Steve Keen
@swaystevek.bsky.social
Birder, moth-er, SW Hants, VC11.
Generally fed up with stuff, but granddaughters and moths help break the tedium.
Generally fed up with stuff, but granddaughters and moths help break the tedium.
I think disappointing covers last night well here in SW Hants.
Just 16 of 11, with 1 Palpita vitrealis & 3 Rusty-dot Pearl the only @migrantmothuk.bsky.social interest.
Best record was a ludicrously late Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet (context in ALT).
#teammoth
Just 16 of 11, with 1 Palpita vitrealis & 3 Rusty-dot Pearl the only @migrantmothuk.bsky.social interest.
Best record was a ludicrously late Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet (context in ALT).
#teammoth
November 13, 2025 at 8:10 AM
I think disappointing covers last night well here in SW Hants.
Just 16 of 11, with 1 Palpita vitrealis & 3 Rusty-dot Pearl the only @migrantmothuk.bsky.social interest.
Best record was a ludicrously late Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet (context in ALT).
#teammoth
Just 16 of 11, with 1 Palpita vitrealis & 3 Rusty-dot Pearl the only @migrantmothuk.bsky.social interest.
Best record was a ludicrously late Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet (context in ALT).
#teammoth
15 of 7 in SW Hants last night, very firmly in the sulk zone (eg: 37 of 13 same date last year)
4 Red-green Carpet
3 LBAM
2 each Merveille du Jour, Double-striped Pug & November agg
1 each Beautiful Plume & Large Yellow Underwing.
#teammoth
4 Red-green Carpet
3 LBAM
2 each Merveille du Jour, Double-striped Pug & November agg
1 each Beautiful Plume & Large Yellow Underwing.
#teammoth
November 6, 2025 at 7:21 AM
15 of 7 in SW Hants last night, very firmly in the sulk zone (eg: 37 of 13 same date last year)
4 Red-green Carpet
3 LBAM
2 each Merveille du Jour, Double-striped Pug & November agg
1 each Beautiful Plume & Large Yellow Underwing.
#teammoth
4 Red-green Carpet
3 LBAM
2 each Merveille du Jour, Double-striped Pug & November agg
1 each Beautiful Plume & Large Yellow Underwing.
#teammoth
Finished with 5 of 5 in SW Hants last night: Emmelina monodactyla, November agg, White-point, Grey Pine Carpet & Red-green Carpet.
Plus a gazillion tiny flies.
Tonight should be a little calmer 🤞
#teammoth
Plus a gazillion tiny flies.
Tonight should be a little calmer 🤞
#teammoth
November 5, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Finished with 5 of 5 in SW Hants last night: Emmelina monodactyla, November agg, White-point, Grey Pine Carpet & Red-green Carpet.
Plus a gazillion tiny flies.
Tonight should be a little calmer 🤞
#teammoth
Plus a gazillion tiny flies.
Tonight should be a little calmer 🤞
#teammoth
A rather anticlimactic 22 of 16 in SW Hants last night, with NFY Brick the highlight.
Singles of Rush Veneer, Rusty-dot Pearl & White-point the only hints at migration.
#teammoth
Singles of Rush Veneer, Rusty-dot Pearl & White-point the only hints at migration.
#teammoth
October 29, 2025 at 7:24 AM
A rather anticlimactic 22 of 16 in SW Hants last night, with NFY Brick the highlight.
Singles of Rush Veneer, Rusty-dot Pearl & White-point the only hints at migration.
#teammoth
Singles of Rush Veneer, Rusty-dot Pearl & White-point the only hints at migration.
#teammoth
Couldn't really pass up the opportunity to photograph the night's TEN Merveille du Jours.
Rounding them up was fine. Getting them to sit still for a pic a challenge. No way it was going to happen successfully on a lichen-covered tree trunk so the patio had to suffice!
#teammoth
Rounding them up was fine. Getting them to sit still for a pic a challenge. No way it was going to happen successfully on a lichen-covered tree trunk so the patio had to suffice!
#teammoth
October 19, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Couldn't really pass up the opportunity to photograph the night's TEN Merveille du Jours.
