Geometrids in the rain

Busy the last couple of days and the only things of interest were a Common Tern again on the river by the Cricket Club on Thursday 16th and 2 Speckled Woods in the hedge and ivy near the house late yesterday afternoon. Flora wise added another couple of species, Pignut near the house and Common Orache in the town centre.
Woke up this morning and looked out of the window at the pouring rain. The Mercury Vapour bulb in the trap survived and the temperature overnight stayed 11.2C. I always find it amazing that the broad-winged Geometrid moths do not seem to be hindered by the rain, with some of the best nights for these moths have been when it raining, whereas some other nights that seem very suitable, have lots of moths present but few or even any Geometrids. Still so much to learn.
In the trap last night there were 95 moths of 31 species, with no less than 11 being new for the year - the tiny bronze & white micro moth, Argyresthia brockeella, Common Footman, Green Arches, 

Green Arches - not that common but annual in the garden

Setaceous Hebrew Character, Bright-line Brown-eye, 

Bright-line Brown Eye - as it says on the tin

Mottled Rustic, Fan-foot and 4 Geometrids,  Riband Wave, 

Riband Wave - the first of presumably many this year.
 The majority will be like this, the unbanded form

Barred Yellow, Small Rivulet 

Small Rivulet - the double indentation on the upper part of the white
band distinguishes it from the slightly larger Rivulet. This latter
species is much scarcer in the garden.

and Tawny-barred Angle.

Tawny-barred Angle - in the greenhouse, keeping dry

Also present was another Sallow Kitten, an Elephant Hawkmoth, 4 Mottled Beauties and the start of the build up of Large Yellow Underwing numbers. It was raining quite heavy so I opened the trap in the Greenhouse and moving it anywhere always disturbs them. I lost a few which I may relocate later hiding in the greenhouse, but a good night particularly considering the weather.

OFFH List this year

Flowering plants - 264

Birds - 104

Moths - 134

Butterflies - 15

Dragonflies - 2

Hoverflies - 8

Mammals - 10