Summer Moths - Sunday, July 1
Sun, 01/07/2018 - 9:00am - 3:00pm
Elephant Hawkmoth by Kevin Sawford
Event details
Sun, 01/07/2018 - 9:00am - 3:00pm
Come and be amazed by the variety of beautiful moths that can be found at Foxburrow Farm in summer!
Moths are vital links in the web of life and come in many shapes and forms. Some species are surprisingly large and others almost too small to notice; some are wonderfully coloured and patterned, while others are dull and cryptic or cleverly camouflaged. Most moths are nocturnal, but there are some entirely daytime species on the wing at the same times as butterflies. Adult moths emerge in waves throughout the year, so there are different species found flying from month to month and season to season.
Led by local moth enthusiast and wildlife trainer Edward Jackson, this day course is designed for anyone with an interest in learning more about moths. It will show you how to identify the larger ‘macro-moths’ and understand their life cycles.
The evening before, Edward will set a series of live moth traps in different habitats in the grounds of the Reserve. These use several types of light source to attract and catch a sample of the moths on the wing through the night. The overnight weather will to a large extent determine the nature of the catch, both in terms of species diversity and numbers, so we have to keep our fingers crossed for the right conditions!
Nocturnal moths will be in resting mode during the daylight hours, so this makes them much easier to look at during the day. At the start of the course we will visit the traps and bring the catches back to the Centre so we can work with them. Most of the day will then be spent helping you to identify the moths to family and species, but Edward will also give short talks on various aspects of moth natural history and identification.
Later that evening the moths will be released back into the environment so they can continue as before. As adults, moths can be on the wing for days or even weeks, so we will only be causing a brief intervention in their life cycles.
Identification Guides
There will be a range of books on moth identification available for you to use and look at. However, if you have any of the following ID guides, please bring them with you:
• Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland, by Waring Townsend and Lewington (Bloomsbury, 2017). This is the most up to date and comprehensive Third Edition, but the earlier Second or even First editions will still be useful if you have a copy.
AND/OR
• Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland, also by Waring, Townsend and Lewington (British Wildlife Publishing, 2007).
If you will be bringing your own ID Guide(s), can you let us know by emailing: wildlearning@suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Please can you do this at least a week beforehand to allow us time to arrange sufficient ID Guides for everyone on the course.
Please also bring the following with you:
• Notebook and pencils/pens
• Small daysack
• Camera or Smartphone (for taking personal record shots)
• Waterproofs (just in case!)
• Outdoor shoes or walking boots or even wellies if it’s been very wet
• Packed lunch
• Water bottle and/or thermos flask
• Hat, sunscreen, etc - as appropriate for the weather forecast
Tea, coffee & biscuits will be provided throughout the day and are included in the cost of the course.
When booking please ensure your email/contact address is correct as it will be used to send event joining instructions. If you do not receive these instructions after booking, please contact: wildlearning@suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Venue location
Foxburrow Farm, Melton, Woodbridge,
Suffolk,
IP12 1NA