This course is currently sold out. We do sometimes get cancellations – if you would like to be added to the waiting list, please complete a booking form or contact us.
World-renowned butterfly and moth expert and author David Brown leads a week of field trips, workshops and lectures focusing on rare and interesting summer butterflies and moths of Somerset.
“I enjoyed seeing species that were new to me but also meeting like minded people. David Brown is very knowledgeable and willing to give every assistance. Halsway is a lovely venue with good food, accommodation and friendly staff.” Participant
This course provides an opportunity to view some of Great Britain’s rarest butterflies. In 2022 we chose the Large Blue and Heath Fritillary as target species with field trips to study the butterflies, learn about their fascinating life history and give participants a rare chance to see them in their natural habitat.
Light traps will be operated in the wooded grounds of Halsway Manor where it is possible to see up to 100 species of moth during the week including specialties Brussels Lace, Cream-spot Tiger, Lead Belle and Ruddy Carpet. Illustrated evening talks and workshops will help sharpen identification skills and provide knowledge on the ecology of selected species.
Participants may be asked to car-share to help with transport on field visits.
There is also another week in Late Summer.
This course runs alongside the Summer Country Dance Week.
The Programme
Monday
9.15 Inspection of light traps
11.30 Field visit (Haddon Hill)
4.00 Afternoon tea
6.30 Dinner
7.30 Identification workshop / slideshow
8.30 Breakfast
9.15 Inspection of light traps
11.30 Field visit (Collard Hill )
7.30 Identification workshop / slides
8.30 Breakfast
9.15 Inspection of light traps
11.30 Field visit (Bossington )
4.00 Afternoon tea
6.30 Dinner
8.30 Breakfast
9.30 Inspection of light traps
12.00 Analysis, results and conclusions.
Who’s it For?
This course is open to anyone who would like to know more about butterflies and moths. There will be field trips – whatever the weather! – so please bring suitable clothing and footwear for walking outdoors.
The Team
David Brown has enjoyed a life-long passion for butterflies and moths. Several decades have been spent exploring lepidoptera-rich habitats throughout the British Isles, leading to extensive studies of all the British species of macrolepidoptera in addition to many scarce immigrants. David has been Warwickshire County Recorder for larger moths since 1971 and also serves as the County’s Moth Conservation Officer. Over many years, he has tutored successful adult classes at both Warwick and Birmingham Universities and currently runs residential courses throughout the British Isles for the Field Studies Council and Adult Residential Colleges Association. Other work has involved lepidoptera surveys for ecological consultants, English Nature and Forestry Commission. David writes regularly for the National journal ‘Atropos’ and has been a member of the editorial panel since its inauguration.