Biodiversity Audit

Group/Individual: Barry Madden
Location: Mousehold Heath

Mousehold Heath on the north-eastern fringes of Norwich comprises an area of relatively young woodland, open heath and grassland. Little was known about the moths inhabiting the area until recently when the warden, Will Stewart, decided to enlist the help of local people and county experts to run a series of moth trapping sessions during the summers of 2008 and 2009.

These free events were open to all and generated much enthusiasm among local residents, especially those hitherto unfamiliar with moths in all their various shapes, colours and forms. This activity has resulted in many records of species previously unrecorded from the site such as peach blossom and leopard moth.

It has also become clear that the site does not support the range of species that would be expected from such a large area. This is thought to be primarily due to much of the site being unmanaged over the last 30 years with the resultant decrease in diversity of native nectar-producing flowers and shrubs. The results of the exercise will feed into the long- term management plan for the site.