The NHBS Moth Trap is a highly portable and lightweight resource for moth trapping, tested and approved by Butterfly Conservation.
It’s easy, flat-pack design features a collapsible frame made from lightweight panels covered in a light coloured nylon, which is easily assembled with Velcro. A single, stainless steel V frame holds the trap’s bulb carrier, secured with a single screw, and supports two top panels that prevent the moths escaping. The trap features a single 20W, shatter-resistant blacklight bulb (included) that is mains powered and is supplied with a 4.5m power lead connecting to a standard UK plug.
Fully assembled, the NHBS moth trap measures approximately 30cm wide x 30cm deep x 50cm tall and weighs around 2kg, making it significantly lighter and much more portable than many moth traps. For convenient transport and storage, it also comes with a carry bag housing all the components.
Learn how to quickly set up your Moth Trap with our video guide below!
Our Findings
NHBS colleagues Oli and Dan recently took our moth trap into their gardens and caught a beautiful range of species, including a Buff Tip, Peach Blossom and Scorched Carpet.
Additional Kits
Our moth trap is also available in two kits:
Moth Trap Starter Kit
The Starter Kit includes the trap and all its components, as well as three 60ml collecting pots, perfect for holding specimens, and a copy of the Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland to aid successful species identification.
Moth Trap with Inverter Kit
The NHBS Moth Trap with Inverter Kit comes with an inverter and waterproof battery enclosure, giving you the flexibility to use the trap in any location without having to rely on mains electricity.
Find out more and order your trap today at nhbs.com
If you have any questions about our Moth Trap or would like some advice on the right product for you then please contact us via email at customer.services@nhbs.com or phone on 01803 865913.
Placed on the IUCN Red List in 2021, Swifts are now recognised as one of Britain’s most endangered bird species, having suffered a staggering population decline of around 60% in just 25 years. These incredible birds return to the same nesting site each year after migrating from a summer in Africa, however due to urban development and land use changes, their natural nesting sites are rapidly disappearing, which is accelerating their already concerning population decline.
Suzanne and RSPB Community Engagement Officer Roshni Parmar-Hill on installation day.
In 2024, over 40 residents of two neighbouring streets in Swinton, Salford decided to take action and create their own ‘Swift Street.’ This community-led project saw the creation and installation of over 100 specialist nest boxes, providing essential nesting spaces for their local swift colony. The Swift Street initiative is part of a wider effort to transform Manchester into a Swift City and ensure the long-term survival of these endangered birds.
In this blog, resident Suzanne Pendleton and RSPB Community Engagement Officer Roshni Parmar-Hill tell us about their journey to create the largest Swift Street in the north-west of England.
My Swift Street Experience – Suzanne Pendleton
My name is Suzanne Pendleton, and I am a mum to two girls, Molly and Tess. I have lived in Houghton Lane in Swinton, Salford with them and my hubby for 30 years, and have been involved in the Greater Manchester Swift Street initiative since August 2024.
During lockdown, I started to value spending more and more time in our little garden as so many people did, and whilst I was outside, I spotted a number of birds zooming around, screaming and flying over our house. At first I wasn’t quite sure what they were, so I asked my friend Kathleen and she enlightened me that they were Swifts! Swifts are migratory birds, so when summer ended they left Swinton and headed back to Africa, but every year I eagerly anticipate their return.
Over time, my understanding of this species grew, and I learnt of their declining population numbers – whilst also developing a stiff neck constantly looking up to the sky to watch their incredible manoeuvres! I am privileged to live in a friendly community on Houghton Lane, so I messaged our community group and asked if anyone knew about our Swift population, or where they may be nesting. Initially we were unsuccessful in locating their nesting sites, however we struck gold in Spring 2024 with the help of the Swift Mapper appand discovered we had four nest sites on Houghton Lane and its surrounding roads.
In this time, I’d also discovered that there was another small colony located less that 1/4 mile away, and a resident of this local road got in touch to tell us that Roshni from the RSPB had been to visit their colony and help establish their Swift Street – she then asked if we would be interested in developing our own Swift Street on Houghton Lane. I think we are so privileged that these incredible urban birds choose to nest on our lane, and as their nesting sites are often threatened by redevelopment, having the means to install boxes provides us with a wonderful opportunity to support them.
Residents Suzanne Pendleton and Kathleen Sides holding up the Swift boxes made by The Skills Company, Trafford.
This project has been a whole-community effort, superbly guided by the wonderful Roshni. With her incredible support and guidance, we used our community group to share the news of the development and launch of our own Swift Street, and we were overwhelmed by the local response. So many families were keen to support our Swift population, and we received requests for over 80 boxes. In January, we were blessed with some bright days, which allowed us to visit each home that had requested a Swift box and advise the families in selecting a suitable aspect and position for their box. As we chatted to more residents about the project I grew in confidence talking about Swifts, and increased my own knowledge too.
Roshni also gathered support from a local college who built our Swift boxes, whilst a local resident, Haldis, made our nest cups. Roshni and several Swift Ambassadors (volunteers who work alongside communities to raise awareness of Swifts and encourage positive action to protect them) then visited our Girl Guiding group to lead some Swift-themed activities which captivated the girls’ interest. They loved learning about the species and contributing to the project by painting our boxes with bird-friendly materials recommended by the RSPB. Saturday 8th March was our first installation day, and local roofer Ryan put up 25 boxes. Since then, we have now installed over 80 along the street, and we are ready for the first wave of our Swift populations to return!
Ryan Cawdron installing boxes on Houghton Lane.
It’s been an absolute honour to be involved in this project, and I feel so lucky that our community can do something practical to support our local Swifts.
RSPB Community Engagement Officer – Roshni Parmar-Hill
I’ve been so privileged to work alongside individuals as passionate and energetic as Suzanne whilst bringing the Swinton Swift Street project to life. This truly is a community endeavour – proving that, to misquote a famous phrase ‘it takes a village to save a Swift’. From Suzanne’s tireless recruitment of her neighbours’ support along her street, and the hard work of her Girl Guide pack painting and waterproofing the nest boxes, to the students of independent skills provider The SkillCentre in Trafford who constructed the boxes, it’s been a joy to see so many people pull together to take positive action for nature.
