Saturday was our first moth and bat night of the summer, the weather was ideal with warm and sunny days and an overcast night hiding the moonlight. Our first moths began arriving around nine thirty, and they were all common swifts.

Common swift Wat Tyler Jane Everitt

As the night became increasingly darker more and more moths were attracted to our lights, brimstones, light emeralds, shoulder-striped wainscots and many more. Our bat detectors picked up the sounds of two or three pipistrelle bats, as they hunted along the hedgerows, but remained invisible in the pitch black night. This really is a fun event and for the children who came along with their parents, it is both exciting and new, and of course a chance to stay up late!

A light trap was left out overnight, and attracted many more moths including the fox moth and this poplar hawk-moth below, taken by Jane Everitt.

Poplar hawkmoth Wat Tyler Jane Everitt

The next moth night is on Friday 2 July starting at 10 pm. If you would like to book a place call 01268 498620 and I'll see yoy there.