Mole Watching Tips Required

[Andrew C]

Hello,

I am interested in trying to actually see a Mole so before I head out with a torch looking for emerging molehills for a glimpse of a snout does anyone have any tips on seeing moles in the flesh?

Regards,
Andrew.

[triops]

Moles very seldom come to the surface except very briefly to cross an obstacle like a path or when disturbed by building works or floods, though I caught one many years ago under a metal sheet, and our cat once brought one home unharmed. Watching an area with many molehills will eventually give you a glimpse of a snout. Even molecatchers almost never see them above ground. The technique employed by a molecatcher in the Fens was to watch and when a hill was being made to turn out the mole with a spade, which gave his terrier an opportunity to catch it. You will need much patience and a considerable amount of luck! Good luck, and please let us know if you are successful!

[nightshade]

The local park has a swathe of mole hills across the width of the hill and they are active as gentle rain moves the worms. Heavy rain/flooding will bring them to the surface sometimes or just move them from pasture to nearby gardens. I watched and waited (they are very sensitive to vibrations) as a mole heaved a load of soil from its run, only for an off the leash dog to snatch it and run off.
YouTube - Wild Life Skills #6 - Mole watching

[Andrew C]

Evening,

That mole in Nick Baker's video is certainly 'showing well'.

I remember back in the days when I was a fisherman feeling a thumping from my tackle box (I was stitting on it). I was bemused to find nothing in it and the thumping happening a few times more. Lifting the box revealed a mole trying to come up and it's snout clearly twitching above soil!

The only other I have seen is a dead bloated one along the local canal towpath.

Regards,
Andrew.