FlyinginFordham

Parndon Wood

Moth Review 2010

As a keen moth recorder for the last 4 years I decided to carry out a few field trips at Parndon Wood during various times of the year. Following on from last year’s trips which included uncommon species such as Oak Hook-tip & the Nationally Scarce B species Large Thorn, it was apparent that this woodland had huge potential for moth recording.

This ‘potential’ was realised when on 04^th of February, 387 moths of 6 species were recorded in 7 hours with a record 212 Spring Usher & 114 Pale Brindled Beauty respectively.

A return on the 24^th of February yielded a new species for the site in the form of 10 Small Brindled Beauties, a local woodland moth. Again numbers were high and 39 March moths and a record 300 of the micro moth Tortricodes alternella were also recorded.

On the 19^th of May a single Poplar Lutestring which is another local moth was recorded along with other local species including Small Seraphim & Lesser Wax Moth Achroia grisella.

On the 06^th of July another good catch of 69 species of moth was made including uncommon Essex species such as Lackey, Bird’s Wing, Waved Black and September Thorn.

Later on in the month on the 25^th of July a huge amount of 2 local species were found on arrival at 5am in the morning, 37 Black Arches & 29 September Thorns. 5 Tree-lichen Beauties were also recorded (5 years ago this was a scarce migrant to the UK) so Parndon Wood must have a very good habitat indeed.

The last and final trip was on the 30^th of October and yielded a single uncommon micro moth Acleris hastiana along with 8 Diurnea lipsiella.

All records from Parndon Wood that I have recorded have now been sent to the County Recorder for Essex to be verified and then added to the British Moth Database in due course.

I will be hoping for more rare sightings next year!