Doing our bit for Conservation
As you may know from recent posts I’ve started moth trapping and have been part of the formation of the Ceredigion Moth Group. It’s all a little ‘geeky’ but I quite enjoy the moth trapping, as does Morgan and learning more about the creatures around us is always a good thing. Keeping records of them and submitting them to the various interested parties makes it all feel a little more worthwhile, and in a small way these activities may help with the conservation of rare species.
In some respects I would rather be actively contributing to conservation in this way than simply donating money to conservation charities. However, as well as actively taking part in moth counting and submitting results to the Big Garden Bird Watch we also spent some money recently on becoming members of the RSPB and Butterfly Conservation.
RSPB
There are a few RSPB reserves locally and we do often enjoy a short walk at the Ynyshir Reserve, so becoming a member seemed like a sensible thing to do. The membership fees obviously go towards supporting the RSPB which should be the main reason for joining, but you get quite a it for your money too. As well as free entry to their reserves you receive a Quarterly Bird magazine with plenty of interesting articles in it and junior members such as Morgan get a ‘Wild Times’ magazine six times a year, featuring the adventures of Owlbert, Rookie, Red the squirrel and Squeak the mouse. You also get free gifts if you want them and RSPB bird guide book (which I already had).
Obviously you don’t really join for these benefits, but we were pretty interested in what Morgan would get for his membership fee as it is these things that will keep him interested in the wildlife around him.
Butterfly Conservation
The Butterfly Conservation membership is similar. For your fees you receive free entry to their reserves a ‘Butterfly’ magazine three times a year, a welcome pack and a garden butterfiles ID guide, along with advice on attracting butterflies and moths to your garden
Of course, you also get a nice warm feeling at having helped the conservation effort of our wild British birds, butterflies and moths.
Both organisations have decent websites where you can join them or simply donate. They both have lots of information online, not just about the organisations themselves, but about the birds and butterflies of the UK too., so check out their websites and join up too.
Hello from another blogger from Aber!
I was interested to see this post and wondered if you could suggest anywhere really good for moths in this area?
We got a moth trap last year but didn’t really get out with it much and as we haven’t got a garden couldn’t leave it out all night.
Also – how do you get involved with the moth group? My husband would love to be involved.
I would be greatful for any information š
Hi Rachel,
Its a little bit quiet out there for moths at the moment. I’ve been putting my moth trap out occasionally in our garden here at Ynyslas but my attempts have proved fruitless. Although, whenever I drive through any wooded areas there seems to be a lot of moths around. So maybe your best bet at the moment would be to head to the woods.
I’m sure Penglais Woods would be a good spot. Anywhere should be good really though as each habitat will have its own range of moths for you to trap, and as things warm up in the spring it should start to get quite busy.
I’m sure we’d be delighted to have you and your husband join the Moth Group. I’ll send you details in an e-mail.
Al.