Rounding them up was fine. Getting them to sit still for a pic a challenge. No way it was going to happen successfully on a lichen-covered tree trunk so the patio had to suffice!
#teammoth
Rounding them up was fine. Getting them to sit still for a pic a challenge. No way it was going to happen successfully on a lichen-covered tree trunk so the patio had to suffice!
#teammoth
55 of 24 in SW Hants last night was an excellent result.
Flounced Chestnut (x2) & Yellow-line Quaker were NFY. Also a very late, very fresh Wax Moth (2nd gen @ruthnewby.bsky.social ?). Turnip the best of the @migrantmothuk.bsky.social ; also 2 Diamondback & 3 White-point.
#teammoth
Flounced Chestnut (x2) & Yellow-line Quaker were NFY. Also a very late, very fresh Wax Moth (2nd gen @ruthnewby.bsky.social ?). Turnip the best of the @migrantmothuk.bsky.social ; also 2 Diamondback & 3 White-point.
#teammoth
October 19, 2025 at 7:46 AM
55 of 24 in SW Hants last night was an excellent result.
Flounced Chestnut (x2) & Yellow-line Quaker were NFY. Also a very late, very fresh Wax Moth (2nd gen @ruthnewby.bsky.social ?). Turnip the best of the @migrantmothuk.bsky.social ; also 2 Diamondback & 3 White-point.
#teammoth
Flounced Chestnut (x2) & Yellow-line Quaker were NFY. Also a very late, very fresh Wax Moth (2nd gen @ruthnewby.bsky.social ?). Turnip the best of the @migrantmothuk.bsky.social ; also 2 Diamondback & 3 White-point.
#teammoth
36 of 21 in SW Hants last night was more than acceptable.
3 NFY: Feathered Ranunculus (an unexpected 2nd garden record of this coastal species), Feathered Thorn (x2) & Blair's Shoulder-knot.
Hants year list moves ahead of last year's (574 v 573) despite a lot less field effort.
#teammoth
3 NFY: Feathered Ranunculus (an unexpected 2nd garden record of this coastal species), Feathered Thorn (x2) & Blair's Shoulder-knot.
Hants year list moves ahead of last year's (574 v 573) despite a lot less field effort.
#teammoth
October 17, 2025 at 10:06 AM
36 of 21 in SW Hants last night was more than acceptable.
3 NFY: Feathered Ranunculus (an unexpected 2nd garden record of this coastal species), Feathered Thorn (x2) & Blair's Shoulder-knot.
Hants year list moves ahead of last year's (574 v 573) despite a lot less field effort.
#teammoth
3 NFY: Feathered Ranunculus (an unexpected 2nd garden record of this coastal species), Feathered Thorn (x2) & Blair's Shoulder-knot.
Hants year list moves ahead of last year's (574 v 573) despite a lot less field effort.
#teammoth
Excellent mothing in SW Hants last night highlighted by NFY Merveille du Jour (x3) being relegated to 4th pic!
Clancy's Rustic was NFG, Radford's Flame Shoulder & Cryptoblabes bistriga NFY (my 3rd & 2nd records respectively)
#teammoth
1/2
Clancy's Rustic was NFG, Radford's Flame Shoulder & Cryptoblabes bistriga NFY (my 3rd & 2nd records respectively)
#teammoth
1/2
October 14, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Excellent mothing in SW Hants last night highlighted by NFY Merveille du Jour (x3) being relegated to 4th pic!
Clancy's Rustic was NFG, Radford's Flame Shoulder & Cryptoblabes bistriga NFY (my 3rd & 2nd records respectively)
#teammoth
1/2
Clancy's Rustic was NFG, Radford's Flame Shoulder & Cryptoblabes bistriga NFY (my 3rd & 2nd records respectively)
#teammoth
1/2
Hadn't expected the 201st to come quite so soon, although it was definitely the likeliest species to get the honour of being my 200th self found on patch.
#HantsBirds
#HantsBirds
October 13, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Hadn't expected the 201st to come quite so soon, although it was definitely the likeliest species to get the honour of being my 200th self found on patch.
