Bats in the wood, and a morning of magical moths
Come and join the Friends of Bentley Wood for our bat detecting evening walk, a morning of an amazing moths and our summer picnic
It’s high summer in Bentley Wood (believe it or not). There’s no better time to come along and join as a Friend of Bentley Wood, and learn more about this very special habitat. Here are some dates for your diary:
Our special bat walk on the evening of Tuesday 23 July. Meet at 8.30pm at the Eastern Clearing Car Park (off Scout’s Lane, West Tytherley). We have bat detectors for people to use - let’s see what we can find!
Don’t miss the morning of magical moths on Sunday 28 July. See the amazing variety of beautiful and surprising moths found in the Wood. Find out more about them from the experts. Kids will love it too. Come to the Barn between 10am and midday. Please walk or cycle there if possible.
Our members’ summer picnic on Saturday 17 August at 12.30 at the barn. Please do join us.
It’s easy to join. Become a member right away by signing up here.
What’s happening in the wood?
Year-round work is done on developing and preserving the wood by forest manager David Lambert, aided by the Bentley Wood Trustees.
This year, that includes fencing off an area from deer to protect next winter’s tree planting, and some tree thinning in other areas of the wood.
You can read David Lambert and the Trustees’ report about why thinning is needed, and other plans for managing the wood here.
Join us as a Friend of Bentley Wood
You may already be a member, but if you aren’t please do join us.
The Friends is a group run by local volunteers with the aim of providing a programme of activities throughout the year, highlighting the extraordinary diversity of this special woodland, and bringing together all who enjoy it. It costs just £6 for individual membership or £10 for the family.
The benefits of joining:
Free events, such as the bat walk, moths morning and autumn fungus foray.
Our summer picnic at the barn.
The FOBW Christmas lunch party.
Walks in the wood - meet up and explore with us.
Your funds support our education programme - we host local school groups throughout the year and introduce them to wildlife in the wood.
The Spring and Autumn drive-through (weather permitting!) These two events allow members who cannot walk or cycle into the wood to come and enjoy the bluebells in spring and the autumn colours in October/November.
Become a member right away by signing up here.
Magical moths
Did you know that in the UK we have about 60 butterfly species but over 2,500 recorded moths?
As well as being important pollinators for flowers and crops, moths play a vital role in the food chain. They are relied on for food by birds, spiders, bats and amphibians. And despite their declining numbers, Bentley Wood is one of the best woodlands in the country for seeing moths.
Their variety is every bit as rich as butterflies and reflected by their wonderful names: ermines, satins, brocades, footmen and wainscots, garden tigers, feathered gothics, blood-vein and leopard moth.
Read about the recorded species in the wood here.
New to the wood?
Read our short guide for visitors, which includes a useful map of its layout.
See you in the wood.
