David first came to Dungeness to work at the Bird Observatory in 1976 and became the Warden in
1989. He started trapping in 1989 and since 1990 has consistantly logged species and numbers
of macro and micro occurring in his light-trap in the vicinity of the Observatory. This is in addition
to his primary job of recording birds in the area. He also records the Dragonflies, Hoverflies and
Flowering plants occurring. To the end of 2006, 460 species of macro and 100 pyrals have been
recorded. The most species seen in one night was 97 macro on 11th August 1997. In 1994, David
recorded 39 species of pyrals on 12th July and 40 species on 13th (in three traps). In 1996 he
caught what turned out to be Pale-shouldered Cloud, which was a new species to Britain.
Also of note:- Dusky Hook-tip (1997), Sub-angled Wave (1996), Cypress Carpet (1999),
Barberry Carpet (1996), Death's-head Hawk-moth (1994), Spurge Hawk-moth (1993), Scarce
Chocolate-tip (1991), Oak Processionary (1992), Gypsy Moth (1994), Scarce Black Arches
(1999), Great Dart (1998), Great Brocade (1996), Pale Shining Brown (1989), Tree-lichen
Beauty (1995), Marbled Grey (1990), Small Marbled (1995), Spiny Bollworm (1999), Golden
Twin-spot (1994), Ni Moth (2000) and Shaded Fan-foot (2000).
And pyrals:- Euchromius ocellea (1995), Loxostege sticticalis (1996,1997,2002), Psammotis
pulveralis (1990,1996,1998), Hymenia recurvalis (1990), Conobathra tumidana (1992,1996,1997
2001) and Mussidia nigrivenella (1994).
David counts the numbers of moths in his trap and from his records it has been possible to extract
the total number of moths seen each year. Of the 110 commonest species in the area, 39 have
shown an increase, 60 have shown a decrease and 11 have remained roughly the same. By
comparison to Barry's trap-site where surrounding habitat has been lost, acreage at Dungeness
remains the same but habitat has changed dramatically. The open shingle areas are being
colonised by grasses and Sallow.
Of the 224 macro species David recorded in 2003, eight were new and the one new pyral species
was also new to the area. Of note:- Dotted Footman, Great Dart, Small Ranunculus, Marsh Mallow
Moth, Eastern Nycteolene and Dewicks Plusia. He also sorted out the first Langmaid's Yellow
Underwing in the area and recorded four at Dungeness. And Pyrals:- Pempeliella diluta.
2004. 4 of the 234 macro and 3 of the 56 pyral species were new. Of note:- Small Scallop,
Scallop Shell and Langmaid's Yellow Underwing. And pyrals:- Conobathra tumidana and
Dioryctria sylvestrella.
2005. 2 of the 245 macro and 1 of the 56 pyral species were new. Of note:- Dusky Peacock (new to
area) and Golden Twin-spot. And pyrals:- Dipleurina lacustrata.
2006. David has had a few lean years recently and has been heard threatening to give up .. his tally
of 266 macros included 10 new species (2 new to the area) and 62 pyrals of which 4 were new. June
saw the start with 2 Eastern Bordered Straw .. Blairs Mocha, Juniper Pug and Scarce Silver Y were
new in August .. Clancy's Rustic, Pale Shoulder, Clifden Nonpareil and The Passenger were new in
September .. Silver-striped Hawk-moth, Beautiful Gothic (new to Kent) and Plumed Fan-foot new
in October .. and for good measure the assistant at the Bird Observatory Simon Davies caught
Crimson Speckled ..hopefully he has changed his mind.
To cap an amazing season, a pyral he caught in September was identified on genitalia by Mark
Parsons as Eccopisa effractella, the second British record.
2007. 2 of the 202 macro species and 1 of the 40 pyrals David recorded were new .. Four-spotted
Footman, Dusky-lemon Sallow and the pyral lancealis. Also of note:- Striped Hawk-moth and Golden
Twin-spot. His site total now stands at 461 macro and 101 pyrals.