A lot more Moths in the garden and plenty of birds in Old Portsmouth.

Tuesday 29^th September 2026.

A bright start to the day.

A fine start to the day here in Southsea with some high cloud overhead, but plenty of blue sky around and sunshine this morning. It is getting cloudier this afternoon with a few possible showers on the horizon. A light easterly blew across the coast here which could possibly bring in a Yellow-browed Warbler or something similar?

The Moth Box was a bit more active overnight with a good selection of Autumnal moths present and my first shift in Old Portsmouth had a reasonable number of bird species around the trees and overhead today.

My Moth Box:

Always good to get the migrant Small Mottled Willow in the garden.

This morning was by far much better than Sunday mornings moth total though I wasn’t the only one reporting such low totals that morning. Today, I recorded 33 moths of 13 species that included some very nice moths. Vestal, Small Mottled Willow, Golden Twin-spot and Clancy’s Rustic were most appreciated.

Above, one of three Feathered Ranunculus moths this morning and below, my first Golden Twin-spot for the week.

Above, a Blair's Mocha within the Moth Box.

Even Lunar Underwings and Feathered Ranunculus were on the increase, and I hope some more new species will be gracing my garden soon. It was the micro moths that produced the most for their species with 6 each of Rusty-dot Pearls and Light Brown Apple Moths and I would not be surprised that there were many more hiding away in my garden under the leaves and cracks of the garden fence. The moths present this morning included the following:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Clancy’s Rustic x4	Rusty-dot Pearl x6
Lunar Underwing x2	Light Brown Apple Moth x6
Double-striped Pug x4
Small Mottled Willow x1
Small Dusty Wave x1
Vestal x1
Feathered Ranunculus x3
Golden Twin-spot x1
Blair’s Mocha x1
L-album Wainscot x1
Lesser Yellow Underwing x2

 

Visible migration was quiet this morning here over my garden, though a few distant Meadow Pipits were heard flying over and a lone Pied Wagtail was seen heading south.

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Bright and sunny here this morning with some high cloud overhead. Again, a good total of bird species this morning.

Thirteen bird species were seen or heard this morning on my first shift here in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth as the shift kicked off here with three Pied Wagtails seen searching and chasing insects on the Bowling Green. I’m glad to say that the Wagtails are starting to show more regularly now either here on the Bowling Green or on Governors Green. There was no sign of any Grey Wagtails this morning.

The Chiffchaff was heard again calling from the pathway between the Bowling Green and the house opposite. A couple of Blackbirds were seen chasing one another close by and I could have sworn that I heard a Song Thrush calling in the Holm Oaks but simply could not see the bird. All the usual birds were present, though there were a few omissions that just might turn up this afternoon here.

The bird species seen or heard today included the following:

• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Blackbird
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Pied Wagtail (3)
• Chiffchaff
• Wren
• Robin
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon

There has already been many reports of Convolvulus Hawk-moth this month including one today in Lymington, Hampshire. I had this individual in my back garden a few years ago and hopefully, another will not be too far away.

A good total of bird species in Old Portsmouth.

Monday 28^th September 2026.

Trust me, I am not religious in anyway, but I do like a nice sunrise over Highland Road Cemetery.

Though the cold I have is still here, I went to Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth to start my working week. It was to be a bright but overcast start to the day with a very light westerly wind. I didn’t have the effort to set up the Moth Box last night as I was desperate for a good night’s sleep; though I wished I did. I shall make up for that tonight.

It was a good day at Pembroke Road with not only pleasant weather, but a very good species total of birds; all of which were seen on my first shift.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The Bowling Green where up to 5 Pied Wagtails were present briefly this morning and oh, the stuffed Crow that is supposed to deter the birds here. Just laughable! The Magpies were playing football with it this afternoon!

Up to 18 species were recorded this morning with at least 10 of those within the first 10 minutes of my arrival. The Bowling Green nearby held at least 5 Pied Wagtails for around a few minutes until they dispersed, but leaving behind a pair that continued to search the short grass for the next 20 minutes. A Grey Wagtail was in the area for most of my time there, seen several times flying low overhead.

Not an awful lot of visible migration overhead, but two Meadow Pipits flying together headed off westbound. A Chiffchaff was calling in vegetation between the Bowling Green and Governor’s Green and seen flying off south while I checked the Bowling Green to count the Wagtails. A single Jay flew out of the trees opposite and headed off west.

