Our High Life Highland Countryside Rangers are encouraging people across the region to discover the fascinating world of moths through a special Green Libraries initiative designed to connect communities with local wildlife and contribute to citizen science.
Moth traps are available to borrow from a selection of our High Life Highland libraries — and for one young nature explorer in Lochaber, the vast array of moths discovered on her first go revealed the diversity of those night-time visitors.
A first taste of moth-spotting
Countryside Ranger Eilidh-Ann Phillips explains: "I recently visited Ardnamurchan Library, where one of our moth workshops introduced local residents to the often-overlooked insects that play a vital role in Highland ecosystems. As part of the visit, I also delivered a session for local primary school pupils, hoping to inspire a new generation of wildlife enthusiasts.
"Among the group was Cara, whose curiosity and enthusiasm quickly made an impression. Inspired by the session, Cara borrowed a moth trap from her local Green Library and put her new knowledge into practice at home."
A garden full of surprises
Over just two nights, Cara's garden revealed an astonishing range of nocturnal visitors, including:
- Poplar Hawk Moth
- Elephant Hawk Moth
- Light Emerald
- Drinker moth
- Silver-ground Carpet
- Green Carpet
- Brimstone Moth
Eilidh-Ann said: "For a first-time moth recorder, it was an impressive discovery and a reminder of the incredible biodiversity that can be found in even the most ordinary garden."
Cara's mum, Victoria Balnaves Aitken, said: "It was so exciting waking up each morning to see what might have visited our garden overnight. I couldn't believe the variety of species we discovered, many of which I would never normally see without using a moth trap."
Cara's experience shows just how much can be discovered in a single garden.
Countryside Ranger, High Life Highland
Why moths matter
Moths may not enjoy the same popularity as butterflies, but they're one of the most important groups of insects in the natural world. They help pollinate plants during the night and provide a vital food source for birds, bats and other wildlife.
By encouraging people to identify and record moths, this project is helping build a clearer picture of species distribution across the Highlands, while promoting a greater understanding of the important role these insects play in nature.
Borrow a moth trap near you
To make participation as accessible as possible, moth traps are now available to borrow at no charge from all ten of our Green Libraries, stretching from Wick to Dingwall and across to Ardnamurchan.
The traps use light to gently attract moths overnight, allowing participants to observe and identify them before safely releasing them the following morning. With the help of identification guides, people can discover a surprising variety of species.
Eilidh-Ann added: "Moths are one of our most overlooked groups of wildlife, yet they are incredibly important and amazingly diverse. Cara's experience shows just how much can be discovered in a single garden.
"We're delighted to be able to offer moth traps through our Green Libraries and hope more people, especially young people and families, will get involved. It's a fantastic way to connect with nature, learn new skills and contribute to wildlife recording in the Highlands."
Residents are encouraged to borrow a moth trap from their local Green Library and begin their own moth-spotting adventure this summer. As Cara discovered, sometimes all it takes is a little light in the darkness to reveal a whole new world.
