iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

It's been quite a week! C. honoratella new to Scotland 24th, S. ocellatella on 27th (new to VC85 and few Scottish records), and Ni Moth last night (NFM and VC85 and I think only 2nd/3rd Scottish record with this the most northerly). Y'day case of C. betulella new to VC85 and 3rd Scottish record.

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Mompha idaei, a new British species. Last week photos of what appeared to be this species were posted to a regional moths facebook group from NE Scotland. I travelled up to the site today to meet Dr Mark Young and see if we could re-find and verify. In total 11 individuals were found #teammoth

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

A recent visit to Lochindorb found these two presumed male Oystercatcher locked in combat. At first they were motionless in the shallows each holding the others wing before it erupted in to full violence. Eventually a victor emerged and peace was restored.

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

A first visit to an Osprey hide in Aviemore recently, definitely helps if the sun comes out. Fairly easy to capture the birds once they've hit the water, but didn't come close to photographing the dive. Practice and a rethink of tactics is required before another visit.

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

I was missing decent Ring Ouzel photos so an early start up Cairngorm found a very confiding pair for some great opportunities. Hardy summer birds these

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

By far my best encounter with summer plumage Slavonian Grebe recently. Photos don't do these wonderful birds justice #birdsseenin2026 @scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Kirkcaldy has seen a recent American Scoter-fest but there's also often plenty else to see, these were from a very pleasant hour and a half on Tuesday #birdsseenin2026 @fifebirdnews.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social g

A pair of Long-tailed Duck in summer plumage briefly came close in

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Getting behind with photos as is the case at this time of year. Safe to say this White-winged Scoter showed well yesterday at Kirkcaldy. Still thinks its an Eider despite the grief it gets from them @rarebirder.bsky.social #birdsseenin2026 @fifebirdnews.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Archinemapogon yildizae emerged today from Birch Polypore collected near Aviemore last month. First time I've recorded this attractive scarce and localised Highland speciality #teammoth @savebutterflies.bsky.social #nature #cairngorm #scotland #wildlife #macro

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Slow going on the moth front still but a few bits and pieces from the weekend. Weather for the week ahead does not look helpful. #teammoth #nature #fife #scotland @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts #wildlife @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Phyllonorycter tristrigella emerged from a mine collected last autumn from Strathclyde CP, first time I've reared this species.

Pammene giganteana also from the same site, one to FUN and one to HYL lure proving they are so horny they'll react to just about anything.

Pine Beauty was best from the weekend garden traps, only the 4th ever here. I had enough time to do some focus stacking so this photo is composed of 35 separate images, really allows you to see the detail of this pretty species.

Orange Underwing at Dun Moss was only the second VC85 record (this is an archive photo as the individual on Saturday was typically sailing along high above the ground).

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Beautiful early Spring morning, these Whooper Swans flying over Aberdour thinking about journeying north soon #birds #birding #nature #birdingscotland @fifebirdnews.bsky.social #birdsseenin2026 #fife

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Last shots from Saturday previous, first time to see the obliging Penicuik Water Rail plus the Barns Ness Firecrest #birds #birding #birdingscotland #birdinglothian #nature #birdguides #birdsseenin2026

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Continuing a theme, also some superb Great Crested Grebe action from Broadwood Loch on Saturday, albeit a little distant for photos #birds #birding #BirdsSeenin2026 #ScottishBirding #birdguides #nature #Scotland

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

The long-staying Slavonian Grebes on Linlithgow Loch provided extraordinary views on Saturday, doubt I'll ever get this close to this species again. One appears to be showing first signs of moult into summer plumage, hopefully they will stick around for a few more weeks @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Stejneger's Scoter and partially leucistic Velvet Scoter showed well at East Wemyss, Fife yesterday, but distance still on the limits of a DSLR set up, plus being too lazy to carry the camera initially I missed the best light.

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Phyllonorycter anderidae is a seldom recorded species, these were the first moths to emerge from various leaf mines collected last autumn. Mines were on seedling birch on lowland bog in Fife, it's a new species for the vice-county and also new for me.

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Just in case there aren't enough photos of White-billed Diver doing the rounds, third time lucky this morning and one came in close at Inverkeithing.

