Low Moor and Oakenshaw Wildlife

Last night in Low Moor the weather was awful, a strong wind and lashing down rain.  And Clare and Rich Stonehouse were walking home from work on Cleakheaton road just by the barbers at the opposite side of the road to the station.  Suddenly their attention was drawn to a moth feeding on some pink flowers….but what was it.  A closer look revealed only a stunning Hummingbird moth!

Now interestingly this moth is mainly an immigrant moth coming in from southern Europe and this sighting coincides nicely with the strong southerly gales we experienced in the last few days.  I have submitted this important sighting to Yorkshire moths on their behalf.

So folks keep a lookout for one of these beauties in our recording area and if you see one please let me know…Thank you

Last night I caught a Heath Rustic moth at Caldene fields my fifth record to date.  The Yorkshire status of this moth is: Scarce and thinly distributed or restricted resident.

All my records of the species are from late August to early September when the moth emerges.  It’s main food plant is Heather and I suspect the species may breed in nearby Raw nook Nr which is a lowland heather habitat where the moth is more likely to be found.

On Saturday the 4th of August I did a butterfly survey at Raw Nook NR and Caldene fields.  Only 6 species were recorded which is worryingly poor.

1. Small White at RN=16.  CFs =4
2. Large White at RN= 3.
3. Speckled Wood at RN= 11.  CFs =3
4. Holly Blue at RN= 2.  Cfs=1
5. Gatekeeper at RN=1.  Cfs=4
6. Ringlet at RN=2

The only good news was the increase of the Holly Blue numbers with one noted egg laging on Holly at CFs.  In addition the numbers of Small White’s have increased but very low numbers of Gatekeeper and Ringlet and no sightings of the once common Peacock or Small Tortoiseshell.

Holly Blue feeding on heather at RN nr

Moths on the other hand ‘ appear ‘ to be fairing better as I am regularly recording new species like the The Campion Sideridis rivularis 6/8/2018 at CFs.

The Campion Sideridis rivularis 

One interesting point is 3 recent new moths are predominantly southern species and unusual in the northern parts of Britain.  They are now moving north probably accelerated by the recent southerly wind from southern Europe and the heatwave.