Walkern Moth Survey Reveals a Village Teeming With Wildlife

Wilder Walkern is delighted to share the results of a fascinating three‑night moth survey carried out by Paul Chapman at a property beside the River Beane from 29 June to 1 July 2026. This is an important piece of citizen science showing just how rich Walkern’s wildlife really is — and how residents can get involved in recording it.

Paul’s survey identified 153 moth species, including several spectacular hawkmoths, beautifully camouflaged species, and a wide range of smaller, intricately patterned moths. His full report includes a comprehensive species list, detailed notes on foodplants and habitats, and a large collection of stunning photographs that reveal the extraordinary diversity normally hidden from view.

This work highlights how healthy and varied the natural environment is along the River Beane — and why continued habitat protection and sympathetic management are so important. It also shows how accessible moth recording can be: simple light traps, a hand lens or phone camera, and free apps such as Obsidentify make it easy for anyone to take part.

We are extremely grateful to Paul Chapman for his time, expertise and enthusiasm. His survey is a brilliant example of how local citizen science can help us understand and celebrate Walkern’s biodiversity.

Read the full survey report, species list and photo collection here: Full Survey Report

If you’d like to get involved in recording wildlife in Walkern, we’d love to hear from you. Citizen science is one of the most powerful tools we have for understanding and protecting our natural environment.