Keith came to Dungeness in 1971 as the Assistant Warden at the Bird Observatory, leaving in 1974
and settling in the area. Started trapping in his back garden in 1991. The house is on the southern
fringe of Lydd, overlooking open fields to the RSPB Reserve and Dungeness beyond. To the end
of 2006 the total number of species recorded stands at 445 macro and 106 species of pyral. The
highest number of species recorded in one night is 82 macro on 20th July 2004 and 31 pyral on
20th July 2004.
Of note:- Dusky Hook-tip (2002), Sub-angled Wave (1996), Three-humped Prominent (2002),
Hoary Footman (2001,2002), Scarce Black Arches (1999), Great Brocade (1992,1996), Pale
Shining Brown (1997), Flame Brocade (1997), Tree-lichen Beauty (1996), Marbled Grey (1991),
Marsh Mallow Moth (2000), Ni Moth (2000,2002) and Scarce Silver Y (1997).
And pyrals:- Euchromius ocellea (2001), Acigona cicatricella (2000), Catoptria verellus (2001),
Evergestis limbata (1999,2001), Hellula undalis (95), Loxostege sticticalis (2001), Conobathra
tumidana (1996,1999,2001). Also Vitula biviella which was a species new to Britain in 1997 and
now breeds locally.
The 288 macro species recorded in 2003 included six new species and one of the 75 pyral species
was new. Of note:- Langmaid's Yellow Underwing (3), Splendid Brocade (one of several, new to
Britain, recorded along the south coast in 2003) and Cosmopolitan. And pyrals:- Ancylolomia
tentaculella and Vitula biviella.
Also a Nycteolene caught in 1993 was retrospectively identified at the British Museum as Eastern
Nycteolene, to-date the first British record.
2004. 8 of the 301 macros and 3 of the 78 pyrals were new. Of note:- Autumnal Moth, Rivulet,
Jersey Tiger, Langmaid's Yellow Underwing, Small Ranunculus, Flame Wainscot, Tree-lichen
Beauty, Golden Twin-spot and Cypress Carpet. And pyrals:- Nymphula stagnata, Vitula
biviella and Diasemiopsis ramburialis.
2005. 9 of the 297 macros and 1 of the 75 pyrals were new. Of note:- Blair's Mocha, Brown
Scallop (new to area), Golden-rod Pug, Bordered White, Scarce Chocolate-tip (2), Blossom
Underwing, Tree-lichen Beauty, Orache Moth, Marsh Mallow Moth and Dewick's Plusia. And
pyrals:- Dipleurina lacustrata.
2006. 6 of the 318 macros and 1 of the 80 pyrals were new. Of note:- Grass Rivulet, Ochreous
Pug, Small Brindled Beauty, Red-necked and Four-spotted Footman, Great Brocade, Cosmopolitan,
Dewick's Plusia, Scarce Silver Y and Plumed Fan-foot. And pyrals:- Pempelia obductella and
Apomyelois bistriatella.