Moth trapping and other wildlife encounters .. Dartmoor pt 2

Prior to our trip, I had checked in with the owners of Widecombe Cottage and confirmed that I could bring the 20W actinic Skinner trap. The garden of the cottage being discreet with any night-lights not affecting the nearby cottages.

On arrival we discovered that Becks and Richard had thoughtfully provided an extension lead from the barn, so that I could have mains power without the need to leave the back door of the cottage ajar overnight.

Over the week we ran four moth trap sessions - the first and the last being the most productive of the quartet.

Widecombe Cottage, Lower Venton Farm

The first night's trap, was opened and emptied on the morning of the 1st August. R had joined us for the day - so we emptied the trap together, potted everything we could catch, noted the escapes; before heading out for the day, having left the pots stacked carefully for processing on our return.

Our first day's outing comprised a walk along Dr Blackall's Drive between Aish Tor and Mel Tor (return). The short walk was notable for a male redstart - foraging with stonechat and meadow pipit along the low stone walls near Aish Tor.

However, the best birding was to be the fly-past of osprey and hobby - both occurring within minutes of each other. We had been watching the redstart - when I noticed a large bird head over the brow of Aish Tor - against the light, and with nothing to compare its size too - I momentarily mistook it for a large gull, but as it turned into the wind - it jumped out as an osprey. R was able to get some photographs of it as it headed North West following the valley and the River Dart towards Dartmeet.

Osprey courtesy R.

Moments after the Osprey had gone from sight - the hobby appeared - and it too flew up the valley towards Dartmeet.

As we approached Mel Tor - my memory jogged, and we searched the Tor summit rocks for the natural rock basins caused by the erosion / dissolving action of water and ice on softer granite.

Returning to Aish Tor - we descended the slopes to an area of bracken and bramble criss-crossed with pathways, in the hope of securing a glimpse of high brown fritillary. Unfortunately the weather was against us, overcast and cool - when the sun did briefly appear in a random open sky - at least three fast-flying frits belted past us, but they were way too mobile for a successful identification.

The weather conditions also severely reduced our chances of seeing Eristalis cryptarum - but we checked out the local site just in case of a break, and although unsuccessful - filed the location away for a future Dartmoor trip.

That evening whilst enjoying a couple of pints in the garden of the Rugglestone Inn a peregrine flew over heading south.

Our four moth trap sessions over the week resulted in 151 moths of 47 species, with some being new to A and I - a few of the highlights were as follows: