News from the RSPB site

If you thought that moths were the ugly brown cousins of butterflies that are only seen fluttering around lightbulbs, an evening event in the gathering darkness at RSPB Pulborough Brooks on Saturday 20 September (6.30 pm – 9 pm) will amaze children and adults alike.

Visitors will be able to visit several special light traps and check what is visiting a range of unusual ‘moth attractants’ such as soft bananas and a brew of black treacle and beer. There will also be the chance to see moths caught the previous night, before they are released.

There will be 'moth merchandise' and competitions, plus hot drinks, all in the RSPB Visitor Centre, so there will be plenty to do even if the weather is poor.

“Moths are the natural world’s best-kept secret,” says event organiser, Samantha Stokes. “When darkness falls, a hidden world of amazingly coloured and patterned moths emerges that few of us normally see.”

“Because there are so many different habitats at Pulborough Brooks, visitors could see up to 50 different species, including the fantastically named Old Lady, the curiously crinkled Angle Shades or the Convolvulus Hawkmoth, which is as big as a hand and has a 13 inch tongue!”

“Come along, give it a go. And bring a torch!”
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