At Bere Marsh Farm, a dedicated group of volunteers has been uncovering the hidden world of moths for several years.

Thanks to weekly moth surveys, the farm has recorded an increasing variety of species while contributing valuable information to national monitoring programmes.

The work is led by volunteer Martin Devine, alongside fellow volunteers Bruce and Barrie, who regularly monitor moth boxes across the farm and carefully record their findings.

And thanks to donations for our Twelve Days of Christmas appeal back in 2023, the team is able to use the battery-operated moth boxes for which our supporters kindly fundraised. Free from mains power, it can be used out in the nature reserve.

Bere Marsh Farm moth box

Martin will also be leading a free farm walk at Bere Marsh Farm on Friday, July 3 from 2pm to 3pm, where visitors can learn more about the fascinating moths found on the farm.

Martin’s interest in moths began through butterfly surveys in south-east Dorset.

“I started doing butterfly transects in southeast Dorset and was introduced to the world of moths,” he explained. “The others persuaded me that butterflies are overdone and moths are more varied and interesting, so I started looking at that. They were absolutely right.”

For Martin, moths offer something many people overlook.

“Moths are far more diverse and less fussy than butterflies. They are much more biddable and often will not fly off. Some will even sit on a stick for a while so you can appreciate them.”

Monitoring moths at Bere Marsh Farm

Martin moved to Blandford and began volunteering at the farm in 2022. Since then, the moth monitoring programme has grown steadily.

Each Thursday evening, the staff set up two moth boxes, one at the Buzz Cafe and another at the Angela Hughes Nature Reserve. The boxes use light to attract moths overnight before the insects are safely released the following morning after being identified and recorded.

“The moth boxes are set up on a Thursday evening and are inspected on the following morning,” Martin said. “There is a light in the box which attracts the moths during the night. We then let them go the next day.”

Although moths can be found throughout the year, the busiest recording period stretches from spring through to autumn.

“Moths fly all year round but have their own life cycles, so there will be spring moths, winter moths and so on, but the main part of the season is from now until October.”

For many people, moths conjure images of plain brown insects fluttering around outdoor lights. But the reality is quite different.

Martin described some of the striking species recorded at the farm, including the Chocolate-tip moth, with its unusual fan-shaped appearance, and the Frosted Green moth, which mimics moss for camouflage.

The monitoring work is also revealing encouraging changes in biodiversity at the farm.

“We are currently working through all the data since 2022. There were about 130 different types recorded at the start and last year we were close to 200.”

Why moths matter

Moths play an essential role in the countryside, even if they are rarely noticed.

“They are critical pollinators and a huge part of the food web,” Martin explained. “Moth caterpillars are, for example, the primary food source for blue tit chicks. A single brood of blue tits can need up to 20,000 caterpillars to successfully fledge.”

The surveys are not only helping conservationists better understand insect populations, but also giving people a chance to connect with wildlife that is normally hidden from view. 

“Using the moth boxes opens people’s eyes to a part of nature they would not otherwise see. They are so important for the health of the Farm but at the same time are attractive, varied and beautiful.”

A rare discovery

Back in 2024, the CRT announced the discovery of an extremely rare micro moth, known as the Gold-fringed Dot, or Bohemannia auriciliella, at the farm.  To read more, see our blog, https://www.thecrt.co.uk/news/extremely-rare-moth-discovered-at-bere-marsh-farm-is-a-significant-find-say-experts

Some of the moths found at Bere Marsh Farm (2025)

Flame Shoulder

Coronet

White Ermine

Scorched Wing

Cream Spot Tiger

Poplar Grey

Heart and Dart

Lackey

Blood Vein

Common Emerald

Willow Beauty

Light Emerald

Barred Yellow

Beautiful Hook Tip

Heart and Club

The Uncertain

Swordgrass

Streamer

Burnished Brass

Iron Prominent

Straw Dot

Flame

Beautiful Hook Tip

Bright Line Brown Eye

Clouded Border

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