This course is now fully booked.
Preston Montford Field Centre is situated close to the banks of the River Severn where a good range of marginal wetland and river valley species of moths may be observed. The mercury vapour moth traps could attract such fascinating species as the Old Lady, Double Kidney, Bulrush Wainscot, August Thorn, Canary-Shouldered Thorn, Red Underwing and the Gold Spot. There will be daytime visits to a variety of attractive local sites to observe Butterflies such as Small Copper, Grayling, Silver-Studded Blue, Common Blue, Brimstone, Comma, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood. The course introduces this absorbing subject in an enjoyable way with colour sides to show the species expected to be seen, help on identification and information on the national notable species and life histories.
Tutor: David Brown
David Brown is the Warwickshire County Recorder for Lepidoptera and the author of The Larger Moths of Warwickshire. He has led courses at FSC Centres over a number of years. A lecturer at Birmingham and Warwick Universities Extramural and Open Studies departments for the past 20 years, he is an active field entomologist.
Example Timetable
Monday:
Introduction with slide presentation.
Tuesday:
Field visits to Prees Heath, Brown Moss. In the evening there will be Identification workshop/slides.
Wednesday:
Field visits to Stiperstones, The Bog and Longmynd. In the evening there will be Identification workshop/slides.
Thursday:
Field visit to Llanymynech Quarry. In the evening there will be Identification workshop/slides.
Friday:
Moth trap inspection. Results and summary.
Moth trap inspection will take place each morning (including Friday) in the Centre grounds.
What's Included
-
Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Full Board Accommodation -
Hot and Cold Drinks -
In Course Transport
Before You Attend
What to Bring - The following items of equipment will be useful on the course:
- Hand lens x10
- Collecting boxes
- Torch
- Small pocket notebook
- Pencil
- Camera
- Lunch box
- Vacuum flask or drinks bottle
- It is recommended that you bring warm, waterproof, outdoor clothing and stout walking shoes or boots.
Useful Books
- Bernard Skinner – Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles - Viking (1984)
- The Concise Field Guide to Moths of Great Britain and Ireland – P. Waring. M. Townsend – British Wildlife Publishing (2007)
- Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland – (Third Edition) Paul Waring, Martin Townsend. Bloomsbury Publishing.
- Adrian M.Riley - A Natural History of the Butterflies and Moths of Shropshire - Swan Hill Press (1991)
- Richard Lewington – Pocket Guide to Butterflies GB & Ireland – British Wildlife Publishing (2003)
Sorry this course has ended