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Dave Wheatley

@wheatersdave.bsky.social
673 followers 586 following 13K posts

Moths, occasionally birds. Still a grumpy dad, still hoping to mellow with age

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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 14h
101/45 was a decent return from last night. Dewick’s Plusia was the best moth, which took longer to say than it stayed on the edge of the trap! Deep-brown Dart was NFY and a good scattering of common migrants was welcome.Lesser Wax Moth is never common in the garden #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
65/28 seemed a decent return in the moth traps with a distinct autumn feel to the catch. First appearance of the season for Darth Moth and a smattering of Torts. Also an an interesting looking Blastobasis (probably just a worn adustella) #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Not quite the Mallow or Big Blue I am hoping for, but not a bad start to tonight’s moth shenanigans. Anyone else trapping the light fantastic this evening? #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
A very lacklustre trap last night, down to 32/11. The only highlight was Acleris rhombana, which may or may not be NFY #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
An undemanding 103/31 in SE Hants. 1st Satellite of the season and some nicely marked regulars to keep me interested. Best was the bycatch, Two-spotted Cricket. Highly unlikely to be wild, probably an escape from the pet trade #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Given the breezy conditions overnight in SE Hants, 161/41 was a decent trap. A good spread of Sallow sp with another record of Golden Twin-spot were nice. Best moth was Bordered Straw (NFG), finally the last of the 3 Straws! 1st Chestnut and Rosy Rustic of the autumn #teammoth #migrantmothuk
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
169/52 in SE Hants last night. Sallow and Barred Sallow NFY. Another Blackneck suggests a local 2nd gen. Another Ypsolopha parenthesella was a good garden record. What a strange year when SMW, O. semirubella and Vestal are dismissed as common moths and almost certainly local breeders 🤷🏻‍♂️ #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Bats are still busy above the traps causing this interesting moth wing to flutter down. IRecord is adamant it’s Rush Veneer, but I can’t personally see that 🤷🏻‍♂️ #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
A blast of summer past in the moth trap last night. 340/69 with only 121 LYU. Endotricha flipping flammealis, Barred Red and Blackneck were unexpected and unusual guests for this time of year. Ypsolopha alpella and parenthesella are uncommon visitors as was Pyrausta despicata #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
344/62 in SE Hants last night. Possible NFYs in Purple Bar, Gold Triangle and Pink-barred Sallow. Unexpected records of Ruby Tiger and Birch Mocha. 4 Orange Sallow is as many as the previous 3yrs combined. A Mompha sp could be NFG but needs 🪓 + not forgetting a new trap record of 177 LYU! #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A nice trap in the NFwith @alandcs.bsky.social (new ✔️) @keithgodfrey.bsky.social @tomstone.bsky.social I ended up with 4 NFM (thought it was 1) Autumnal Rustic, 5x Feathered Gothic, Agriphila latistria, Pediasia contaminella. 5x C-b Sallow, 6x Horse Chestnut, 1x Brussels Lace best of rest #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
First ever LYU deluge, 153 of them, previous best was about 40!! 314/52 prelim count as it’s very wet so no garden check. NFY Bridled Green, Orange Sallow, Least YU, Golden Twin-spot and Clancy’s R. Best of, 3 Purest Green, P vitrealis and Delicate #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
The traps at the Haven produced very little, even lacking in wetland species. However the 2 big oaks above the trap did come up trumps! Dark Crimson Underwing and Rosy Underwing, which has very few Hants records. Probably attracted to sap runs on the trees. Palpita vitrealis was best of #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This evening’s trap location is in the depths of ‘Titty Haven’ nature reserve. Lots of promising habitat, unfortunately a colony of bats comes with it 🤷🏻‍♂️ #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
