Big and Blue

In Bernard Skinner's Colour Identification to Moths of the British Isles (1984) the colour plates depict life-size mounted specimens. Browsing through them as an interested but ignorant reader in the late 1980s, several moths leaped off the page, mainly due to their size and audacious patterning. One eye-catching beast was both very big and partly blue, a rare combination. However, listed as 'Immigrant and transitory resident', I knew my chances of encountering Clifden Nonpareil in the flesh were slim to zero. Still, that striking image has stayed with me, just in case...

Thirty-odd years later, things have changed. Widespread breeding means Clifden Nonpareil is no longer the rarity it once was, and in recent times many moth folk have no doubt been delighted to add this once-mythical moth to their garden list. Including - as of last night - me.

Popping outside around 23.00 I could see a humungous moth clinging to the cabin door. I didn't risk getting any closer until armed with appropriate Tupperware. As expected, the moment it was enclosed there was a big flash of stripy hindwing, but in the dim glow of a 45W actinic lamp I could not detect any colours. So, indoors with it.

And, just wow!

They may be less unobtainable, but boy, no less unbelievable! What a moth!

Clifden Nonpareil. Just a hint of hidden delights.

OOF!!

A precautionary snap taken in the kitchen last night, in case of any disasters this morning. Photography was accompanied by a quietly-breathed undertone of awed superlatives.

How scarce is Clifden Nonpareil locally? The Dorset Living Record map shows just over 30 Bridport area records, almost exactly the same number as for Red Underwing. That was a surprise. Still, in this particular case I cannot see familiarity ever breeding contempt!

Recent mothing has been sporadic and rather quiet, so this beautiful beast was a very unexpected highlight. Just for the record...

 

Monday night, 28th August

37 moths of 20 species. None new for year or garden.

Wednesday night, 30th August

A bit better, with 50 moths of 27 species. One new for year and garden: Clifden Nonpareil.

Last Saturday afternoon I added another new moth to the life-list I don't keep, simply through carrying a few pots in my camera bag...

Blackneck, captured in the species-rich grassland at Cogden. This moth's flight period is listed as June-July, so I imagine that August 26th is an unusually late record.