June 19th 2008

Mothing in Ryton Woods last night and did reasonably well till the rain and wind picked up but still managed 75 species of 295 moths including a few year ticks even after closing down one box trap and one light sheet because of the conditions.
Couple of hours shut eye then it was back out again to Draycote to see if these westerlies had brought anything in and rewarded with a 1st summer Little Gull off gray's barn though later it showed really well off draycote bank as it battled against the wind coming in very close. Three Common Tern, Buzzard 3, Raven and surprisingly for this time of year a male Pochard. Another search of car parks produced another Bee Orchid location with one plant, so that makes two new sites with four plants and despite the wind managed Blue-tailed Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle, Common Blue Damselfly, Speckled Wood 6 and Large Skipper 3.
Visited Ashlawn Cutting on the way home and managed four species of moths:- Shaded-broad Bar, Chimney Sweeper, Burnet Companion 4, and Commophila Aeneana 2.

Richard