Field Trips 2025


Booking onto events:
Please notify the organiser - at least a couple of days prior to the event to alert them to your intention to attend.
• Events are prone to late cancellation or postponement due to inclement weather, so "booking-in" with the organiser may avoid turning up to a soggy location only to find yourself on your own!
• Night time moth trapping sessions will convene shortly before dusk (unless otherwise stated below). The organisers will remain at the stated meeting point until the time listed against each event.
• Please arrive on time - most sites need to be secured from unauthorised access, and as such outer gates will need to be locked behind the group. As most events involve driving from this meeting point into the site, we cannot guarantee access after the stated meeting time.
• We hope that anyone interested in moths will give us a try (or even participate - bring a trap) and look forward to seeing you at any of the following events.

Safety notes:
• Our field events take place mostly at night, outside, and involve 240v/13amp electrical equipment running lights including mercury vapour lamps. As some bulbs can run at high temperatures there is a very small chance that they may explode if they get wet, and cause injury to persons near to the equipment.
• Furthermore, due to the sometimes rough and uneven terrain on the sites that we are surveying, there is a potential risk of injury as a result of tripping, falling or colliding with unseen objects, etc.
• The group and organisers can accept no responsibility for accidents that occur on the trips and all persons attending field meetings do so entirely at their own risk. We give no guarantee that a qualified first-aider will be present at any field meeting.
• The organisers usually carry a mobile telephone but reception may be poor or absent depending on the site.
• Please remember to bring a torch and wear suitable footwear and warm clothing.
• Children are welcome, but we must ask that a responsible adult supervise them at all times.

Feedback and Results:
A list of species recorded will be placed on this site shortly after each trip. Sometimes this takes a few days for everyone attending to send in their own lists. Click on each "Location" to view these as links become active.

NB: Further events and details may be posted here in due course

Please notify the organiser prior to the event to alert them of your intention to attend

Most sites are locked and secured once the group enters

Day & Date

Note: the dates may vary based on weather conditions so please book-in with the organiser to be sure of receiving updated plans

Location & Details

Meeting Point


Assume all locations are "locked-in" and thus anyone wishing to attend with moth traps please arrive at the meeting point just ahead of the time shown to ensure access, as the site will be secured as we enter

Meeting Time
Organiser Target Species / Notes

TBC - mid Mar/early Apr 2025

Fineshade (Short moth trap session). Booking essential.

Top Lodge (not the main car park) SP979982

6:15pm

Mark Hammond

Chasing old Mottled Grey records in this area

Friday 16th May 2025

Bulwick Estate woodland (overnight moth trap session)

Please pre-book with Organiser for details

8:15pm

Robert Smith

Ongoing survey

Friday 30th May 2025

Swaddywell Pits (moth trapping until early-hours of morning)
Small car park at TF116031

8:15pm

Malcolm Hillier

Merrifieldia baliodactylus and Concolorous

Friday 18th July 2025

Boughton Estates - Old Head Wood (overnight moth trap session)
Cancelled due to weather forecast
Please pre-book with Organiser for details

 

Mark Hammond

Ongoing survey

Saturday 16th August 2025
Farthinghoe NR (overnight moth trap session)
Recycling Centre entrance at SP52294040
7:30pm
Tim Pridmore

Ongoing survey

Saturday 13th September 2025

Bulwick Estate woodland (overnight moth trap session)

Please pre-book with Organiser for details
7:45pm
Robert Smith
Ongoing survey

End October

TBC - Woodlands near Silverstone (overnight moth trap session)

Please pre-book with Organiser for details

TBC

Mark Hammond

A hopeful attempt to record Black-spotted Chestnut in VC32!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the group members may be arranging specific trips to other counties to see moths that do not occur in Northamptonshire.
An advance notification of these outings will appear on the trips board in due course.

Please contact Mark Hammond for further details.

We would like to acknowledge the co-operation that all of us have received from e.g. Forestry England, Wildlife Trust, Boughton Estates, Langdyke Trust and other land owners for allowing the group to record on their properties.