Every Wednesday, a group of volunteers meets at Kenfig Nature Reserve to carry out recording of the many species of insects to be found on the Reserve. The day starts with examination of the moth trap, which has been left overnight to trap night-flying moths. The trap has a light to attract moths, which fly into a funnel from which they cannot escape. The moths are not harmed, and they are released once they have been recorded.
Back at the centre, the moths are counted and identified. As many as 600 moths may be caught in a single night when conditions are right, and over 60 different species may be recorded, including some rarities.
The photos shows volunteers Mary, Adam, Jasper and Seren, counting and identifying the moths, as well as some of the moths and butterflies found on the Reserve
Several times a year, butterfly ‘transects’ are carried out, where a defined route is walked and the numbers of butterflies seen is recorded.
Mary says that the warm dry weather this summer has led to increases in most of the species of moths and butterflies on the Reserve, particularly the diminutive Small Blue butterfly.
If you would like to get involved in this, please contact the warden on 07483 393944.
