Good list for somewhere not intensively surveyed, some very notable additions this year Bordered Sallow (Restharrow, Willow, Oak) and Round-winged Muslin (lichens), as well as the absent ones which reflect both the ebbs and flows of species and the very occasional random methods of survey. Both are grade 2 species in terms of conservation importance in Notts, that’s pretty high up the list of rarity.

It’s a recurring feature that lichen feeders are booming (the footman moths, Common, Scarce, Orange, Dingy, Buff are all doing very well and the Tree Lichen Beauty has become resident from migrant).

Wardens note – Wilwell has been spasmodically recorded over the years since 1983 and the total species count is 221. But Paul has now been visiting on a more regular basis for the last five years and has recorded some 166 moth species of which 42 have been recorded in three or more of those years. How much of this variation is an artefact of recording effort/location and how much is down to natural variation is difficult to say.

On behalf of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and with the continuing kind participation of and permissions from six woodland plot owners at Cotgrave Forest, we have continued (predominantly macro/larger) moth surveys in 2022, having started in 2019.

The survey methods comprise night running battery operated Skinner 8W actinic light traps coupled with targeted and occasional daytime deployment of pheromone lures.

The species list for this period now comprises 223 species of macro moth and 37 micro moth species. Perhaps more importantly and reflecting the exceptional value of Cotgrave Forest as a wildlife site, a number of notable species have been recorded. With reference to County Recorder Dr Sheila Wright’s ‘Conservation Status of Nottinghamshire Macro Moths 4th Edition 2020 twenty-five species are ranked Grade 3, four species Grade 2 and two species Grade 1, plus 17 further species deemed ‘notable’ in the County. Here Grade 1 includes the County’s rarest resident moth species.

Grade 1: Webb’s Wainscot (Reedman/Iris), Yellow-legged Clearwing (Oak)

Grade 2: Angle-striped Sallow (Birch), Pinion-streaked Snout (Food plants uncertain), Red-tipped Clearwing (Willows), Lunar-spotted Pinion (Elms, Apple)

Many of the significant species reflect the dominant flora in Cotgrave Forest such as the particularly rare (in south Notts) Satin Beauty (Pine) and this year a Dark Crimson Underwing (Oak) the latter unrecorded in Nottinghamshire before 2022 and possibly an example of a very rare migrant moth now becoming resident.

Webb’s Wainscot and Yellow-legged Clearwings have been recorded year on year indicating resident breeding populations.

Of the 223 macro moths five species are categorised as ‘Vulnerable’ and four ‘Near Threatened’ (Atlas of Britain and Ireland’s Larger Moths, Randle et al 2019).

Permissions are in place for further surveys in 2023. It is envisaged that the list of both common and significant macro moth species resident in Cotgrave Forest will grow and serve to emphasise the significance of this highly valuable habitat in south Nottinghamshire

Steve Mathers (Notts Butterfly Recorder) has recorded his 2022 review for Notts Butterflies (plus a few moths). This will incorporate any records you have sent in via Nature Counts or directly to the recorder. Every little counts. The video has a run time of 25 mins and will be shown later this month at the Butterfly Conservation East Midlands Branch AGM. It is available from his You Tube channel here https://youtu.be/W6YQx1_Uf14

This is from The Wildlife Trusts weekly newsletter and is a call for action

The dark clouds gathering over Westminster last week unleashed a torrent of terrible news for wildlife and the environment, with the UK Government launching an attack on nature at a time when we urgently need a plan for its recovery.

From lifting the ban on fracking, to a bill that could clear the way for many of our most important environmental protection laws to be removed, Liz Truss’s government seems to be waging a war on nature.

The announcements sparked an unprecedented wave of anger from wildlife conservation charities and the wider public. The Wildlife Trusts’ director of policy and public affairs, Joan Edwards, has summarised some of the issues in blogs on energy security (here) and deregulation (here). We’d urge everyone, including Wildlife Trust staff, to contact their MP and local Councillor, and demand better. To encourage action, we’ve produced a step-by-step guide on how to help – see it on our website here.

Nominations are now open for the Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards, which celebrates the Borough’s wonderful volunteers, businesses, clubs, organisations, environmentalists, sports clubs and athletes, and the best of its health and wellbeing and food and drink sectors.

In partnership with media partner West Bridgford Wire, it is a great opportunity to reflect on so many groups and individuals who play essential roles in Rushcliffe communities. We are pleased to again welcome Great Northern Group as lead sponsors who run Gilt and The Refinery in West Bridgford and Gilt in Bingham.

The 10 categories for the 2022 Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards are …

• Volunteer of the Year – An individual or group who gives countless hours and dedication to a Rushcliffe community.
• Business of the Year – Recognising a business in the Borough that supports the local community. This could be through employing local people and apprentices, growing their business, providing work experience or putting profit back into the Rushcliffe economy.
• Young Person/Group of the Year – An individual or group to watch in the future or being an excellent role model for other young people to emulate.
• Community Group of the Year – Recognising a club, organisation or community group who may have achieved success and are helping create a sense of place, epitomising what makes Rushcliffe great by coming together to improve their local area.
• Sportsperson of the Year – An individual who has achieved great success in their chosen sport, made a significant impact in their sport or in their club or team, been a role model for others and raised the profile of their sport or made considerable improvement in their performances and achievements.
• Sports Club of the Year – Acknowledging a sports club who has achieved success in their sport through diversity, competition or overcoming barriers to enable people to participate. Coaches, officials and volunteer nominations are encouraged to highlight achievements and club initiatives that have helped increase membership or the development of a new section.
• Food and Drink Establishment of the Year – Recognising a fantastic outlet who provide quality, provenance, and presentation as well as being the best place for a cuppa, sandwich, pint, pizza, or pie.
• Health and Wellbeing Award  – Celebrating an individual’s or group’s tireless dedication in improving the health and wellbeing of members of their local community.
• Environmental Group or Project of the Year – Acknowledging individuals, organisations or projects that have an impact in making Rushcliffe a ‘greener’ place. This could include promoting nature conservation, reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, water conservation or improving quality of life for the people of the Borough.
• The Pride of Rushcliffe Award – An individual or organisation who makes others proud to live in Rushcliffe. This could be an inspirational sportsperson, public figure or head of a community or voluntary group who leads by example to make the Borough a better place to live and work.

Please see below the link to the 2022 nomination form, perhaps you have another worthy nomination?

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RushCRAs2022

Please note the deadline for nominations is 11pm on Sunday 16^th October.

All shortlisted nominees will be invited to attend the awards evening later in the year.

Community Development Team

Rushcliffe Borough Council

E: communitydevelopment@rushcliffe.gov.uk

Rushcliffe Borough Council are organizing the forum in conjunction with Notts Wildlife Trust and anyone involved in nature conservation in Rushcliffe can attend. It is on Saturday 1st Oct.

Please follow this link for details of this year’s forum, which will be held at FarmEco in Screveton https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rushcliffe-nature-conservation-forum-tickets-396949676167   This is the first forum we’ve arranged for a few years, so we’re really looking forward to catching up in person. Please book your place via the Event Brite Link. This is open to all Rushcliffe Friends groups, volunteers involved with managing wildlife spaces and nature conservation enthusiasts in the Borough.