See below the list of events for the Suffolk Moth Group for 2020. Note that there are still 2 meetings awaiting confirmation. Once this has been obtained then the details will be added to the programme.
SUFFOLK MOTH GROUP MEETINGS PROGRAMME 2020.
Friday 22nd May – Ramsey Wood RSPB reserve (looking for the Mocha and general recording)
Meet beside entrance to wood just off the road at TM062438 at 8.30pm.
Saturday 30th May – Raydon Wood (looking for Mocha and for general recording) Meet in the Car park for the Hadleigh Railway walk at TM060404 at 8.30pm.
We will head off from this car park after a short wait to the wood entrance further down the road.
Friday 19th June - Cavenham heath, Breckland - for Breckland moths.
Meet in reserve car park at TL744721 at 9pm.
We will move off down the main track for recording after a short wait.
Friday 10th July – Captain’s wood Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve (for general recording. Olive crescent was recorded from this wood in 2017, so this meeting is arranged to see if any more turn up)
Meet in the reserve car park on right side of School Road at TM420531 at 9pm. We will move off into the wood after a short wait.
Saturday 1st August – Moth morning at Ipswich Golf Course, Purdis Heath (heathland, grassland and wetland species possible). Joint meeting with the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation.
Meet by the large Ipswich Golf Club sign on the green along Bucklesham Road at TM204425 at 9.30am. We will then walk up the lane to view traps run overnight by Neil Sherman, County moth recorder. Note there is no parking at Ipswich Golf Club, cars to be parked along Bucklesham Road only please.
Friday 14th August – Darsham Marshes Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve (for wetland species)
Meet in the reserve car park at TM420692 at 8pm.
Friday 28th August – ‘Moth Night’ event at Bawdsey Hall – theme underwing moths. More details to follow later in the year.
Friday 4th September – Wolves Wood RSPB reserve (for possible Clifden Nonpareil and general recording. This wood has a large amount of Aspen so the aim of the meeting is to see if Clifden Nonpareil has colonized the wood, so sugar and wine ropes will be used as well as light traps)
Meet in the reserve car park at TM053436 at 7pm.
Friday 12th September – Bradfield Woods Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve (for possible Pale eggar, maybe Clifden Nonpareil and general recording)
Meet in the reserve car park at 7pm. We will move off into the wood after a short wait.
Saturday 10th October – Daytime leaf miner recording day – to be confirmed. Once details are finalized this programme will be updated.
Moth trapping evenings are nice social events and are a really good way to learn more about moths and moth trapping, as well as improving our knowledge of the county’s moths. However, events take place outside in the dark and can run for a few hours until quite late at night (sometimes all night if conditions are really good!) so there are a few things that you will need to bring along so that you have a safe and comfortable evening.
• a torch is essential (don’t forget to check the batteries are not running low)
• warm clothing (even if it is a hot day, it can get chilly after dark)
• suitable footwear (stout walking boots advisable for most meetings, wellies for wet sites)
• something to drink and a snack to eat
• something to sit on as we normally run a sheet light as a base and spend a lot of time close to this
• insect repellent
• eye protection against UV light as the bulbs we use emit a lot of it
• mobile phone (most people have one now anyway!)
Please try to arrive at the advertised time, take care of your own personal safety and listen to the short introductory briefing by myself or another experienced recorder who is running the event about any hazards in the area such as electric cables, slippery paths etc. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian if under 16. If you have any queries before the event please contact myself.
Neil Sherman (moth@sns.org.uk)