Severn Farm Pond nature reserve, Welshpool . 21/06/2024

A moth survey was held last Friday night at the reserve by myself, in conjunction with the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust Wild Skills Wild Spaces (WSWS) group, headed by Frances Louise and Nik Cain.

As far as I am aware, it is the first time a significant moth survey has been staged at this reserve.  

Common Emerald. PMcG

Probably more than twenty years ago, I first visited this MWT reserve and it was a sorry sight with an unpleasant industrial waste pipe draining into the site and lots of signs of anti-social behaviour. I had a spare moment last year, waiting for tyres to be fitted on my car so I took the chance to re-visit the site. I must say I was blown away by the transformation thanks to the persistent efforts of the mid-week group and latterly the WSWS group. A rich wetland mix with plenty of scrub, sallow, open water and a fabulous events shelter.

Severn Farm Pond nature reserve. Nationaltrails.co.uk

I quickly realised that a moth survey had to be done and it made complete sense to run it as an event with WSWS.

Being the middle of the year it was always going to be a late switch on. By the time I had set up and the inevitable rain was easing it was around 10pm. The group had arrived, some keen volunteers from Newtown and Welshpool areas. At least it was calm and overcast!

After an ad hoc briefing about moths and types of moth trap, the group set about collecting while Frances helped me with the listing of species as potted moths were brought to the table and identified.

Barred Yellow. PMcG

It was another of those steady trickle sort of nights with Udea olivalis to the table first. Then much excitement as a fresh Swallow-tailed Moth was brought in.  Much to their credit and perseverance it was after midnight when the WSWS group needed to depart. I stayed on until 2.45am, slowly winding down (drying) the traps.

Crowd pleasers included the Swallow-tailed Moth, Common Emerald and Barred Yellow while Epagoge grotiana and Clepsis spectrana added interest. Most abundant moth of the night by far was Archips xylosteana.

Epagoge grotiana. PMcG.

A total of 33 species were recorded. 23 Macro and 10 Micro's. Not a bad total as the temperature was at best only 10 Celsius.

Burnished Brass. PMcG.

It was a really enjoyable night and we hope to hold another survey in the autumn.

Thanks go to WSWS volunteers and staff for their time and help with the survey, to Montgomeryshire Moth Group for the loan of table top identification equipment and Peter Williams, Vice County Moth Recorder for help with id verifications.

Traps used:

1 x 125w MV white sheet.

1 x 125w MV Skinner's.

3 x 15w green synergetic Skinner's.

Phil.