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.

0150

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

29 of those are greater than the entire VC85 (Fife and Kinross) tally.

030

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

13-19mm would be wingspan and not wing length, the difference isn't that big! vittata is typically around 6mm and adustella around 8mm, 7mm would be a bit inconclusive in my book

110

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

What's the wing length? It looks good albeit a bit worn. It's still a bit early for adustella whereas vittata can be found in any month of the year. Here in Fife the summer generation is just getting going, I had 20 or so in the traps night before last

130

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I'm not seeing any orange scales on the Blastodacna so tentatively suggest it's more likely hellerella, however these two are very tricky to separate and gen det may be required for confidence

120

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

Natural colonist maybe favourite, apparently has been spreading on the continent and touted by some to arrive here already

110

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

38318

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.

050

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.

1120

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

0211

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

0241

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

Thank you. This one thinks it's an Eider and behaves accordingly, has been in the Forth for a few years now and occasionally affords very close views. Quite why it does this is unknown, there are often Scoter flocks nearby which it seems to ignore.

020

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

091

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

41359

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Also comes to the SKI lure, at this time of year I keep both this and then EMP lure in a pocket and often see quite a few lunana which would otherwise probably be missed.

120

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Did it attract moths last year? It's not a great time right now for trapping, last the Spring rush, full moon and poor weather conditions so could just be very little is flying

120

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

6553

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).

0412

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

Hands down the best WBD photo I've seen this winter!

120

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Yeah they looped around and then headed WNW. Someone picked up a similar count on a nearby WeBS a day later which may have been the same birds

020

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

1214

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

0302

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

0141

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

I'm from the West Country originally, I remember it as a regular winter visitor at certain sites but no longer. Never views like this though.

000

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

1110

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.

2261

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.

0585

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Hmm, I wonder what the markup is now?! In all seriousness though I'll probably be holding on to them for a while excepting close friends but probably one day some will be sold

010

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

I bought a lot of clear ones from the US on eBay a few years ago, work a treat and as they're clear probably even better than the traditional frosted ones. I probably overbought and have way more than a lifetimes supply at current burn rate

110

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Not curvipunctosa for me, it's too worn to be sure but scopariella would be my first thought

010

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.

1181

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

0140

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

0120

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

0150

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Plenty of practice working out when it's worth it and when it's better to sleep.

010

Nigel Voaden @scorpion-nv.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Garden only VC85. June 2025 Moths recorded 3,370 Trap nights 8 NFYs 136 NFGs 3 Lifers 0 Year to date Moths 6,814 Trap nights 27 NFYs 353 NFGs 11 Lifers 0 (1 elsewhere)

110

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

1140

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)

0170

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

0130

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

1320

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

I run 2x clear MV125W Robinson, a LepiLED with a homemade trap and the fourth if I bother is a 2x 30W actinic Robinson

110

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

That was three, max I run in the garden is four. It's definitely worth putting different types of lights out in even a small garden, as you say it definitely increases the diversity of the catch.

130

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

0170

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

1130

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

0140

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

I can't remember it, there was 3 NFG in 2022, but that was a 150+ species night in July, not April!

110

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

1210