Newsletter no. 5 Spring/Summer 2001Edited by Colin W. Plant, Herts Moth Recorder14 West Road, Bishops Stortford, CM23 3QP tel/fax: 01279 507697 E-mail: colinwplant@netscapeonline.co.uk
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WELCOME TO THE HERTS MOTH GROUPThe production of this newsletter has been somewhat delayed for a variety of reasons. The main one was, of course, Foot & Mouth disease, which resulted in the closure of all footpaths and common land in the county. Unfortunately, in spite of contrary messages from certain politicians in advance of a general election, much of the county is STILL closed now, in mid-May. As far as we are concerned, this has meant that I have been unable to arrange a full programme of field trips – and even now some remain to be confirmed. The programme so far, is included in this newsletter.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Report on the winter meeting - 10th February 2001In spite of my worries that nobody would turn up, the indoor meeting seems to have been a success. We had two excellent talks (from David Wilson and Paul Waring) and plenty of opportunity for informal chat and discussion. We were pleased to welcome members of the Essex and Suffolk Moth Groups too. Jim Reid set to work identifying everyone’s pug specimens (I have problems with perfect, set specimens – I have no idea how Jim does it from crumpled examples in matchboxes, but somehow he does!). There were plenty of exhibits, most of which were correctly labelled (yes - my 5-spot Burnet was indeed a 6-spot, sorry!) and these generated useful discussion.It is appropriate to mention that the cost of the room and the speakers’ travel expenses (£130 in total) was met in full by the Herts Natural History Society, who are responsible for my appointment as County Recorder! We look forward to next winter (or do we simply wonder when this one will end?).
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .National Moth Night 2001 is on Saturday 11th AugustNothing formal has been arranged yet. The target species is the nationally scarce White-spotted Pinion (Cosmia diffinis), which is an elm-feeder as a caterpillar. Rather than have one central event you are encouraged, this year, to seek out places in Hertfordshire where there are elm trees and to arrange to run lights there on August to see if the moth is present. The more sites covered the better. Please tell me if you have organised a trip and want it publicising.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Latest newsFilling in this section is a bit hard at the moment. There was a sort of false start in March, but April saw a return to “winter numbers”. Several members contacted me, most concerned, to learn what they were doing wrong, and were relieved to discover that I too was only getting an average of 4 moths per night at the start of May. In spite of this there were some good moths, withseveral people turning up Pale Pinion (Lithophane hepatica) in their gardens. The reasons for the excessively poor year so far are obscure but, nevertheless, from an ecological point of view it is important that records are maintained for future analysis. Don’t give up – record what you are getting for future use!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PROGRAMME 2001This revised programme has been seriously delayed by continuing uncertainty over foot & mouth disease. It is not entirely complete, but I must now get it out to you all before I go abroad at the end of May. See next page for details of where to meet. Meeting marked “PROVISIONAL” may not go ahead and it is ESSENTIAL to phone Colin before attending this (01279-507697 – home; 07770-766416 – mobile). Meetings marked “*” are specifically to look for the Heart Moth (Dicycla oo)Sat. 16 Jun: Woodland at Hexton. Assemble 8 – 8.30 pm (sunset 9.20 pm) Sat. 23 Jun: Hillfield Reservoir. Assemble 8 pm to 8.30 pm. Behind locked gates – don’t be late. Sat. 30 Jun: Ashridge — Aldbury Common. Assemble 8 pm onwards – no problem if late. Sunset 9.20 pm. This meeting is subject to Foot and Mouth restrictions being lifted. Sun. 1 Jul:< *Mill Hill Golf Course. numbers limited – contact Colin Mon. 2 Jul: *St. Edmunds College, Puckeridge. Assemble 8.30 – 9 pm. Tue. 3 Jul: *Casiobury Park Golf Course, Watford. Assemble 8 – 8.30 pm. Thu. 5 Jul: *Scratch Wood LNR (west) (Middlesex – not Herts). assemble 8 – 8.30 pm. Fri. 6 Jul: *Balls Park, Hertford – assemble 8 – 8.30 pm Sat. 7 Jul: Whippendell Woods, Watford Tue. 10 Jul: *Mill Hill Golf Course. Numbers limited – contact Colin Wed. 11 Jul: *Casiobury Park Golf Course, Watford. Assemble 8.00 to 8.30 pm. Thu. 12 Jul: Brocket Hall Golf Course. Assemble 8.00 to 8.30 pm. (locked gates – don’ be late). Sat. 14 Jul: Church Hill, Therfield Heath. Assemble 8.00 to 8.30 pm (sunset 9.10 pm). – assemble 8.00 to 8.30 pm Sat 21 Jul: Hexton Chalk Pit. Assemble 8.00 to 8.30 pm (Sunset 9 pm). Sat. 28 Jul: Birchanger Wood, Bishops Stortford. Assemble 8.00 to 8.30 pm (sunset 8.50 pm) Sat. 4 Aug<: Ashridge — Aldbury Common. Assemble 8.00 to 8.30 pm (This meeting subject to Foot and Mouth restrictions being lifted). Sat. 11 Aug: National Moth Night – target species White-spotted Pinion – site to be arranged. Sat.18 Aug Hexton Chalk Pit (targets: Royal Mantle and Chalk Carpet) – assemble 8.00 to 8.30 pm. (sunset 8.15 pm). Sat. 25 Aug: Bramfield Wood PROVISIONAL Sat. 1 Sep: Church Hill, Therfield Heath – 7 – 7.30 pm (sunset 7.40 pm). Sat. 8 Sep: Ashridge — Aldbury Common – assemble 6.30 pm onwards (sunset 7.30pm). This meeting subject to Foot and Mouth restrictions being lifted. Sat. 15 Sep: Pryor’s Wood, Stevenage. HMWT Stevenage Group and Butterfly Conservation joint meeting – leaders Andrew Wood and Andy Holtham. Meet at reserve entrance in Gresley Way at 7 pm.
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