Magical moths and nighttime bugs

Course Detail

Meet at Reception and prepare for an evening exploring Heligan after hours. With guidance from Dr Will Hawkes, you’ll help set up moth traps in the meadows, learning how they work and why they are such valuable tools for studying nocturnal wildlife. As dusk deepens, the gardens take on a different character — and a different cast of inhabitants.

Head out on a guided walk through Heligan’s paths and wild spaces. By torchlight, you’ll discover the creatures that emerge after sunset, from moths and beetles to other night-active minibeasts, gaining insight into their behaviours, adaptations and ecological importance.
Return early the following morning for an optional and complimentary visit. Reconvene to examine the contents of the moth trap together, identifying and recording the species attracted overnight. This close-up session offers a rare opportunity to appreciate the extraordinary diversity, patterns and forms of these often-overlooked insects before they are carefully released back into the meadow.

About Will Hawkes

Will Hawkes is an insect research scientist, photographer and storyteller. He grew up in the wilds of Northeast Wales surrounded by the natural world and moved down to Cornwall ten years ago to begin his academic journey. Through his research into migratory insects, he has worked all over the world learning their stories and behaviours. 

Will adores insects, they have given him so much in this life and his main aim is to give something back to them. Inspiring people to share his passion for these tiny lives is the most important thing for him as it leads to more understanding and then on to the hopeful protection of these remarkable little animals.

Follow Will on Instagram