Migrants...

One of the main reasons to run a moth trap in coastal UK is the chance to catch some migrants. There are many species to choose from. Some are annual, sometimes in good numbers, whilst others are rare. There are also the super-rare species that really grab people's attention. Below are some that have occured on Thanet recently. I'll go into more detail on another post.

This is a really lovely-looking migrant pyralid called Antigastra catalaunalis. Very rare in Kent though several were recorded this autumn, including two on Thanet.

The rather smooth Clancy's Rustic. The first records for Thanet were just last autumn. This year there have been well over 50 between the Thanet traps. This is perhaps a species undergoing colonisation of the SE Kent region. I was trilled with my first...then I caught a bunch more...

A Ni Moth. Formerly quite rare on Thanet but there have a been a few this autumn, including two from my trap. We get this moth in Ontario but it is called Cabbage Looper there...think I prefer the British name.

The brilliant migrant pyralid Palpita vitrialis. This distinctive moth is an annual visitor to Thanet but, as with everything else this autumn, there have been quite a few of late. This silky devil is always a welcome treat in the trap!

Finally, another plusia-type - the Golden Twin-spot. In kent this is apparantly a bit of a Thanet speciality, though, by way of contrast, there have been few trapped thus far. I recently heard that one was trapped somewhere in USA...amazing!

Autumnal moths...

I really like autumn mothing and autumn moths. Sure, the diversity goes right down - drastically so once October is reached - but they are just so damn nice-looking! Many are velvety and dark, others rich chestnuts and russets and yet more display subtle tones of green or ochre. Below are a few recent favourites...

Above is the lovely Yellow-lined Quaker - in fact the only one I've seen thus far. Many autumn species appear to be rather low density, especially on Thanet where there is little habitat for them. This moth is on the wing mostly in October and early November.

Above is the very attractive Dark Chestnut - very 'conker-coloured' but with those subtle pale grey highlights. Very nice indeed. I like those squared-off wings and the little snouty effect...

One of my very favourite moths is the Satellite above. Those brilliant silvery-white spots really stand out. In fact the moth gets its name from those tiny white flecks either side of the white reniform spots - like satellites orbiting around a larger planet...

And, where would we be without a spitting merchild...

What would we do without reserves...

One of the great joys of living in Britain are the vast array of natures reserves that can be visited. From a birding perspective it is the extensive network of RSPB reserves that are perhaps of greatest interest. Down here in Kent we are blessed with some really excellent reserves that produce interesting birds throughout the birding year. Places like Dungeness, Elmley and, more recently, Cliffe really can produce a days worth of quality birding on occasion.

The RSPB reserve at Cliffe in North Kent is a prime example of a super place to spend a few hours birding. The complex of old gravel pits and grazing marsh can support some nice birds and other wildlife. BTW, just who is the so-called birder in the above photo? By the looks of the scope he must be some kind of rank amateur or something...

A rather poor record shot of some birds at Cliffe - almost looks as though it was digiscoped through said rank amateur birder's scope doesn't it! Here we have some lovely Black-headed Gulls and a few Lapwing. What a place! Actually, on our recent visit the place was rather quiet - but I have seen some great birds there in the distant past - honest...Oh yes, I well remember my first Broad-billed Sandpiper here after a tense eight-hour wait - they were the days I can tell ya.

Cliffe is just south of the Thames estuary. Here is a large container ship cruising out towards the sea - looks like it is sailing through the marsh - is all an illusion. If you ever find yerself in the Medway towns area you really should visit Cliffe. And to think it was gonna be the site of a major new airport. Well done general public and the RSPB for sucessfully opposing this crazy idea!

Large Organs...and Lutestrings!

Well, it has to be one of the biggest I've ever
seen - as the actress said to the Bishop, no pun intended! As any church organ buff will attest
they don't come any finer than this. This fine organ is to be found in the beautiful Cathedral
in the historic Medway town of Rochester. I've seen a few good ones in my time but my fancy was well tickled by the sight of this heavenly vision. Too bad we couldn't stick around to hear it being played. OK, I know this is a different side of the MM that he has tried to hide but I thought it was time to come out into the open and confess that I do like the odd large organ! There I've said it and can now get on with my life...
The Catherdral itself is very grand and beautiful. I've been to Canterbury Cathedral many times so am well-versed in the sights and sounds of the big Cathedrals. Nonetheless I was impressed. The front entrance with the magnificent stained glass window above is truely awe-inspiring. The MM is not a religious man - I only pray to the moth gods - but he does like the odd church or two. Maybe I'll start an occasional feature in these pages called "church-watch". Any comments?