Swift boxes being carefully stored at Haldis Corry’s house (a Swift Champion who lives nearby)
The screaming calls of migratory Swifts are what first drew Suzanne to this species and fostered her connection. If we want to keep welcoming them back screeching overhead every summer, then they need our help now more than ever to create and protect safe nesting habitats. This incredible species travels a whopping 3400 miles to reach the UK from East Africa every year – crossing 25 countries over the course of 4 weeks in their journey to reach us. Swifts spend most of their time in the air – feeding, sleeping and even mating all whilst in flight! – only landing to nest, which is where Suzanne and her neighbours come in.
Swifts return to the exact same nesting spot every year, but increasingly these nesting sites have been hit by property renovations and the removal of old buildings. This has contributed to a 62% decline in Swift numbers between 1995 and 2020, and the species have now been added to the UK’s Red List of Birds, meaning its amongst our most endangered. However, with the installation of over 80 nest boxes on Suzanne’s street, we intend to grow another new urban Swift colony and build on wider ongoing work to develop Manchester into a Swift City. This project is supported by the expansion of our network of brilliant ‘Swift Champions’ who are leading the development of nesting sites at scale, manufacturing swift boxes and raising people’s awareness and engagement of the project and species through walks, talks and workshops.
Roshni and Seamus making Swift Egg cups on a cold January day.
As Suzanne and her neighbours now prepare for a special Swift Homecoming Street Party to officially declare it a Swift Street and welcome their bird’s home, all eyes will be fixed on the skies for a glimpse of the street’s feathered residents moving into their new addresses…
In early November, NHBS colleague Dan volunteered with Chagford Conservation Group and the Chagford Parish Council to regenerate public grounds for wildlife – find out about his volunteer work below.
When strolling through your local public green space, take a moment to consider its value—not just as a recreational space but as a haven for wildlife. Behind the trees, shrubs, and ponds lies a delicate balance that requires care. Who ensures these spaces thrive for the benefit of both people and nature?
As you dig into the depths of your mind for answers and speak to fellow locals, you’ll discover that your local wandering patch has a past, present and even the future.
My front door patch, Padley Common, in Chagford – Dartmoor, has a variety of most of the above. Deciduous woodland, grassy fields aligned with stone walls and tree banks, areas with bracken and gorse, an area thick with young trees, streams and even some boggy areas.
One cloudy but warm November morning I joined the Chagford Conservation Group to help clear an area that was taken over by young willow and silver birch growth. Reading this with conservation specs may cause a frown. Cutting trees for conservation? The purpose of this venture, commissioned by Chagford Parish Council, was to restore the grounds to more favourable conditions for butterflies. Under the direction of Devon Wildlife Trust personnel, we cleared young willow and silver birch growth from the common. These trees, if left unchecked, would outcompete light-loving wildflowers and raise water uptake, drying out the damp grasslands needed by marsh fritillaries. This species depends on devil’s-bit scabious for its larvae. Its population in England has declined by 66% since 1990. Maintaining open, flower-rich meadows not only benefits butterflies but supports a host of other pollinators and insects.
Under the direction of Devon Wildlife Trust personnel, the Chagford Conservation Group and the Chagford Parish Council volunteers rolled up their sleeves and cleared a section of the common.
The cleared trees didn’t go to waste. They were repurposed into leaky dams that were fitted into streams that run through the common. These benefit the landscape in surprising ways as they allow water to pass through but slow its flow, reducing erosion and flood risk downstream. By creating side pools and wet areas, leaky dams also provide habitat for amphibians and aquatic insects.
With three organisations involved and so much goodwill from the local community, the day’s work saw the clearing completed and a series of leaky dams constructed. It was striking to see how effectively conservation targets can be achieved when vision, organisation, and community support come together.
Next time you wander through your local patch, take a moment to imagine its potential for wildlife. What small changes could make a big difference? Remember, with the right plan and a collective effort, even a single day’s work can transform a space—creating benefits for nature and leaving a legacy for future generations to discover as they explore their local patch’s story.
February 2025 update:
Last weekend I joined a local volunteering group for some more work on the same site – clearing brambles and gorse to enable new growth. On checking the leaky dams, I was delighted to see that pools created by these were now full of frog spawn!
Recommended reading:
Butterfly Conservation – The Warwickshire Approach This book documents, celebrates and shares the many successes the Warwickshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation has had in conserving rare butterflies over the past 25 years. It is a manual of techniques, tips and ideas that will help and hopefully inspire others to create and manage habitats and to conserve butterflies.
The Volunteers: A Memoir of Conservation, Companionship and Community
When Carol finds herself single and unemployed, she unexpectedly takes on the role of leading a quirky team of countryside conservation volunteers. Although their first days are rocky, she and her diverse group of volunteers bond over nature, finding friendship, purpose, and a renewed sense of belonging. The Volunteers is a heart-warming story about healing, community, and the redemptive power of the outdoors.
Since its launch in 1989, British Wildlife has established its position as the leading natural history magazine in the UK, providing essential reading for both enthusiast and professional naturalists and wildlife conservationists alike.
Conservation Land Management (CLM) is a quarterly magazine, widely regarded as essential reading for all who are involved in land management for nature conservation, across the British Isles. Each aspect of CLM is designed for those involved in managing land to achieve conservation goals and priorities.
The third edition of the Hazel Dormouse Conservation Handbook is based on the most recent research and practical experience available on the ecology of Hazel Dormice. It provides information on best practices for conservation, whilst a separate publication, the Hazel Dormouse Mitigation Handbook, offers further information for those involved in development projects across the UK that may affect Hazel Dormouse populations.
We recently had the opportunity to speak to authors Simone Bullion, Rob Wolton and Ian White about the most recent volume, including the latest updates, how they became interested in Dormouse conservation and more.
