Aidan Smith

Nature, Moths, Wharfedale Nats moths recorder, YorkshireMoths website, Ento MSc student

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

There seems to be a migration taking place this November with many of the moth community heading over to Bluesky. If you're not there already I hope to see you there soon. Same handle. Posts on here may dwindle @BradfordNature @BritishMoths @DoubleKidney

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

Out near the Strid at Bolton Abbey today. What a great tree this was. Lots of blister mines (a few of which are now spending the winter in my wood store) and the feeding signs and hole left by Heliozela sericiella the Oak Cutter. #VC64 @BradfordNature

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

Fewer and fewer moths each time I put the trap out this week , but still 15 moths of 10 species last night. Among them was Northern Winter Moth, an occasional visitor to the garden that's easier to find in the woodland up the road #VC64 #Otley @BradfordNature @BritishMoths

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

@IainManners @annie_shadrake @kimleyland @BirdTrack Peaks as picked up on migration through costal sites (you only need one bird to head down our east coast and it’ll be on a lot of lists). In the latter half of the summer I guess they lie low while moulting compared to when breeding and less birders looking for the year tick.

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

Stigmella myrtillella (Bilberry Dot) - There's probably loads of these out there to be found, but it's only the second record for #VC64. The first being in 1883. #Otley #Chevin #moths @BritishMoths @BradfordNature @WildaboutOtley

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

Figure of Eight - A moth that just about hangs on locally with an annual record in the Otley area most years. After a gap of 5 years it was my turn. #VC64 #Otley @WildaboutOtley @BradfordNature @BritishMoths

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

@PattonJustine @BritishMoths Point it over the hills to Yorkshire this evening please

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

Back of the camera shot - Otley

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

For those taking a night off because it’s a bit damp out - I’ve just picked Palpita vitrealis off the wall by my trap. Until tonight, any good migrant action this year seems to have missed me here in #VC64, #Otley @BradfordNature @MigrantMothUK

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

Epermenia chaerophyllella (Common Ridge-back) - a new moth for my garden and Wharfedale that I found while setting the moth trap up yesterday evening 💚🦋 @BradfordNature @BritishMoths

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

@Calybites It must be on to a winner - still there enjoying the sun this evening

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

A camera shy Red Underwing sheltering from the rain 💚🦋 #VC64 #Otley @BradfordNature

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

@PattonJustine It's a mixed picture in Yorkshire. While there are costal records, there does seem to be a recorder in Airedale that's responsible for many of the records in recent years.

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

It’s not been a good year for moths, but one of the exceptions in my garden is Dusky Thorn. 32 trapped last night, with my previous best of 18 set last year #VC64 #Otley

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

@Calybites Great that you’ve found it again - always good to find a bird ringed overseas

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

@Calybites @BradfordNature @bigalsmith37 Ooh my favourite!

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

Totland, IoW. Fewer moths in the trap last night with the breeze, but this immaculate Portland Ribbon Wave was a real treat. On the intruder front, it was nice to find Necrodes littoralis (Shore Sexton Beetle) 💚🦋🪲

[Aidan Smith @eggboxenvy]

Moonlighting in VC10. Feels like cheating when compared to the home patch in VC64. Radford's Flame Shoulder, Rosy Footman, Four-spotted Footman 💚🦋