Level
Shared
occupancy cost
Days
FM I 10 - 12 July Fri - Sun £250 £230 £179
Centre
Date
Sole occupancy Non-Residential
cost
cost
Identifying Moths and Butterflies
The location of many of John
Constable’s paintings, Flatford Mill
runs over 120 Natural History and
Arts courses in a unique and
tranquil learning environment.
Course Overview
A weekend introducing the identification and natural history of one of the most
attractive insect groups, using only live trapping techniques. Working through the
moth catches in the mornings will be followed by butterfly identification in the
afternoons. Local species include pine and privet hawk moths and white admiral
and purple hairstreak butterflies. *MMU
Course Description
This weekend course on moths and butterflies will be an opportunity to find out
about the diversity, life cycles, behaviour and conservation needs of these
fascinating and attractive insects. Although suitable for complete beginners, those
with some knowledge of moths and butterflies who wish to brush up on their
identification skills should also find the course of benefit. During the weekend,
there will be illustrated talks on both moths and butterflies and hints will be given
on how you can encourage these insects into your garden.
Weather permitting; there will be field excursions to local wildlife sites to observe
day-flying moths and butterflies in their natural habitats. Various techniques for
the sampling of moths will be explored and a mercury vapour light will be used
each evening to attract some of the night-flying moths that live in the wetlands,
grasslands and woodlands surrounding the Centre. We will examine and identify
the moths we trap, after which they will be released unharmed. NB. Only the
larger or “macro” moths will be dealt with in this course.
Tel: 01206 297110 E-mail: enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org
Fax: 01206 298892
Friday evening - An illustrated talk on the biology and life-cycle of moths, followed
by "sugaring" some of the riverside trees to attract various moths.
Saturday - Emptying the MV trap that was run overnight on Valley Farm
lawn, followed by a morning in the lab learning to identify the families and species
of moths that we caught in the trap. In the afternoon, a trip to the delightful Stour
Wood RSPB Reserve to look for butterflies (including White Admiral, Purple
Hairstreak and Silver-washed Fritillary) and day-flying moths.
Identifying Moths and Butterflies
The proposed programme for the weekend is as follows:
Sunday evening - An illustrated talk on the biology and life-cycle of butterflies,
followed by more moth-trapping.
Sunday - Emptying the moth trap again, followed by another session in the lab
working through our finds (or an ID test for students doing the accreditation). In
the afternoon, a walk in the vicinity of the Centre and surrounding fields to look
for more butterflies (including browns and skippers) and day-flying moths.
Accreditation
*MMU = This is one of a series of courses run jointly with Manchester
Metropolitan University. There is assessment of the course through, for example,
identification tests, producing survey reports or field journals, working through
keys and other various pieces of work. Credits from these assessments contribute
towards the University Certificate in Biological Recording and Species
Identification. To gain University Credits you must register in advance. To do this,
please contact Emma Hopkisson on 01743 355137 at E.Hopkisson@mmu.ac.uk, or
at:
Division of Biology and Conservation Ecology
Manchester Metropolitan University (Shrewsbury Office)
The Gateway
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY1 1NB
The course is also suitable for non-credit students. Bookings are to be made via
Manchester Metropolitan University at the above address.
Tel: 01206 297110 E-mail: enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org
Fax: 01206 298892
Residential course fee includes:
 Full board accommodation including cooked breakfast, picnic lunch,
homemade cakes and an evening meal. Vegetarian and other dietary option
available.
 Up to 8 hours teaching time a day, plus relaxing breaks for meals and
refreshments.
 Tea and coffee making facilities available throughout the day.
 Use of resources including library, workrooms, studios and the Centre
grounds.
 Transport during the courses.
 Insurance to cover cancellation, personal belongings, personal accident,
legal liability and medical emergency.
Identifying Moths and Butterflies
What the Fee Includes?
If you choose to be a non-resident on a residential course, the fee will include all
the above except accommodation and breakfast.
What to Bring
If you have any personal moth and butterfly books, a x10 hand lens, or mothcollecting pots, then do bring them along - although all of these will be available at
the Centre for the beginner.
 Close-focusing binoculars, if you have them, are always useful for getting a
good view of our more retiring butterflies
 An SLR camera with suitable attachments for close-up work, if you are
interested in the photography of moths and butterflies.
 Any photographs you have taken of moths and butterflies that you would
like identified, or simply to share with other course members.
 Pens, pencils and a notebook
 Warm clothing and a torch for the moth-trapping, plus a lunchbox,
comfortable shoes and waterproof clothing (just in case!) for the excursions.
The field excursions, whilst not strenuous, may involve circular walks of between
two and three miles in order to see all of the target species. Participants will
therefore need a reasonable degree of physical fitness.
Tel: 01206 297110 E-mail: enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org
Fax: 01206 298892
 Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles, Bernard Skinner
(Viking) - an excellent guide to the identification of the larger moths, but
rather expensive. (Copies will be on hand at the Centre during the
weekend.)
 The Hamlyn Guide to Butterflies of the British Isles, J A Thomas - a good
pocket butterfly guide for the field.
 Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland, Paul Waring and
Martin Townsend (British Wildlife Publications Revised Edition 2009, ISBN
9780953139989)
 Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Ireland, Richard Lewington
(British Wildlife Publishing, 2003, ISBN 0-9531399-1-3)
Identifying Moths and Butterflies
Recommended Reading
How to book
Bookings can be made by telephoning the Centre; we are open 0930 – 1700
weekdays and most weekends. Alternatively, bookings can be made via our
website: www.field-studies-council.org.
Start and Finish times
Afternoon tea on Friday is available from 1600, but the first formal activity is
dinner at 1900 (with the bar open from 1845!)
Residents: Please aim to arrive between 1530 and 1800 on Friday to allow us
sufficient time to show you to your accommodation and around the
communal areas.
Non-residents: You do not need to arrive quite so early but please can you be here
by 1800 as we need to show you the communal areas as well.
The course ends at 1600 on Sunday.
Tel: 01206 297110 E-mail: enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org
Fax: 01206 298892