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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 2h

Great thread, for all sorts of reasons. Comments re obsession with rarity chime loudly...

Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 5h

It's taken 1,019 Lunar Underwings to get there, but finally NFG Beaded Chestnut arrived last night (on the left in pic) in company with much hoped-for NFG Black Rustic. 😎 2 Vestals, White-point, SMW, Rush Veneer and RDP on the migrant front. Axminster VC3 #TeamMoth

Beaded Chestnut (L) and Lunar Underwing on white sheet.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The rubber armour on my 2018 Swaro 10x32 EL disintegrated in the spring. Finally sent them off on 18th August. Back today, with new eye cups also. Repaired FOC under 10yr 'goodwill' warranty. So, keep or part-ex for something else? TBF they might see me out before the armour goes again! 😂

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Apart from NFY Barred Sallow X3, this morning's trap was a pretty humdrum affair...until I came upon the dowdy little micro pictured below: Olive Spinner. A quality migrant and NFM, with just 4 previous records in Devon. Presumably a product of last night's weather ⬆️💨🌧️ Axminster VC3 #TeamMoth

Olive Spinner (Zelleria oleasrella) on egg tray.

Barred Sallow on egg tray. The central cross band on this individual strongly suffused with a rich, chestnut colour.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

165/37 from 3 nights trapping in son's Lyme Regis garden last week. Blair's Mocha probably a decent record for Lyme, and first I've seen since Bridport days, where it evidently bred and was pretty common. Madder Pearl x2 would also be an Axminster tick. Grandkids loved it! 😄 #TeamMoth

Olive-tree Pearl on small girl's finger.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Garden's 4th Dewick's Plusia the only highlight from a pitiful 25/8 last night. First trap here since last Tuesday. Lunar Underwing down from 215 to 16 in that time! 😄

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Just over 3 weeks ago I purchased a NI pheromone lure. It's been deployed almost every night since, and finally the trap bags its first moth. Not a Ni Moth. A sulky Dewick's Plusia contemplating its life choices...😎 Should try the SBB now, I guess. #TeamMoth

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

First of 3 nights in son's Lyme Regis garden - the garden that once produced 2 Orache Moths in same trap about 6 weeks into my brand new mothing career! Nothing quite so outrageous so far: Lesser Wax Moth, 2 Vestals and Beet Moth the best of it. #TeamMoth

40W actinic bucket trap set up in garden with white sheet behind.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Wheatear pics used to be a ubiquitous staple on the blog and Bluesky feed, but I can't recall posting any at all this year. Unthinkable! So here's one from Cogden this afternoon to make up for the omission. 😎 #BirdingUK

Wheatear in dry, grassy habitat with a few yellow flowers.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Happened to be in Bridport this morning... May 2020 and September 2026 6 short/long years 🫤

Morrisons in Bridport, fuel prices compared: May 2020 and September 2026

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

317/33 incl. garden's 2nd + 3rd Dewick's Plusia (just 67 Devon records to end 2025) and 3 Vestals, incl. the beauty pictured here. 'Late' moths a current feature also: Small Fan-footed Wave and Lime-speck Pug last night, for example. Plus the blizzard of Lunar Underwings. 😎 Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

A staggering 234 Lunar Underwings this morning! Scrolling through the last 3 yrs of Devon records I can't find any other 3-figure counts, so I suspect this is exceptional. LU is a beautiful moth, but sifting that lot for a thus far nonexistent Beaded Chestnut is fun! 😄 #TeamMoth

Lunar Underwing on concrete paving slab.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Surprised to see so many moths after what seemed a pretty rubbish night weather-wise. But evidently Lunar Underwings don't care about the weather! 184/18 included 154 of them! 😄 Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

Bottom of moth trap with 3 pieces of egg tray and a lot of moths, almost all Lunar Underwings.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

152/39 was a surprise last night, as were NFM Heath Rustic X2, with no prev records in our 10km square. One each of Olive-tree Pearl, Vestal, Pearly Underwing, White-point and Small Mottled Willow too. Also 64 Lunar Underwing! 😄 Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

Heath Rustic in egg tray, with blurry Lunar Underwing in foreground.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I love the ebb and flow of the various species that make up the bulk of our trap's contents. Right now, Lunar Underwing dominates big-time, with 33 in the catch of 60/14. The lovely Frosted Orange was an expected NFG. Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

NFG Old Lady by kitchen window was best of 81/30 last night. I'd forgotten how big they are...but now Bluesky is giving me Clifden envy, and I want *bigger*! 😎 Axminster VC3 #TeamMoth

