A good number of Moths and a dead Crow on the Bowling Green!

Friday 4^th September 2026.

Small Blood-vein. I have to say, I have had a good year for this species.

A damp start to end the working week with a strong blustery south-westerly throughout my first shift in Pembroke Road this morning. Drizzle was mixed in with the wind making life a bit difficult for those bringing their kids into school and myself carrying out my job. However, it was very mild with temperatures around the 20-degree mark throughout the morning.

A good showing of Moths this morning despite the wet and windy conditions though there was nothing new for the year list today. Already, the Hants Rarities Whatsapp Group had an early message before I headed off to my first shift with a report from Selsey Bill that two lingering Cory’s Shearwaters off there were now making their way westbound. Fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ Mark Francis was down at Hill Head this morning, probably hoping to view the birds and promptly found a Caspian Gull flying offshore heading west!

This immature Caspian Gull was heading west from Hill Head this morning. Photo by Mark Francis.

 

My Moth Box:

The diminutive Horse-chestnut Leafminer micro moth.

A total of 61 moths of 23 species were recorded this morning which wasn’t too bad considering the damp weather conditions. Migrant Moths this morning included up to 3 Golden Twin-spots, Pearly Underwing, Olive-tree Pearl (Palpita vitrealis), Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella) and 2 Rusty-dot Pearls (Udea ferrugalis).

Above, Large Yellow Underwing and below, a Lesser Yellow Underwing.

One of two Square-spot Rustics this morning.

Other notable moths included a Small Blood-vein perched on the fence panel behind the Moth Box; 2 Clancy’s Rustics, a Single-dotted Wave (a rather late individual) and my first Lesser Yellow Underwing for some time. A single Horse-chestnut Leafminer (Camereria ohridella) was present at the bottom of the Box. This moth species is so small, that it takes a keen eye to pick it out among some of the dead insects at the bottom of the Box!

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Small Blood-vein x1	Olive-tree Pearl x1
Clancy’s Rustic x2	Apple Leaf Miner x9
Single-dotted Wave x1	Tree-mallow Tortrix x1
Golden Twin-spot x3	Light Brown Apple Moth x7
Pearly Underwing x1	Rush Veneer x1
L-album Wainscot x14	Chevron Grass-moth x4
Bright-line Brown-eye x1	Horse-chestnut Leafminer x1
Garden Carpet x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x2
Double-striped Pug x1	Box Tree Moth x1
Square-spot Rustic x2
Large Yellow Underwing x3
Vine’s Rustic x1
Pale Mottled Willow x1
Lesser Yellow Underwing x1

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A dull, grey and blustery start to the day here in Pembroke Road.

The strong windy conditions and drizzle put paid to many bird species being seen this morning, but I did somehow get into double figures, although nothing outstanding again among them. A pair of Blackbirds were flying back and forth over the Bowling Green and around a dozen or so Herring Gulls were resting on the grass within Governor’s Green and many more flying overhead. Both Blue and Great Tits were heard within the Holm Oaks again, but only fleetingly seen.

One of several Harlequin Ladybirds on the flowering Hibiscus plants close to where I stand today.

It was pretty much the same on my second shift this afternoon with very little bird life around, though a dead Carrion Crow on the Bowling Green was a sad sight. My concern that the bird could of died from Bird Flu was a possibility and what with a couple of guys bowling on the Green this afternoon and ignoring the dead bird added fuel to the theory. Hopefully, it will be removed later today. The weather did improve throughout the day, but more cloud and drizzle came in this afternoon. Tomorrow is a lot brighter and hopefully much better than last weekend!

The sad sight of a dead Carrion Crow on the Bowling Greens. Bird Flu or natural causes?

Earlier this morning, one of the Residential Houses I was checking in Southsea for moths held both a Chevron Grass-moth and a Small Dusty Wave, both of which were attracted to the outside light. I wonder what would be there early in the morning?

Might be worth giving this a listening too over the weekend?

Back to Pembroke Road today.

Thursday 3rd September 2026.

Heavy damp clouds this morning eventually gave way to sunshine here in Pembroke Road.

A damp, overcast start gave way to a warm and humid morning as the new school term began. Back at Pembroke Road, I recorded 12 familiar bird species, including several notable local sightings, before an unexpected encounter with a Red-legged Shieldbug on the journey home.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

With a blustery south-westerly wind and dark, overcast skies, I was not expecting much bird activity. The clouds eventually cleared, however, giving way to bright sunshine.