Firstly, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you became interested in Dormouse conservation?
Simone Bullion:
It was 25 years ago, when I had newly started a job with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, that two events acted as a catalyst for my great interest in dormice. Firstly, I was approached by my friend, Pat Morris, to support the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme by helping to increase the number of people with dormouse licences. At the same time, there was a release of captive-bred dormice into a Suffolk woodland close to where I was living, giving me the opportunity to study them first hand. A series of funded projects followed, which helped increase our knowledge of their distribution across the county – this then initiated conservation action to restore vital linkages by planting kilometres of hedgerows. However, through time, the more I found out about dormice, the more it seemed they hadn’t read the book. Habitats that I felt quite certain would support dormice often resulted in several attempts to confirm their presence. Clearly, there were better places to nest than in the boxes and tubes I was offering them, so that led to my interest in footprint tunnels as an alternative detection method. There is still much to learn about dormice, but working with such an interesting and charismatic species has been a privilege.
Rob Wolton:
My fascination with dormice, and indeed with hedges themselves, really started when I noticed strange round nests in the hedges on our farm in Devon. As a keen birdwatcher, I could not place them. Until, one day about 30 years ago, a dormouse popped out! My first. That was the prompt that made me start to look seriously at hedges and at their wildlife, a passion that remains with me to this day. Each autumn I must admit to becoming more than a little fixated with trying to spot dormouse nests in our hedges as I walk around the farm, checking the stock or walking the dog. For several years my wife Paula took care of one, a three-legged female, no longer fit for captive breeding at Paignton Zoo. Dora, as we named her, was a huge draw, a natural lead in to talk about the farm’s wildlife and how we were encouraging it. There are few such endearing and engaging mammals.
Ian White:
I had always had an interest in conservation, but after university I worked in the retail sector. I then embarked on a new career path in my 40’s, thinking that I would become a wildlife ranger. During a training course I was asked to put together a presentation on a British mammal – I chose shrews, and so started an interest in small mammals. I was fascinated by the fact that many were considered common, but based on what? It appeared that very little was known about this group compared with larger mammals. My initial interest in dormice was somewhat biased in that, due to their conservation status, they were the only small mammal that anybody was likely to pay me for. Now after over twenty years working with dormice, I think that they are a fabulous ambassador for many other species, and they still fascinate me now as much as they did when I first saw one.
The Hazel Dormouse Conservation Handbook marks the third edition of this vital text; what can we expect from this updated volume?
Much research has been undertaken on various aspects of dormouse ecology since the release of the second Dormouse Conservation Handbook in 2006. As a result of several PhD theses and other studies, much more is known about their habitat requirements, hibernation ecology, population biology and genetics. New survey techniques are also included to aid with detection of this sometimes very elusive species.
Unlike previous editions which integrated conservation, mitigation and the effects of development within one title, the third edition presents this information into two distinct handbooks. Why was it necessary to separate this information into two guides?
Landowners, land managers and the voluntary sector continue to have a significant interest in dormouse ecology and habitat management. Separately, there is a professional interest in this protected species in the context of land use planning. Specialist knowledge has also increased, in terms of understanding best practice approaches to minimise the impacts on dormice from development. Consequently, it was decided to separate these areas of interest into two books. It is envisaged that the Hazel Dormouse Conservation Handbook will be useful to anyone with an interest in dormice, as it covers their ecology, survey techniques and habitat management. The Hazel Dormouse Mitigation Handbook will be essential as an additional and complementary reference to support the work of professional ecologists and others involved in planning.
Hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) by Frank Vassen, via flickr.
Since the 1996 publication of the first Dormouse Conservation Handbook, how have Dormouse populations and their conservation status changed?
Sadly, Hazel Dormice have continued to decline. The ‘State of Britain’s Dormice 2023’ reported a 70% decline of dormice in monitored populations since 2000. If the observed annual rate of decline of 5.7% were to continue unabated, then dormouse counts would be expected to have fallen by more than 90% by 2034. It is also believed that there has been a loss of the species from 20 English counties over the past 100 years. Consequently, they are currently considered a vulnerable species and in danger of further localised extinction in Britain.
Which factors pose the greatest threats to dormice in the present day, and what conservation strategies are being employed in an attempt to mitigate their effects?
Whilst dormice are can live in a wide range of woody habitats, they thrive in the mid-stages of successional regrowth of woodland after coppicing, in networks of sensitively managed hedges and in scrub. However, woodland management has declined during the last 100 years; only half of our hedgerows are in favourable condition and scrub is much maligned. Dormice are also particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. To be effective, dormouse conservation therefore requires landscape-scale thinking to deliver the necessary increases and improvements in their habitat, and to restore connectivity. This will also help remaining dormouse populations become more resilient to localised changes, as well as the negative impacts of unfavourable weather and climate change.
However, there are parts of their former range where natural recolonisation of dormice is extremely unlikely. The dormouse reintroduction programme, administered by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, focuses on consolidating the current range of dormice, working to restore dormice at landscape level to create robust metapopulations.
Muscardinus avellanarius by xulescu_g, via flickr.
Dormouse research relies heavily on the work of volunteer dormouse monitors, demonstrating the essential role of volunteers in conservation. What does this volunteer role entail, how does it support conservation, and how can the public get involved?
The National Dormouse Monitoring Programme (NDMP) has been running for over 25 years and is a powerful tool in monitoring population trends. As it relies on volunteers, it also provides an opportunity for people to interact with wildlife and see a dormouse close up – something that rarely happens in the wild. As dormice are a highly protected species, checking boxes for their presence must be undertaken by a trained licence holder. This training can take several years to complete, and numbers of trainees are often limited by the sites available, so sometimes there can be a waiting list to start. However, non-licence holders can also assist with putting up boxes, helping record the data and undertaking winter repairs to the boxes when they are unoccupied.
Other ways people can also get involved is to volunteer with one of your local conservation charities to help manage habitats to benefit dormice.
What do you hope the reader can learn from the Hazel Dormouse Conservation Handbook?
