Would you like to help support research into glow- worms in Scotland?
I’ve been funding myself for approximately 3 years with some help from SRUC and a wee bit sponsorship in the form of outdoor gear from a boiler manufacturer,
I came to the conclusion the glow-worms need all the help they can get! The following is the equipment list still needed to fully research this wonderful species. This is not just for myself but to give to volunteer surveyors so they can also monitor their sites and contribute data to the overall Scottish research.
- Thermal imaging camera for research into glowing periods compared to temperature of surroundings/vegetation not the actual glow as that is a cold light.
- Site monitoring equipment. Dataloggers, soil thermometers, soil and water test kits, spectrometer/lux meters, quadrats, GPS.
- Bat detectors
I would also like to raise funds for a moth trap that can be lent out to volunteer surveyors to record moth species and any moth trap intruders (beetles, wasps and flies) on their sites too. This is all in an effort to gather as much data as possible into our nocturnal invertebrate life. Any other species will be recorded. It is not just the glow-worms that need our help all data gathered will be added to databases to enable us to better understand and subsequently help, not just glow-worms but the wider invertebrate world.
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE RESEARCH OF LAMPYRIS NOCTILUCA IN SCOTLAND except in the case of the Dragonfly magnet and Cashel glow-worm where a percentage of that sale will go to Buglife Scotland or Cashel Forest.
How you can support Scottish Glow-worms
You can ‘adopt’ a glow-worm, purchase a beanie hat with the logo embroidered on, magnets or if you are a festival goer or just like quirky hair accessories then the unique hair wrap clips might just be what you’ve been looking for! Check out the eBay link to see the items available.
Or if nothing takes your fancy but you would still like to support the project a tiny donation would be hugely appreciated!
Adopt a Glow-worm £12
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304420620563
Until such time I can add a proper shop all items are on the newly created eBay account. If you do not want to go through eBay please contact me so we can arrange another method. Your support is very much appreciated!
Is this the worlds first adopt a Glow-worm/firefly scheme? Probably! If it’s good enough for the cute n cuddly animals then its most definitely good enough for our insect friends!
The Scottish Glow-worms project has been set up after 3 years of surveying and researching one of the two UK native firefly family species we have in Scotland. Lampyris noctiluca (Common Glow-worm) is very little known about in Scotland and even less well understood. This charismatic beetle is present in Scotland but so far the records show only a scattered/fragmented distribution here.
Why? Probably because 1/. there are very few folk out at night to see the females displaying their bioluminescence (glow) during the Summer. 2/. Scotland has vast areas of relatively wild spaces where the Glow-worm could be.
The project aims to understand the species distribution better as well its possible adaptations it may have to coping with Scotlands special climate and longer daylight hours around Midsummer. Scottish Glow-worms also reaches to the wider public to raise the species profile in the form of talks, social media and liaising with landowners/managers.
Having been self funded for 3 years but wanting to expand the project further Scottish Glow-worms has been set up with the aim of developing as a constituted group. Hopefully we can then access community funding to give this wee firefly a helping hand.
Fireflies across the globe are declining as with most of our insects. If we can contribute to the data then we can then gain a better understanding of this charming beetle.
Adopting a Scottish Glow-worm will support the project and all funds received will go towards it.
THE ADOPTION. (please message me with your choice)
You can choose what adoption pack you would like
1/ A Loch Lomond Glow-worm – Glow-worms are present around the Lomond Park and adopting a Lomond ‘Glowie’ will go towards the surveying/research and conservation of glow-worm populations there. A portion of the adoption fee will be donated to Cashel Forest. A lovely forest park that is vowing to look after their glow-worms and increase the species profile in that area. Cashel is a special place that combines a working forest with hill and broadleaved woods and meadows.
2/ A Dumfries and Galloway Glow-worm – Dumfries and Galloway is showing to be a good place for our wee pals. Proceeds will used to further the knowledge of the species there and help to understand how to manage sites with the aim of conserving the species
3/ Your choice of area/surprise – Choose your preferred area. OR have an area chosen for you randomly.
For each adoption pack you will receive
A unique Glow-worm fridge magnet that does glow in the dark! (a handmade polymer clay cute glow-worm, no two glow-worms the exact same but roughly 2″ in length)
Adoption certificate
Glow-worm fact sheet and how to look for glow-worms guidance.
Your chosen area information. Where are they? Is there anything special about that area? Intended events in that area.
Twice yearly newsletter (by email Spring and Autumn)
Scottish Glow worms 