National Moth Night & Day 2009

National Moth Night (NMN) is Britain’s celebration of moths and moth recording. It was launched in 1999 and has taken place annually since then, the date varying each year in order to focus recording effort on different parts of the season. Atropos (the journal for butterfly, moth and dragonfly enthusiasts) and InsectLine (the telephone information service for butterfly, moth and dragonfly enthusiasts) originally launched the event, but
it is now run jointly by Atropos and Butterfly Conservation (the UK charity taking action to save butterflies, moths and their habitats).

On the designated date, participants throughout the British Isles are encouraged to record the moths in their chosen location and the results are pooled into Britain’s largest survey of what species are flying around the country. Much important information has been generated, including new county records, new sites for scarce species and records of rare immigrants. Public events take place around the country, which can be a great introduction to the world of moths. National Moth Night grabs the imagination of those taking part and has involved some fine displays of British eccentricity in terms of unusual methods of recording moths, as well
as visits to some unusual locations. .

In 2009, National Moth Night & Day is over two nights, Friday & Saturday 18 & 19 September. Events are still being planned and please check Events 2009 later and get involved and discover the wonder of moths.

• record moths in your garden or somewhere new
• organise or attend a public event - see www.nationalmothnight.info
• search for targets or select your own
• remember to send in your sightings

For further information on moth recording and to find out who your county moth recorder is, please see Moth recording