WWT Caerlaverock was therefore holding a bioblitz in an attempt to record as many species on site as possible in one day. We, with other moth-ers, had been asked to set moth traps the night before and record our findings as part of the day. Other experts were there too and there was a board ready to record findings.
What numbers would be on it later??
Chris was not due to arrive until later in the day so we made a start on the 7 moth traps that had been set. This took quite a time and we kept some specimens in a fish tank for the public to view during the rest of the day. We also talked to them about the moths and answered any questions they had.
During the morning other activities were ongoing - insect walks, butterfly walks, bird-ringing demonstrations, bird counts etc etc.
The day passed quite quickly and then suddenly he was here.
Interviews were conducted with the press and various experts and Chris came to base camp to see what everyone had been doing. He was very interested in an owl pellet that was being dissected at the time!
While Chris was busy with interviews etc a member of his team was recording something from every location - in a water colour painting. What a talented man - he just drew some moths and painted them in a very short time - and the result was fantastic.
A short speech by Chris outlining what he was doing today followed - and then he was gone again!!
By the end of the day over 300 species of plants, birds, moths, butterflies, mammals, bugs and fish had been recorded.
The most amazing find of the day however was two saucer bugs (llyocoris cimicoides) - never recorded in Scotland before!
A wonderful day enjoyed by everyone with, hopefully, a good contribution to the overall picture of the wildlife in the UK.
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