Did it attract moths last year? It's not a great time right now for trapping, last the Spring rush, full moon and poor weather conditions so could just be very little is flying

Archinemapogon yildizae emerged today from Birch Polypore collected near Aviemore last month. First time I've recorded this attractive scarce and localised Highland speciality #teammoth @savebutterflies.bsky.social #nature #cairngorm #scotland #wildlife #macro

Phyllonorycter tristrigella emerged from a mine collected last autumn from Strathclyde CP, first time I've reared this species.

Pammene giganteana also from the same site, one to FUN and one to HYL lure proving they are so horny they'll react to just about anything.

Pine Beauty was best from the weekend garden traps, only the 4th ever here. I had enough time to do some focus stacking so this photo is composed of 35 separate images, really allows you to see the detail of this pretty species.

Orange Underwing at Dun Moss was only the second VC85 record (this is an archive photo as the individual on Saturday was typically sailing along high above the ground).

Slow going on the moth front still but a few bits and pieces from the weekend. Weather for the week ahead does not look helpful. #teammoth #nature #fife #scotland @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts #wildlife @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Hands down the best WBD photo I've seen this winter!

Yeah they looped around and then headed WNW. Someone picked up a similar count on a nearby WeBS a day later which may have been the same birds

Beautiful early Spring morning, these Whooper Swans flying over Aberdour thinking about journeying north soon #birds #birding #nature #birdingscotland @fifebirdnews.bsky.social #birdsseenin2026 #fife

Last shots from Saturday previous, first time to see the obliging Penicuik Water Rail plus the Barns Ness Firecrest #birds #birding #birdingscotland #birdinglothian #nature #birdguides #birdsseenin2026

Continuing a theme, also some superb Great Crested Grebe action from Broadwood Loch on Saturday, albeit a little distant for photos #birds #birding #BirdsSeenin2026 #ScottishBirding #birdguides #nature #Scotland

I'm from the West Country originally, I remember it as a regular winter visitor at certain sites but no longer. Never views like this though.

My best ever encounter with a Smew at Broadwood Loch on Saturday #birds #nature #birdguides #BirdsSeenin2026 #birding #birdingscotland

Quality Goldeneye action from Broadwood Loch on Saturday #birds #nature #BirdsSeenin2026 #birding #birdguides #BirdingScotland

The long-staying Slavonian Grebes on Linlithgow Loch provided extraordinary views on Saturday, doubt I'll ever get this close to this species again. One appears to be showing first signs of moult into summer plumage, hopefully they will stick around for a few more weeks @rarebirder.bsky.social

Stejneger's Scoter and partially leucistic Velvet Scoter showed well at East Wemyss, Fife yesterday, but distance still on the limits of a DSLR set up, plus being too lazy to carry the camera initially I missed the best light.

Phyllonorycter anderidae is a seldom recorded species, these were the first moths to emerge from various leaf mines collected last autumn. Mines were on seedling birch on lowland bog in Fife, it's a new species for the vice-county and also new for me.

Hmm, I wonder what the markup is now?! In all seriousness though I'll probably be holding on to them for a while excepting close friends but probably one day some will be sold

I bought a lot of clear ones from the US on eBay a few years ago, work a treat and as they're clear probably even better than the traditional frosted ones. I probably overbought and have way more than a lifetimes supply at current burn rate

Not curvipunctosa for me, it's too worn to be sure but scopariella would be my first thought

Just in case there aren't enough photos of White-billed Diver doing the rounds, third time lucky this morning and one came in close at Inverkeithing.