#HantsBirds
#HantsBirds
A nice variety in SW Hants last night, with 33 of 21 recorded.
Beaded Chestnut, of which there were three, was NFY.
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social possibilities: 2 each R-d Pearl, White-point, Angle Shades, Blair's Mocha, 1 Four-sp Footman.
First Shuttle-shaped Dart & Vine's Rustic for weeks.
#teammoth
Beaded Chestnut, of which there were three, was NFY.
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social possibilities: 2 each R-d Pearl, White-point, Angle Shades, Blair's Mocha, 1 Four-sp Footman.
First Shuttle-shaped Dart & Vine's Rustic for weeks.
#teammoth
October 11, 2025 at 8:24 AM
A nice variety in SW Hants last night, with 33 of 21 recorded.
Beaded Chestnut, of which there were three, was NFY.
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social possibilities: 2 each R-d Pearl, White-point, Angle Shades, Blair's Mocha, 1 Four-sp Footman.
First Shuttle-shaped Dart & Vine's Rustic for weeks.
#teammoth
Beaded Chestnut, of which there were three, was NFY.
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social possibilities: 2 each R-d Pearl, White-point, Angle Shades, Blair's Mocha, 1 Four-sp Footman.
First Shuttle-shaped Dart & Vine's Rustic for weeks.
#teammoth
Whooper Swan flying west over Barton Golf Course this morning was a nice bird to have as my 200th patch species 😊
#HantsBirds
#HantsBirds
October 10, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Whooper Swan flying west over Barton Golf Course this morning was a nice bird to have as my 200th patch species 😊
#HantsBirds
#HantsBirds
Finished with 26 of 17 in SW Hants on a night that was clear way longer than forecast.
Barred Sallow was NFY, likewise Phyllonorycter messaniella (x2), but no time to faff about getting pics of the latter.
2 Rusty-dot Pearls & a Blair's Mocha the @migrantmothuk.bsky.social possibles.
#teammoth
Barred Sallow was NFY, likewise Phyllonorycter messaniella (x2), but no time to faff about getting pics of the latter.
2 Rusty-dot Pearls & a Blair's Mocha the @migrantmothuk.bsky.social possibles.
#teammoth
October 7, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Finished with 26 of 17 in SW Hants on a night that was clear way longer than forecast.
Barred Sallow was NFY, likewise Phyllonorycter messaniella (x2), but no time to faff about getting pics of the latter.
2 Rusty-dot Pearls & a Blair's Mocha the @migrantmothuk.bsky.social possibles.
#teammoth
Barred Sallow was NFY, likewise Phyllonorycter messaniella (x2), but no time to faff about getting pics of the latter.
2 Rusty-dot Pearls & a Blair's Mocha the @migrantmothuk.bsky.social possibles.
#teammoth
Despite the large moon thought I'd give the trap a whirl last night. Only 26 of 14 recorded, but did include my 2nd garden Channel Islands Pug. A very rare moth here in SW Hants, with only a couple of other records this side of Southampton Water.
#teammoth
#teammoth
October 6, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Despite the large moon thought I'd give the trap a whirl last night. Only 26 of 14 recorded, but did include my 2nd garden Channel Islands Pug. A very rare moth here in SW Hants, with only a couple of other records this side of Southampton Water.
#teammoth
#teammoth
Being much pickier re trapping nights atm, last night scoring 58 of 22 in SW Hants.
Two NFY, Black Rustic & Red-line Quaker, with an excellent 8 of the former (2 was my max last year!).
Small Mottled Willow, White-point, Four-sp Footman & 3 L-album the @migrantmothuk.bsky.social offerings
#teammoth
Two NFY, Black Rustic & Red-line Quaker, with an excellent 8 of the former (2 was my max last year!).
Small Mottled Willow, White-point, Four-sp Footman & 3 L-album the @migrantmothuk.bsky.social offerings
#teammoth
October 2, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Being much pickier re trapping nights atm, last night scoring 58 of 22 in SW Hants.
Two NFY, Black Rustic & Red-line Quaker, with an excellent 8 of the former (2 was my max last year!).