Dormice act as umbrella species for our native wildlife. Their habitats are home to a broad range of other species and retention of their populations is a strong indicator of habitat integrity at a landscape scale. Put simply, if we get it right for dormice, we get it right for many other species as well. We therefore hope that this handbook will help to aid the recovery of this important species.
Hazel Dormouse Conservation Handbook is available from our bookstore here.
Over the last 6 months, NHBS has had the opportunity to work alongside Devon’s Living Churchyard Project by donating a number of bat and bird boxes to be installed in a range of churches across Devon to support local wildlife. This initiative aims to manage churchyards while also encouraging wildlife, biodiversity and promoting sustainable management practices.
We recently spoke with David Curry, former Voluntary Environmental Advisor at the Living Churchyard Project, about his role, the importance of preserving these habitats and more.
Firstly, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you first became interested in biodiversity, particularly within churchyards?
I began my career working as Keeper of Natural History at Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery, and later St. Albans museums in Hertfordshire. I am now retired, having worked mainly in local government for 50 years, where I first worked in heritage departments and planning.
My main role in planning was as an enabler – working with community groups in developing and managing wildlife sites – these ranged from changing derelict chalk stream cress beds into chalk wetlands, to planning and establishing community orchards ranging in size from 1ha to 72ha.
I’m an old-fashioned naturalist, today it’s called biodiversity.
In 1986 the Living Churchyard Project was set up by the Arthur Rank Centre to encourage the use of churchyards as a community environmental resource and to raise environmental awareness. I took an active interest in the project and began to visit and record churchyards in my area. I then lead the Devon Living Churchyards Project in a voluntary capacity for the Church of England’s Diocese of Exeter, while working in partnership with the national charity Caring for God’s Acre project.
18 leaves etc. Danson Park by Brian Toward, via flickr.
What does the role of a voluntary Environmental Advisor entail?
September 2023 saw the publication of the 4th State of Nature (SON) Report.
The report provides the most comprehensive overview ever of species trends across the UK, laying bare the stark fact that nature is still seriously declining across a country that is already one of the most nature-depleted in the world.
The data shows that since 1970, UK species have declined by about 19% on average, and nearly 1 in 6 species (16.1%) are now threatened with extinction. This is a timely reminder, if we needed it, that the nature crisis isn’t restricted to far-off places like the Amazon or Great Barrier Reef – it is right here, on our doorstep. We are losing familiar wildlife that we cherish including the Hazel Dormouse and Skylark.
SON goes beyond the bare statistics to assess the evidence behind these differences, it also identifies the actions that are needed to recover nature. To quote the report; “We have never had a better understanding of the State of Nature and what is needed to fix it.”
Exeter Diocese
The Diocese of Exeter is part of the Church of England and covers the whole of Devon. There are over 600 churches in the diocese, many of them rural, and there are over 2,000ha of glebelands (areas of land owned by the Church of England) which are used as a source of income through rents etc.
Opportunities
So, what are the issues that that needed to be addressed? And what are the opportunities to address them?
Evidence from the State of Nature report, and elsewhere, points to four big on-the-ground changes that we can take to accelerate nature recovery:
Improve the quality of our protected sites on land and at sea. These places have been chosen because they are special for nature, and wildlife should be thriving within them, yet too many are currently in poor condition.
Create more, bigger and messier places for wildlife. Our wildlife needs more space, and we know that many species can benefit from habitats that are quick to create such as ponds, scrubby habitats and un-trimmed hedgerows.
Reducing pollution on land (notably pesticides and excess fertilisers) and reducing the pressure on marine environments. This means more wildlife-friendly farming, forestry and fisheries.
Targeted species recovery action. This can be very effective when applied to a high proportion of a species’ population, and is also key to bringing back lost species.
Churchyards and their unique habitats provide a recipe for recovery in that they can be used to create more, bigger and messier places for wildlife. But also, the local communities must have the chance to be part of these changes. Establishing a Nature Recovery Network of ‘honeypot’ churches has been key. A pilot scheme working with the South Devon National Landscapes Life on the Edge project and Buglife has surveyed churches along the South Devon B Line from Wembury near Plymouth to Brixham (2023/2024). From the data collected, we will be able to provide churchyard management action plans to improve the biodiversity of each site, creating ‘honeypot’ churches.
In Conclusion
The picture of ongoing nature loss painted by the SON report is stark. This isn’t just sad – nature loss undermines our economy, food systems and health and wellbeing. So, we owe it to nature, and ourselves, to make sure that it is the last State of Nature report to chart continuing decline. Churchyards, in particular the Living Churchyards project, can make a positive contribution towards nature recovery in Devon and ensure that the next SON report can document the start of nature bouncing back.
“Nature’s recovery in Devon is not something we can achieve alone. It needs the support of individuals, communities, businesses and schools.” Devon Wildlife Trust
Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) by Peter O’Connor, via flickr.
Why do you think creating new habitats, and restoring old ones, is important for these spaces, and which species are you hoping to attract to the area with the installation of our habitat boxes?
Encouraging a diversity of species on a site is important. Installing the NHBS habitat boxes will provide both shelter and protection to various species such as bats, swifts, and bees.
Why do you think these vital areas of biodiversity are so often overlooked, and how do you think we can work to improve their future preservation?
Mention churchyards to anyone and they will usually shrug their shoulders.
A churchyard is many things to many people;
A pleasant, reflective place for the congregation and visitors
An environment in keeping with the function of burial and the scattering of cremated remains
A respected and cared for part of our environment
No one mentions its potential as a sanctuary for wildlife. That’s the problem. People will walk past a church cemetery without giving a thought to looking inside, after all it’s a cemetery containing graves and memorials for the dead.
Raising awareness about the wildlife in the churchyard or the peace and tranquillity takes priority. We need to make the entrance more welcoming with appropriate signage.
