Mothing in Assynt
Assynt’s diverse range of habitats offers wide scope for those with an interest in moths, whether day or night flying species. Several Assynt residents trap moths with a number doing so regularly throughout the year.
The Assynt Moth List, forming part of the moth section on this website, is very much a work in progress. Thanks to those trapping new species are frequently added throughout the year. [List now superseded by our Wildlife Records Digitisation Project]
One of Assynt’s more regular moth trappers is Lyn Fairchild from Baddidarach, Lyn has been mothing regularly since 2009. Her records not only contribute to the Assynt list but are also forwarded to the county moth recorder.
Lyn, who uses a Skinner Trap, moths at least 10 times a month from April to October. She sets the light trap during late evening in her garden which contains broad-leaved and pine trees, together with some formal and ‘wild’ garden areas. At around 6am the following day her husband, Ken, switches it off, covers it and places it in ‘Lyn’s shed’. Mothing in Assynt can be a family event.
The moths, which have taken refuge in the egg cartons placed in the bottom of the trap, are transferred to clear plastic pots. Each moth is then identified, recorded in Lyn’s notebook and released. Finally, the data is transferred to a formal recording spreadsheet.
One night
The ‘busiest’ time of the year is usually June to September. A typical example, on 6th August 2012 when I visited, Lyn had 32 species of moths in her trap totalling 107 individuals. There were no rarities amongst them but these few photos help illustrate the stunning diversity of moths found in one location, over one night in one trap.
So please help us add to the Assynt Moth List by sending your records to assyntwildlife@gmail.com. Thank you.
David Haines
Words and photos