Very sad to have missed the collective gatherings for Martin's Moth night. Would have been right up my street. Comes of not checking the blog frequently enough. However I did run my portable Heath trap at my allotment in Cwmbran on that night. I trapped 143 individuals with 27 macro and 12 micro species though nothing out of the ordinary. It meant a busy morning filling all the pots I possess almost three times and chasing lots of escapes round my kitchen! Of more interest I spotted a Hummingbird Hawkmoth and a White-letter Hairstreak in the Walled Garden at the new Grange Hospital at Llanfrechfa. The Hairstreak was feeding on Golden Rod flowers almost at eye level and stayed there for at least half an hour. Having seen Purple Hairstreak in Llantarnam Abbey round the tops of large oaks, I assumed what I was seeing was an eccentric Purple H. feeding unusually low. I realised my mistake checking in my books at home. I have never seen White-letter Hairstreak before so a real treat.
Despite missing the organised events, it was nevertheless great that you had your own trap running on the night Bob and of course there will be future opportunities as the view is to have Martin's Moth Night as an annual event.
ReplyDeleteW-l Hairstreak - very nice!
Thanks Richard. I can look forward to next year.
DeleteWell done Bob.
ReplyDeleteIt is a treat to see White-letter Hairstreak. Right time, right place, generally not often seen in any great number in my experience. Easy to photograph when feeding and like you mentioned, will remain at nectar source for a lengthy time.
Thanks Nick. Yes, the hairstreak was a real poser. My reading suggests that, like Grayling, it absorbs sunlight heat on the underside of it's wings keeping them folded and angled to the sun.
Delete