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

The recent heatwave was somewhat briefly felt in Fife with just two good nights for trapping. 29th June was marginally the pick with exactly 600 moths recorded of 144 species in my Burntisland garden. Among these were two NFG, one anticipated, the other not so, and a further 16 NFY. 2/2 #teammoth

Mompha ochraceella, 4th garden record and first since 2022

Phyllonorycter viminiella, 4th garden record

Elachista luticomella, NFG but one I have been expecting as I've recorded it locally elsewhere

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Epiblema costipunctana, 2nd garden record

Adaina microdacytla, 2nd garden and VC85 record, the other was in 2018

Aleimma loeflingiana, NFG and 2nd VC85 record, a real surprise as oak feeders are scarce in my garden and this species seems to be genuinely rare in VC85 in general

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

27th June in my Burntisland garden was very warm overnight but quite windy consequently numbers and diversity were lower with 376 moths of 103 species recorded. A few highlights among the pics #teammoth

Sallow Kitten, 4th garden record, 2nd this year

Eucosma campolilana, already a record year for this attractive species here

Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella, 9th garden record and 3rd this year

Toadflax Pug, 3rd garden record and by far the earliest, highlight of the catch

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

25/06 was another busy night in Burntisland with 492 of 117 species although sadly none of the more interesting migrants down south still not made there way to me yet. 16 NFY including a couple of garden scarcities. Garden year list now 317, one short of a record for the end of June #teammoth

Gothic, just 6th garden record and first since 2022. Box fresh too and the best I've ever seen.

Elachista subocellea, second garden record and there were two this time. These are the only three ever recorded in VC85.

Euspilapteryx auroguttella, only 2nd garden record, came to Cacoecimorpha pronubana pheromone lure

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

21/06 Burntisland 676/144. Unfortunately no NFG's which I hope for on big nights but they are becoming increasingly difficult. Several scarce species arrived and there were 43 NFY's! Annual garden total is 301 species now, I've only previously passed 300 once before the end of June 2/2 #teammoth

Eupoecilia angustana, only 2nd garden record, the other in 2018. Odd because it's common enough nearby.

Mompha lacteella, 5th garden record, the other four were all in 2020

Etainia decentella, 8th garden record (of 11 individuals)

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Magpie Moth, 7th garden record and 3rd this year (best ever year)

Isotrias rectifasciana, 3rd garden record, one in each of the last three years so hopefully now establishing locally

Gillmeria pallidactyla, 7th garden record

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

30/05 Burntisland 306/94. 3 NFG in one night, two were expected but P schulziana was also new for VC85. 49th new for VC85 I've recorded from our garden in 7 years. Further 11 NFY and garden year list moved to 217, by far highest ever for the time of year. The total garden list moves to 653 #teammoth

Phiaris schulziana, not only new for VC85 but one of my favourite micros

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

28th May Burntisland 241 of 71. Rare mild and calm night but with rain second half. 25 NFY moves garden year list to 172. Quite a few interesting records, and some more very early dates. Confirms there are lots of moths about, but good trapping conditions are infrequent. 2/2 - macros #teammoth

Barred Straw, very early date, a month early and very few Scottish records in May

Common Wainscot, very early, only one or two previous Scottish records in May, typically a Jul/Aug species here

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

Notocelia trimaculana, one of five, usually only record occasional singletons here

Udea olivalis, 4th garden record, first since 2021

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

153/59 10th May Burntisland. Rare calm night but temp dropped a couple of degrees lower than forecast. 15 NFY including a few record early dates for the garden. Garden year list is on 139 and above average for time of year. Hopefully these easterly winds will end before June and peak season arrives.

Psychoides filicivora, the first in the garden since 2021

Sloe Pug, not from the garden but reared from a larva found at nearby Gaddon Loch

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

30th April Burntisland 301/74! 4 NFG Phyllonorycter lantanella, Puss Moth, Poplar Grey & Green Silver-lines, 24 further NFYs inc. some very early dates. Garden list moves to 650, year list to 124, previous best end April was just 64. April was ave 2 deg warmer than previous five years #teammoth

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

A bit cooler overnight 29th April and a slight drop off to 172 of 43 species in Burntisland. Four NFY Coleophora albicosta, Aphomia sociella, Lesser Swallow Prominent and White Ermine. #teammoth

