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Moths to see in June

Our moth expert Sam Gray writes: The prominents are largish moths in the family Notodontidae that can commonly be found attracted to light during late spring and throughout the summer. They are thick bodied moths with dense ‘fur’ on the thorax and at the base of the legs. The wings are usually quite long and tapering towards the apex. When the wings are folded, the inner edge of both the wings come together over the moth with tufts of scales forming prominent spikes pointing upwards, hence the common name of the moths. The pattern of the forewings are subtle but really beautiful, with a blend of dark and pale colours creating distinctive patterns that help them to camouflage against tree bark and dead vegetation when at rest during the day. The jagged appearance of the Pale Prominent means that it is perfectly adapted to blend in with a broken piece of wood. The obvious palps at the front of the moth further exaggerate its ‘snapped twig’ appearance. Another example is the Iron Prominent, a dark moth with subtle yellow and red markings; it has clearly evolved to hide away on the ground amongst the leaf litter and soil.

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Gritting Update – Sun1 May

It’s OK! Highways have stopped sending out gritting updates so it’s officially the end of winter. I just wanted to publicly thank the volunteers in our Snow Team who’ve been on call to go out all winter, we’re all very grateful. Anne Mayes

Anne Mayes

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Queens Platinum Jubilee Commemorative Mugs

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Commemorative Mugs

Bridford Parish Council will be presenting bone china Platinum Jubilee mugs to Bridford children up to the age of 16 years, at the Jubilee Tea Party to be held at the Village Hall on Saturday 4th June.  There will also be a limited numbers of mugs available to purchase at a cost of £5 each to anyone  elsewho would like one.  If you would like your child to receive a mug, please register their name with the Clerk, Joan Banks tel, 01647 252805, similarly if you would like to reserve a mug to purchase.

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Moths to see in May

There are over 2500 species of moth found in Britain, and despite their troublesome reputation, only two of those species are regularly encountered eating clothes – and both are declining due to the increased use of synthetic fibres as opposed to natural materials such as wool. May is an exciting time of year to look for moths; it is the period in which numbers and variety really start to build up – particularly during the day. Not all moths fly at night, in fact a large proportion of the smaller moths are predominantly active during the day. One tiny moth that should be easy to find at this time of year is the stunning Micropterix calthella. With its yellow tufted head and golden wings streaked at the base with a purple sheen, this is a truly beautiful species. They can be found crawling around flower heads, often buttercups, eating pollen grains in the sun as is shown in the photograph.

My interest in the natural environment has led me to study conservation and ecology at college.  I spend a lot of time studying and recording moths both in Bridford and further afield.  I look forward to continuing my surveying alongside the Bridford wildlife wardens and to compiling further monthly write-ups on the moths around the parish.

Sam Gray

Contact us at [email protected].

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Accommodation required for Christow School worker

The Chairman of Christow School Governors has put out a plea to anyone who may be able to help with finding accommodation for the school caretaker / cook.  This person has until now,  been living in Air B’n’B but now the holiday season is on us, this accommodation is no longer available and he is looking for somewhere locally to live, maybe a room to rent as a lodger for somebody who may welcome some company and some extra income.   If you can help please contact Mike Wharton tel. 01647 252147 who will be able to put you in touch.