Acleris bergmanniana, 2nd garden record

Mompha ochraceella, 4th garden record and first since 2022

Phyllonorycter viminiella, 4th garden record

Elachista luticomella, NFG but one I have been expecting as I've recorded it locally elsewhere

The recent heatwave was somewhat briefly felt in Fife with just two good nights for trapping. 29th June was marginally the pick with exactly 600 moths recorded of 144 species in my Burntisland garden. Among these were two NFG, one anticipated, the other not so, and a further 16 NFY. 2/2 #teammoth

Epiblema costipunctana, 2nd garden record

Adaina microdacytla, 2nd garden and VC85 record, the other was in 2018

Tineola bisselliella, 2nd garden record

Aleimma loeflingiana, NFG and 2nd VC85 record, a real surprise as oak feeders are scarce in my garden and this species seems to be genuinely rare in VC85 in general

The recent heatwave was somewhat briefly felt in Fife with just two good nights for trapping. 29th June was marginally the pick with exactly 600 moths recorded of 144 species in my Burntisland garden. Among these were two NFG, one anticipated, the other not so, and a further 16 NFY. 1/2 #teammoth

Sallow Kitten, 4th garden record, 2nd this year

Eucosma campolilana, already a record year for this attractive species here

Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella, 9th garden record and 3rd this year

Toadflax Pug, 3rd garden record and by far the earliest, highlight of the catch

27th June in my Burntisland garden was very warm overnight but quite windy consequently numbers and diversity were lower with 376 moths of 103 species recorded. A few highlights among the pics #teammoth

Plenty of practice working out when it's worth it and when it's better to sleep.

Garden only VC85. June 2025
Moths recorded 3,370
Trap nights 8
NFYs 136
NFGs 3
Lifers 0

Year to date
Moths 6,814
Trap nights 27
NFYs 353
NFGs 11
Lifers 0 (1 elsewhere)

Gothic, just 6th garden record and first since 2022. Box fresh too and the best I've ever seen.

Elachista subocellea, second garden record and there were two this time. These are the only three ever recorded in VC85.

Euspilapteryx auroguttella, only 2nd garden record, came to Cacoecimorpha pronubana pheromone lure

25/06 was another busy night in Burntisland with 492 of 117 species although sadly none of the more interesting migrants down south still not made there way to me yet. 16 NFY including a couple of garden scarcities. Garden year list now 317, one short of a record for the end of June #teammoth

Northern Spinach, 7th garden record

Eupoecilia angustana, only 2nd garden record, the other in 2018. Odd because it's common enough nearby.

Mompha lacteella, 5th garden record, the other four were all in 2020

Etainia decentella, 8th garden record (of 11 individuals)

21/06 Burntisland 676/144. Unfortunately no NFG's which I hope for on big nights but they are becoming increasingly difficult. Several scarce species arrived and there were 43 NFY's! Annual garden total is 301 species now, I've only previously passed 300 once before the end of June 2/2 #teammoth

Shark, 10th garden record

Magpie Moth, 7th garden record and 3rd this year (best ever year)

Isotrias rectifasciana, 3rd garden record, one in each of the last three years so hopefully now establishing locally

Gillmeria pallidactyla, 7th garden record

21/06 Burntisland 676/144. Unfortunately no NFG's which I hope for on big nights but they are becoming increasingly difficult. Several scarce species arrived and there were 43 NFY's! Annual garden total is 301 species now, I've only previously passed 300 once before the end of June 1/2 #teammoth

Phiaris schulziana, not only new for VC85 but one of my favourite micros

Sallow Kitten, only 3rd garden record

Pale Prominent NFG

Alder Moth NFG

30/05 Burntisland 306/94. 3 NFG in one night, two were expected but P schulziana was also new for VC85. 49th new for VC85 I've recorded from our garden in 7 years. Further 11 NFY and garden year list moved to 217, by far highest ever for the time of year. The total garden list moves to 653 #teammoth

I run 2x clear MV125W Robinson, a LepiLED with a homemade trap and the fourth if I bother is a 2x 30W actinic Robinson

That was three, max I run in the garden is four. It's definitely worth putting different types of lights out in even a small garden, as you say it definitely increases the diversity of the catch.

Barred Straw, very early date, a month early and very few Scottish records in May

Bordered Sallow, 9th garden record

Peach Blossom, 9th garden record

Common Wainscot, very early, only one or two previous Scottish records in May, typically a Jul/Aug species here

28th May Burntisland 241 of 71. Rare mild and calm night but with rain second half. 25 NFY moves garden year list to 172. Quite a few interesting records, and some more very early dates. Confirms there are lots of moths about, but good trapping conditions are infrequent. 2/2 - macros #teammoth