https://www.upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/moths_for_beginners. The guide has been produced by myself with help from Dave Wilton; at present it is available to download as a set of PDF files, but it will be available as web pages in the future (thanks to David Hastings).
The guide consists of an introductory page, including a simplified initial macro-moth classification, naming of moth parts, and notes on how to identify and record findings. This is followed by several pages of photos of moths designed to help identify some common macro-moths quickly if they have a distinctive colour (including a brief guide to common 'brown jobs'), a defined pattern or motif, or if found flying by day. Although these are somewhat superficial (and limited) ways of identifying moths, these pages also emphasise the different families of moths to help the new recorder start to appreciate the natural classification of moths as an aid to identification (as becomes increasingly important when attempting to identify micro-moths, to which it is hoped to extend the guide in future).
So have a look at the guide if you are just starting out on moth recording or know of someone who would potentially benefit from it. It is primarily my own view of what would have been useful to me when taking up moth recording, and comments on its potential usefulness to others would be appreciated.
John Thacker, Harwell
The guide consists of an introductory page, including a simplified initial macro-moth classification, naming of moth parts, and notes on how to identify and record findings. This is followed by several pages of photos of moths designed to help identify some common macro-moths quickly if they have a distinctive colour (including a brief guide to common 'brown jobs'), a defined pattern or motif, or if found flying by day. Although these are somewhat superficial (and limited) ways of identifying moths, these pages also emphasise the different families of moths to help the new recorder start to appreciate the natural classification of moths as an aid to identification (as becomes increasingly important when attempting to identify micro-moths, to which it is hoped to extend the guide in future).
So have a look at the guide if you are just starting out on moth recording or know of someone who would potentially benefit from it. It is primarily my own view of what would have been useful to me when taking up moth recording, and comments on its potential usefulness to others would be appreciated.
John Thacker, Harwell
That sounds really helpful, thanks!
ReplyDeleteExcellent, many thanks for making these available John.
ReplyDeleteThank you. As a beginner I have discovered some helpful websites but often you need a vague idea of likely id before the detail is useful so some pdf guides are great. Whats flying tonight I find invaluable but it is necessarily limited.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a wonderful initiative and has evidently been a lot of work. I think that the alternative groupings - such as the guides by colour and by distinctive features - is a good idea for beginners, for whom taxonomic groupings aren't always the easiest way "in".
ReplyDeleteI was aware of most of the other sites and guides mentioned in the introduction, but I wasn't aware of Brian Hancock's guide to the Pugs, so that's one major gain already! One suggestion: would it be a good idea to add a direct link to the Introduction for Beginners page to the "Links" list on the right side of this blog? I realise that there is already a link to the BC-UTB site where the Introduction page is located.