94: Moths, Myths and Big Cats

Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide and mental health.

This week, Callum considers building a moth trap, Richard Negus explains the existence of "hyper moth season", and Richard Prideaux admits to a surprisingly strong dislike of small dusty insects.

From there, things drift into some of Britain's stranger countryside folklore. There is the Owlman of Cornwall, Cornish knockers, Hangman's Hill, Black Shuck, the Essex Serpent and the question of why some parts of the country seem to accumulate far more weird stories than others.

Eventually they arrive at the modern rural legend that refuses to disappear: big cats in the British countryside. Were panthers and other exotic cats genuinely released decades ago? Could any still be out there? And if they were, wouldn't one of the country's gamekeepers have found one by now?

Patrons also get the aftershow, featuring an accidental rally stage in an ageing Freelander, lions roaring beside a Suffolk marsh and Callum having a professionally awkward moment while photographing a politician.

Useful links:

The DPJ Foundation

The Farming Community Network

RABI

Samaritans

Butterfly Conservation: How to make your own moth trap

Butterfly Conservation: Finding and recording moths