And, where would we be without a moth? I'll tell you - nowhere! Above is a very striking late-flying moth called Oak Lutestring - a brilliant name don't you think. My friend Phil caught this one in his back yard in Ramsgate. It is quite rare on Thanet because there are no Oak woods here so I was lucky to see it.

Anyone for conkers...

Over here in Britain October is the time to play the age old game of conkers! Never heard of it? Well, it's pretty simple really. First you find yer Horse Chestnut tree. Then you gather yer nuts!! Then you select the finest specimens, drill a hole through 'em, thread a strong knotted string through 'em and then proceed to take turns to obliterate your opponent's nut - if you see what I mean! Easy - and fun - but don't try this at home kids...as they say on Blue peter!

This is 'Son of Moth Man' in full swing. High aggression is required to succeed in this vicious, but fun, game. Rule number one is always to aim for yer opponents knuckles...no, just kidding. MM, you see, has a bit of a vicious streak that he tries to hide most of the time.


These are the conkers themselves. Lovely looking things when fresh - all shiny and, well, chestnutty.


And, since I am MM it would be well dodgy not to include a moth of some sort. This is a Beaded Chestnut so it sort of ties into the theme doen't it. This attractive late flying moth is on the wing in September and October. The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants. Thus far it hasn't been particularly common in these parts.

Anyway, if you have a nut-bearing Horse Chestnut near you get conkering would ya...

Meet Frosty and Merveille...

One of the great joys of late season mothing is that some of the moths are stunning! Below are two notable examples. Both were caught on Thanet, though, sadly, not in MM's trap.

Above is the Frosted Orange. What a beauty - all sandpaper orange and fine lines. My sources tell me it is rather scarce on Thanet so I was lucky to see this one. The adult is on the wing in September and October whilst the larvae feed on Thistles, Burdocks and the like. It is superficially similar to Fisher's Estuarine Moth but is substantially smaller. Both are in the genus Gortyna, which must be closely related to the North American Borer Moths in the genus Papaipema. Whatever, is a lovely moth.


Above is the incomparable Merveille du Jour - freshly caught last night. Another rarity on Thanet so MM's luck is holding out! This lovely moth is also on the wing in September and October and the larvae feed on Oaks. Viewers in North America will see the likeness to the equally nice Comstock's Sallow which is an early spring feature in Ontario.

So, what will tonight bring...

Cathedrals, Wainscots and...Smarties?

One of the great joys of living in East Kent is the ability to jump on a train and visit the historic city of Canterbury whenever you want. I love it there. Is so full of history, beautiful buildings (including the superb cathedral), fine pubs and quirky people - nowhere else quite like it.

Anyway, we did just that yesterday afternoon for a look around the shops. Whilst meandering along a side street we chanced upon a resting moth on a window sill. I sort of recognised it but wasn't entirely sure it wasn't something else...if you see what I mean. I knew I'd have to jar it and take it home for closer inspection. However, big problem, no jar! So, I rushed to the high street in search of the nearest sweet shop - I knew exactly what I needed! And, of course in this land of chocolate, and once said shop had been located, I found it - a tube of smarties! The perfect makeshift moth tube - and the smarties are quite good too! You see MM is a bit of a chocaholic on the quiet.



Anyway, once home I could clearly see that the moth was a Large Wainscot (above) and not the hoped-for Bulrush Wainscot. Too bad but nice anyway. Actually, the Large Wainscot does occur in Ontario as a very scarce introduction. I've seen it on three occasions in and around Toronto. The larva feed inside the roots and stem bases of Common Reed and pupates amongst the roots.

So, it IS possible to combine shopping, sight-seeing, eating chocolate AND mothing...