Moth Training Course Programme – 2015
Identifying the moths! –Flatford Mill course, July 2014 – D. Grundy
Following successful training course programmes in 2010 to 2014, this list has been put together to give recorders from
England and Wales an opportunity to start up or to improve their knowledge of moths and moth recording. Courses are
aimed at total beginners in studying moths and also recorders of intermediate ability. Whatever your skills, the courses
will stretch your knowledge. If you have been on my courses in previous years, then you will be pleased to see courses
on some new themes as well, or maybe you fancy a refresher? If people want a better look at the rarer species recorded
on the course or to take photos of them then there will usually be time for this at the end of the course or just after the
course has finished – just allow yourself a bit more time for this if you want at the end of the day. Also, I’m doing an
increasing number of residential courses on moth identification in 2015. These are by necessity more expensive to cover
costs of accommodation and catering. However, they get you away from it all to a beautiful part of the country. They are
socially more fun with the extra chat over meals and evenings with like-mined people. And possibly most important of
all they give you the chance of more intensive learning over several days in a row. A two day residential course will
always advance your skills faster than two separate one day courses – so get booking on them now!
With all courses, just get in touch if you have any questions about them? Email me to make a provisional booking as
soon as possible – as courses can book up fast!
Friday April 24th to Sunday April 26th – Moth Trapping for Beginners, FSC, Preston Montford, Shropshire – This
course will be an introduction to the identification of moths for people who have never looked at them before, or who are
only just starting to learn about them. If you are maybe in your first year or so of looking at moths then it will give you
the confidence to take your interest further. The course will show you how to identify live moths caught during your stay
at the Centre. In addition it will take you through how to choose the best moth trap, what field guide to buy and useful
websites for help. In short everything you need to get started, whether you want to start looking in your back garden or in
the local nature reserve. Moths will be caught each night near the centre and participants will identify them to family and
species. This is a residential two day course, based at Preston Montford Field Studies Centre (FSC). (Maximum of 15
participants – booking essential) All bookings need to be through FSC. Contact Dave for further information about this
course and how to book. (Likely moths seen on this course will be the commoner spring species such as Hebrew
Character, Common Quaker, Clouded Drab, Early and Purple Thorn)
Sunday, May 31st – Day-time Moths, The Flits NNR, Herefordshire (T1) – Moth identification training course for
people of all abilities from beginner to much more advanced. We will be searching for moths by day using techniques,
such as sweeping, pheromones, beating, netting and searching plants for larvae, eggs and mines etc. We will introduce
these skills to people who haven’t used them before, but also advance the skills and identify moths for the more
experienced. This is the first time I have run this course and it will be the perfect opportunity for people to move away
from their moth trap and learn the field-craft skills of searching for moths at different stages of their lives by day. This
National Nature Reserve is hidden away in a remote part of the Herefordshire countryside with grassland, rush pasture
and wet woodland habitats present. The venue is Preston-on-Wye Village Hall, Preston-on-Wye (grid ref SO384416)
which is right in the middle of the village. Preston-on-Wye is accessed along minor roads north of the B4352 between the
villages of Bredwardine and Madley, from 10am to 4pm. - Maximum of 15 participants – booking essential. (This course
will be concentrating on looking for different life stages of moths, macros and micros whether adult, larva, egg, pupa or
mine)
Saturday, June 20th – Micro-moths, Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran, near Cardigan, Pembrokeshire (T2) – Moth
identification training course for people who have some knowledge of macro-moths, but want to look further at micromoths. This course will introduce micro-moths to beginners at looking at this group and also expand knowledge of more
advanced micro-moth surveyors. We will be looking at micro-moths caught the night before on the reserve. The venue
will be the Ysgol Natur classroom at the Welsh Wildlife Centre (post code is SA43 2TB and grid ref SN188451), from
10am to 4pm. - Maximum of 15 participants – booking essential. (This course is in a perfect setting for studying the
specialist micro-moths of nearby wetland and woodland habitats. You will need to pay car park fees for the reserve in
addition)
Saturday, June 27th – Limestone Grassland Moths, Cleeve Common, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire (T3) - Moth
identification training course for people of all abilities from beginner to much more advanced. We will be looking at
moths caught the night before on this excellent limestone grassland reserve – possibly the best in the Cotswolds. The
venue for this course is still being confirmed, but will hopefully be at Postlip Hall near the reserve, from 10am to 4pm. Maximum of 15 participants – booking essential. (Hypochalcia ahenella, Pempeliella dilutella, Reddish Light Arches,
Galium Carpet and Wood Carpet might be among moths seen on this course if weather conditions are good). (This course
links in well with a residential FSC course in similar habitat at Juniper Hall in July and a one day course at Dove Dale in
August)
Monday, June 29th – Speciality Moths of Fenns & Whixall Mosses NNR, Shropshire (T4) – Moth identification
training course for people of all abilities from beginner to much more advanced. This course is aimed at people who want
to learn more about the speciality lowland raised bog species of this exceptional wilderness site. The course will be held
at Fenns & Whixall Moss NNR classroom next to the Natural England HQ at Manor House, Moss Lane, Whixall,
Shropshire, SY13 2PD (grid ref SJ505365). 10am to 4pm, with a chance to examine the moths caught on the reserve the
night before. - Maximum of 15 participants – booking essential. A course was successfully run at this venue in August
2014, however if you attended that course then this June course will allow you to see a very different suite of moth
species. (Silvery Arches, Oblique Carpet, Small Seraphim, Grass Wave, Light Knotgrass and Ancylis tineana might be
among moths seen on this course if weather conditions are good).
