Forest of Dean Wildlife Tours

15/10/2024

These were hard earned after a truly abysmal night sleep, and off to work in a few minutes.

However... Green Brindled Crescent, Delicate, Black Rustic and Beaded Chestnut bring the year total for garden moth species past 300 🎉👌 The aim was pretty tough given that all butterflies and moths are having such a hard time this year.
Consistency and more than a few ridiculous early starts, counts after nightshifts and staying up with the trap has proved successful 😊

29/08/2024

Well.... that's fancy isn't it? Gold Spot. Not uncommon but always an absolute winner to hook people into moth addiction 🤣

10/07/2024

Double trap setup last night. Both 13w actinic, 1 bucket 1 skinner. One in woodland the other in the garden.
Some really great variety. It cheers me up after a nightshift at work before I head to bed!
Highlights of Yellow Tailed, Lesser Yellow Underwing (before the hoards of LYU), Scalloped Oak, Small Yellow Wave, Grey Dagger, The Sycamore and Pebble Hook-Tip, amongst stacks of Bird-cherry Ermine (about 35)

02/07/2024

Decent haul of 52 moths last night.

Today:
- A Scarlet Tiger posed for a studio shot
- A Spectacle proved why it deserves its name
- I added a Mercury Vapour setup to my Skinner trap so I could detach my retinas at 20 paces
First test of the MV tonight

27/06/2024

So much easier to take photos when you don't have a wriggly 1yo in the sling at the same time 🤣
This photo sums up one the main reasons I got into moth trapping. Just look at it! So much colour.
Moths are so underrated! Over 150 species so far this year, hopefully with many more to come yet.

30/05/2024

Wanted to increase retention in the skinner trap but didn't want to mess with it being portable. It's a bit Heath Robinson in construction the added baffles and glued on mini hinges should work well. Test tonight!

28/05/2024

Do you want to see our biggest birds of prey flying up and down the Severn Estuary?
There's a reintroduction project in the pipeline!
Learn more about it by popping into Lydney Community Centre on Sat 8th of June between 1pm and 430pm
What an amazing addition to an already wildlife rich area!

https://www.facebook.com/share/RKQ2DCxnFNPiUke1/

Eagle Reintroduction Wales (ERW) a conservation programme to restore native-lost eagles to Wales.

15/05/2024

Pretty Mothy last night.
Poplar Hawk, Ruby Tiger, Purple Bar, Oak Hook-Tip and Silver Y in amongst the catch.

26/04/2024

Some brilliant morning tours recently! Fantastic views of Tree Pipit, Whitethroat, Redstart amongst plenty of other species.
Spaces still available for morning, half day and nightjar tours in May.
Get in touch via Instagram, Facebook or email to book a tour for yourself and enjoy rhe wildlife of the forest

19/04/2024

I know what you're thinking. He's over-egged that a bit hasn't he?
I'm taking no chances. Who wins? Budget bucket trap or shop bought skinner trap? Place your bets!

11/04/2024

2 moth traps out tonight. The reliable and now much more portable bucket trap out in the wood, as part of a bigger invertebrate survey. Then the new skinner trap out in te garden.
Fingers crossed for a decent catch!

08/04/2024

Cuckoo Flower - comes into bloom at approximately the same time as Cuckoos start to sing. Keep your ears on high alert!
We have availability throughout April and May for early morning and half day wildlife tours. Get in touch and discover the amazing bird, mammal and floral life of the Forest of Dean for yourselves!