MOTH TRAPPING BENEATH THE MANCHESTER SKYLINE

Jenna and I decided to visit Walkerwood Reservoir at Millbrook, Stalybridge, for an evening of moth trapping. I'd never visited the area before and was impressed by the scenery, with views across Cock Wood and out towards the distant skyline of Manchester city centre.

Walkerwood Reservoir

Manchester 

As the sun set and darkness fell, Nightjars could be heard churring from the surrounding hillsides, adding to what was already an enjoyable evening. I ran the trap for around four hours and recorded a good variety of moths during the session.

Pale Prominent

Shoulder-striped Wainscot

Ingrailed Clay

Shuttle-shaped Dart

Foxglove Pug

Brown Silver-line

Red Chestnut

Glaucous Shears

Green Silver-lines

Map-winged Swift

Small Elephant Hawk-moth

Although the moths were the main reason for the visit, the setting itself was a real highlight. It was my first visit to Walkerwood Reservoir, and based on both the scenery and the moth trapping, it's certainly somewhere I'd like to return to in the future.