‘People protect what they love’ – Jacque Yves Cousteau. This quote encapsulates the basic human instinct that drives us to safeguard and preserve the things that hold a special place in our hearts. Whether it be our loved ones, our communities or nature. At its core, this quote highlights the importance of connectiveness. Our modern culture has disconnected us from nature, and as ambassadors for nature we need to reconnect people, encourage people to understand and love nature and to be motivated to protect it.
Nature can also trigger positive emotions, reduce stress, increase prosocial behaviour, and improve health and wellness.
Hart’s-tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) by Peter O’Connor, via flickr.
What are the most interesting species that you’ve found in some of the churchyards you’ve visit?
Gosh, how long is a piece of string? Because churchyards have been oases in space and time, largely immune from activities beyond their walls, they have become sanctuaries for a wide range of species. Churchyards provide a mosaic of habitats, from meadowland to woodland edge, dense hedges, short and long grass cover and a variety of ‘cliff’ and rock habitats in the form of the church wall and gravestones. They can harbour a startling number (often many hundreds) of species and no doubt conceal rare and interesting creatures and plants. The range of rock types on headstones are of special value to lichens and other lowly plants, some of which may be very rare.
Old cob boundary walls maybe especially interesting, offering hole nesting species including many species of solitary bees with places to lay eggs. These in turn attract the inevitable parasites, some of which are often over-looked but impressively sci-fi in appearance. Part of the peregrine falcon ‘come back’ after they dwindled to near extinction was fuelled by the nest site opportunities of church buildings – they are now a regular site perched on bell towers. Likewise, the shocking decline of swifts is now being reversed thanks to the installation of nest boxes in bell towers.
Love Your Burial Ground Week, celebrated every June, is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of churchyards and celebrate their natural diversity. How can the local community get involved?
Saturday 7th June to Sunday the 15th June 2025.
Love Your Burial Ground Week is a celebratory week which has been running for many years. Caring for God’s Acre has been encouraging all who help to look after churchyards, chapel yards and cemeteries to celebrate these fantastic places in the lovely month of June – in any way you choose.
We’ve seen history talks, picnics, bat walks, storytelling, volunteering work parties and even abseiling teddy bears!
Churches Count on Nature 2025 runs at the same time as Love Your Burial Ground Week, and focuses on the brilliant wildlife to be found in churchyards and chapel yards. It is a joint initiative promoted by Caring for God’s Acre, the Church of England, the Church in Wales and A Rocha UK.
In the months leading up to June we shall be working with Caring for God’s Acre to encourage church communities throughout Devon to take part in this exciting event. There is a wealth of information on how you can open your churchyard to visitors provided by Caring for Gods Acre.
Last month, NHBS colleague Dan volunteered with the Dartmoor Preservation Association – read below to find out what he got up to.
Walking across Dartmoor, you feel centuries of history embedded in its rugged landscape. The open moorlands, rolling hills, and ancient stone circles are more than just features – they’re fragments of a rich past. Volunteering with the Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA) reminded me how essential the work is to protect the unique heritage of places such as these.
Founded in 1883, the Dartmoor Preservation Association is one of Britain’s oldest conservation organisations and is focused on safeguarding Dartmoor’s landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage. The DPA works tirelessly to protect the moors ecological balance and preserve the archaeological sites that reveal Dartmoor’s deep connection to human history. The organisation advocates for responsible land use, defends against damaging developments, and promotes awareness of Dartmoors irreplaceable natural and historical value.
Among Dartmoors treasures, situated by Huccaby Tor near Dartmeet, stands a quiet reminder of the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC) – Huccaby Rings. A monument scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, it is one of many ancient sites on Dartmoor that were built to hold livestock, protect crops and / or to accommodate farmers and herdsmen.
It wasn’t too surprising that when I joined the DPA to help clear the ring of Gorse, I was joined by several archaeology enthusiasts, each keen to help preserve this window into Dartmoor’s ancient past and ensure that Dartmoor’s story lives on for future generations.
Conservation volunteering goes beyond hands-on work; it’s a commitment to protecting the legacy of places like Dartmoor. Each task – preserving historical heritage, supporting wildlife habitat, managing access – is a step towards safeguarding unique beauty, preserving cultural history and supporting wildlife.
I’m certain that you, the reader, also have a special place near you – whether urban or rural – that deserves this kind of dedicated care.
Dartmoor 365
A true gem of a book, it has a story about every square mile of Dartmoor, filled with captivating folklore, historical insights, archaeology, and nature facts. An intimate exploration of a unique part of the world.
The Volunteers: A Memoir of Conservation, Companionship and Community
When Carol finds herself single and unemployed, she unexpectedly takes on the role of leading a quirky team of countryside conservation volunteers. Although their first days are rocky, she and her diverse group of volunteers bond over nature, finding friendship, purpose, and a renewed sense of belonging. The Volunteers is a heart-warming story about healing, community, and the redemptive power of the outdoors.
Butterfly Conservation’s Moth Recorders Meeting provides an essential update for ecologists, wildlife watchers, and naturalists interested in the latest developments in moth recording, research, and conservation. Introduced by director of business and research, Russel Hobson, this year’s meeting was held online via Zoom on Saturday 25th January, and comprised of a variety of talks by keynote speakers including Dr Zoë Randle, David Hill and Dr Avalon Owens.
Dr Zoë Randle, Butterfly Conservation: National Moth Recording Scheme Update
The first speaker, Butterfly Conservation’s Dr Zoë Randle, shared an update on the National Moth Recording Scheme and key trends. Over 600,000 observations were submitted on iRecord throughout2024, bringing the total macro moth records to 36.2 million and micro moth records to 7.4 million in the National Moth Recording Scheme. Despite an increase in moth recording last year, Zoë emphasised the importance of both recorders and verifiers, while also stressing the need for more volunteers to streamline the verification process.
Number of Records in the National Moth Recording Scheme per km square. Credit: Dr Zoë Randle
Dr Norman Lowe, County Moth Recorder, Breconshire: Charismatic Clearwings in mid-Wales.
