Northamptonshire Macro Moth Recording

Summary of Species Richness in Each Grid Square

The maps below represent the number of species that have been recorded in each of the 10Km grid squares in the County. From these it can be seen that our knowledge of the local moth fauna has increased rapidly over the past few years. These maps also highlight areas that remain under-worked, and we would therefore be very keen to receive records from these areas.

This map shows the total number of species recorded in each grid square after the incorporation of all records received up to the end of 2007.
This map shows the total number of species recorded in each grid square after the incorporation of all records received up to the end of 2006.
This map shows the total number of species recorded in each grid square after the incorporation of all records received up to the end of 2005.

Progress has been made in many parts of the county, however some grid squares are still very under worked, particularly SP53, SP67, SP74 and several that adjoin neighbouring counties.

If you have any records from these poorly represented areas, no matter how old, please send them to John Ward for inclusion - they could still make a difference to the understanding of Northamptonshire's moths.
This map shows the total number of species recorded in each grid square after the incorporation of all records received up to the end of 2004.

Although excellent progress has been made in the south of the county, SP53 remains underworked, and due to its southerly aspect, remains a likely source of significant new moths for Northamptonshire.
This map shows the total number of species recorded in each grid square after the incorporation of all records received up to the end of 2003.

Attention is drawn to the difference in the number of species recorded in our most northerly grid square, TF10, and our most southerly, SP53. Although the Northamptonshire area coverage is similar in both of these squares, the difference in the count is some 490 species.
The map aside shows the recording coverage at 23 March 2003 updated to incorporate the year 2002. Ignoring grid squares where less than one quarter of the area is in Northants this leaves the following squares under worked and sometimes almost without records for even the most common moths.

SP67: Includes Ravensthorpe, Hollowell and Naseby Reservoirs.
SP65: Ramsden Corner, Seawell Wood and Grimscote Heath.
SP57: Oxford Canal, Barby Roughs and Stanford on Avon disused railway.
SP54: Chacombe Grassland, Culworth Marsh and Halse Copse.
SP53: Pesthouse Wood, Walton Grounds Reserve and Newbottle Spinney.
SP45: Lower Boddington railway, Parsons Spinney and Boddington Reservoir.
SP44: High Furlong Brook.
SP43: Charwell Meadows.

The areas covered by these southwestern squares equate to around one fifth of the county and on geographical grounds alone almost certainly hold valuable additions to the county’s moths.

White circle = over 100 pre 1980 records
Black circle = over 100 1980 and later records
I have been co-ordinating Northants moth records for some years now and have a good spread of records covering most of the county. Due to the size of the area concerned there are however a few grid squares that are poorly covered. As there appears to be an increase in moth recording recently I wonder if anyone who either lives or records in any of the under recorded squares has any records that I am unaware of.

The map of VC32 (Vice County 32 - Northamptonshire) shows the coverage in terms of pre and post 1980 records. Some of the better recorded squares have around 400 species whereas others have none.
White circle = over 100 pre 1980 records
Black circle = over 100 1980 and later records