Small Mottled Willow, White-point, Four-sp Footman & 3 L-album the @migrantmothuk.bsky.social offerings
#teammoth
Two NFY, Black Rustic & Red-line Quaker, with an excellent 8 of the former (2 was my max last year!).
Small Mottled Willow, White-point, Four-sp Footman & 3 L-album the @migrantmothuk.bsky.social offerings
#teammoth
A surprise slight drop to 56 of 20 in SW Hants, with nothing new.
A late Riband Wave was presumably the same one as Tuesday night.
Four-spotted Footman again (previous night's was a male), with single Blair's Mocha & White-point the only other potential migrants.
#teammoth
A late Riband Wave was presumably the same one as Tuesday night.
Four-spotted Footman again (previous night's was a male), with single Blair's Mocha & White-point the only other potential migrants.
#teammoth
September 28, 2025 at 6:38 AM
A surprise slight drop to 56 of 20 in SW Hants, with nothing new.
A late Riband Wave was presumably the same one as Tuesday night.
Four-spotted Footman again (previous night's was a male), with single Blair's Mocha & White-point the only other potential migrants.
#teammoth
A late Riband Wave was presumably the same one as Tuesday night.
Four-spotted Footman again (previous night's was a male), with single Blair's Mocha & White-point the only other potential migrants.
#teammoth
Very pleased with 60 of 25 in a calm, damp SW Hants last night.
Three NFY: Sallow (x2), Green-brindled Crescent & Brown-spot Pinion.
Signs of @migrantmothuk.bsky.social activity were singles of Four-sp Footman, Diamond-back, White-point & R-d Pearl.
#teammoth
Three NFY: Sallow (x2), Green-brindled Crescent & Brown-spot Pinion.
Signs of @migrantmothuk.bsky.social activity were singles of Four-sp Footman, Diamond-back, White-point & R-d Pearl.
#teammoth
September 27, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Very pleased with 60 of 25 in a calm, damp SW Hants last night.
Three NFY: Sallow (x2), Green-brindled Crescent & Brown-spot Pinion.
Signs of @migrantmothuk.bsky.social activity were singles of Four-sp Footman, Diamond-back, White-point & R-d Pearl.
#teammoth
Three NFY: Sallow (x2), Green-brindled Crescent & Brown-spot Pinion.
Signs of @migrantmothuk.bsky.social activity were singles of Four-sp Footman, Diamond-back, White-point & R-d Pearl.
#teammoth
38 of 21 in SW Hants last night, inc Frosted Orange NFY.
Random bits and bobs included late Riband Wave & Metalampra italica, and the first Carcina quercana & Hypsopygia glaucinalis in a few weeks.
Single l-album the only migrant candidate.
#teammoth
Random bits and bobs included late Riband Wave & Metalampra italica, and the first Carcina quercana & Hypsopygia glaucinalis in a few weeks.
Single l-album the only migrant candidate.
#teammoth
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
38 of 21 in SW Hants last night, inc Frosted Orange NFY.
Random bits and bobs included late Riband Wave & Metalampra italica, and the first Carcina quercana & Hypsopygia glaucinalis in a few weeks.
Single l-album the only migrant candidate.
#teammoth
Random bits and bobs included late Riband Wave & Metalampra italica, and the first Carcina quercana & Hypsopygia glaucinalis in a few weeks.
Single l-album the only migrant candidate.
#teammoth
An excellent 98 of 38 in SW Hants last night.
Lunar Underwing (x2) & Cypress Pug were NFY, but star moth was a very late Scarce Silver-lines.
A few @migrantmothuk.bsky.social : 6 Four-sp Footman (1 fem), 6 Rush V, 4 R-d Pearl, 3 L-album, 2 vitrealis, Vestal, Blair's Mocha
#teammoth
Lunar Underwing (x2) & Cypress Pug were NFY, but star moth was a very late Scarce Silver-lines.
A few @migrantmothuk.bsky.social : 6 Four-sp Footman (1 fem), 6 Rush V, 4 R-d Pearl, 3 L-album, 2 vitrealis, Vestal, Blair's Mocha
#teammoth
September 19, 2025 at 7:10 AM
An excellent 98 of 38 in SW Hants last night.
Lunar Underwing (x2) & Cypress Pug were NFY, but star moth was a very late Scarce Silver-lines.
A few @migrantmothuk.bsky.social : 6 Four-sp Footman (1 fem), 6 Rush V, 4 R-d Pearl, 3 L-album, 2 vitrealis, Vestal, Blair's Mocha
#teammoth
Lunar Underwing (x2) & Cypress Pug were NFY, but star moth was a very late Scarce Silver-lines.
A few @migrantmothuk.bsky.social : 6 Four-sp Footman (1 fem), 6 Rush V, 4 R-d Pearl, 3 L-album, 2 vitrealis, Vestal, Blair's Mocha
#teammoth
Given the strength of the wind, 24 of 17 was probably about par in SW Hants last night.
Nothing new, but a little @migrantmothuk.bsky.social activity with L-album Wainscot & my best-marked Vestal of the year, plus potentially also Blair's Mocha & Angle Shades.
#teammoth
Nothing new, but a little @migrantmothuk.bsky.social activity with L-album Wainscot & my best-marked Vestal of the year, plus potentially also Blair's Mocha & Angle Shades.
#teammoth
September 16, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Given the strength of the wind, 24 of 17 was probably about par in SW Hants last night.
Nothing new, but a little @migrantmothuk.bsky.social activity with L-album Wainscot & my best-marked Vestal of the year, plus potentially also Blair's Mocha & Angle Shades.
#teammoth
Nothing new, but a little @migrantmothuk.bsky.social activity with L-album Wainscot & my best-marked Vestal of the year, plus potentially also Blair's Mocha & Angle Shades.
#teammoth
52 of 30 in a showery SW Hants last night.
Two NFY: Pearly Underwing (my first in over a decade) & Orange Swift (first in 3 years).
Also another presumed 2nd gen White Ermine ( @ruthnewby.bsky.social ).
2 Four-sp Footman, 3 Rush V & R-d Pearl the other presumed @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
#teammoth
Two NFY: Pearly Underwing (my first in over a decade) & Orange Swift (first in 3 years).
Also another presumed 2nd gen White Ermine ( @ruthnewby.bsky.social ).
2 Four-sp Footman, 3 Rush V & R-d Pearl the other presumed @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
#teammoth
September 2, 2025 at 6:28 AM
52 of 30 in a showery SW Hants last night.
Two NFY: Pearly Underwing (my first in over a decade) & Orange Swift (first in 3 years).
Also another presumed 2nd gen White Ermine ( @ruthnewby.bsky.social ).
2 Four-sp Footman, 3 Rush V & R-d Pearl the other presumed @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
#teammoth
Two NFY: Pearly Underwing (my first in over a decade) & Orange Swift (first in 3 years).
Also another presumed 2nd gen White Ermine ( @ruthnewby.bsky.social ).
2 Four-sp Footman, 3 Rush V & R-d Pearl the other presumed @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
#teammoth
After four months of respective totals way better than last year, August was the first of the "summer" to show a drop off compared to 2024
August 2024: 2856 from 21 traps
August 2025: 1967 from 17 traps
#teammoth
August 2024: 2856 from 21 traps
August 2025: 1967 from 17 traps
#teammoth
July's year-on-year comparison is easy due to an identical number of trapping nights:
July 2024: 3144 from 20 traps
July 2025: 4814 from 20 traps
August was last year's best mothing so it'll be interesting to see how this month shapes up.
#teammoth
July 2024: 3144 from 20 traps
July 2025: 4814 from 20 traps
August was last year's best mothing so it'll be interesting to see how this month shapes up.
#teammoth
And the comparison for June is equally striking:
June 2024: 1182 individuals from 18 traps
June 2025: 2173 individuals from 15 traps, despite missing some perfect weather mid month.
#teammoth
June 2024: 1182 individuals from 18 traps
June 2025: 2173 individuals from 15 traps, despite missing some perfect weather mid month.
