IT was a chance conversation in the pub on a Thursday evening that led to a last-minute decision. I joined the Wharfedale Naturalists’ 24 hour wildlife recording event that took place at Nell Bank, near Ilkley, over the 9th and 10th July. Note to self: pay more attention to emails in the future.

The aim of the event was to generate a species list of flora and fauna on site that Nell Bank can make use of for environmental education. I went for the moth trapping, my speciality. Of course, most moths fly at night so, along with my eldest daughter who joined me for the day, I tagged along with those surveying the ponds for the chance to learn something new, and because I am like a big kid when it comes to pond dipping.

Two species observed, in the pond, appealed to our curiosity. Firstly, a ramshorn snail slate grey in colour and ammonite in appearance, and secondly the larva of a lesser diving beetle (pictured). The larvae are various predators and have a taste for anything small. Unlike the adults, that eat their prey directly, the young inject their meal with enzymes and then suck out its insides; an insect smoothie if you like. With head under water they breathe through tubes at the end of their abdomen. The markings on the back of its head resembled a butterfly - surely a good omen for the moth trapping ahead.

Come evening the moth traps were set, five in total, and while most people returned home I stayed to observe the traps and pot up those moths that have a tendency to sit on the outside and disappear before dawn. I had a few hours sleep in the early hours. Not in the dormitories as they were too warm, but out on the decking with tawny owls, curlews, oystercatchers and a hare for company.

At first light we moved the moth traps into shade to keep them cool, and opened them up at a sensible hour (9am) for those with an interest. While the elephant and poplar hawk-moths provided the wow factor for those who had not seen them before, it was the latticed heath that that did it for me; a delicate moth pied in colour and one I had not seen before. All in all it was an excellent night with 371 moths of 86 species recorded.

There is talk of a ‘BioBlitz’ at Nell Back next year. Let’s hope I remember to check those emails.

wharfedale-nats.org.uk