Craig Rhiwarth would easily be a lifetimes study of Geology, Flora, Fauna and History.
Heavily faulted, with rich mineral deposits and very thin soils has resulted in a landscape, part disturbed by human industrial activity since at least the Iron Age and a locally distinct environment with numerous niche habitat opportunities for uncommon wildlife to establish.
August 2025, the moth group surveyed the base of the southern slopes of the mountain, in the hope of finding Ashworth's Rustic. We had not expected to find Weaver's Wave as well as the former, being the target species.
The Weaver's Wave was identified as 2nd generation and with only one previous record from near Pystll Llanrhaedr, it was decided that we would return to the site in June 2026, the hope being to find some 1st generation.
The weather had been marginal good/ok with a risk of lowering night temperatures as Saturday approached.
Traps were set up along the base of the slope in much the same places as last year, with the addition of two of the new LepiLED traps, purchased with our Local Places for Nature grant funding.
Switch on time was around 9.50pm and a Green Carpet was the first moth caught, with a net.
As people arrived to the event in greater numbers, thankfully, so did the moths, in a steady flow to keep Simon occupied with identification whilst the remainder of the 11 attendees walked up and down the lane and paths, visiting the various traps.
Knotgrass and Bordered White were among the macro's recorded
Knotgrass. SS
along with Grey Pug and Shears.
Grey Pug. PMG
Tortrix viridana and a not so common Teleiopsis diffinis (19th county record) were amongst the five micro species noted.
Teleiopsis diffinis. PMG
Alas, no Weaver's Wave on this occasion. It is the beginning of the flight time for this moth. It is not impossible that they are a little late this year with the disruptive cold spells we have experienced recently. Indeed, it was very chilly where the base was located, with a heavy dew.
However, our cold complex was unexpectedly warmed by the arrival in a pot of a Glowworm (Lampiris noctiluca), spotted by an eagle eyed participant. The strength of the green bioluminescence was most impressive. They have not been recorded at this site before.
By 1.30am, with the chill properly set in, we were down to three people and it was decided that with 7 traps on the go, we should start closing them down.
44 macro and 5 micro species were recorded, the full list will be available HERE in due course.
Many thanks as always to those willing to come out into the night and join the event. Your enthusiasm and keenness to learn about moths does not go unnoticed!
Thanks also to Simon Spencer and Phil McGregor for identifications and Peter Bent for verifications via the facebook page.
We would also like to thank Butterfly Conservation for our insurance cover and Y Senedd and Powys Nature Partnership's Local Place's for Nature grant funding support of the moth group.
Our next public moth group evening event is this coming Saturday, 20th June, starting around 9.50pm at Hafan yr Afon visitor centre in Newtown. This is a new recording site for the group, in the vicinity of Dolerw Park. Further details will be available in another blog post and on the facebook group page very soon.
Many thanks,
Phil & Simon.
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