The bird species seen or heard today included the following:

• Jay
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Great Black-backed Gull
• Blackbird
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Pied Wagtail (5)
• Grey Wagtail
• Meadow Pipit (2)
• Chiffchaff
• Wren
• Robin
• Dunnock
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon

In Hampshire today:

The Semi-palmated Sandpiper was still present today at Pennington Marshes and a Little Stint was on the lake at Farlington Marshes. There were two reports of White-tailed Eagles with one at Portchester and another over Blashford Lakes. The long staying Osprey was reported again at Fawley Refinery.

Other news:

A lovely portrait of a Curlew at Keyhaven Marshes last Saturday. Photo by Emma Parkes.

During my travels today, I heard and saw my first Skylarks moving overhead when a pair of birds were seen flying very high over Eastney heading eastbound. At least two more Chiffchaffs were heard calling in the Eastney area later this morning.

A Wheatear at Stanpit Marshes. Photo by Emma Parkes.

Yesterday, birding pal Geoff Farwell went to Farlington Marshes where he recorded the following sightings: Merlin, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Raven, 16 Greenshank, 55 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Med Gulls, Kingfisher, 4 Stonechat, 3 Chiffchaff and heard both Bearded Tits and Yellow Wagtails. A Spotted Redshank was seen at the same site earlier in the morning by another birder.

Meanwhile, back over at Cowplain Marsh, Mr Andy Fisher had a Hobby over his garden at 6.30pm last Saturday. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was on the peanuts while overhead there has been daily sightings of Swallows, Martins and Meadow Pipits. A few Grey Wagtails over too.

A Black-tailed Godwit having a scratch at Hook-with-Warsash Reserve. Photo by Emma Parkes.

 

A new 'Patch tick' this morning.

Sunday 27^th September 2026.

The flock of Canada Geese flying south over the Cemy.

The damn cold continues as I spent most of the night downstairs sleeping with the dogs! I had the Moth Box on overnight and I started to wish I didn’t bother as it was such a poor turn out. A fairly bright start to the day with a breezy southerly wind blowing over the garden. I wanted to give the dogs a good walk this morning seeing they didn’t get one last night and so took them for a good stroll around Highland Road Cemetery.

My Moth Box:

One of 3 Double-striped Pugs this morning.

I was rather disappointed with the number and variety of Moths this morning with nothing new for the year either. Earlier this week, I was getting around 50-60 moths but just 15 moths of 6 species was hardly anything to write about. On a positive note, we are only a stone’s throw away from October and moth numbers do decline. I read on Hants Moths Facebook that someone got their first Black Rustic, which really is a true sign of late Autumn.

A Box Tree Moth was under the lid of the Box.

The Moths present this morning included the following:

MACRO BOX	MICRO BOX
Double-striped Pug x3	Light Brown Apple Moth x7
Small Dusty Wave x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x2
Large Yellow Underwing x1	Box Tree Moth x1

 

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

The view of the south-west corner of the Cemetery.

Arriving at the Cemetery around 8am, I wasn’t at all surprised to see several dog-walkers already there and a few familiar faces (and dogs). It was quite bright overhead with plenty of high cloud, though the early morning wind had dropped, it was still quite mild as the high pressure over the south coast continues. There is talk of rain heading this way, but not this morning it seems.

Above, one of the Horse-chestnut Trees now turning brown and below, a couple of Ivy Bee's nectaring on the flowering Ivy.

A total of 18 species were recorded during the hour I was there and apart from the usual birds, there were few surprises in store. I have been recording wildlife, including the birds here on my ‘local patch’ for at least 17 years, but it was the first time I have ever seen a flock of Canada Geese fly over the site; my 82^nd bird species recorded here at Highland Road Cemetery. The birds were heard calling as they flew south over the Cemetery.

Above, Common Knapweed still in bloom and below, a Great Tit picking at a seed.

A couple of Goldcrests were heard this morning here and one was actually seen flying out of the Monkey Puzzle tree in the south-west corner of the site. A few Chiffchaffs were also calling at the site, but there were no sightings of the birds today.  A small flock of five Swallows flew south low over the trees and a Meadow Pipit was heard calling high over, but again, no sighting of the bird.

The Honey Fungus was still growing where the old Beech Tree once stood and below, looking east from the south-west corner.

