A quiet day in Pembroke Road, but plenty in Hampshire.

 

Monday 20^th July 2026.

The Fox on the shed roof nearby.

After a busy weekend, I returned to work this morning for my first shift in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth. I did not run the moth box overnight, but it will be switched on tonight for the first time in a few days. Although there were no moths to inspect, I heard a Fox scuffling around the back gardens this morning and later saw it from our back bedroom window, sitting on a shed roof.

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The Garrison Church and Governor's Green.

Pembroke Road was quiet this morning, with only eight bird species recorded during my hour there. All were the usual birds, seen or heard, and there was nothing notable to report. The only insects seen were Buff-tailed Bumblebees, and no Carnation Moths were found. The recent cooler weather was probably unsuitable for much insect activity.

In Hampshire today:

Some of the 'Lazee Birders' including myself and Andy Fisher.

Hampshire birders had plenty to see today, with Pennington and Keyhaven Marshes taking the spotlight. A Pectoral Sandpiper was present at Keyhaven, along with a Wood Sandpiper, while nearby Fishtail Lagoon held five Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover. At Titchfield Haven, a Little Stint was seen with four Common Sandpipers and a juvenile Water Rail.

Nationally, the Hudsonian Godwit remained at Cattawade, Suffolk, while several ‘Lazee Birders’ travelled west to Eastleach Martin, Gloucestershire, for the Long-tailed Shrike.

Roseate Tern, Common Sandpipers and a Brown Hawker dragonfly.

Saturday 18^th July 2026.

Another superb day’s birding, and the moths were impressive too. The weekend forecast suggested cooler conditions, but it turned into another very warm, sunny day with a light north-easterly breeze. Once again, there were two moth boxes to check: mine and Geoff Farwell’s at Cowplain Marsh, both of which produced high numbers of moths.

After recording all the moths in Andy Fisher’s back garden at Cowplain Marsh—and after several cups of coffee—we headed to Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve. Our main target was the Roseate Tern seen offshore earlier that morning, and we also hoped to find our first Common Sandpiper of the year. Norfolk Hawker dragonflies had been reported by one of the ponds during the week, and as I had never seen one before, I was keen to add this species to my dragonfly life list.

My Moth Box:

It has been a few years since this species has turned up in my garden, the immigrant Rusty Acorn Piercer micro moth.

A huge total of up to 171 moths from 54 species was recorded in my garden this morning, one of my highest counts of the year. Among them were two micro moths new for the year: the migrant Rusty Acorn Piercer (Cydia amplana) and Tawny-fronted Straw (Neocochylis molliculana). I had not seen the former for many years, so it was a very welcome addition to my year list.

Another micro moth new for the year was this Tawny-fronted Straw.

Two Jersey Tigers were resting on the moth box, though I am still waiting for my first Garden Tiger of the year. My second Dewick’s Plusia of the week was on the white board behind the box, and at least four Golden Twin-spots were recorded. My second garden Nut-tree Tussock of the year was on one of the outside egg trays, while up to three Knot Grass was a good total for the box. When I began moth-trapping about 15 years ago, Flame Shoulders were abundant, but their numbers later declined until I no longer recorded them in my garden. Finding one in the moth box this morning was therefore a real bonus.

Above, one of two Jersey Tigers and below, a very fresh Maiden's Blush.

Above, a Nut-tree Tussock and below, the micro moth Comfrey Ermine.

Among the micro moths, up to 34 Light Brown Apple Moths were counted although there could have been many more around the garden. Eleven Common Plumes was also a good total. My second Comfrey Ermine of the week was on one of the egg trays and a good variety of micro moths were present today. The Moths recorded this morning included the following:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Jersey Tiger x2	Rusty Acorn Piercer * x1
Dewick’s Plusia x1	Common Plume x11
Golden Twin-spot x4	Large Pale Masoner x2
Buff Ermine x2	Mother of Pearl x2
Blair’s Mocha x1	Chestnut Tortrix x3
Grey Dagger agg. X2	Brown House Moth x1
Knot Grass x3	Tree Mallow Tortrix x1
Cabbage Moth x2	Box Tree Moth x1
Cloaked Minor x1	Barred Yellowneck x1
Rustic x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x34
Common Rustic agg. X5	Apple Leaf Miner x2
Turnip Moth x2	Meal Moth x1
Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing x2	Comfrey Ermine x1
Large Yellow Underwing x1	Hampshire Dowd x9
Lesser Yellow Underwing x1	Rufous Pearl x1
Straw Dot x1	Grey Knot-horn x2
Silver Y x2	Bird-cherry Ermine x13
Maiden’s Blush x1	Willow Ermine x5
Pale Mottled Willow x1	Common Masoner x10
Bright-line Brown-eye x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x8
Riband Wave x2	Mint Moth x3
Flame Shoulder x1	Rufous Tortrix x1
Small Dusty Wave x1	Tawny-fronted Straw * x1
Least Carpet x2	Garden Grass-veneer x5
Nut-tree Tussock x1
Lackey x1
Lime-speck Pug x4
Double-striped Pug x4

 

 

Geoff’s Moth Box, Cowplain Marsh (Andy’s garden):

My third species of Footman moth for the year; a Dingy Footman.

