Roger Beckett, our local moth expert, very kindly agreed to set up a moth trapping site for us at Biss Meadows on the evening of 29 July, prior to our Nature Discovery Day on 30 July. We all assembled at 9pm, at the spot Roger chose, behind Tesco by the path leading from Cheviot Way on the 'wild side' of Biss Meadows Country Park.

Initially several micro moths appeared, as well as many stoneflies, crane flies, other nocturnal bugs...and curious snails!! We sat patiently waiting for our moth visitors and were rewarded half-way in to the session with an amazing entrance of a swallowtail moth.....even three local youths who stopped to question our actions were suitably impressed! Amongst approximately 40 species - as well as our star find - we spotted a stunning Ruby Tiger moth; an incredibly well camouflaged Coronet moth;, several Rustic moths and and several moths ....with probably the longest names ever.... the Broad-Bordered Yellow Underwings! By midnight we were all turning in to pumpkins so decided to call it a night, but Roger kept a selection of our best finds to bring to the Discovery Day the following day.

Thank you very much indeed Roger - it inspired us all - and we loved the suggestion to include a moth trapping event to our own evening summer barbecues! We will definitely arrange another similar event at Biss Meadows in the future - to see if we can entice any elephant hawkmoths in to our lair! (text by Alshley Wicks).

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Also see our Moth page in the Nature section.