The Forester Moth became a UK BAP Priority species in 2007 and Butterfly Conservation is currently endeavouring to collate information about its current habitat, larval foodplant and nectar requirements, to create a clearer understanding of its ecology.  This will be collated to inform management decisions and to produce location maps for what is probably an under recorded species.

We are therefore encouraging people to keep an eye out for the Forester this year when out and about in the countryside.  If the species is seen, we would be very grateful if a simple recording form could be completed and returned to us.  Visiting sites that appear to be suitable for the Forester or re-visiting sites with past records will also provide important information.

The Forester is a moth of a variety of open habitats rather than woodland. These habitats range from damp neutral grassland to limestone grassland, chalk downland, acid and sandy heathland, mature coastal sand dunes and woodland rides and clearings.

Historically recorded from the vice counties of Brecknockshire, Carmarthenshire, Denbighshire, Glamorganshire, Merionethshire and Monmouthshire. Since 2000 it has been recorded from only Carmarthenshire, Merionethshire and Monmouthshire. It is potentially under recorded.

Look out for it on Raged Robin, Field and Devil’s-bit Scabious, clovers and Viper’s-bugloss during the day between mid May and July.

For more  information about searching for the Forester and about the species in general please go to www.carmarthenshirebiodiversity.co.uk where further information and the reporting forms can be found.