Jenna and I had planned this weekend a few weeks ago with one goal in mind: to try and trap the Rosy Marsh Moth at Cors Fochno in mid-Wales.
Before the trip, I contacted Justin Lyons, the Senior Management Officer and reserve warden, who kindly gave us permission to trap moths on the reserve.
Heading into mid-Wales
We arrived before dusk and carried our gear along the boardwalk, setting up the light trap in what looked like ideal habitat, with plenty of bog-myrtle growing around us, a Rosy marsh moth's food plant.
Just as we were getting everything ready, news broke that two juvenile Black Storks had been found on the Wirral and apparently looked like they were going to roost overnight; I suddenly had another target to fit into the weekend. It looked like I might have a chance of seeing both species within the next 24 hours.Thankfully, the moths didn't disappoint. Before midnight, the trap produced a Rosy Marsh Moth, our target species. It was my first time seeing one, and it certainly lived up to expectations.
The Rosy Marsh Moth was once found in the Huntingdonshire Fens during the 19th century before being thought extinct in Britain. It was later rediscovered breeding on the Tregaron and Borth bogs of mid-Wales, and in 2005 another breeding population was discovered in Cumbria. It remains a scarce species with Red Data Book status. The adults fly during late July and August, and the larvae feed mainly on bog-myrtle (Myrica gale).
With the moth photographed and safely released, we packed everything away and started the journey home. We were both exhausted, so we pulled the van over for a few hours' sleep. When we woke, the valleys were covered in thick mist, and visibility was almost non-existent.
By the time we reached Llangollen, the fog had lifted, and fresh updates confirmed the Black Storks were still showing at Parkgate Marsh. After a bacon sandwich and a much-needed brew, we headed straight there.
As usual, there were plenty of familiar faces already waiting. It wasn't long before one of the Black Storks appeared in flight, giving really good views.
It's an impressive bird and one I'd been hoping to add to my Cheshire & Wirral list for a long time.
Before leaving, we also picked up a calling Quail from the marsh, a Hobby, along with nine Spoonbills, a Spotted Redshank and a Wood Sandpiper.
The highlight came a little later when both Black Storks took to the air and circled over Parkgate before drifting away to the east. It was a fantastic way to finish the morning.
The two Black Storks have had quite a journey. They were first seen in County Durham on 24 July before moving through Cornwall, Radnorshire and Chepstow, eventually turning up in Cheshire.It wasn't a weekend we expected when we first planned the trip. We set out hoping to see one of Britain's rarest moths and ended up enjoying one of the best 24-hour wildlife weekends I've had in a long time.
