Pitfall trapping at Smaull.

Crystal demonstrated the use pitfall traps - formed by cutting a cylindrical hole in the ground and setting a plastic tub into it with the lip at surface level.  It is covered with a mesh to prevent rodents falling in.  The bugs then fall in as they are trundling along but cannot climb out again.  

These traps at Smaull had been set for less than 24 hours but they were already catching numbers of ants, beetles, spiders and millipedes etc.  Crystal collected them in small plastic tubes for identification.  Her research for the RSPB revolves around Chough diets.

Ants and Rove beetles in a pitfall trap.