As I was leaving the Cemetery, I heard the Jays calling within the trees but they remained hidden unlike the many Magpies and Wood Pigeons seen this morning.

The following bird species were recorded there this morning:

• Goldcrest
• Swallow
• Meadow Pipit
• Chiffchaff
• Blackbird
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Starling
• Wren
• Robin
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Magpie
• Jay
• Carrion Crow
• Canada Geese

 

Back Garden Birding!

Saturday 26^th September 2026.

One of the Chiffchaffs near my garden this morning.

My heavy cold took its toll on me and so I had to forgo a day’s birding with the guys and as it turns out, both Andy Fisher and I had a sick note from Matron to take the day off birding! Birding pal, Geoff Farwell went on his lonesome to Old Winchester Hill while I done some Back Garden Birding instead.

Above and below, the Hornet-mimic Hoverflies were in my garden today.

I was very tempted, should I have been feeling a lot better, to take the long trek to see the Semi-palmated Sandpiper on Pennington Marshes and thankfully to all those who went for the bird, it remained loyal to the pools at this lovely site today, unlike the Lapland Bunting that done a runner overnight. The weather was amazing and it even got into the 70’s in the bright sunshine. My wife and I done a load of washing, making the most of the warm sunshine and in between all this, I sat in the garden enjoying both the birdlife and insect life my garden attracts.

Above, a Syrphus species of Hoverfly and below, one of the Solitary Bee's species. I shall get a true ID later.

Most of the bird action took place early in the morning with at least two Grey Wagtails and two Pied Wagtails low over the rooftops. Meadow Pipits were trickling through all day, though picking them out in a clear blue sky proved challenging. Up to two Chiffchaffs, possibly three birds, were skulking around the gardens and seen occasionally in neighbouring trees and bushes.

Above, the Speckled Wood seen in my garden yesterday. Below, a Holly Blue nectaring on the Jasmine Nightshade.

Ivy is now flowering in my garden and this in turn attracted a lot of insects. The flowering Ivy attracted my first Ivy Bees (Colletes hederae) of the year, but also a few Batman Hoverflies (Myathropa florea) were seen along with at least two Hornet-mimic Hoverflies (Volucella zonaria) seen in the garden.

Above, several Ivy Bees were present today although, below, they still had to run the gauntlet of avoiding the webs that contained False-widow Spiders! This Ivy Bee wasn't that lucky.

A few butterflies were also noted and that included a Holly Blue enjoying the Jasmine Nightshade growing at the back of the garden and a Red Admiral popped in occasionally and rested on the garden fence, but a Small White was a brief stayer. Yesterday, I had a Speckled Wood butterfly also resting on the garden fence. My garden is a good suntrap and most certainly attracts many insects, so if the birds are scarce, the insects always entertain.

Above, another photo of one of the Chiffchaffs in the neighbouring gardens. Below, Matt and Emma Parkes took the long trip down to Pennington Marshes to see the Semi-palmated Sandpiper and also had this bonus Osprey there.

Birding pal Geoff Farwell had a good walk around Old Winchester Hill today and notched up the following sightings: Marsh Tit, Redstart, 2 Stonechat, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, Siskin, Raven, Sparrowhawk, 3 Red Kites and 2 Common Buzzards. There was also a good number of Clouded Yellow butterflies still around also.

 

A good friend of mine sent me this!

A disappointing Moth turn out.

Friday 25^th September 2026.

Yesterday's Lapland Bunting at Bunny Meadows, Warsash. The bird was still present this morning. Photo by Andy Tew.

I have the day off from Pembroke Road today as I have caught a rather nasty cold that kept me awake most of the night! Fume! I still had the Moth Box on overnight and this morning, I was very disappointed about the low numbers of Moths present. The weather is looking good again for today with temperatures climbing up into the mid 20’s this afternoon, but a bit cloudy first thing this morning, with a very light southerly.

My Moth Box:

My first White-point for September.

Yes, a very disappointing 20 moths of just 7 species this morning with the only saving grace with my first White-point moth for September. A lone Clancy’s Rustic in the outside egg tray along with a single Square-spot Rustic were the only other highlights.

One of three Box Tree Moths today. This is the dark morph species.

