Mostly Moths

Awesome!

Another visit from this fabulous creature today, they just love this gigantic Buddleia bush & am very lucky to get several visits a day ... but quite a challenge to get pics/vids

You must have the patience of a Saint to get these shots Wendy, they dash about so fast I don't know how you do it!

Hazel C said:

I don't know how you do it!

With increasing ill-temper at times HinNH!!

Must say absolutely marvellous. Thinking of getting a moth trap, but don't want to harm them in any way. What do you think?

Perhaps have a look here Amber. Noisette used this method at the start of her first Moth thread, (I may try this myself but I can't guarantee that I wouldn't consume the liquid part of the recipe before the procedure was complete!!)

Ha ha PA, be a lot less messy & sticky to drink it for sure!!  The containers for bee's sugar water get all gooey!

Hi Amber, that's a good idea of Paul's, a gentle way to start. I read on a RSPB blog that you can even suspend shoe-laces dipped in the sugary mix! I was also going to be cheeky & suggest you send a personal mail to Devonotter as you live down there don't you? He could give you some tips & if you're close enough maybe look at his moth trap. You could do with finding out if there is a group in your area that does trapping & who you could report your findings to, so that some scientific use comes out of it too.

I find that I have very few casualties, the occasional micro moth gets eaten by a spider or other insect & I tread on the odd one, although I try very hard not too. I leave them in the trap or on the egg boxes & they fly off the following night. I also get up at dawn to avoid the birds having a peck your own session!

Let us know what you're doing & we'd love to see your photos on here.

A small group of people from the Exmouth branch of Devon Wildlife Trust went trapping on the local reserve last night. before we set up great views of Noctule and Pipistrelle bats and two Nightjars were seen over the reserve just before dark. I will post a list of the moths when i have it. Just a few photo's of a few moths we saw. Sorry for the quality of snaps i used the iPhone as it wasn't ideal weather for quality photography as it rained on and off throughout the session. We started at 21:30 and finished at 23:45. Plenty of variety with the added pleasure of biting midges and buzzing mozzies!! The habitat is broad leafed and pine woodland with lowland heath all around with a grass uncultivated meadow with uncut hedgerows.

This was just a snapshot of what was about and was enjoyed by all.

Black Arches

 

Swallow Tailed Moth

Pepper Moth

Buff Arches

Peach Blossom....check these moths out on the web as these photo's do not do them justice!

Need help with this one. It was i'd but i cannot remember.

This was named the Crimson Tiger not sure if thats a local name for it? Another nice moth.

I Will add the list when i have it.