Bad start

Dave Hallam · #1 (**permalink**) 29-08-2010, 09:01 PM

My first foray into mothing is not going too well!

Two days of very windy weather and now it's cold and clear

I'm sat outside with the lift from the loft shining oh so brightly onto a table lined with White towels...

Had to leap out of my seat then as my first customer arrived! Took a photo, phew. Very striking black and White fella...

Dave Hallam · #2 (**permalink**) 29-08-2010, 09:12 PM

Garden carpet, my first catch, happy!

Pete Collins · #3 (**permalink**) 30-08-2010, 08:48 AM

Well done Dave, I hope it was the first of many.

Welcome to WAB, by the way.

Miss Caretaker · #4 (**permalink**) 30-08-2010, 10:09 AM

It can only get better, can't it? Hopefully you'll be here next week saying that you're inundated!
Jo

nutmeg · #5 (**permalink**) 30-08-2010, 01:35 PM

Hope there's some better mothing conditions soon. Cold and clear and/or windy nights are usually quite disappointing for moths. Not been good here for a while.

Dave Hallam · #6 (**permalink**) 30-08-2010, 04:12 PM

Thank you for your goodwishes

It's not ideal on a Sheffield council estate but it will be interesting to keep trying. I've always found them interesting, had some nice ones in the locker room at work this year because the lights are on all the time. I put out a few Poplar Hawks last month.

How long after dark would you recommend starting, is it worth starting at dusk?

Miss Caretaker · #7 (**permalink**) 30-08-2010, 04:38 PM

I tend to switch it on around dusk or just after. It was about 1/2 hour after dusk when I got my first (and only so far) Old Lady.
Jo

Edit - There are some species of moth who far prefer urban environments which you wouldn't get in a rural location; I am in a suburban environment (60's/70's ex-council estate) and I have had some nice moths.

Dave Hallam · #8 (**permalink**) 30-08-2010, 08:41 PM

I could do with some practical tips. What bits if equipment you have to hand and physically how you can contain specimens for a brief period?

I thought I was going to better tonight but it's a little colder still. The bats are flying around and catching stuff as usual. All I'm seeing is quick glances of moths overhead with the odd one coming into the garden. I have a couple of large aquarium fish nets to hand and a few tubs!

Dave Hallam · #9 (**permalink**) 30-08-2010, 08:42 PM

I could do with some practical tips. What bits if equipment you have to hand and physically how you can contain specimens for a brief period?

I thought I was going to better tonight but it's a little colder still. The bats are flying around and catching stuff as usual. All I'm seeing is quick glances of moths overhead with the odd one coming into the garden. I have a couple of large aquarium fish nets to hand and a few tubs!

Miss Caretaker · #10 (**permalink**) 30-08-2010, 08:52 PM

After getting good advice from others here, I went to the £ shop and got 20 pots of the kind you get soup in from take aways (clear, microwaveable ones). Once the moth has landed I put the pot over it and try to convince it to move into the pot. If it's on an egg box I hold the box upside down over the pot and a gentle tap usually drops the moth into the pot. I then put the pot in the fridge until it's light enough to get a decent photo.