This was the highest Moth total at Cowplain Marsh this year as numbers climbed to a very impressive 91 moths of 38 species and more were being discovered by Andy (although some were most likely recorded Moths that had dispersed). Among them, there were three more species added to my year list that included a Dingy Footman, an early Square-spot Rustic and the micro moth Straw Grass-veneer (Agriphila straminella). All three species I normally see each year. There were a few nice migrant moths here too that included a Small Mottled Willow, 2 Rush Veneer’s (Nomophila noctuella) , a Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis) and after getting my first one this morning, my second Rusty Acorn Piercer (Cydia amplana) for the year.

Two more moths that were new for the year included above, a Straw Grass-veneer and below, the Square-spot Rustic.

Above, my second Yellow Shell of the year (both at Cowplain Marsh) and below, my second Pale Prominent.

Other notable Moths included a Yellow Shell, Maiden’s Blush, Scalloped Oak and Pale Prominent.

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Riband Wave x8	Common Plume x12
Yellow Shell x1	Beautiful Plume x2
Willow Beauty x3	Rosy Tabby x2
Dark Arches x2	Hampshire Dowd x2
Brimstone Moth x2	Bird-cherry Ermine x2
Dingy Footman * x1	Barred Marble x1
Clay x2	Common Masoner x6
Blair’s Mocha x1	Carnation Tortrix x1
Maiden’s Blush x1	Grey Knot-horn x3
Garden Carpet x1	Rush Veneer x2
Freyer’s Pug x1	Garden Grass-veneer x3
Small Mottled Willow x1	Straw Grass-veneer * x1
Small Blood-vein x1	Garden Grey x2
Square-spot Rustic * x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x5
Common Rustic x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x1
Scalloped Oak x3	Brown House Moth x1
Rustic x1	Mint Moth x1
Uncertain x1	Mother of Pearl x1
Pale Prominent x1	Rusty Acorn Piercer x1

 

While we checked and recorded the moths over coffee, a good variety of birds and butterflies was seen during the next hour. A Nuthatch called from across the road and was later heard in nearby trees by Cowplain Marsh. A Goldcrest called close by, a Linnet flew high overhead, and a Coal Tit was heard briefly several times but not seen. We had better luck with a Common Buzzard, which was spotted soaring high over Cowplain. We also heard a loud commotion from several Herring Gulls as they chased a Grey Heron flying north overhead.

This Comma butterfly flew in and landed on the Garage at Cowplain Marsh.

Both Gatekeeper and a Comma showed very well in the early morning sunshine and in the garden, a Migrant Hawker dragonfly briefly flew in (our first of the year) and just as quick, flew off again. Well done Andy for picking it up in the garden. Andy took a walk to the Pond and came back to say there was a male Common Darter showing well and so we all went off to view the dragonfly. An exceptionally good start to the day.

Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve:

Terns and Gulls flying over the South Scrape at Titchfield Haven today.

After parking on Cliff Road, we made our way to the new Ticket Office, which I have to say was quite impressive. Andy kindly paid for my ticket as Geoff and I was enjoying watching a Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly and several butterfly species that included Meadow Brown, Small Copper and both male & female Common Blue.

Above, Andy and Geoff getting ready for a good days birding. Below, a Common Blue butterfly on Ragwort.

A female Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly.

As previously mentioned, a Roseate Tern was seen again fishing offshore and now that the tide had receded, there was a possible chance it just might be on one of the islands in front of the Meonshire and the Birding Gods were smiling on us for that was exactly where it was.

Above, this juvenile Black-headed Gull was looking for food in the small harbour opposite the Reserve and below, an Egyptian Goose was preening on the small island.

Above, our first Common Sandpiper of the year. There was two birds seen from the platform.

Before reaching the Meonshore Hide, we checked the patio area overlooking the island on the River Meon and found at least two Common Sandpipers. These were our first of the year; although we usually see this species in spring, we had finally caught up with it. Another Common Sandpiper was later found on the South Scrape from the Hide, initially remaining at the back before flying much closer to one of the nearer islands.

