So during lockdown, I made the decision that now was the perfect time to just buy one instead and join the mothing brigade! I have to say it's been a very welcome distraction, as the birding quietens down post-Spring. It's been really exciting coming down in the morning to see what's lurking in the trap!
Hawkmoths are the bling that is often most sought after, particularly for someone like me who is new to trapping!
My quest for garden Hawkmoths was slow to get going during May, however like buses, they've come at once this past week with Elephant and Small Elephant on 31/05 - both firsts for me. A cracking, fresh Poplar Hawkmoth appeared on 03/06 AND away from the trap, I even had a brief Hummingbird Hawkmoth around the garden Valerian on the afternoon of 02/06
Only my second garden Scarlet Tiger was a great surprise lurking in the trap on 22/05. It was a particularly stunning, pristine one too and was a lot more enjoyable than the two second fly-through I saw here a few years ago!
Other highlights have including the amazing, twiggy Buff-Tip, the breathe-taking Burnished Brass (it really looks like metal!), the 'woolly bear' Pale Tussock, the unusual-looking Peppered Moth - much bigger than I realised they were, the Small Magpie and the quirky Spectacle, sporting some cracking goggles!
Fingers crossed for more warm, cloudy nights and more fab moths to enjoy!