Many of you will be familiar with the welcome sight of butterflies flitting over the meadows in the warm summer sunshine but to most of us the rich diversity of the moth world is virtually unknown. Yet there are over 2500 different species of moth to be found in this country and only some 60 or so butterflies! Of course that is largely because they fly by night but through careful 'trapping' it is possible to see the wide diversity of moths that inhabit the Orchard. By attracting the moths to visit by a powerful light, you will be surprised to see what creatures are flying about the woods and hedgerows and, contrary to popular belief, many are just as colourful as the butterflies.

Populations of moths are dependent on the provision of suitable plants and trees upon which the caterpillars and sometimes the adult insects feed - seeing the diversity will hopefully encourage you to encourage them into your gardens and to manage your local area sympathetically.