Dr Norman Lowe, County Moth Recorder for Breconshire, discussed clearwings in mid-Wales, presenting the group as flagships for dayflying moths and provided an update on clearwing records during 2024. Last year, 31 more recorders and ten more pheromone traps/lures were supplied to aid in recording, resulting in a total of 80 clearwing observations for 2024. Data revealed some local and scarce species, including the Welsh Clearwing and Red-tipped Clearwings, and highlighted species which are common and widespread, like Lunar Hornet Moths.
David Hill, Conservation Manager (Scotland), Butterfly Conservation: Black, White, Red & Gold – surveying Argyll’s rare moths
Next to speak was David Hill, who reported on two key species that he has been working with in Scotland: White Spotted Sable Moths and Transparent Burnet. He discussed the background and biology of the species, as well as the efforts undertaken to better understand their pressures and distribution.
2024 larval surveys uncovered 30 White Spotted Sable caterpillars over three days and allowed surveyors to categorise habitat. This coming year, the team will look to rear caterpillars to confirm identification, start adult surveys and seek out sites where Anania terrealis, a commonly mistaken species, is present.
Transparent Burnets are a focus for Scottish conservation projects as part of the Species on the Edge programme. This rarely recorded species is one of concern due to loss of suitable habitat and work will continue throughout 2025 to establish the distribution and abundance of this moth across Argyll.
Transparent Burnet. Credit: David Hill
Dr Luke Evans, Butterfly Conservation: Can we measure the impact of insect change on bird and bat populations?
Dr Luke Evans discussed the DRUID project, which has operated since 2021 and aims to investigate the drivers and repercussions of UK insect decline. Evans discussed the impact of this catastrophic decline on species whose diets are adapted to insects, true correlation vs random correlation (the observation data conundrum) and the suggestive patterns of decline in birds as a result of this. The use of key data, including that in the National Moth Recording Scheme, demonstrates the importance of national monitoring data for evaluating insect abundance and the direct impacts of insect change.
Dr Sam Fabian, Imperial College London: Understanding why artificial lights trap flying insects using high-speed videography
The next presentation was delivered by Dr Sam Fabian, who explored the aggregation of insects around bright light sources, how artificial light can impact insect flight and the behavioural mechanisms behind it. Fabian suggests that circling behaviour around bright light sources is due to dorsal light response – a stabilising reflex where insects angle their body to orientate bright lights above them – which causes erratic flight paths around artificial light sources.
Circling behaviours around artificial light sources. Credit: Dr Sam Fabian
Dr Avalon Owens, Rowland Institute, Harvard University: Do sustainable lighting practices sustain moths?
Last to speak was Dr Avalon Owens, who concluded the session with an insightful discussion on the impacts of light pollution on moths. This growing threat is one of many that impacts global insect abundance and diversity, and can have a range of negative impacts on insect behaviour, including: fatal attraction, temporal and spatial disorientation and visual confusion. These can have catastrophic effects on insects internal body clock, navigation ability and recognition of resources. With light pollution levels growing and expanding exponentially, Dr Owens also outlined key routes to tackle the issue by creating sustainable lighting that is useful, targeted, controlled, low level and warm coloured.
Five lighting principles for responsible outdoor lighting and impacts of artificial light on insects. Credit: Dr Avalon Owens
This year’s Moth Recorders Meeting was a fascinating insight into the National Moth Recording Scheme, key trends and developments in moth ecology and conservation, and the threats to these undervalued insects. Find out more about Butterfly Conservation, their valuable work and ways to get involved on their website.
The award-winning WILDGuides collection is a series of comprehensive and practical natural history titles. Ranging from photographic field guides covering the wildlife of Britain, Ireland and Europe, to visitor guides and reference works on wildlife across the world, this authoritative, easy-to-use series contains some of the best identification guides to date.
Robert Still is the co-founder and publishing director of WILDGuides, and has contributed to more than sixty titles in the series. In his spare time, he is a prolific natural history author, ecologist and graphic artist. We recently had the opportunity to speak to Rob about the WILDGuides collection, including how each volume is produced, which titles are due to be published over the next few years and more.
Firstly, can you tell us about the history of WILDGuides and how the collection came to be?
I (Rob) had been working as a designer, using photoshop and producing somewhat rudimentary montages and cutouts for adverts since 1991. When the programme’s features really took off in the late 90s, my thought was whether these new capabilities could be used to produce ‘best birding’ moments, such as idealised scenes of multiple tanagers in the same tree, or a Sueda bush chock full of vagrant Phylloscopus.
From there, it was a short transition to figuring out if the technology could be used for field guides – hence the birth of WILDGuides, which started with a guide to Galápagos wildlife by Andy Swash published in 2000, followed relatively quickly by Whales and Dolphins of the European Atlantic (2001) and Britain’s Butterflies (2002) – this covered a relatively small number of species and all were easy to cut out. Britain’s Dragonflies (2004) followed and was the first book written by Andy prior to the expansion into the other taxa groups as seen today, alongside multiple evolutions/editions of the first titles.
For anyone unfamiliar with the collection, how would you describe them, and who are they intended for?
The books are intended for anyone who wants to put a name to something they encounter in the field. I would describe them as a guided, primarily photographic pathway that hopefully helps in that process.
Each work in the collection is a passion project of dedicated scientists, conservationists, and researchers. How long does it take to produce a title from start to finish and what kind of work goes into creating them?
It varies a great deal. Some have taken a good 10 years from concept to fruition, others have taken just a couple of years. However, a title typically requires a couple of photography seasons, as a significant number of the images in each book are commissioned and the specific image requirements often don’t come to light until the design process is underway.
How do you decide what makes a good subject for WILDGuides? What are you looking for when creating new volumes?
A good subject is really any group or taxa within a defined region – WILDGuides is looking to work with any experienced specialists to present that group in the WILDGuides way.
One of the strengths of the WILDGuide collection is the use of a unique ‘roadmap’ for each published topic, allowing users to navigate identification, and the book itself. Can you elaborate on the process of these roadmaps, and why you feel they are so important for these guides?
