Early arrivals

Still quite small catches in our trap in Wolvercote, Oxfordshire, but some strikingly early individuals over the past week or so: we've had Orange Footman, Least Black Arches, Poplar Hawkmoth and Pale Prominent, all of which Waring and Townsend have as emerging in May. Brimstones have been coming to the fore, and Epiphyas postvittana looks to be preparing to have a good year, too. We've had a few extra butterflies, too, on some of the recent sunnier days - Orange Tips in quite good numbers, and a rather nice Green-veined White. So overall, we're now on 53: 45 moths and eight butterflies.

Least Black Arches, 23/4/14

Orange Footman, 24/4/14

Pale Prominent, 27/4/14

Poplar Hawkmoth, 24/4/14