Friday, July 3rd to Sunday, July 5th – Chalk and Limestone Grassland Moths, FSC, Juniper Hall, Dorking, Surrey
– Juniper Hall nestles in a valley of the North Downs close to Box Hill, with a backdrop of woodland and rolling chalk
grassland habitats. This course is aimed at anyone who would like to learn more about identifying moths from chalk and
limestone grassland habitats. Their ecology and habitat needs will also be discussed, particularly looking at what makes
these habitats important to a specialist group of moth species. It is aimed at total beginners wishing to study these moths,
as well as people with more advanced knowledge, but whatever your skill level it will be designed to stretch you. Moth
traps will be run each night of the course in nearby chalk grassland habitats, so that participants will get the chance to
identify and study these species up close. This is a residential two day course, based at Juniper Hall Field Studies Centre
(FSC). Maximum of 15 participants – booking essential. All bookings need to be through FSC. Contact Dave for further
information about this course and how to book. (Ethmia dodecea, Synaphe punctalis, Oncocera semirubella, Royal
Mantle, Festoon and Wood Carpet might be among moths seen on this course if weather conditions are good). (This
course links in well with one day courses in similar habitats in the Cotswolds in June and Dove Dale in August)
Friday, July 10th to Sunday, July 12th - Coastal Speciality Moths, Sandwich Bay SSSI, Kent (T11) – This course
will be aimed at people with beginner or intermediate moth identification skills, who want to learn more about the
speciality moths of this exceptional grassland, estuary, sand dune and shingle site. It is a residential two day course that
will be held at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory, Guildford Road, Sandwich Bay (postcode CT13 9PF and grid ref
TR355575), with a chance to examine the moths caught around this site, each night. The cost for the course will be £30
per person per day – i.e. £60 for the weekend. Then on top of this, accommodation will mostly be in twin-bedded rooms
in the observatory at a cost of £15 per person per night – i.e. £30 for the weekend. On top of this you would need to cater
for yourself - so bring food to make breakfast and sandwiches for lunch each day in the observatory kitchen and then we
will probably all eat out together in a nearby pub each evening. - Maximum of 15 participants – booking essential. Note access to the observatory is along a private toll road, but we will negotiate reduced access rates for the course. Book with
Dave, as above, including costs for Bird Observatory accommodation. (Crescent-striped, Oblique Striped, Cynaeda
dentalis, Pigmy Footman, Rest Harrow and Bright Wave might be among moths seen on this course if weather conditions
are good). In addition to moths seen in 2014 we will be targeting saltmarsh areas for speciality moths as well.
