July 2009

Scalloped Oaks And Burnished Brasses?

– Its Moth Trapping at Long Mountain Quarry.

You wouldn’t immediately think of a quarry as the venue to hold moth trapping and identification training for biodiversity colleagues. However it boasted new records of over 40 species for the area and probable new records of micro moths in County Antrim. One of Quarry Products Association NI member company Northstone (NI) Ltd Quarry & Asphalt Division hosted the event at Long Mountain Quarry on Wednesday 29th July. Long Mountain Quarry was chosen for the course as it has interesting habitats away from the worked quarry area, such as hazel coppice and heather moor. Angus Kennedy Northstone’s Quality, Technical & Environmental Manager is championing biodiversity management and awareness across all the company’s quarry sites with Long Mountain holding a special interest for him with it’s variety of quality habitats.   

Supported by NIEA's Biodiversity Unit, the event was organised by QPANI’s Biodiversity Officer Laverne Bell. Focus of the day was to promote the recording of moths and to take them into consideration when managing sites. It was attended by staff working in NIEA’s Development Control and Biodiversity Officers from the Dungannon & South Tyrone and Newtownabbey Councils, Conservation Volunteer NI and the Ulster Wildlife Trust.  Wildlife experts, Dave Allen and Clive Mellon, who were conducting the course, had set up several different types of light trap the previous evening. The traps are lined with cardboard egg trays for the moths to hide in when they get trapped. The traps were opened in turn and the trays, packed with moths, were passed around for the group to examine closely. Captivating species such as Scalloped oak, Burnished brass, Dark arches and Scarce silver where some of the striking species on offer with the added bonus of seeing the stunning Hummingbird hawk hovering on a flowering thistle. Dave and Clive identified around over forty different species of moth – they thought that up to half of them would be new records for the 10km square that the quarry is in.

After emptying all the traps, other catching techniques were demonstrated – netting, beating and sweeping. All had a great time trying them out, with Dave and Clive giving numerous expert tips and identifying the insects and larvae caught. The course was a great success, with many participants saying how interesting and enjoyable it had been.

ENDS

For further information please contact Laverne Bell, Biodiversity Officer, Quarry Products Association NI, Nutts Corner Business Park, Crumlin BT29 4SR

Tel 02890824078 Fax 028 90825103 email lbell@qpani.org