5 September 2026
Churchyards are places of peace and reflection, but they are also havens for wildlife. In June, as part of the national Love Your Burial Ground Week and Churches Count on Nature 2026, a group gathered in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church in Stebbing to explore the fascinating world of moths.
The moths had been safely trapped overnight using specialist equipment designed to attract them without causing harm. On the morning of the event, they were carefully examined and recorded before being released back into their natural habitat. Participants were able to discover and learn more about the variety of species living within the churchyard.
The event was led by ecologist Richard Wren, alongside fellow moth enthusiast Kate Smith.
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Visitors of all ages explore the fascinating world of moths at St Mary's Church, Stebbing
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One of the many moth species recorded in the churchyard of St Mary’s, Stebbing
The Revd Sue Hurley, Vicar at St Mary’s, Stebbing said:
“Richard demonstrated the specialist traps used to attract moths, complete with egg cartons, and shared fascinating insights into some of the species we discovered, including the striking Elephant Hawk-moth. Kate had also set her own traps and brought along additional specimens in viewing containers.
“We were treated to an unexpected variety of moths, each with beautiful colours, intricate patterns, remarkable camouflage and unique characteristics. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about just a small fraction of the approximately 2,500 moth species found in the UK.
“This event, held as part of Churches Count on Nature, was a wonderful reminder that even familiar places can be home to an astonishing diversity of wildlife, just waiting to be discovered.”
Love Your Burial Ground Week is held annually to celebrate churchyards, chapel yards and cemeteries as places of heritage, community and nature. Churches Count on Nature - supported by Caring for God’s Acre, the Church of England, the Church in Wales and A Rocha UK - which forms part of the week, encourages local communities to explore, record and celebrate the wildlife found in churchyards.
This article is taken from the latest edition of WePray.
