Moth To The Flame - Thunder

I had almost forgotten the excitement and anticipation of opening a Moth Trap, but it all came flooding back early morning on Thursday. Nothing even of a scarce nature on this first run for many a day, but in a new location who knows what's to be enticed. Having had 'open access' to all Ministry of Defence lands for 18 years in the Weymouth and Portland areas, as the local MoD Lands Conservation Representative, from the early 70's I was able to run traps on a regular basis. This was confined to the East Weares of Portland, a tract of undercliff almost untouched since the Second World War and at that time inaccessible to the general public. The 'star prize' there was a tiny insect known as 

 Portland Ribbon Wave, 

which in those days was confined to that area alone plus a small colony close to Torquay in Devonshire. During that time c2 of these rare Moths were captured. In parallel with that during the years 1983 to 1998 another trap was run at my then home high on the hill in the village of Wyke Regis, Weymouth where hundreds of species were recorded including Great Britain's 16th

Dewick's Plusia
(this specimen was caught by Martin Cade, Warden of the Portland
Bird Observatory who I believe holds the © to this image).

 I have dabbled on the odd night since then, but hope to run the trap with some regularity in the future?

Part of last night's haul included:-

CLOUDED BORDER

SILVER Y

(a very common and numerous migrant)

TREBLE LINES

SETACEOUS HEBREW CHARACTER

(my personal favourite name of any Moth)

HEART and DART

SHOULDER-STRIPED WAINSCOT (ID thanks to Paul Harris)

WHITE ERMINE

FLAME SHOULDER

and for 'good measure' a
COCKCHAFER colloquially named MAY BUG.

 Despite a multitude of 'must do' on the list there was also a
short period today spent birding.
Over the last week to 10 days the

 STARLING
population has grown from just a couple of pairs to a flock of
over 200 individuals - a successful breeding season!

Down at the Avon Causeway some distant large birds looked
right for

 EGYPTIAN GEESE
which they were, at least 18 of them. A Dorset Year Tick and a
new addition to the June list.

A little further along there were c13
MEDITERRANEAN GULLs
a Year Tick and c3 Redshank so worth the short drive.
Latest Standings
GB Year Total = 135    Dorset Year Total = 118
Thunder were part of some of my
Many Mad Metal Moments
Moth To The Flame