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On Saturday 13 June at 8 pm over fifty people gathered in the rotunda in Eaton Park for the first Eaton Park Moth Hunt. After an introduction by local naturalist Peter Walton, thirty moths were handed round so that people could see them close up. Everyone was fascinated by the amazing range of different moths, the most spectacular being the brimstone (pictured). There was great enthusiasm from people and nearly everyone – even children - stayed until 11 o’clock, some twenty of us staying until the end at 11.30pm. In all Peter captured and identified 25 moths, many of which had been lured in by the moth light but others had been spotted by visitors who brought their own torches to help with the hunt. Peter said: "I’ll be feeding in the results from tonight’s hunt to www.norfolkmoths.co.uk – an ongoing survey of moths in Norfolk. The data will also be useful for the Friends of Eaton Park and for Norwich City Council as they work to make Eaton Park more moth and wildlife friendly”.
Here's a full list of the moths we saw in Eaton Park that night: 'Macro' Moths: Buff Ermine, White Ermine, Heart and Dart, Green Silverlines, Treble Brown Spot, Straw Dot, Common Marbled Carpet, Garden Carpet, Sandy Carpet, Marbled Minor, Minor species, Foxglove Pug, Pug species, Lime Hawk-moth found dead (pictured). In addition: 'Micro' Moths: Agapeta zoegana, Micro species.
*Peter Walton is a naturalist and specialist in moths who lives and works in Norfolk. He works with adults and children leading walks and activities in places such as Whitlingham Park and Kelling Heath. He also runs adult education courses in bird-watching and moth-hunting as well as wildlife in general - see www.wildlifenorfolk.co.uk
photos: Caspar