2007 Highlights

Recording in the garden for the first time in 2007 produced some encouraging results.  The highlights are shown below.

	The red flag indicates a record that appears to be a first for the valley.  However, we continue to research existing records and if a species has already been recorded, this page will be updated.
	Where the record appears to be a first for the county or one of only a few records, a double red flag is shown.

10 Feb	White-shouldered House-moth 648 (Endrosis sarcitrella)	Status: National - common Marsland - common	Well you have to start somewhere! As we were painting the house, prior to moving-in, this was the first moth species we encountered.
2 Apr	Oak Nycteoline 2423 (Nycteola revayana)	Status: National - common Marsland - first record	Attracted to light both in the spring and autumn. Although a first record for the valley, it seems to be relatively common.
7 Apr	Emperor Moth 1643 (Saturnia pavonia)	Status: National - common Marsland - previously recorded	This nocturnal female came to MV light and was held in a net the following day in the hope of attracting a day-flying male.  This was unsuccessful and she was released that night.  She was the only record of the year.
7 Apr	Purple Thorn 1919 (Selenia tetralunaria)	Status: National - common Marsland - common	Normally found at rest with wings partially closed, this shows a different perspective of one flying up the window.
19 Apr	Orange Underwing 1661 (Archiearis parthenias)	Status: National - widespread but local Marsland - previously recorded but not believed to be common	This worn specimen conveniently fell from the sky onto the picnic table.  Ironic given the time spent trying to photo one in the past! Second record followed on 3 May.
24 Apr	Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth 1982 (Hemaris tityus)	Status: National - nationally notable Marsland - previously recorded but now considered to be rare	First record in the Marsland Reserve since 1994.  A single specimen fleetingly seen visiting bugle.
28 Apr	Lunar Marbled Brown 2015 (Drymonia ruficornis)	Status: National - common Marsland - common	This is a common moth but this specimen had unusual markings on one forewing.
3 May	Pyrausta purpuralis 1362	Status: National - common Marsland - relatively common	Showed during the day and occassionally attracted to light at night.
12 May	Waved Carpet 1877 (Hydrelia sylvata)	Status: National - nationally notable  Marsland - previously recorded and appears to be relatively common	11 records from 12 May to 10 July.
22 May	The Lackey (larva) 1634 (Malacosoma neustria)	Status: National - common Marsland - common	They may be common but are always worth a photo! Six adults came to light between 19 June and 27 July.
19 Jun	Double Line 2191 (Mythimna turca)	Status: National - nationally notable Marsland - previously recorded	Three records between 19 June and 10 July.
21 Jun	Pyrausta aurata 1361	Status: National - local Marsland - previously recorded	Only one record for the year and thought to be scarce within the valley.
22 Jun	Hawk-moths (Sphingidae)	Catches peaked when 43 came to one MV light: 20 Privet Hawk-moth 1976 (Sphinx ligustri) 2 Eyed Hawk-moth 1980 (Smerinthus ocellata) 10 Poplar Hawk-moth 1981 (Laothoe populi) 10 Elephant Hawk-moth 1991 (Deilephila elpenor) 1 Small Elephant Hawk-moth 1992 (Deilephila porcellus)
22 Jun	Small Elephant Hawk-moth 1992 (Deilephila porcellus)	Status: National - widespread but local Marsland - previously recorded	This was amongst a large hawkmoth catch. First garden record.
29 Jun	Garden Tiger 2057 (Arctia caja)	Status: National - common but declining Marsland - previously recorded	5 records between 29 June and 22 July. This species is being monitored closely nationally because of its declining numbers.
29 Jun	Caloptilia stigmatella 288	Status: National - common Marsland - probably common but under-recorded	The first of several.
29 Jun	Dark Spectacle 2449 (Abrostola triplasia)	Status: National - local Marsland - first record	Two records for the year.
1 Jul	White-line Dart 2081 (Euxoa tritici)	Status: National - common Marsland - first record	Few records for VC2 but more frequent in VC4.
7 Jul	White-line Snout 2482 (Schrankie taenialis)	Status: National - nationally notable Marsland - first record	5 taken whilst dusking between 7 and 31 July.  It was never attracted to either MV or actinic lights.
10 Jul	Aethes rubigana 946	Status: National - local Marsland - first record	The only record of the year.
10 Jul	Epinotia nisella 1138	Status: National - common Marsland - first record but appears to be common	This f. decorana variation appears to be the most common form.
22 Jul	Hummingbird Hawk-moth 1984 (Macroglossum stellatarum)	Status: National - migrant Marsland - migrant	The only record of the year  was found nectaring on buddleia. 2007 was very poor nationally for migrants in general - see migrant review.
22 Jul	Cydia splendana 1260	Status: National - common Marsland - first record but initial results suggest it is common	One of the most common late summer micros to visit the trap.
26 Jul	Four-spotted Footman 2051 (Lithosia quadra)	Status: National - scarce resident/migrant Marsland - first record	28 records including four females between 26 July and 19 September. In a year of few migrants these records suggest a healthy resident population. Numbers conveniently peaked at 7 for National Moth Night on 11 August during which it was one of the targeted species.
29 Jul	Small Purple-barred 2470 (Phytometra viridaria)	Status: National - local Marsland - first record	One fleeting daytime sighting hence poor photo.
2 Aug	Agonopterix umbellana 705	Status: National - common Marsland - first record	First Marsland record.
2 Aug	Old Lady 2300 (Mormo maura)	Status: National - local Marsland - previously recorded	One was seen on buddleia and another came to sugaring on 28 August.
3 Aug	Mompha locupletella 882	Status: National - common Marsland - first record	The only record of this attractive micro.
11 Aug	Swammerdamia pyrella 438	Status: National - local Marsland - first record	Believed to be the first record for VC4.
31 Aug	Tawny-barred Angle 1893 (Semiothisa liturata)	Status: National - common Marsland - first record	The only one of the year.
8 Sep	Gold Spot 2439 (Plusia festucae)	Status: National - common Marsland - previously recorded	The only one of the year.
8 Sep	Scarce Blackneck 2467 (Lygephila craccae)	Status: National - red data book restricted to a few cliffs in the southwest. Marsland - recorded annually breeding on the cliffs.	Probably the highlight of the year to find this crisp specimen in the bottom of a 15W trap a mile inland from its cliff breeding site.
21 Sep	Flounced Rustic 2353 (Luperina testacea)	Status: National - common Marsland - common	Little and large variations of this moth.
5 Oct	Pale Tussock (larva) 2028 (Calliteara pudibunda)	Status: National - common Marsland - common	A different view of the larva of this common moth found by a neighbour walking across the path.
8 Oct	The Delicate 2195 (Mythimna vitellina)	Status: National - migrant Marsland - previously recorded	At last a little flurry of migrants between 8 October and 1 November.  See migrants review.
12 Oct	Brindled Ochre 2229 (Dasypolia templi)	Status: National - local Marsland - previously recorded	Two on 12 October followed by a third on the 14th.
13 Oct	Feathered Ranunculus 2255 (Eumichtis lichenea)	Status: National - locally coastal Marsland - first record	The first of two, the second on 14 October.
25 Nov	The Engrailed 1947 (Ectropis bistortata)	Status: National - common Marsland - common	A late date and a very pale specimen.
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