Small Brown Moth Id Help...

[Chipchopper]

I'v seen these tiny moths, increasing over the last week or so, while out walking the dog in the early morning sun.
they're not much bigger than a greenfly and seem to just flutter around aimlessly and about 6ft off the ground.

I've rejected the 'horse chestnut moth' as there are very few of those trees in the woods near me, but there is a lot of sweet chestnut, not in leaf yet but plenty of brown leaves on the ground from last year.

I don't want to exterminate them or anything, as the may be good food for young birds at this time of year, I'm just curious about them.

T I A Chip.

[melv16]

Given your description I don't think they're moths. Don't think there are any moths of that size. Btw, there's about a thousand moth species in the UK.

[Chipchopper]

Thanks Melv,

I'm pretty sure its a moth, maybe my greenfly comparison wasn't a good one.
I've just done some google searches and the 'mottled umber' comes close, but some sites imply it would be too early in the year to see this one around flying.
The trees in the woods are mostly broad leaved, oak, hornbeam, hazel, sweet chest nuts, which could, I assume may possible food plants.
I'll let you know if I can manage to nail it.

[melv16]

I've looked at my limited field guide and the family Stigmellidae seems to match your description. They are commonly called pygmy moths.

[plowter]

There are hundreds of moth species in the UK and most are totsy.

Try Butterfly Conservation society
http://butterfly-conservation.org/51/identify-a-day-flying-moth.html

or

UK moths
http://ukmoths.org.uk/thumbnail.php

If you know what it looks like you should be able to narrow it down.

Post a photo and the ABers will find it.

[Chipchopper]

I'm pretty sure its one of the leaf miner moths, so I think you are on the right track, Melv.
I have an idea its Stigmella anomalella, thats the one that uses dog rose as its food plant, theirs a lot of that around here, so I'll check the leaves in the morning.
Thanks again.