In an innovative citizen science initiative, researchers will tag and follow 10,000 bogong moths as they undertake their extensive migration from the Australian Alps to their breeding grounds in the southeast. This initiative, inspired by the successful monarch watch program, seeks to provide insights into the nocturnal journey of these moths, similar to how scientists have studied butterfly migrations in North America over the years.

The tagging process will commence next week at Mt Kosciuszko, where scientists and volunteers will use simple materials like eyelash glue and confetti-like numbered tags to mark each moth. Dr. Kate Umbers from Western Sydney University describes the method as "low-tech, high-effort," emphasizing the hands-on approach of the project that aims to recapture tagged moths and gather migration data.

This project not only enhances our understanding of moth migration, but also showcases the potential of community involvement in scientific research, highlighting the importance of collaboration between scientists and citizen volunteers in studying animal behavior and conservation efforts in Australia.