Despite the unsettled start, I recorded 12 species—all familiar local birds. I had hoped to spot a migrant passing overhead, but there was nothing unusual of note.

Notable Bird Sightings

The morning’s highlights were:

·        A Robin singing near the Bowling Green.

·        A flock of Great Black-backed Gulls flying east over the Curtain Moat.

·        House Sparrows chirping from bushes around the Bowling Green perimeter.

·        Blue Tits and Great Tits calling from the nearby Holm Oaks.

A Surprising Insect Encounter

This Red-legged Shieldbug was unexpected!

While driving home after my first shift, I felt something crawling across my hand. I pulled over and discovered a Red-legged Shieldbug. After taking a quick photograph, I released it through the window, and it flew strongly towards Southsea Common.

Above, a Chevron Grass-moth and below, the Southern Oak Bush-cricket.

Later this morning, I found a variety of moths again by the outside of a Residential Building that included both Common and Chevron Grass-moths and also a Common Plume. Close by, perched on the wall above a doorway, I found a Southern Oak Bush-cricket sat motionless. It is surprising what these outside lights attract overnight and thankfully, some of the insects hang around to the morning in broad daylight.

Beet Moth added to my Moth Year List.

Wednesday 2^nd September 2026.

It has been a good couple of weeks for Vestal moths in my garden.

Another bright start to the morning with very light westerly wind and temperatures at 8.30am around 17 degrees. A slightly higher number of moths recorded here in my garden this morning, which included another species added to my year list. Sadly, no visible migration overhead during the 30 minutes I was out in the garden and even the surrounding gardens were very quiet today.

A blue sky with patchy cloud at 6.30am this morning.

Showers are forecast here on the south coast later today though I heard on the BBC News that a heatwave is taking place down in Portugal and Southern Spain and this weekend, it is warming up again. Hurrumph!

 

My Moth Box:

This Beet Moth was my first for the year.

A larger total of moths than yesterday with 51 moths of 21 species recorded today. Pick of the bunch was my first Beet Moth (Scrobipalpa ocellatella) of the year. This is a coastal micro moth that frequents shingle coasts and saltmarshes, but a rare moth species to my garden. They are known to be a pest species where the Caterpillar will eat the leaves of Beet, however, the adult only lives for around 12 to 18 days!

Plumed Fan-foot moth. Again, a good year for this species in my garden.

Other notable moths included yet another Vestal (I can never get bored of these delightful little moths) and a Plumed Fan-foot (another scarce moth) was a good record too. Up to 3 Golden Twin-spots, Clancy’s Rustic, Olive-tree Pearl (Palpita vitrealis) and Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis) were the migrant moths.

A rather late Least Carpet to my Moth Box.

A Least Carpet sitting on the base of the Moth Box was unusual for this time of year (for my garden especially).  The Moths recorded here this morning were as follows:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Vestal x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x14
Willow Beauty x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x5
Golden Twin-spot x3	Beautiful Plume x1
L-album Wainscot x5	Common Plume x3
Double-striped Pug x1	Chevron Grass-moth x2
Setaceous Hebrew Character x1	Barred Marble x1
Pale Mottled Willow x1	Beet Moth * x1
Clancy’s Rustic x1	Apple Leaf Miner x3
Least Carpet x1	Tree-mallow Tortrix x3
Plumed Fan-foot x1	Olive-tree Pearl x1
Cabbage Moth x1

Later this afternoon, I was out and about and the outside entrance light to a block of flats near my house produced several Moth species that included up to 4 Common Grass-veneer (Agriphila tristella), a single Chevron Grass-moth (Agriphila geniculea) and a Double-striped Pug. These outside lights to the entrance to flats and Retirement Buildings can turn up some nice Moths and another property held a couple more Common Grass-moths and a Small Dusty Wave along with a Common Plume (Emmelina monodactyla)!

One of several Common Grass-moths found today.

While out around the edge of Langstone Harbour, near Eastney, I heard the distinctive call of a Grey Wagtail overhead and saw a pair of birds flying high over heading south. It is about this time of year that they are on the move as numbers begin to swell from the Continent into the UK. 

