSPB, The Bald Birder

Rosy Wave (Scopula emutaria)

This Rosy Wave was a surprise catch for the Bald Birder at Cliffe Marshes RSPB.

Rosy Wave, 11/6/14, Cliffe Marshes RSPB, The Bald Birder

Rosy Wave, 11/6/14, Cliffe Marshes RSPB, The Bald Birder

Green Arches (Anaplectoides prasina)

Always a nice moth to find in the trap.

Green Arches, June 2014, Seabrook, Kent, Ade Jupp

Light Brocade (Lacanobia w-latinum)

 A distinctive member of the genus, quite common in the south.

 Light Brocade (Lacanobia w-latinum)

Peppered Moth (Biston betularia f. carbonaria)

There are not many smoky chimneys round St Margaret's, but this Peppered Moth, caught 1/6/2014 is the best example of the form carbonaria I've caught.

Peppered Moth (Biston betularia f. carbonaria)

Tinea semifulvella

A moth classified as common. but this one caught on 23/5/2014 was my first for the garden.

 Tinea semifulvella

Golden Twin-spot (Chrysodeixis chalcites )

The Golden Twin-spot is a scarce migrant, normally appearing in late summer, so this one on May 23rd at St Margaret's at Cliffe was a real surprise.

  Golden Twin-spot (Chrysodeixis chalcites )

Golden Twin-spot (Chrysodeixis chalcites )

Straw Belle (Aspitates gilvaria)

This male Straw Belle was a surprise reward for the Bald Birder whilst taking his five-year old son on a cliff top walk in the Dover area.

Straw Belle, 30/5/14, Dover/Folkestone area, Kent

Black-veined Moth (Siona lineata)

Black-Veined Moth - A protected species, restricted to a handful of locations in south-east Kent, it was formerly also found in some other southern counties.

It flies during the day, especially in sunshine, and frequents rough downland, pastures and similar grassy places. (UKMoths).

Black-veined White, 9/6/10, East Kent, John van der Dol

Black-veined Moth, East Kent, James Hunter

Muslin Moth (Diaphora mendica)

A common species throughout much of Kent - males are most frequently seen at night, attracted to light. Females are day fliers.

The gyandromorph caught by John Beugg at Sandwich BBOT in May 2014 is a stunning beast!

Muslin Moth (males), 24/5/10, Pembury, Josh Jenkins-Shaw

Muslin Moth (female), 5/5/14, Dungeness Lighthouse, Bald Birder

Muslin Moth (Gyandromorph), 9/5/14, Sandwich Bay BOT, John van der Dol

Pale-shouldered Cloud - Actinotia hyperici

This Pale-shouldered Cloud, a rare continental noctuid, was caught by Ian Roberts in Hythe (representing the 4th record in the Folkestone area). More information via the Folkestone & Hythe Birds website.

The first British record was caught at Dungeness, Kent,in August 1996.

Pale-shouldered Cloud, 22/5/14, Hythe, Ian Roberts

Cypress Carpet - Thera cupressata

This Cypress Carpet was a welcome find for the Bald Birder on his patio this morning.

The first Kent record was as recently as 21/10/99 - since which it has spread. With the common Leylandii conifer being planted across the county, this moth is set to become more widespread.

Cypress Carpet, 20/5/14, Larkfield, The Bald Birder

Cypress Carpet, 20/5/14, Larkfield, The Bald Birder

Dark Spectacle - Abrostola triplasia

This Dark Spectacle was trapped at Cliffe Marshes RSPB by the Bald Birder on 18/5/14. Luckily it was trapped with a Spectacle, allowing some interest/direct comparisons.

Reportedly widespread in Kent.

UK Moths: "Occurring in suburban habitats, waste ground and woodland margins, it flies in June and July, sometimes with a second generation in the autumn."

Dark Spectacle - Cliffe Marshes, 18/5/14, Bald Birder

Dark Spectacle (left) with Spectacle (right) - Cliffe Marshes

Grass Emerald - Pseudoterpna pruinata

Grass Emeralds caught at Dungeness by The Bald Birder - a two week difference in trapping dates.




Grass Emerald, 15/5/14, Dungeness, The Bald Birder

Grass Emerald, 31/5/14, Dungeness, The Bald Birder

Toadflax Brocade (Calophasia lunula)

From UKmoths: "As a resident species, this moth is restricted to the south-east and central southern coasts of England, where it frequents mainly shingle beaches. It is a relatively recent colonist, arriving around 1950 and quickly gaining a foothold, but appears to be now in decline again. It has two generations, sometimes overlapping, from May to August, and migrants sometimes appear away from the main stronghold in July and August"

Always unexpected, but very welcome, catch in the trap!

Toadflax Brocade, 15/5/14, Hythe, Ian Roberts

Toadflax Brocade, 23/5/10, Paddock Wood, Marcus Lawson

Four-spotted - Tyta luctuosa

This Four-spotted was observed at Hythe Roughs by Ian Roberts.

A species in decline throughout much of its previous range in the UK, Four-spotted is managing to maintain a foothold in the Brecks, New Forest a nd a few other locations in the UK, south of a line from teh Humber to the Severn.

Four-spotted, 14/5/14, Hythe Roughs, Ian Roberts

Dew Moth - Setina irrorella

Dew Moth is an early morning flier that also gets on teh wing from afternoon onwards - frequently to be found resting openly on blades of grass or leaves.

Dew Moth, 13/5/14, Abbotscliffe, Ian Roberts

Barred Tooth-striped (Trichopteryx polycommata)

Caught at St Margaret's at Cliffe, 2/4/2014. my first record of this species.

Barred Tooth-striped (Trichopteryx polycommata)

Dotted Chestnut (Conistra rubiginea)

Caught at St Margaret's at Cliffe, 30/3/2014. my first record of this species.

 Dotted Chestnut (Conistra rubiginea)