Old Lady on brickwork adjacent to uPVC window frame

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The mild night produced a respectable 102/36, including 2 NFG: a pristine Dewick's Plusia and a Scarce Bordered Straw. The former still pretty uncommon in Devon, with <70 records. Other quality migs included Olive-tree Pearl, Bordered Straw and Vestal. 😎 Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Each of this year's 20 Spectacles has been carefully assessed for darkness, and at last we have one that measures up! 😄 NFG Dark Spectacle last night was pretty much the only highlight in a lacklustre 55/22. Axminster VC3 #TeamMoth

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

45/17 was better than expected from a chilly night. Portland Ribbon Wave, Silver Y, 2 Rusty-dot Pearls, 2 Rush Veneers and an unprecedented 3 Vestals was very decent migrant action for this garden too. Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Proper chilly tonight. Despite that, 2 very different Vestals so far (never had more than one at a time before) and a Portland Ribbon Wave. Numbers 5+6 and 5 respectively for the garden this year. Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

Vestal with pale pink stripes on white sheet.

Vestal with dark brown-grey stripes on white sheet.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Chilly, clear, and consequently rather slow out there tonight. Still, when a glance down the trap funnel reveals a pretty pair of pink stripes, well...there is hope. 😄 #TeamMoth

Vestal on electric cable in mouth of Heath trap.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

A few years since I last saw one of these in the Axe Valley. The beautifully-marked juv Pectoral Sandpiper that is at Black Hole Marsh right now... 😎 #DevonBirds

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

49/28 was a lot better than Thursday night's dismal 14/10! Mullein Wave was NFG. 4th Vestal of the year was other highlight. Not quite 🎇💥🎊 right now... Axminster VC3 #TeamMoth

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Well worth reading @lukephillips.bsky.social reply to Phil's post here. Fascinating stuff. 😎

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Hugely entertaining couple of hours on the @seatontramway.bsky.social Birdwatching Special. The very excellent @axebirder.bsky.social did a grand job in front of the cameras for an upcoming Channel 4 piece. Birds included Osprey, Kingfisher, Spot Reds, Med Gull etc... Quality evening out. 😎

Cameraman operating drone at Seaton Wetlands Halt.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Ooh, I think I've just caught a new favourite Gracillariid: White-marked Stilt. 😍 Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

White-marked Stilt (Calybites phasianipenella) in plastic pot.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Slim pickings of late, but finally another NFG last night, in the shape of one of my favourite living tripods: Garden Stilt. Only ever had one or two in Bridport. Latest want: Feathered Gothic. Seen a few on #TeamMoth posts recently, but not in the Axminster trap. Soon, I hope. 😎

Garden Stilt (Gracillaria syringella) in white plastic pot lid.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Casp flusher, Axe Estuary this afternoon. #DevonBirds

Osprey in flight, banked over and viewed from below.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Axe Estuary check post Tesco this afternoon coincided with @axebirder.bsky.social finding 2 Caspian Gulls. Handy! Quick snap of distant juv, but massive flush by Osprey before I could photograph 2cy bird. Or so I thought... #DevonBirds

Juv Caspian Gull briefly paused while preening, facing left on algae-covered estuary mud. Many scapulars already 2nd-generation feathers.

Gulls just taking flight. Juv Casp still on deck bottom left, while 2cy Casp in flight coming into shot top right. Yellow rings circling each bird.

Gulls in flight. Juv Casp mostly disappeared out of shot bottom left; 2cy bird heading the same way just left of centre. 2cy shows uncharacteristic whitish band across primaries on both wings. Bleaching? Leucism? Yellow arrowhead pointing to each bird.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Brilliant stuff! Not done any #nocmig for a while now, but Tom's post here highlights the value of it, and what a total revelation it can be. Like a window into a hidden world...

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

With a full moon and zero cloud it's not exactly fast and furious tonight. But when one of these drops in, who cares?! 😄 Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

Olive-tree Pearl (Palpita vitrealis) in plastic pot.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

90/44 with few thrills this morning, but can't complain when there's another NFG in the shape of this looker: Vetch Moth. 😎 Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

Vetch Moth (Aproaerema anthylidella) in white plastic pot lid.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Chance for a late pm wander around Cogden today, so I took it. Bird-wise: 5 Whinchats, 3 Redstarts and 2 each of Tree Pipit and Spot Fly. Number of Clouded Yellows was a surprise. At least 48 before they began to lay low later on. Tip of the iceberg I suspect. Jammed a helice ♀️ in flight...

