This summer, our conservation work in wet woodlands has been buzzing with discovery, and we’re excited to share the joy of connecting with nature! Our moth survey volunteer teams kicked off the season using pheromone lures to attract elusive species, including the striking lunar hornet moth, whose wasp-like yellow and black markings make it instantly unforgettable. This remarkable moth is a key indicator of healthy wet woodland habitats, with larvae that feed on willow and occasionally poplar in damp areas.

Volunteers were thrilled to encounter these beautiful moths for the first time. One team even spotted an impressive five lunar hornet moths in just ten minutes! By targeting males with female chemical cues, this method helps survey species that are often missed by traditional light traps. Each sighting is a sign that our wet woodlands are thriving, supporting a rich and diverse ecosystem. But moths weren’t the only stars of the show. Our volunteers also discovered helleborines, captivating wild orchids that flourish in damp woodlands. Their vibrant blooms not only add beauty to our surveys but also play a vital role in helping us map their presence across Greater Manchester and the Mersey Gateway.

We brought the community closer to nature through vibrant BioBlitz events at Whitehead Hall Meadow, Moses Gate Country Park, and Darcy Lever Gravel Pits. Families and children used the iNaturalist app to record a stunning variety of wildlife, from toads and newts to mini-beasts like bumblebees, leafhoppers, moth larvae, and lacewings. Participants marvelled at the delicate beauty of these creatures, submitting photos to help track and celebrate local biodiversity. 

We also worked with our partners The Conservation Volunteers to host a Family Nature Fun Day at Woodheys Park, combining a BioBlitz with hands-on nature crafts. Families took part in exciting bug hunts and pond dipping, discovering fascinating insects and aquatic life. Children created charming clay models of wildlife and enjoyed colouring nature-themed artworks to round off the day. It was a joyful and engaging experience for many families. The shared excitement of uncovering nature’s small wonders fostered a sense of connection and inspired us to continue our habitat management efforts to support thriving ecosystems.

In the earlier summer months, we ran several Balsam Busting events at New Moss Wood in the Salford Mosslands and at Moses Gate Country Park and Darcey Lever Gravel Pits in Bolton to help tackle the invasive plant species, Himalayan balsam. The clearing of this invasive plant species will help to allow other UK native plant species to re-establish, improving the habitat quality in those areas which will help to increase biodiversity, specifically insects and bugs, helping to provide a vital food source for willow tits. 

After a brilliant turn out for these events we wanted to share a massive thank you to everyone involved from all the Wet Willow Wildlife Project team! All your hard work, time and effort with helping us battle the Balsam made a tremendous impact with clearing the target areas. This vital work has paved way for UK native species to begin to re-establish which will benefit conservation of all wet willow wildlife.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us this summer. As autumn arrived, we need you to keep the momentum alive! Get involved with us by taking part in hands-on habitat management. Your efforts will help ensure species like the willow tit, lunar hornet moth, and helleborines flourish, while you connect with others and gain new skills.

Our upcoming autumn practical conservation events will be taking place at New Moss Wood and Whitehead Hall Meadow. We are aiming to remove scrub tree species that are slowly encroaching onto the meadow to prevent the meadow from turning into woodland. There will also be some thinning of smaller trees along the woodland edges to help restore more light into the woodland to encourage the growth of ground flora to increase biodiversity. The practical session will be split in two parts, morning and afternoon slots, you can attend either timeslot or both!

If you are unable to make these dates but are interested in future upcoming practical task day opportunities for the Wet Willow Wildlife Project, please get in touch for more information by contacting Alex Fancett (afancett@lancswt.org.uk). 

Hope to see you there!