On Saturday night, four moth traps were run across the Rother Woods Project area. One in Brede High Woods, another at Great Dixter, a third at Iden and a fourth between Cripps Corner and Robertsbridge. The last of these was my responsibility. All were with the kind permission of the landowners.
Other than the occasional light drizzle that I experienced, the weather was mild, overcast and dry. We all met at Great Dixter at 8.30 on Saturday evening and then went our separate ways… I went off towards Robertsbridge to meet the landowner and then drive out into his marvellous organic orchards. We finally turned the trap off at 00:40 and I headed home, more than a little weary, with a full trap ready to be evaluated by folk more expert than I on Sunday morning.
We all met up at 8am on Sunday, back at Great Dixter to compare results and identify the contents of the traps. Full details of all catches will appear at www.rotherwoods.org – highlights from my trap, which contained 30 species, included a Small Elephant Hawkmoth and a Spectacle.
The stunning Small Elephant Hawkmoth
The obviously named Spectacle!