Sure, it is a relatively straightforward process insofar as it is simply the production of an identification pathway from start to finish. This is slightly disingenuous, as on occasion, it can be harder than one might think to unequivocally achieve this. It requires a team that really knows the subject being prepared, who is able to combine their field experience to focus on what really matters in the identification.
Their importance to the guide, I believe, is that they are an amalgamation of this ‘hands-on’ experience and so the pathway is both realistic and pragmatic.
Can you speak on the process of updating editions in the collection?
Obviously, nature is dynamic and lists of taxa within a region change. New, reliable field identification features come to light, improvements are suggested by our users and the exponential rise in available images means that there is now a good chance that better pictures (in terms of quality and showing the key identification points) become available. Consequently, we keep an update file covering all of these areas, and will update these editions when the time is right to do so.
What can we expect from the collection over the next couple of years? Are you able to share any new titles that are on the way?
Yes, the existing collection should improve over the coming years with the feedback and new images mentioned. WILDGuides is also looking to expand the series into other taxa not already covered to match the increasing diversity of species groups that people are looking at, with the hope that more accurate records are sent to organisations managing citizen science databases.
On the near horizon are updates to Britain’s Spiders and, at some stage, Britain’s Birds as well as new titles covering Britain’s Trees, Birds of East Africa and Birds of Madagascar, each in the style of Europe’s Birds. Further down the track we are looking at gaps, particularly in Britain’s series, that are relatively obvious to spot – so if any reader of this piece wants to be a potential part of that expansion, we’d love to hear from you!
The Wildwood Trust was established in 2002 and is one of the UK’s leading conservation and rewilding trust. The charity aims to push the boundaries of conservation by working alongside nature to fight the biodiversity crisis and halt species extinction using nature-based solutions. Alongside their conservation projects, volunteering opportunities and memberships, they also offer a host of educational courses and workshops across both of their sites.
Wildwood Devon is home to numerous native bat species, and over the last two years, they have been working alongside Devon Bat Conservation and Research Group to create, assist and monitor secure bat roosting sites for the breeding season to support endangered bat populations. In mid-2023, NHBS donated 10 general-purpose bat boxes to support this project. A year later, we had the opportunity to talk to The Wildwood Trust about the results from their first annual species survey on this site, how our donation has aided the project’s success, discuss their goals for the next five years and more.
Firstly, can you tell us about The Wildwood Trust and how the charity began?
Established in 2002, The Wildwood Trust is a native species conservation charity formed to push the boundaries of innovative conservation and rewilding. The charity began after it was decided that a small zoo could be instrumental in educating Kent locals about British wildlife –the zoo wassubsequently renamed Wildwood Discovery Park and soon becameThe Wildwood Trust. Since then, the park has grown and changed, and the Trust has takenon a second site on the Escot Estate in Devon. We recently rebranded and the sites are now known as Wildwood Kent and Wildwood Devon, both working under The Wildwood Trust. We work with nature to fight the biodiversity crisis, to halt the extinction of species and to create resilient habitats in which nature thrives. Wildwood’s experience and expertise in working with native species means we can work effectively across the UK in many projects, focussing on nature-based solutions to reinstate native species populations and recreate truly wild spaces. Rewilding, through the reintroduction of keystone species, is the most powerful tool we have. These reintroduced animals altertheir landscape by creating the space and complexity for hundreds of other species to thrive.
Which species are you hoping to encourage to the area with the installation of our bat boxes?
We have a number of resident species on site, including Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus), Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), Daubenton’s Bat (Myotis daubentonii), Noctule (Nyctalus noctula), Soprano Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) and Whiskered Bat (Myotis mystacinus). With the addition of the Schwegler 2F Bat Boxes supplied by NHBS, we are hoping to attract a wider range of species, including Barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus) and Nathusius’ Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii).
We have since completed our first bat box check and are pleased to see that our resident bats have taken to the boxes, and we have found pipistrelle droppings in multiple boxes. We were also lucky enough to find a female Common Pipistrelle in one of the boxes.
Breeding projects are a key element of the work you do. Why are these programmes so important and do you have a favourite success story that you can share with us?
Breeding projects are incredibly useful for a number of reasons, from maintaining genetic diversity within the population all the way through to providing an alternative to translocations. We work with a number of organisations and charities, who are also involved in captive breeding groups, to maintain high standards of husbandry and welfare to provide a healthy, genetically diverse captive population that can assist in future conservation projects.
I couldn’t possibly choose a favourite as Wildwood has bred and reintroduced many species, including Water Voles as part of development mitigation work and Hazel Dormice into suitable areas of former range. However, the memorable reintroduction of Red Squirrels to Anglesey was a successful project and re-established an iconic species after significant declines following the introduction of Grey Squirrels. We have also joined forces with other major captive breeding collections to implement a national captive breeding group which can assist in any future conservation projects.
How is Wildwood working to combat the effects of climate change?
Many of our rewilding projects aim to facilitate the restoration of native habitats, often through reinstating lost species. A good example of this would be our flagship wilding project ‘Blean Bison’ in Canterbury. Launched in 2019 with Kent Wildlife Trust, the project looked to promote stronger habitats by restoring natural processes and aimed to bring transformational change through a controlled trial with European Bison. To combat climate change, the project is aiming to restore 600 hectares of ancient woodland, a vital natural carbon store that can hold around 30% of the world’s carbon.
What does the Wildwood Trust hope to achieve in the next five years?
Wildwood will continue to be a leader in the field of native species conservation. We will continue to deliver our mission to protect, conserve and rewild British wildlife by building long-term and sustainable partnerships with like-minded organisations. Through collaborative working, we can maximise our impact and bring resilience to our native ecosystems.
Are there any other conservation projects that you’re working on that you can tell us about?
We are proud to be a collaborative organisation and, with like-minded conservation partners, we are now working towards the conservation and reintroduction of several species across Britain, including wildcats, Red-billed Chough and White-clawed Crayfish to name a few.
