A morning among butterflies and moths

There is something rather special about seeing the countryside through the eyes of someone who knows it intimately.

Earlier this summer, a group of guests joined naturalist Mark Nowers and Wyken owner Sam Carlisle for a beautiful summer morning discovering the butterflies and moths that live across the estate.

The morning began with a walk through some of Wyken's most wildlife-rich habitats, taking in ancient woodland, woodland edges and wildflower meadows. With the sun shining, conditions were perfect for spotting butterflies as they moved between the grasses and wildflowers.

Mark shared his extraordinary knowledge of the different species we encountered, explaining their habits, habitats and lifecycles. As is often the way with Mark, the conversation went far beyond butterflies and moths, with plenty of fascinating insights into the birds, wildflowers and trees we passed along the way.

Sam brought a different perspective, talking about the wider management of the estate and the ways in which Wyken's farming and woodland practices help create and protect habitats for wildlife.

The morning finished with something rather special: opening the moth trap that had been set the night before.

For many of us, moths are a largely unseen part of the natural world, but the trap revealed just how much activity happens under the cover of darkness. Mark introduced the group to the different species we'd caught and explained the important role moths play within the ecosystem.

Looking a little closer

One of the joys of an experience like this is that it changes the way you see the landscape.

A meadow becomes more than a field of flowers. The woodland edge becomes a habitat in its own right. And a fleeting butterfly becomes something you stop to identify, watch and appreciate.

At Wyken, creating opportunities for visitors to connect with nature is an important part of our wider approach to caring for the estate. From butterfly and moth walks to Dawn Chorus mornings and conservation tours, our wildlife experiences invite people to discover the biodiversity around them and understand more about the work involved in protecting it.

For our group, it was simply a lovely summer morning spent outside, learning from two people with a huge passion for the natural world.

And perhaps most importantly, leaving with a reason to look a little more closely the next time a butterfly catches our eye.