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Burntisland 28th, 196/46. Record diversity night for April. Early Tooth-striped NFG. In addition to photos Iron Prom, Sandy Carpet, Lychnis, Brown Silver-line & Garden Tiger (larva) were also NFY. Red Sword-grass very late. Record counts of A hexadactyla 15 & Least Black Arches 10 #teammoth

Early Tooth-striped, long awaited NFG, species 646 for the garden

Green Carpet, earliest here by three weeks, typically doesn't appear till June in Scotland

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

111/43 27th April Burntisland, smashed previous best April night for diversity which was just 30. 7 NFY also included Scrobipalpa acuminatella, Common Carpet, Foxglove Pug and Spectacle. Nearby White-pinion Spotted by day at Kinghorn Loch recently arrived and establishing well in Fife #teammoth

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

76 of 28 in Burntisland overnight 26th April. A good showing for the time of year (but last night greatly exceeded this). 8 NFY also included Flame and Spruce Carpet in addition to the photos. #teammoth

Oak-tree Pug, 3rd garden and VC85 record. Spreading in Scotland and seemingly doing rather well at the moment.

Broad-barred White, no April records before in Scotland up till 2021 at least

Grey Dagger, also no April records before in Scotland up till 2021 at least

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

82/26 in Burntisland overnight, better than expected considering it was 10.2deg at dusk dropping to 5.7 at dawn, but it was calm. 8 NFY taking annual garden total to 68, other NFY not shown included Depressaria radiella, Common Pug, Shuttle-shaped Dart and Small Phoenix #teammoth

Golden-rod Pug, 1 of 7 which is a good count here

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

12/10, 101 of 28, a good April night, seasons changing with several more NFYs taking annual garden total to 60 species, a record by ths date. Looks like it will be a while before any more are added based on the forecast though #teammoth

Acroplepia autumnitella by day, despite having a thriving colony in the garden I have only recorded the adult four times, and never once to light

Nut-tree Tussock, earliest ever, and a record single night count of three

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

11/04, 83 of 22 in Burntisland. 1st good moth of the year, Acleris cristana, 3rd Scottish record and new to VC85. Garden species #645. A calm night with a good range of micros on offer #teammoth

Acleris cristana again, this view shows the raised scale tufts and concave forewing well

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

10/04, 44 of 15 in Burntisland, warmest day of the year but temperatures dropped overnight and it was too breezy. Seasons changing and NFYs appearing. Record numbers of C. rufipennella and Streamer of late. #teammoth

Phyllonorycter blancardella (to NIG lure)

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

275/29 Burntisland, 9 NFY total. Also 4th Oak Beauty of year (6th ever). Record March diversity here with 43 species, all in last ten days. Forecast looks poor going forward though. 2/2 #teammoth

Engrailed NFY, only second record since 2019

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

275/29 Burntisland, record for March diversity. 14.1 deg @ dark but only 5.8 at dawn. Would have been even better if one trap hadn't developed a fault and was on and off all night. Nine NFY see photos. Record counts Shoulder Stripe 8, Double-striped Pug 64, Engrailed 2, Small Quaker 6. 1/2 #teammoth

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

157 of 17 last night in Burntisland. Double-striped Pug and Pale Pinion NFY. Pale Pinion only 6th garden record. Oak Beauty 4th garden record, 2nd this year (and latest ever). 4 Small Quaker record single night count here. #teammoth

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Limited decent weather, fractured left arm, and general moth apathy has meant I hadn't put a trap out this year till last night, I'd previously trapped every single month for the last nine years. 99/13 was about half what I would expect for a good night this time of year. Just one micro #teammoth

Red Sword-grass, NFY, scarce but usually annual in the garden

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

A double fracture of the left arm has made most things more challenging these last five weeks, and consequently mothing has been quite limited. Here are a couple of early stages from Abernethy Forest, and my 'new' elbow for good measure

Phyllonorycter junoniella mine on Cowberry

Retinia resinella gall on young Scots Pine

Fractured elbow pinned back into place, the piece broken off was itself broken into four pieces which didn't show on x-rays and was a nice surprise for the surgeon when he went in. Made for a complex and long surgery but it's all back in place now.

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Colder outside today, daydreaming of warmer places. Here are some Vangas from Madagascar in 2015. You're welcome.

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Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Following the masses from the dark side. Those fortunate enough not to know me here is a flavour of potential posts, that is if I ever find time to get out!

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