Saturday, July 18th to Tuesday, July 21st – Micro-moths, FSC, Orielton, Pembrokeshire – Moth identification
training course for people who have some knowledge of macro-moths, but want to look further at micro-moths. It is
aimed at total beginners as well as people with more advanced knowledge - whatever your skill level we hope to stretch
you. Moth traps will be set each night in a variety of habitats and the micro moths trapped will be identified during the
day. There will be slide presentations and hand-outs as well as practical help from the tutor. This is a residential three day
course, based at Orielton Field Studies Centre (FSC). (Maximum of 15 participants – booking essential) All bookings
need to be through FSC. Contact Dave for further information about this course and how to book. (Eudonia delunella,
Ebulea crocealis, Agonopterix angelicella, Stathmopoda pedella, Pammene regiana, Cryptoblabes bistriga, plus macromoths such as Blomers Rivulet and Four-spotted Footman might be among moths seen on this course if weather
conditions are good). (This course works well if used as a precursor to the FSC leaf-mine course held at Flatford Mill in
September)
Sunday, July 26th – Wet Grassland Moths, The Flits NNR, Herefordshire (T5) - Moth identification training course
for people of all abilities from beginner to much more advanced. We will be looking at moths caught the night before on
this excellent wet grassland reserve. This National Nature Reserve is hidden away in a remote part of the Herefordshire
countryside with grassland, rush pasture and wet woodland habitats present. The venue is Preston-on-Wye Village Hall,
Preston-on-Wye (grid ref SO384416) which is right in the middle of the village. Preston-on-Wye is accessed along minor
roads north of the B4352 between the villages of Bredwardine and Madley, from 10am to 4pm. - Maximum of 15
participants – booking essential. (This is a site that hasn’t been trapped before, so there might be some exciting new finds
on this remote reserve of national importance)
Sunday, August 2nd – Limestone Grassland Moths, Dove Dale, Peak District, Staffordshire/Derbyshire (T6) - Moth
identification training course for people of all abilities from beginner to much more advanced. We will be looking at
moths caught the night before on this excellent limestone grassland reserve – possibly the best in the Peak District. The
venue will be at the National Trust’s Ilam Hall Learning Centre, Staffordshire (grid ref SK131507 and post code
DE62AZ), from 10am to 4pm. - Maximum of 15 participants – booking essential. {Teleiodes sequax, Mompha miscella,
Chalk Carpet, Barred Carpet, Confused and Gold Spangle might be among moths seen on this course if weather
conditions are good). (This course follows on nicely from a one day course in similar habitat in the Cotswolds in June
and a residential FSC course at Juniper Hall in July)
Sunday, August 9th - Wetland & Wainscot Moths, Hickling Broad National Nature Reserve, Norfolk (T7) - This
course will be jointly run with local Norfolk moth expert Jon Clifton. Moth identification training course for people of all
abilities from beginner to much more advanced, who want to learn more about the speciality reed-bed species of this
exceptional site. The course will be held at Hickling Broad NNR classroom next to the Visitor Centre, near Stalham,
Norfolk (grid ref TG428222). 10am to 4pm, with a chance to examine the speciality reed-bed species caught on the
reserve, from the night before. ( Cosmopterix lienigiella, Dotted and Small-dotted Footman, 9 species of Wainscot
including Striped, Fen and Fenn’s, Dotted Fan-foot, Reed Leopard and Reed Dagger might be among moths seen on this
course if weather conditions are good). - Maximum of 20 participants – booking essential. This is a very special and
unique habitat to explore for moths, so maybe you will want to explore along the boardwalks for a few minutes at lunch,
or allow time at the end of the course? This course will be at the higher rate of £35 per person to attend because there will
be two instructors for you. In addition you will need to pay £4 entrance to this unique reserve if you are not a member of
Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
Friday, August 14th to Monday, August 17th – Wetland Moths, FSC, Flatford Mill, Suffolk – Moth identification
training course for people of all abilities from beginner to much more advanced. This course will look at moths of
nearby wetland habitats caught each night near the centre. It is a residential three day course, based at Flatford Mill FSC
centre. - Maximum of 15 participants – booking essential. All bookings need to be through FSC. Contact Dave for further
information about this course and how to book. (Typical moths on this course might include; Round-winged Muslin,
Lunar Yellow Underwing, Tree-lichen Beauty, Crescent, Southern, Bullrush, Twin-spotted, Brown-veined, Webb's and
Fen Wainscot)
Sunday, August 23rd – Heathland Moths, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire (T8) - Moth identification training course
for people of all abilities from beginner to much more advanced. This will be looking at speciality heathland moth
species caught the night before. At the John O’Leary Centre, Marquis Drive, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire (grid ref
SK006153 and post code WS12 4PW – this is immediately behind the Marquis Drive, Cannock Chase Visitor Centre
You will need to pay car park fees for the visitor centre in addition). 10am to 4pm. (Catoptria margaritella, Agriphila
latistria, Plain Wave, Barred Chestnut, Neglected Rustic, Heath Rustic, Golden-rod Brindle, Anomalous and Anglestriped Sallow might be among moths seen on this course if weather conditions are good). - Maximum of 15 participants
– booking essential.
