Although things have been quiet for a while, a trapping session on the 4th produced a catch of 101 moths, including new species for the year in Tawny Pinion, Grey Shoulder-knot, a pristine Red-green Carpet, Small Quaker and an Engrailed, while the micro Diurnea fagella, while by no means rare, was the first to have been caught at the Bay. To put it into perspective, three more were trapped on the 4th, along with firsts for the year in Pine Beauty and Early Thorn. With numbers much higher than at the same time last year, 161 moths were trapped overnight on the 6th, including the leaf-roller Caloptilia falconipennella, which feeds on alder and is very rare in Kent, though probably overlooked to some extent. Other moths included only the seventh Shoulder-stripeto have been recorded at the Bay (photo on the right by Ian Hodgson), a Herald, a Powdered Quaker and totals of 58 Hebrew Characters and 37 Common Quakers. The year's first Angle Shades was caught on the 7th, but in cold NE winds activity became very subdued, though an Emperor and a Mullein were trapped on the 18th. A few Oblique Striped were on the wing on the 23rd, a Shuttle-shaped Dart was trapped on the 24th and after a Latticed Heath was seen on the wing on the 25th small numbers at light overnight included Swallow Prominent and a Nut-tree Tussock; only the sixth to have been recorded at the Bay and the first since 2002. Four new species for the year occurred overnight on the 26th – Double-striped Pug, Muslin, Clouded Border and Flame Shoulder – while 2 more female Emperors were trapped, bringing the total for the year so far to 6, suggesting that this species is increasing locally, and 2 Scorched Carpet were attracted to light on the 27th.

After so many nights with miserable numbers, a trapping session on a warm, humid 28th proved to be very productive. Although the total of 92 was not particularly outstanding, an excellent variety included first records for the year of Pebble Prominent, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Pebble Hook-tip (unrecorded in spring last year), Chocolate-tip, Pale Mottled Willow, Reed Dagger, Common Wave and 2 Streamers, a species recorded only once before at the Bay. Last, but by no means least, the smart black and white micro Ethmia bipunctella was also recorded, a Brimstone was seen by day on the 29th.and 2 migrant Diamond-back Moths were trapped overnight. The month concluded with the capture of Brown Silver-line, Cabbage and Red Twin-spot Carpet, bringing the total of macros recorded this year so far to a very respectable 51; well ahead of the total of 38 at the same time last year.