La Brenne 3 Moths

3rd & 7th June

We had two nights moth trapping whilst in the La Brenne setting the trap at the park's centre which was a super location as whilst sorting through the trap we were able to listen to Golden Orioles singing, watch Purple Heron, Cattle Egrets, Whiskered Terns flying over towards their nest site to feed young.

Scarce Merveille du Jour & Cumberland Gem © Nick Hull

White Satin & Reed Leopard © Nick Hull

Heart Moth & Marsh Dagger - La Brenne © Nick Hull

The above moths were my highlights from the first nights trap all very nice moths to see. I should mention that the Cumberland Gem and Marsh Dagger are not found in the UK.

La-Demi-Lune-blanche-C(Drymonia querna) & Dorset Cream Wave © Nick Hull

The two above moths one the La Demi-Lune blanche (French Name Only I'm afraid) Drymonia querna is only found in Europe and is an endangered species north of the Alps and the Dorset Cream Wave is a vagrant to the UK and has only been seen on four occasions in Dorset all since 1978.  Though we had better numbers of moth on the second nights trapping as it was a warmer night only one moth stood out and gave us a little problem with its identification, that was Euchalcia modestoides this is also an endangered species in Europe 

Euchalcia modestoides - La Brenne © Nick Hull

Don't worry it isn't dead it was just playing dead all the moths were released back to the area where they were trapped.  

We did catch several hawk moths which are a particular favourite of Jackie, lots of Elephant and Small Elephant, a single Pine, several Poplar and Eyed Hawk moths. In total i think we recorded nearly 115 species of mainly macro's in the two night and that's pretty good I think certainly compared to my garden.

Eyed Hawk Moth & Poplar Hawk Moth © Jackie Hull