His Crimson Majesty

Tuesday, August 18 

We have learnt that Robinson traps are good even if it rains. So, they go out regularly, both the MV and the Actinic. The only part which gets wet is the central area at the bottom where there is a wire grid. Unless the rain is blown hard sideways that us, when a few egg boxes get damp at the edges.  Both traps have a rain guard over the light source. So, thunderstorms predicted, they went out on Sunday night.

Both traps were full of moths, 94 of them Setaceous Hebrew Character. An attractive moth, but one gets tired of them after a while. Now known as a made up word version of SHC to us, the C changed to a T.

As soon as I took the lid off the actinic, I beamed. A very large and beautiful moth was sat in open view in a central egg box. Whilst catching it in a large, square pot, it flashed its bright, dark red underwings. A Dark Crimson Underwing.

Norfolk status
Rare migrant.
Resident only in the New Forest, Hampshire.

Unconfirmed old Norfolk records from Foxley Wood 1967 and two questionable BRC record card entries!

First modern-day confirmed Norfolk record at Toftwood in 2018 (D. Norgate, 26/07/18) Found on shed by the 20W Actnic trap left in garden overnight.

Red Data Book category RDB3. It occurs as a breeding species only in the New Forest, Hampshire.

BAP Priority Species

We were due at Natural Surroundings at  9.30 this morning, armed with the moth for everyone to see,. Not new, as most of us saw the moth brought in by the Claydons two weeks ago. This one was in better condition, despite the worn head and slight wing damage.It was new for Janice and for Simon and Anne Harrap, and for Peter and Pauline who arrived at the car park to see it. The Ps are members of our Silvery Gem WhatsApp group, but do not come to NS meets.

So..... despite the ice blocks, the denizens  of both moth trap were rather lively when we opened them at mid-day  The best moth this morning was a a Scarce Bordered Straw NFY and NFG. We have seen two before, the most recent in Kent last year.

Not a good photo, I took a quick shot in the egg box and it flew whilst Pam was trying to do so. .