A bit blurry, but photo shows a female Clouded Yellow f. helice in flight, showing upperwing pattern. Background of rank grass and herbage.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Very considerate of this cracking local bird to hang on until the day's grandparenting was done. A dainty delight in its super-contrasty juv plumage, and an Axe first. Red-necked Phalarope is a proper Devon rarity. A Haig rarity too; my last was at Stockers Lake in Herts, 31 years ago. 😐 #DevonBirds

Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope afloat in ripply water.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Well, this just flew in, bumbled around on the moth sheet, let me pick it up and then settled down on my hand. Cool. 😎 Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Nothing says September in August like a Lunar Underwing in the moth trap. NFG though, so I'm not complaining. Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

At @photography-aj.bsky.social's suggestion I checked a couple of darker-looking LBBYU's last night. Surprisingly (or maybe not?) the result was Devon's 2nd Langmaid's YU. 👍 from CMR. Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

103/51 in Axminster VC3 this morning. NFM Beautiful Carpet was not on my radar at all. Striped HM, Pearly Underwing and Vestal were top migs. Literally every trap is a massive buzz right now. The addiction is strong. Not sure the birds are going to get much of a look-in this year! 😄 #TeamMoth

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Striped Hawk-moth was a highlight of this morning's trap. 😎 Upon release it spent a fair while feeding up. Very glad to see that it's not only the tall varieties of Nicotiana that they like, because most of ours have gone over... Axminster VC3 #TeamMoth

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Thought this might be instructive. Hindwing comparison of Langmaid's Yellow Underwing trapped Friday night with Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing earlier tonight (L and R respectively). Surprisingly, Langmaid's new for Devon. Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

Hindwing comparison of Langmaid's Yellow Underwing (L) and Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Never had a decent candidate for Langmaid's YU while living in Dorset, where the species seems scarce but regular. Somewhat ironically then, this was in the Axminster VC3 trap this morning, and there seem to be no Devon records at all. 😯 Awaiting CMR verdict. #TeamMoth

Possible Langmaid's Yellow Underwing on white sheet.

Right hindwing of possible Langmaid's Yellow Underwing.

Left hindwing of possible Langmaid's Yellow Underwing.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I love these microscopic moths, and it makes a nice change for ID to be straightforward. The vanes of my trap are exactly 1.5mm thick, so I'm guessing this NFM Sycamore Seed Dot is maybe 2.5-3mm long? Very cool. 😎😊 Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

Sycamore Seed Dot (Etainia decentella) on vane of moth trap.

Sycamore Seed Dot (Etainia decentella) photographed from above, on white plastic pot lid.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Had to break out one of the B-I-I-I-G pots last night! A few nice prizes, but this NFG Convolvulus Hawk-moth was right up there. 😎 Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

Convolvulus Hawk-moth on kitchen towel in plastic box.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Amazingly the Axminster garden's 3rd Mugwort Pearl has just turned up. Context: just 8 previous Devon records up to the end of 2025. 😯 #TeamMoth

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

84/42 from another cooler night, but again some unexpected quality in the shape of NFM's Angle-barred Pug (I hope!) and Silky Wainscot. Both very decent Devon records it appears, and especially so in a local context. 😎 Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

Presumed Angle-barred Pug in plastic pot against background of white sheet.

Silky Wainscot (form nigristriata, I think) in plastic pot.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

So, just had a call from friends in Seaton. "There's twenty people with cameras just up the road from our house. Do you know about it? Any idea what they're looking at?" Yes, and yes again.😄 Great to have friends like these, but thankfully I have no urge to join the crowd this time...

Long-tailed Blue photographed at Axmouth in August 2019. Apparently there are a few nearby in Seaton right now. 😁

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

2 or 3 deg cooler = 1/2 the prev night's catch. Even so, 78/44 incl 2 NFM: Narrow-winged Pug (no heather close by) and Black V Bud Moth (no Devon records E of R. Exe). Also pictured: Italian Bark Moth. No prev records in our 10km sq, yet 9 (12 moths) from garden so far. 🤷 Axminster VC3. #TeamMoth

Narrow-winged Pug in white plastic pot lid.

Italian Bark Moth (Metalampra italica) in white plastic pot lid.

Black V Bud Moth (Stenolechia gemmella) in mouth of plastic pot.

Black V Bud Moth in white plastic pot lid.

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