I decided to head out to some limestone habitat near Eryrys in NE Wales on the 22nd July for some moth trapping, I like it here for a number of reasons, 1) it has some great plants like Frog Orchid and Field Gentian, 2) it produces some interesting fungi, particularly the grassland species and 3) its quiet, I rarely see anyone and even the sound of a car is unusual.
Not living on limestone there are a number of 'commoner' species of moth I am yet to see as I have not made the effort to take the portable trap out, so my plan was to start seeing some of these species.
Within minutes of setting the trap up one of my targets had arrived, the Silver-barred Sable, a species that is mainly coastal in North Wales although it is found inland where its food plant, Wild Thyme, occurs - there is plenty at this site. A good start, and with a supporting cast of a few V-moths, Magpies, Buff Arches, Poplar Hawkmoth, Muslin Footman and Grey Arches it was a good 2 hour spell.
When packing up I noticed another micro that did not seem familiar to me, it was the White-barred Twist, widespread but not overly common in North Wales and a nice species to finish the evening.
Whilst I was finished out in the field I had left the moth trap on back at the house. Considering the warm muggy night it was rather quiet, lots of Apple Ermine which a probably going to be using our two apple sapling in the garden. The star however was a garden first, the Knapweed Conch, a distinctive bright little micro and a well addition to the garden list.
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