Part of the national captive breeding programme, the wildcats at Wildwood are involved in the creation of a genetically viable captive population. Our wildcat breeding programme has been hugely successful and in 2020 we announced our collaborative work to restore the European Wildcat to Britain.
As a keystone species, the conservation of White-clawed Crayfish is important for several reasons. The only native crayfish species found in the UK, these crustaceans play a key role in the food chain and are an important indicator species for freshwater health. White-clawed Crayfish are threatened by invasive Signal Crayfish, so our work to support the breeding of these animals through establishing a Devon crayfish hatchery is important in ensuring their survival.
For over 200 years the Red-billed Chough has been missing from Kent, so we have partnered with Kent Wildlife Trust to reintroduce these birds to the cliffs of Dover. The project has now reached its second year of reintroductions, and there are now 19 birds established in the area.
We are always looking for more projects to get involved with so please do get in touch if you think we can help!
In September, five species of seabird were added to the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List. Arctic Tern, Great Skua, Leach’s Storm Petrel, Common Gull and Great Black-backed Gull have joined the list of species most in need of conservation. Each of these species has experienced population declines due to pressures including climate change, avian influenza and habitat loss. Over 30% of all British birds are now on the Red List; the most recent additions joining Kittiwakes, Puffins and Arctic Skuas, among others. An alarming ten out of 26 UK seabirds now feature on the list.
In this blog we shine a spotlight on these seabirds and explore the threats that have resulted in their addition to the Red List.
Identification: Leach’s Petrel is a Starling-sized bird with a wingspan of up to 48cm. This burrow-nesting seabird is mostly black in colour, except for a white rump with a black line running through it. The wings are angled, with darker wingtips and a lighter coloured ‘V’ over the wingspan and the tail is dark and forked.
Distribution: Most sightings of this species are recorded around coastal headlands and sea-watching hotspots during autumn. The UK has an estimated 48,000 breeding pairs which can mostly be found on remote offshore islands (particularly in Ireland and Scotland) before migrating to the tropics over winter.
Threats: Leach’s Petrel was added to the Red List due to population declines and localised breeding concerns. It is thought that more than half of the UK’s population resides at fewer than ten sites, areas which carry the risk of predation by introduced mammalian predators as well as avian predators.
Fun fact: Leach’s Petrels spend most of their time offshore, close to deeper waters beyond the continental shelf, before returning to underground nests at night.
Identification: A medium-sized gull with a wingspan of up to 130cm. This species is similar in appearance to the Herring Gull but is smaller in size. It is mostly grey from above, with a grey back and upper wings. The underside, head, tail and body are white. The small bill and legs of the Common Gull are yellow-green in colour and, up close, a red orbital ring can be observed around the iris. Their call is a high-pitched ‘kee’ or ‘kee-ya’ sound.
Distribution: There are approximately 49,000 breeding pairs of Common Gull in the UK, which breed in the north and west of Britain and Ireland. They are generally widely distributed throughout the country but are found with the highest densities on the eastern side of Scotland. Predominantly a coastal bird, this species has a preference for upland areas and can be seen in towns along the coast throughout the year.
Threats: Severe declines have been observed over the last 25 years, with over half of the breeding population lost during this time. These losses are due to a number of factors, including predation, habitat loss and degradation.
Fun fact: Despite its name, this bird is scarcer than other gull species and is found in lower numbers.
Identification: A thick-set, very large gull with a powerful beak. Great Black-backed Gulls are easily recognised by their black upper wings and an impressive wingspan of up to 167cm. The head, neck, tail and underside are white and there are visible white edges to the upper wings in flight. This species has pale pink legs, and a distinctive large yellow beak with a red spot on the underside towards the tip.
Distribution: There are around 17,000 breeding pairs of Great Black-backed Gull in the UK which can be seen throughout the year in coastal locations. This species is found across the UK but has high densities around the northern Isles and south-west Ireland.
Threats: Populations of Great Black-backed Gull have declined by an estimated 50% since 1985, brought on by suspected declines in food availability in their natural habitat, habitat loss and threats from entanglement and development.
Fun fact: The Great Black-backed Gull is the largest gull species in the world.
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)
Image by Alaska Region U.S Fish and Wildlife Service via Flickr
Identification: A small, slender seabird with a wingspan measuring up to 85cm. The Arctic Tern is a white bird with a black cap and grey wings. It is streamlined in shape and has a deeply forked tail with long streamers. The legs and pointed beak are red in colour and their calls are hard and repetitive, with a ‘kee-arr’ sound.
Distribution: There are approximately 54,000 breeding pairs in the UK that can be seen in good numbers around Shetland and Orkney. Arctic Tern can be seen from April to September in Britain, breeding coastally in the north.
Threats: Arctic Tern populations have undergone long-term declines for several reasons: habitat loss, human disturbance in breeding and feeding habitats, impacted chick survival by avian influenza, and declines in Sand Eels, a critical food source.
Fun fact: The Arctic Tern has the longest migration of any tern – this species breeds in the Arctic and travels south to summer in the Antarctic.
Identification: A large, dark brown bird with a wingspan up to 140cm. Great Skua are heavy in build and almost black in colour when viewed at a distance, with white flashes on the wing visible in flight. Up close, their plumage is streaked with black, brown, white and yellow and their bills and legs are black. They have a distinctive gull call – a harsh ‘hah-hah-hah-hah’ sound.
Distribution: Great Skua can be seen around British coastlines throughout the year, with most sightings documented between April and November. This species is known to breed on northern islands, including Shetland and Orkney during the summer months.
Threats: Great Skua populations have been severely impacted by avian influenza, resulting in at least 2,500 deaths of Scottish birds since 2022.
Fun fact: Considered ‘pirates of the sea’, Great Skuas are predatory birds and will hunt small birds, rabbits and rodents.
In ten chapters, each dedicated to a different bird, this book travels the ocean paths along with them, looking at the way their bodies work and the strategies needed to survive in the most demanding environment on earth.
The NHBS Moth Trap is a highly portable and lightweight resource for moth trapping, tested and approved by Butterfly Conservation.
