Catfield Fen

 Saturday June 29

The Norfolk branch of the Butterfly Association holds an open day moth session annually at Catfield Fen.

Catfield Fen reserve is part of the Ant Broads and Marshes National Nature Reserve (NNR), which covers much of the floodplain of the middle Ant Valley. The NNR is one of the best and largest remaining areas of fen habitat in Western Europe. The area is a stronghold for the Swallowtail butterfly.

The Fen has been cut for reed and sedge for thatching for many years.  BC Norfolk Branch (BCNB) purchased the reserve in 1992 and has managed it ever since.The Reserve manager is Mick A'Court who lives at the far end of our village. He both set out the seven traps, collected them in and opened the traps during the morning.  This had involved him sleeping in his car on site.

He was very disappointed with the catch, his worst of the last week when the weather warmed up. I don't think that the micro species got into double figures. The macros caught did include some of the site specialities such as Lempke's Gold Spot, Fen Leapard and Silver Hook. The session began at 10.00 and was over by 11.30. Some ever helpful members of the group such as Ian and Sue helped Mick put the traps away.

We usually see Swallowtail Butterflies and Norfolk Hawker Dragonflies here. Not today.

Thursday June 27

David N had spent the night trapping at Cranwich in South Norfolk.He brought a selection of the 'good' moths he'd caught to the Cley Centre weekly moth session. Waw. Several lifers for me and others too I guess.

New for me were: Four Dotted Footman, 

Festoon and some micros.

 


 Others were: Royal Mantle,Wood Carpet, Rosy Marbled, Brown Scallop, Clouded Mapgpie, Reddish Light Arches and Four-spotted Footman.



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