Level
Days
FM I 11-13 Sept
Centre
Shared
occupancy cost
Date
Fri – Sun £255 £235 £183
Sole occupancy Non-Residential
cost
cost
An Introduction to Leaf-mining Moths
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
Following the recent publication of the excellent new field guide by Sterling,
Parsons and Lewington, interest in micro moths is on the increase, but many
species are not easy to see in a moth-trap. Instead why not try your skills at fieldcraft to detect moth species in a different way by looking for leaf-mines on trees
and other plants?
Course Description
The course is aimed at total beginners wishing to study leaf-mining moths, as well
as people with more advanced knowledge of the group, but whatever your skill
level it will be designed to stretch you.
There will be talks and hand-outs on how to identify this group of moths and the
grounds of Flatford Mill will be explored by participants to search for leaf-mines on
trees and other plants. Flatford Mill is ideally situated for this as there is such a
wide variety of tree species close by; this will help you work through the defining
features of leaf-mines and the characteristic patterns they make in leaves.
Possibly the most important part of the course will be the hands-on identification
of leaf-mines with assistance from the tutor, other participants and hand-outs
provided.
Though not the main part of the course, moth-traps will also be run in the grounds
to show other interesting moth species from this exciting site.
The precise order of the programme will be flexible to fit in with weather
conditions and participants’ needs.
Tel: 01206 297110 E-mail: enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org
Fax: 01206 298892
About the Tutor
Dave Grundy is an experienced naturalist and wildlife consultant specialising in
bird, butterfly and moth surveying. He has a particular interest in leaf-mining
moths and regularly leads training courses throughout the UK with both beginners
and more advanced participants. Subjects for training courses he runs elsewhere
include: micro moths, leaf-miners, beginners’ introduction to moth-trapping and
habitat based courses studying moths of woodland, wetland and grassland etc. He
also carries out professional moth and butterfly surveys averaging over 90 nights
per year in the field giving him the essential background field knowledge for moth
identification.
Introduction to Leaf-mining Moths
You may also be interested in the ‘Identifying Micro Moths’ course from 25-28 July
(also at Flatford Mill run by the same tutor) which complements this course
perfectly.
From 2003 to 2013 he organised and administered the Garden Moth Scheme,
which now covers over 300 gardens across Britain and Ireland. The scheme
monitors changes in the fortunes of common moth species and uses the data as
indicators of environmental change.
What to Bring
 Any personal moth books such as Sterling, Parsons and Lewington – Field
Guide to the Micro-Moths of Great Britain and Ireland might help, but there
isn’t s field guide available for leaf-mining moths, so instruction will be more
through use of hand-outs and websites etc
 Hand lenses, note book, moth-collecting pots and clean plastic bags for
collecting leaf samples in to take back to the classroom (if you have them!).
 Waterproof and warm outdoor clothes, as we will visit the surrounds of
Flatford Mill on foot, but will always be close to Flatford Mill depending on
weather conditions. (the course will be part classroom based and part
outdoors)
NB The Tutor will also provide a variety of other leaf-mine references and handouts plus micro moth identification books for reference on the course)
Tel: 01206 297110 E-mail: enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org
Fax: 01206 298892
Residents: Please aim to arrive between 1600 and 1800 on the Friday to allow us
sufficient time to show you to your accommodation and around the
communal areas. Afternoon tea on Friday is available from 1600, but
the first formal activity is dinner at 1900 (with the bar open from
1845!).
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.
Introduction to Leaf-mining Moths
Start and Finish Times
What the fee includes
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.
If you choose to be a non-resident on a residential course, the fee will include all
the above except accommodation and breakfast.
Work for your Garden: Small Willow Sculptures
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
Tel: 01206 297110 E-mail: enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org
Fax: 01206 298892