Yesterday, I found both Square-spot Rustic and a Double-striped Pug by the outside light of a Retirement Home in Southsea; apparently, a good spot for Moths as I always keep a look out for them at this site. The Moths recorded this morning were as follows:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
White-point x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x3
Small Dusty Wave x2	Box Tree Moth x3
Square-spot Rustic x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x9
Clancy’s Rustic x1

 

There was no Visible Migration going on while I checked the Moth Box although I was so full of snot that I probably couldn’t hear anything flying high overhead. However, I did hear a Chiffchaff calling in nearby gardens.

In Hampshire today:

The Semi-palmated Sandpiper at Pennington Marshes filmed yesterday by Simon Colenutt.

Yesterday, along with the superb juvenile Semi-palmated Sandpiper on Pennington Marshes, a Lapland Bunting was found on Bunny Meadows, at Warsash and a very showy individual too, which brought out all the Hampshire listers. Both birds are still present this morning, but will they be there tomorrow for us who must work?

 

More excellent Moths this morning, though 'Vis Mig' was quieter.

Wednesday 23^rd September 2026.

Another bright start as I walked past Highland Road Cemetery this morning with my dogs.

Yet another clear bright start to the day, although the overnight temperature did drop into single digits. However, the forecast today says its going to be like yesterday with the temperature getting up into the mid 70’s! Once again, extraordinarily little wind blowing over Southsea and so set to be very warm again this afternoon.

My Moth Box:

My second Cypress Pug this year.

Another interesting selection of Moths this morning and although there were no new species for the year, my second Cypress Pug of the year was present (my first was on Cowplain Marsh on the 6^th June) and only my second Yellow Shell in my garden this year.

Above, only my second Yellow Shell in my garden this year and below, up to 3 Small Mottled Willows were unexpected today, which were new for this month.

Migrant moths this morning included up to three Small Mottled Willows (my first for this month), the long staying Delicate (3^rd day), 3 Blair’s Mocha, Golden Twin-spot, 4 Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis) and 2 Olive-tree Pearls (Palpita vitrealis).

This morning, I recorded 50 moths from 21 species—about average for this time of year. The following species were present:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Cypress Pug x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x4
Yellow Shell x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x3
Delicate x1	Common Plume x1
Double Striped Pug x5	Olive-tree Pearl x2
Lesser Yellow Underwing x2
Blair’s Mocha x3
Small Dusty Wave x1
Golden Twin-spot x1
Large Yellow Underwing x4
L-album Wainscot x1
Willow Beauty x2
Plumed Fan-foot x1
Clancy’s Rustic x5
Least Carpet x1
Lunar Underwing x7
Small Mottled Willow x3
Square-spot Rustic x1

 

Also attracted to the Moth Box from overnight was a Southern Oak Bush-cricket that was in one of the Garden Buckets that I was using to block any potential Fox intruders! The only other insect present was just the one Lacewing.

This Southern Oak Bush-cricket was a nice find near the Moth Box.

Visible migration this morning included several Meadow Pipits passing overhead (heard but not seen) and a single Linnet. In nearby gardens, up to two Chiffchaffs were calling, one of which was seen flitting through a tree in a neighbour’s garden.

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

These trees do support a lot of birds during my first shift.

The bright sunny start to the morning here in Southsea produced up to 13 spcies on my first shift this morning. Among them, I could hear a Chiffchaff calling in the trees near the Bowling Green and a Meadow Pipit flew low over my head and headed westbound. The two Jays showed well yet again this morning when I watched them fly between the Bowling Green trees to the Sycamore Trees on Pembroke Road.

As well as several Garden Spiders seen between the two Hibiscus Bushes, a Giant House Spider was on the wall above the Bushes; of which it was around 4 inches long.

The following bird species were recorded this morning:

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Carrion Crow
• Jay (2)
• Magpie
• Meadow Pipit
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Chiffchaff
• Robin
• Starling
• Wren

In Hampshire today:

The Semi-palmated Sandpiper on Pennington Marshes today. Photo by Andy Tew.

There was another rarity found today in Hampshire when a juvenile Semi-palmated Sandpiper was found on Fishtail Lagoon, Pennington Marshes; but one had to be wary as a juvenile Little Stint was also present. What with a Wood Sandpiper also on the string of these superb pools, it really was a red-letter day for the Reserve.

Around midday, I found a Hummingbird Hawk-moth nectaring on the few flowering plants in a road within Eastney today. Glad to see they are still around and about.

The juvenile Little Stint also on Pennington Marshes. Photo by Andy Tew.