#teammoth
September 1, 2025 at 6:18 AM
After four months of respective totals way better than last year, August was the first of the "summer" to show a drop off compared to 2024
August 2024: 2856 from 21 traps
August 2025: 1967 from 17 traps
#teammoth
August 2024: 2856 from 21 traps
August 2025: 1967 from 17 traps
#teammoth
Predictably quiet in SW Hants last night, just 43 of 22, but with calm nights at a premium right now I thought I should try.
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social interest with 2 Four-sp Footman, Vestal, Palpita vitrealis, 2 R-d Pearl, 3 Angle Shades.
Clepsis consimilana the only surprise.
#teammoth
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social interest with 2 Four-sp Footman, Vestal, Palpita vitrealis, 2 R-d Pearl, 3 Angle Shades.
Clepsis consimilana the only surprise.
#teammoth
August 30, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Predictably quiet in SW Hants last night, just 43 of 22, but with calm nights at a premium right now I thought I should try.
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social interest with 2 Four-sp Footman, Vestal, Palpita vitrealis, 2 R-d Pearl, 3 Angle Shades.
Clepsis consimilana the only surprise.
#teammoth
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social interest with 2 Four-sp Footman, Vestal, Palpita vitrealis, 2 R-d Pearl, 3 Angle Shades.
Clepsis consimilana the only surprise.
#teammoth
96 of 52 in a breezy SW Hants last night.
Anacampsis blattariella NFG (no time for a proper pic).
Centre-barred Sallow & Agriphila latistria (latter lost during a dawn squall) NFY.
Scarce Bordered Straw the pic of a few migrants.
#teammoth
Anacampsis blattariella NFG (no time for a proper pic).
Centre-barred Sallow & Agriphila latistria (latter lost during a dawn squall) NFY.
Scarce Bordered Straw the pic of a few migrants.
#teammoth
August 27, 2025 at 6:36 AM
96 of 52 in a breezy SW Hants last night.
Anacampsis blattariella NFG (no time for a proper pic).
Centre-barred Sallow & Agriphila latistria (latter lost during a dawn squall) NFY.
Scarce Bordered Straw the pic of a few migrants.
#teammoth
Anacampsis blattariella NFG (no time for a proper pic).
Centre-barred Sallow & Agriphila latistria (latter lost during a dawn squall) NFY.
Scarce Bordered Straw the pic of a few migrants.
#teammoth
165 of 62 a nice return in SW Hants last night.
No doubt about the highlight, always nice to turn over an eggbox a find a Clifden! Perched on my shoulder briefly before departing 😃
Argyresthia semifusca, Acrobasis repandana & (unpictured) Catoptria falsella also NFY.
#teammoth
No doubt about the highlight, always nice to turn over an eggbox a find a Clifden! Perched on my shoulder briefly before departing 😃
Argyresthia semifusca, Acrobasis repandana & (unpictured) Catoptria falsella also NFY.
#teammoth
August 26, 2025 at 7:24 AM
165 of 62 a nice return in SW Hants last night.
No doubt about the highlight, always nice to turn over an eggbox a find a Clifden! Perched on my shoulder briefly before departing 😃
Argyresthia semifusca, Acrobasis repandana & (unpictured) Catoptria falsella also NFY.
#teammoth
No doubt about the highlight, always nice to turn over an eggbox a find a Clifden! Perched on my shoulder briefly before departing 😃
Argyresthia semifusca, Acrobasis repandana & (unpictured) Catoptria falsella also NFY.
#teammoth
A nice NFY but a bit of frustration when releasing the moths, with the discovery of this Fox Moth larva.
My release site is only about 150ish metres from home, but it's a species yet to appear (in any shape or form) in the garden.
Maybe next year . . .
#teammoth
My release site is only about 150ish metres from home, but it's a species yet to appear (in any shape or form) in the garden.
Maybe next year . . .
#teammoth
August 25, 2025 at 7:09 AM
A nice NFY but a bit of frustration when releasing the moths, with the discovery of this Fox Moth larva.
My release site is only about 150ish metres from home, but it's a species yet to appear (in any shape or form) in the garden.
Maybe next year . . .
#teammoth
My release site is only about 150ish metres from home, but it's a species yet to appear (in any shape or form) in the garden.
Maybe next year . . .
#teammoth