NOCTUIDS: 1 - 53

73.001 Spectacle to MV light at Mirey Wall farm near Sowerby on June 24th 2022.

73.001 Spectacle, same moth as above. Like everyone else I couldn't resist the head-on "spectacled" shot. 

The spectacles even have pale scales to mimic the highlights in the eyes.

73.002 Dark Spectacle to MV light at High Hirst Woodmeadow on July 14th 2024. After 20 years of mothing I finally got a chance to photograph this lovely moth.

73.012 Burnished Brass to MV light at High Hirst Woodmeadow on July 6th 2024. This is the form - juncta, with the broken cross-band.

 

73.012 Burnished Brass, a daytime observation at Copley meadow, July 5th 2017. Another juncta with the broken cross-band.

 

73.015 Silver Y resting on the garden fence by day at Skircoat Green on Oct. 2nd 06.

 

73.015 Silver Y nectaring on garden Campanulas at dusk at Skircoat Green on June 19th 06. This was my first attempt at night time moth photography - I was quite excited with the result and what future possibilities it might open up.

73.016 Beautiful Golden Y, one of several to MV light at Eleanor's wood, Bride Stones on June 27th 2024.

73.017 Plain Golden Y to MV light at High Hirst Woodmeadow on July 6th 2024.

73.018 Gold Spangle to MV light at Hollas Lane nature reserve on July 24th 2021.

The largely dull, plain wings just emphasise that stunning gold streak.

73.018 Gold Spangle to actinic light at Clock Face quarry, Krumlin on July 24th 2024. This one seems to have silver spangles!

73.021 Scarce Silver Y to actinic light at Turgate Delph, Norland on July 13th 2022. One of around seven that morning.

73.021 Scarce Silver Y to actinic light at Turgate Delph, Norland on July 13th 2022.

Anthony warned me this was a camera shy species, and true to form an exposure of 1/400 of a second was needed to just about freeze its vibrating wings.

73.022  Gold Spot to MV light at Gauxholme, Todmorden on July 31st 2021. Seen at one of Cath Baker's moth breakfasts. Anthony Arak provided the transport and a delicious curry and Cath provided the beautiful location and a trap full of moths - what better way to spend the day!

73.023 Lempke's Gold Spot, one of three to actinic light on moorland above Hollins Road, Walsden on July 18th 2024. Photographed on site in among the rushes there.

73.023 Lempke's Gold Spot, one of three to MV light at Mirey Wall farm, Sowerby on July 10th 2021. A stunning moth with metallic spots seen in the correct light, this photo doesn't really do justice.

73.024 Marbled White Spot  to MV light at Barkisland on June 18th 2022.

73.036 Alder Moth to MV light at North Loop, Cromwell Bottom on June 11th 2023.

It was resting in the grass by the trap and would have made a nice photo had it not been as bald as a coot!

73.038 Grey Dagger larva feeding on elm at Norland Road, Sowerby Bridge, Oct. 2nd 2024.

 

73.038 Grey Dagger at Skircoat Green allotments, Aug. 23rd 08. A daytime observation. 

73.038 Grey Dagger to MV light at High Hirst Woodmeadow on July 14th 2024.

73.039 Sycamore  to MV light at Hollas Lane nature reserve on July 24th 2021. Just one species out of 117 seen that night, it was such a good session that even a Gatekeeper butterfly entered the trap!

73.040 Miller at  Dudwell Lane, June 18th 2011. A field observation on a dry stone wall. 

73.040 Miller to actinic light at Clock Face quarry, Krumlin on Aug. 2nd 2024.

73.042 Light Knot Grass to an Actinic trap on Norland moor top on May 6th 2022. What a fantasticly jagged crossline!

This is an "intermediate" form somewhere between the light and dark ones.

73.042 Light Knot Grass to MV light at Turgate Delph, Norland on May 6th 2022.

73.045 Knot Grass larva feeding on Sorrel, Sept. 24th 2012. Found by Steve Blacksmith on a Halifax Scientific Society walk to Soil Hill earlier that month; he collected it for rearing. 

73.045 Knot Grass  to MV light at Turgate Delph quarry, Norland on May 29th 2022.

73.046 Poplar Grey to MV light at North Loop, Cromwell Bottom on July 9th 2023.

73.048 Small Yellow Underwing at Copley meadow, Apr. 30th 2019. Recorded for a second successive year here suggesting they have a tiny, resident population. Too flighty in the warm sunshine for a detailed, close-up shot.

73.048 Small Yellow Underwing at Tag meadow, Cromwell Bottom, May 16th 2019. Having seen them a few times now they still look like over-sized Mint Moths to me.

73.048 Small Yellow Underwing at North Loop, Cromwell Bottom, May 16th 2023.
One of several there in decidely breezy and cold conditions. So much so they often refused to fly, allowing for exceedingly close photographic opportunities for a change.

 

73.053 A shark species presumed to be a  Chamomile Shark in the garden on June 19th 2012. Resting on my outdoor thermometer. Not much to go on with this worn specimen other than a forewing length of 21mm.