Whitwell Common

 Saturday July 20

This was the second time I'd been to Whitwell Common, near Reepham.  Last year, they had an Open Day ,and our moth trapping was part of it. This year, it was just us - representing  Butterfly Conservation - invited to moth trap by  the Trustees. The ever industrious and helpful Mike Gasson put out five traps the previous evening and David Norgate started proceedings soon after 9 a.m. Our table was positioned under the shade of a group of trees across a patch of rough pasture kept in check by a small herd of native cattle.

 Designated an SSSI in 1965, Whitwell Common is one of the few remaining open fen habitats typical of Norfolk river valleys.
 
Up until the 1930s, villagers had a right to graze cattle and a retained “hayward” maintained the open habitat.
 
The Common now provides opportunities for walkers, naturalists and photographers to find rare flowers, watch birds and observe the magnificent, but gentle, rare breed cattle that help maintain the fen habitat by eating surplus vegetation.
 
There were plenty of moths, especially micros, to keep everyone happy, but nothing unexpected. One Lunar Hornet Clearwing was  lured into a hanging trap amd a trustee brought in a Jersey Tiger moth, always nice to see. 

 

 We were provided with a hot drink and a cake at half time ,which was very welcome, finishing by 11.30.

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