Saturday, September 5th – Leaf-mining Moths, Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran, near Cardigan, Pembrokeshire
(T9) – Leaf-mining moth identification training course that will introduce leaf-mines to beginners with this group and
expand knowledge of more advanced surveyors. There will be some time spent outdoors looking for leaves during the
course in nearby parts of the reserve. The venue will be the Ysgol Natur classroom at the Welsh Wildlife Centre (post
code SA43 2TB and grid ref SN188451), from 10am to 4pm. - Maximum of 15 participants – booking essential. (This is
the peak time of year for seeing leaf-mines created by micro-moths from this excellent nearby site – hopefully around 20
species should be recorded and these will also be species not usually recorded in moth traps. You will need to pay car
park fees for the reserve in addition) The course can be attended as a stand-alone just looking at leaf-mines, but it also
makes the perfect part 2 of looking at micro-moths and following straight on from attending the micro-moths
identification course at the same venue on June 20th (T2).
Friday, September 11th to Sunday, September 13th – Leaf-mining Moths, FSC, Flatford Mill, Suffolk – Leaf-mining
moth identification training course that will introduce leaf-mines to beginners with this group and also expand knowledge
of more advanced surveyors. There will be some time spent outdoors looking for leaves during the course on both days.
This is a residential two day course, based at Flatford Mill FSC centre. (Maximum of 15 participants – booking essential)
All bookings need to be through FSC. Contact Dave for further information about the course and how to book. (This is
the peak time of year for seeing leaf-mines created by micro-moths from the excellent nearby site – at least 30 species
should be recorded and these will also be species not usually recorded in moth traps.)
(This course works well if used as a follow-on from the FSC micro-moth course at Orielton in July)
Monday, September 14th – Leaf-mining Moths, Severn Valley Country Park, Shropshire (T10) – Leaf-mining
moth identification training course that will introduce leaf-mines to beginners with this group and also expand knowledge
of more advanced surveyors. There will be some time spent outdoors looking for leaves during the course in the excellent
habitat surrounding the visitor centre. The venue will be Severn Valley Country Park Visitor Centre, Alveley, Shropshire,
(grid ref SO754840 and post code WV15 6NG), from 10am to 4pm. - Maximum of 15 participants – booking essential.
(This is the peak time of year for seeing leaf-mines created by micro-moths from this excellent nearby site – at least 20
species should be recorded and these will also be species not usually recorded in moth traps. You will need to pay car
park fees for the site in addition)
You need to book in advance for all courses – please don’t just turn up on the day!
Please bring a packed lunch for all one day courses. Training course places will be offered to applicants who apply first.
Trainees can book for just one course or several courses. Trainees that book for a good number of courses should come
out of the programme with a good grounding in moth identification and be able to adequately trap and identify most
moths on any site unaided – so why not give it a try and book for a few courses and not just one?
Training courses will all be classroom based, but with some examination of live moth specimens (that were trapped the
night before). If in doubt as to which course might suit you best, then get in touch with Dave for advice for you.
Residential courses will usually involve some checking of moth traps in the field.
The 2015 Training Course programme is unfortunately not sponsored and therefore places for participants will need to be
charged for all dates. The rate for people attending one day courses is usually at £30 per day. Firm bookings for courses
will only be accepted on receipt of a cheque for £30 per person per day. Courses run by two instructors will be slightly
more expensive per person at £35 per day – this is due to greater expenses for the two instructors. Refund of cheques will
only be possible if four weeks of notice is given of your cancellation for an event. Please make cheques payable to D.
Grundy.
Residential courses will of course be at different rates per day as overnight accommodation is included in the cost and
also catering in all but the Sandwich Bay course. So, although these courses are more expensive per day, they are more
than worth it due to the excellent locations and a two day course will help you to progress more in your moth knowledge
than two one day courses because of the concentrated learning.
Residential courses run at Field Studies Centres in Britain will be clearly labelled as FSC for short. With these courses all
bookings need to go direct to them. For further details on all their courses then check out their website at;
http://www.field-studies-council.org/individuals-and-families/natural-history/animals/butterflies-and-moths.aspx
Also worth looking at are the excellent FSC macro-moth training courses run by Dave Brown and other tutors at various
FSC centres.
The Sandwich Bay residential course is organised by myself, with accommodation at the Bird Observatory – for all
details on this course book via myself.
If trainees wish to purchase a moth trap or other moth-ing equipment, then this will be possible on courses if they contact
Dave before the event.
Please book direct with myself, Dave Grundy, by phone, post or preferably email and ask more if you want more details
on any course;
DGCountryside,5, Melrose Avenue, Woodfield Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, B12 8TG.
Tel: 0121-446-5446 or Mobile: 0777-898-0924 or Email: dgcountryside@btinternet.com
D. Grundy, DGCountryside – 22/01/15
Emptying the moth trap at Flatford Mill, July 2014 – D. Grundy