Above, Bristly Ox-tongue growing by the side of the footpath and below, a Mediterranean Gull flying over the Reserve.

From the seating area, the small island held a sizeable flock of Black-headed Gulls, with an Egyptian Goose also preening there in the sunshine. Common Terns were flying back and forth between the Solent and the South Scrape, many of them juveniles. Along the reedbed fringes, at least four Redshank were feeding alongside the two Common Sandpipers.

Above, Scented Mayweed and below, Strawberry Clover. Both growing along the footpath to the Meonshore Hide.

On the way to the hide, Geoff pointed out several interesting plants along the footpath, including Bristly Ox-tongue, Scentless Mayweed and Strawberry Clover. A Reed Warbler was heard, then briefly seen in the reeds beside the path before we entered the Meonshore Hide.

Above, a nesting Common Tern feeling the heat in front of the Meonshore Hide and below, a mixture of Black-tailed Godwit, Common Terns, Black-headed Gulls and Gadwall on one of the islands.

Above, both adult and juvenile Common Terns and below, a Common Sandpiper in front of the Hide.

I did not bring my scope along with me and so relied on my trusty zoom on my Nikon Camera where there were good numbers of waders, Terns and Gulls to search through. There were a few birders within the Hide, all discussing the latest sightings from here and afar and one of those guys was Daz Gorman no less. I have never met Daz, but he kindly lets me use his photo on my Blog. We had a brief chat and then another chap came in and said the Roseate Tern could be seen from another viewpoint on the reserve and was present on one of the far islands on the South Scrape. However, the Terns all took off and the chap pointed out the adult Roseate Tern flying low over the water and then landing on one of the wooden fences surrounding one of the far islands. Thankfully, we all picked the bird up and I managed to grab a few distant shots of the bird (our second ‘year-tick’ of the day). The bird remained there for some time until flying off again only to return to the same perch among the Common Terns.

Above, between the two posts, is the adult Roseate Tern we hoped we would see. Below, a heavily cropped photo of the Roseate Tern. The bird was at the northern end of the South Scrape.

Above and below, good numbers of both Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit along with a small flock of Canada Geese were at the far end of the Scrape.

Other birds noted were the good numbers of Avocets and Black-tailed Godwit present, though mostly feeding at the far end of the South Scrape and a showy Reed Warbler flitting about in the reeds in front of the Hide. A Common Buzzard soared over the west of the Reserve and one of the other birders present had a Sparrowhawk flying through; hence why all the Terns got up in a hurry.

Above and below, the two Black-headed Gull chicks were close by their parent bird.

Above, another Black-tailed Skimmer perched by one of the pools and below, our first Ruddy Darter of the year. This was a male.

Delighted with the Roseate Tern sighting, we turned to our third target: Norfolk Hawker dragonflies. We followed the footpath west, then north, to the small pond where they had recently been reported. Common Darters and Common Blue Damselflies were plentiful along the route to the bridge and ponds. One pond held our first Red-eyed Damselflies and Ruddy Darters of the year, many of them paired and egg-laying. The Ruddy Darters were easy to separate from Common Darters by their brighter red colour and tail shape. Although the pond was largely covered in duckweed, the damselflies were easy to spot, especially when they moved.

Above, another shot of the male Ruddy Darter and below, pair of Red-eyed Damselflies. 

Above, my first ever Norfolk Hawker on one of the pools and below, it was flying around with a Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly. 

Above, the pond was alive with both Red-eyed and Common Blue Damselflies.

I checked another nearby pool and found my first ever Norfolk Hawker. It had flown in and settled on a stick protruding from the water, so I quickly called the others over to see it. We then spent about 15 minutes taking photos of the insect. It was later joined by a Four-spotted Chaser, and both dragonflies were seen flying up and down the pool. While watching them, a Willow Emerald damselfly landed beside me, but before I could point it out or take a photo, another damselfly flushed it and it disappeared. 

Above, a Gatekeeper butterfly and below, a Silver Y moth.

Above, both Red-eyed and Common Blue Damselflies. Below, another photo of my first Norfolk Hawker.

A few Blackcaps and Cetti’s Warblers were heard in the vegetation, while butterflies along the footpath included Red Admiral, Comma and Large Whites. Southern Hawker and Migrant Hawker were also seen on the walk back out of the reserve, rounding off a superb visit. All our targets were achieved, and despite the heat, we ended the day with two year ticks and a lifer.