💩 weather but still a lot of moths. 220/54 with some requiring a closer look. An aberrant GP Carpet (Fir?) got my attention but migrants were to the fore. 3x Dark Crimson, 8x Vestal, 1x P. vitrealis, 4x Angle Shades, 2x SMW, 7x O. semirubella, 3x Turnip, 1x A. Tumidana etc #migrantmothuk #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Last day of August had 188/72 in the traps. Lots of summer stuff, though this year I don’t know now what constitutes a migrant or local breeder 🤷🏻‍♂️ 1st sign of Autumn with Centre-barred Sallow and 1st trap with all 4 head scratchers of Blair’s, Jersey, Maiden’s + Clay Triple-lines to sort 😬 #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Much reduced numbers last night in SE Hants with 114/44. Biggest surprise was the 2nd garden record of Cloaked Carpet followed by the third, last seen in 2023. An off looking Ephestia will probably turn out to be woodiella and the Blastobasis will almost certainly turn out to be rebeli #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Wasn’t expecting much with clear sky and low °C so 221/81 was a surprise. Excellent trap overall, best for me was a Dark Crimson, Delicate and Y. parenthesella all NFY. Ni Moth, Palpita vitrealis and 5 Vestal were best of the large numbers of migrants. Ancylis badiana is a long overdue NFG #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Caught out this morning 1st by the rain then volume of moth, 350+/110+ was not expected. Biggest was Pine Hawk, smallest and possibly most interesting was Elachista subalbidella a NFG if confirmed. Straw Underwing was missing last year and 3 Nutmeg was unusual as was dark form of TBA #teammoth 1/2
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
A good trap session in the NF last night with @keithgodfrey.bsky.social @mothyblackburn.bsky.social and Tom Stone. 46 species with some new moths for my Hants list. Like Tim I caught my own Eric, but also Matilella fusca, Ancylosis oblitella and Beautiful Yellow Underwing. All maybe NFM 🤷🏻‍♂️ #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
@mikemoths.bsky.social evening Mike. Do you or any of the Dorset moth-ers have suggestions for somewhere to trap on an evening in the Charmouth area this weekend? Unbelievably (or not) my wife has booked a holiday cottage with no garden. Any help appreciated. Dave
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
202/91 in SE Hants. NFG Ni Moth, Plumed Fan-Foot and Aristotelia ericinella. Best for me was the return of Burnished Brass. This is my last post for a bit, I’m off social media, it’s all a bit elite and getting like twitching did. I’ll check in for DMs if you need gen det or a NF moth trip #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Finally got some semi decent photos (better than the previous attempt) of the 2 NFG, Twin-spot Plume and Coleophora hemerobiella (Black-stigma case-bearer). The Coleophora was an absolute swine and wouldn’t sit still even after being chilled and CO2ed. Both scarce moths in Hampshire #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Big drop in numbers to 114/59 last night. Possibly NFY was Wax Moth and A. inquinatella. A smattering of common migrant moths, with 3 more Light Crimson and 3 E. Quadrillella best of the rest #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Not sure by trapping tonight I’ll improve on the house captures from today. Heat downed HHM, Twin-spot Plume and Coleophora hemerobiella, the latter 2 if correct are NFG! #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
One for you Mr T, somebody else’s Blastobasis, what do you think? It’s off for a professional chop @sj84turner.bsky.social #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
159/61 in SE Hants. A smattering of migrants inc 5x Cydia amplana. NFY was Dewick’s Plusia. Best of 4x Light Crimson Underwing, Sallow Kitten, female Four-spotted Footman and 3x Ellie Hawk #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Plain Pug in all its glory, or not depending on your point of view. Personally I like it and it’s different from the usual blend (bland) of variations on the theme of Pug. #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Temp dropped to 10°C and the moths with it in SE Hants 100/50. Still some goodies, Birch Mocha, E. quadrillella, M. propinquella and a NFG Plain Pug, an absolute brute of a Pug and not really plain at all 🤔 A smattering of migrants (no SMW) and 3 Light Crimson Underwing the best of #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Two dissections from 10/07. Anacampsis blattariella, NFY and 2nd garden record, both very similar in appearance. The Nemapogon did turn out to be ruricolella which is NFG and uncommon in Hants #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
155/63 last night, lower numbers due to a cock up. 2x Cydia amplana NFY along with 3x Diamond-back, 2 SMW, 1 Rush Veneer, 1 Silver Y, 1 Four-spotted Footman hinted at migration #migrantmothuk Best of: a nicely marked CU (checked) Large Emerald, C. pinella (NFY), LCU and another Sorhagenia #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Not to self, 50% battery power on the display doesn’t mean that amount of charge is deliverable. Woke up late (again) to lights out and an almost empty trap. It also shows how leaky a trap a Skinner is for moths to escape from, as it was full of moths last night #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
14/07 SE Hants 204/82 moths. The surprise was another 2 Sorhagenia, 4 all told. Annual total is <1 for all 3 species combined! Finally a Kitty Kat. Lesser YU, Arg albistria both NFY. Best of rest Pine Hawk, 2x Light Crimson (uncooperative as always), an interesting Blastobasis for Gen det #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
I don’t thinks there’s anything better than a serendipitous moth. Large Tabby NFY, found in the garage sitting on the solar panel battery #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Whilst I still try and recover my hearing from last nights double header QOTSA and SOAD (maybe one for you @willowglass12.bsky.social) I’ve put out the the moth traps, after all I don’t need good ears to identify moths #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
A few non trap additions to year and garden totals in the last few weeks. Sallow, Red-tipped and Six-belted Clearwing to lures. Oegoconia quadripuncta, Aproaerema Anthyllidella, Anacampsis populella gen det. NFG Coleophora follicularis, Ectoedemia heringi and Parornix betulae also gen det #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
10/07 150/83 in SE Hants. Late set up and a lie in meant lower numbers. Another Sorhagenia sp was potted, Udea fulvalis is uncommon and NFY. Best of rest were the big boys, LC Underwing and Privet Hawk. A potted Nemapogon could be ruricolella but most likely cloacella, gen det required #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Still not having any luck with trapping this week. I had to abort the Fareham moth group night due to unexpected visitors. When they finally left at 10.30pm I had to walk the dog and then I slept through the alarm until 6am. Very reduced catch this morning. No trapping now until midweek #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Still a few micros in the fridge but 189/93 overnight usual caveats on common sp. Highlight will be this micro which I nearly blew off the trap, a Sorhagenia sp, needs gen det but all rare in Hants. Confirmed LBBYU + Svenssons CU were NFY as was Gypsy Moth that flew straight into the house #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Trapping isn’t going well this week. A poorly dog kept me up all night. Slept through the alarm, got out at 5.15am to find 100s of ermines, veneers, greys and small Tortrix 😱 Tortted up the macros, pootered some interesting micros, brought the traps in, hedged the rest and went back to bed #teammoth
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Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber Throw in Star Wars
ALT: Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber Throw in Star Wars
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Moth lab day (I can’t trap tonight as son has gf round for the first time. I’ve been told to keep weird to a minimum). From Staffs - Epiblema turbidana, Cumbria - Grey Dagger both NFM. Common Rustic and Phycitodes binaevella from the garden 03/07 trap night #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
An interesting conundrum. Whilst watering the neighbours garden a moth popped over the fence and landed right next to me. It’s a NFG as well and it came from my garden, but technically I didn’t ID it or see it within the boundary 🤔 #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Thoughts on this one? I originally had it down as a possible Scoparia basistrigalis but ObsID is adamant it’s Eudonia truncicolella #Teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Final count from 05/07 was 220/102. Not 2 NFG but 4 in that total, rare to even get 1 nowadays. Southern Wainscot, Anania verbascalis, Monochroa cytisella, Bucculatrix nigricomella. Could be running a LED trap in combination with the synergetic/actinic trap made the difference? #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
@lesevanshill.bsky.social looks like Epiblema turbidana from the gen det, are you happy with the quality of the prep? #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Provisional trap of 203/88, usual caveats on counting common sp + still a fridge full of grains of rice/sand to sort. 2 NFGs Golden Pearl and a probable Southern Wainscot which won’t cooperate for pics. Many NFY Jersey Mocha, Pine Hawk, B. praeangusta, Festoon etc. Lots of migrants as well #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Are any other football obsessed/lunatic moth-ers thinking of trapping tonight and staying up to watch the England game, and monitor the traps overnight at the same time? #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Final tally for 03/07 in SE Hants was 313/109 with a few retained for ID checks. Langmaid’s YU, Copper Underwing (underwings checked) were additional NFY as were Double Kidney, Blackneck and Small Yellow Wave. Black Arches is a smart looking moth that always requires a photo #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Prob in excess of 300 moths of 90 species last night, I’ve still got a fridge full of cranky micros to go and all the outside records to collate. Grass Veneers, Greys, Uncertain agg and Fecking Flammealis (50+) not accurately tallied. Dark Umber, Synaphe puntalis, Rhopobota naevana all NFY #teammoth
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Dave Wheatley @wheatersdave.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Nowhere near totting up and completing the traps, but I came back to some mothy success in the garden. Ragwort = Cinnabar. I’m not sure Nicky shares my enthusiasm with either the plant or the caterpillars 😂 #teammoth
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