The conditions weren't perfect for this moth trapping session on Reed's Moss, but it was our first opportunity of the year to trap on the moss, so we decided any night was better than no night. The moon was a little to bright, and it was a bit too cool and breezy.

We set up two homemade Skinner Traps (125W MV), about 100m apart. The first was in a fairly sheltered location, near a ditch and some tree's, the second was more exposed, in the middle of a grassy field. The lights are powered by a portable generator.

We place egg cartons  inside the trap for the moths to settle on. 

It can get a bit spooky at times, because I can't think of a better way of drawing attention to yourself, than switching on two such bright lights in the middle of a field, and staying with them until 2:00am or 3:00am, with a portable generator providing the background noise. Obviously, we cleared it with the farmer first!

But at least once the traps are set up, you just have to wait for the moths to arrive. The net is to catch moths that fly around the trap. Not all moths will go into it, and some even ignore the lights. These moths are sometimes attracted to wine ropes (ropes soaked in a sugary / alcohol solution). We didn't use wine ropes on this occasion.

We didn't have a brilliant night, but did get a few species, the star being a Grey Arches, which was only about the 4th for St. Helens. At least we tried. It would have been easier to stay at home and go to bed, but then we would not have caught any moths. Can you spot the Eyed Hawk-moth?