Wyke Farm autumn mothing weekend October 10th to 11th 2026

15 of us had a wonderful 24 hours mothing and enjoying the autumn atmosphere at Wyke Farm. We had not trapped at Wyke at this time of year before and managed to record 31 new species for the site. This brings the total for the site to a phenomenal 761 species which is remarkable out of a UK list of 2500 or so….

Clifden Nonpareil (photo: Tim Norriss)  5 were trapped

The total included five of perhaps the most stunning of the UK species, the enormous Clifden Nonpareil, or Blue Underwing. The larvae of this have traditionally been described as feeding on Aspen but it seems that they may have started to use other species of Poplars which has enabled this lovely moth to extend its range considerably.

Merveille du jour (photo: Tim Norriss)

Some of the photos from the weekend are in an album on the EuCAN Flickr site – here https://www.flickr.com/photos/20427639@N06/albums/72177720336106700/

The Herald  (photo: Tim Norriss)