Although she doesn't appear to have strayed much beyond her corner of East Lothian, Alice's moth hunting endeavours were not confined to Whittingehame. Her specimens and notebooks indicate a few favourite haunts beyond the Estate, perhaps based on ease of access, knowing the landowner or promise of exciting discovery (considerations which are all still relevant …
A Swift One
My June light traps on the Estate attracted moths in a range of shapes and sizes. The gaudy yellow Brimstone Moth, the chunky Poplar Hawk-moth with bright red flashes on its hind wings, a brown but still subtlety beautiful Mottled Rustic, a regal White Ermine, some moths with crazy noses and punky tufts... the list …
Dusty Drawers
Recently I got to look at some butterflies and moths in a private collection, that were collected about 100 years ago. The collector was William Evans (1851 - 1922) and probably also his son, William Edgar Evans (1882-1963). They lived variously in Edinburgh, Penicuik and parts of East Lothian but these specimens seem to relate …
Now and then
My childhood was spent in fields and woods near my home haphazardly searching for wildlife without any particular aim or purpose, other than I liked it. I had various projects on the go at various times - pet earthworms in a pot of soil under the bed (my worm-phobic room-sharing sister still reminds me of …
Spreading butterflies
Recently I enjoyed a sunny saunter along Whittingehame Water and in the woods with a fellow moth enthusiast. Although I was half-hoping to chance upon some day-active moths, this was really my excuse for a wander with a friend in the glorious sunshine (with a net, just in case). In the event he got sidetracked …
The Emperors of White Castle
Emperor Moth from Hopes Reservoir, May 2018Underside of Emperor Moth The Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia) must be one of Britain's more striking moths. Robust, colourful, furry body, feathery antennae, and with prominent eye-spots. The males are active by day, and in the right places in April and May can be seen zipping around in the …
Pine Beauty
Back in late February, on my first Whittingehame light trapping session, I caught a Pine Beauty (Panolis flammea). This was an exceptionally early record for Scotland, but then it was an exceptionally mild February. Pine Beauty is an appropriate, if a little unimaginative, name for a moth which is beautiful and likes pine. Fresh ones …
Quakers and twigs
Light trapping at Whittingehame on 20/21 March was good. I caught nearly 500 moths and eighteen different species. Late March is Quaker time of year up here, and three species: Common Quaker, Small Quaker and Twin-spotted Quaker probably made up at least half the catch. Alice certainly found Common Quaker around the estate each spring. …
Wish lists and name changes
With the weather gradually edging into spring (I'm ignoring the snow of last weekend) it's perhaps time to plan moth trapping adventures for the year. In this day and age we have all sorts of resources at our fingertips to help plan what species to look for and where to go to try. Social media …
Some February Warmth
I took a lunchtime wander along the Whittingehame Water this week, in some of the glorious warm sunshine that we have been enjoying recently (even though it is slightly uneasy enjoyment - February should be a bit colder!). My main purpose was to get a better idea of what vegetation, in particular trees, grow where …
Rediscovering the moths of Whittingehame 