Straw Underwing moth added to year total.

 Tuesday 1^st September 2026.

A bright start to the beginning of the month.

Weather and Seasonal Outlook

The first day of September began brightly, with very high, patchy cloud overhead. Autumn is now under way, and migrant birds and moths are arriving in increasing numbers, promising an exciting period ahead. There is speculation that another heatwave may develop later this month. For now, yesterday’s breezy conditions have eased, leaving barely a breath of wind this morning.

Bird Sightings

While checking the moths this morning, I heard at least two Yellow Wagtails flying overhead. Locating them high in the sky, however, was like searching for a needle in a haystack. A Willow Warbler in my neighbour’s tree at the back of the garden was much more cooperative, while a Robin was also heard ticking in nearby gardens.

Early-Morning Foxes

The noisiest visitors were the foxes, which woke me at around 4 a.m. I later saw two youngsters sitting on a shed roof near my garden.

 

My Moth Box:

My first Straw Underwing of the year. 

September’s Opening Catch
September began with a modest catch of 45 moths across 21 species. The highlight was my first Straw Underwing of the year. When I released this striking moth from its pot, it settled on the lavender, giving me a clear view of its straw-coloured underwing.

Flounced Rustic.

Rustics and Portland Ribbon Wave

My second Flounced Rustic of the year shared an egg tray with two Square-spot Rustics, while a Clancy’s Rustic perched on the edge of the moth box. Nearby, another Portland Ribbon Wave rested on the fence panel, adding to what is probably my best-ever year for this species.

Above, Square-spot Rustic and below, Clancy's Rustic.

Micro-moth Highlights
Notable micro-moths included an Olive-tree Pearl and up to seven Rusty-dot Pearls. August ended with a grand total of 113 moth species seen. 

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Straw Underwing * x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x7
Portland Ribbon Wave x1	Ruddy Streak x1
Lime-speck Pug x1	Common Plume x2
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1	Apple Leaf Miner x9
L-album Wainscot x4	Light Brown Apple Moth x3
Small Dusty Wave x1	Chevron Grass-moth x2
Pale Mottled Willow x1	Olive-tree Pearl x1
Square-spot Rustic x1	Dark Moss-moth x2
Flounced Rustic x1	Blushed Knot-horn x1
Clancy’s Rustic x1
Bright-line Bright-eye x2
Willow Beauty x1

 

Yesterday, birding pal Geoff Farwell was also at Farlington Marshes and I must have just missed him arriving by minutes. He had a good day here with sightings of 9 Curlew Sandpipers, Ruff, 25 Knot, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Wheatear, 2 Whinchats, 7+ Yellow Wagtail, 2 singing Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Whitethroat, Swift and a Spotted Flycatcher.

Matt & Emma connected with at least 3 Black-winged Kites on the trip to France. Photo by Emma Parkes.

Meanwhile Emma and Matt Parkes are in France, staying with Matt’s parents in the La Selle Craionnaise area and already recorded the following sightings that included 3 Black-winged Kites, Cirl Bunting, Black Kites, Cattle Egret, Red-backed Shrike and 2 male Hen-harriers!

They also found this Red-backed Shrike today near where they are staying. Photo by Emma Parkes. Below, the migrant micro moth Rush Veneer was by the Moth Box this afternoon.

In Hampshire today:

The Caspian Gull at Gunnar Point, Hayling Island this morning. Photo by Lewis Hooper.

There was a lot of sightings recorded today from the ‘Lazee Birders’ Whatsapp. So glad that the guys have been out and about here in Hampshire today and recording it on the App. This morning, it started with a Caspian Gull being found off Gunnar Point, Hayling Island as well as a Roseate Tern and a Black Tern. Farlington Marshes still held excellent numbers of Curlew Sandpipers with up to 15 birds now present along with 3 Little Stints. Also present were 4 Spotted Flycatchers in the Bushes area and 3 Tree Pipits flew over. Up to 4 Ruff were on the Stream area. 

The Pied Flycatcher at Northney Paddocks today. Photo by Andy Friend.

A Pied Flycatcher was at the Horse Paddocks, Northney, along with a Redstart and a few Spotted Flycatchers. An Osprey was seen at Fishlake Meadows, Romsey, today along with 4 Great White Egrets.