Warblers are starting to arrive and a trip to the Cemy.

 Thursday 6th August 2026.

Two of the three Small Ranunculus moths.

As Autumn is officially due very soon, the end of Summer is now upon us, and it is noticeable with the arrival of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs in the back garden and over at Highland Road Cemetery this morning. While I was checking the Moth Box at 5.45am today, I could hear at least three birds calling around the gardens and even saw two of them flitting about in the trees behind my garden. One flew over my garden and westbound over the roof of my house. Yet again, not a single Swift hawking for insects over my house.

Even on the National News, Autumn has come very early to the UK due to the lack of rain, with ripen Blackberries and tree fruit being plentiful, though even the trees look as though their leaves are lacking the necessary water to plump them out. Many areas of the UK have now not had any rain for nearly two months and again there is no sign of any significant rain this week.

My Moth Box:

Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing. 

A respectable 70 moths of 21 species were recorded this morning and although there were no new species for the year, there were plenty of migrants again including a Small Mottled Willow, 4 Golden Twin-spots (I am sure they must be breeding here?) and up to 7 Rusty-dot Pearls

Canary-shouldered Thorn.

Three Small Ranunculus moths is quite exceptional (as I normally only get singles of this species) and a smart Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing looked very fresh. As expected, the Apple Leaf Miner’s (Lyonetia  clerkella) were the most abundant moth species, but nothing unusual among the micro moths today.

Above, a Chestnut Tortrix micro moth and below, the remains of a Poplar Hawk-moth that I found in a Spider's web on the garden fence.

Due to the many Spiders around at this time of the year, some of the Moths are caught by them and this morning, I found the remains of a Poplar Hawk-moth on the garden fence that had succumbed by one such Spider. The following Moths were recorded this morning:

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Garden Tiger x1	Apple Leaf Miner x20
Small Ranunculus x3	Box Tree Moth x2
Double-striped Pug x3	Rusty-dot Pearl x7
Small Dusty Wave x1	Ruddy Streak x1
Small Mottled Willow x1	Broom Shoot Moth x1
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x9
Golden Twin-spot x4	Hawthorn Moth x2
Pale Mottled Willow x7	Dark Moss-moth x1
Bright-line Brown-eye x2	Chestnut Tortrix x1
	Codling Moth x1
	Hampshire Dowd x1

I found this White Ermine moth Caterpillar in the garden yesterday.

While checking the Moth Box, as well as the Willow Warblers (one was heard sub-singing quietly in the trees), other birds noted included both Greenfinches and a Pied Wagtail flying high over. Yesterday, a White Ermine moth Caterpillar was found on one of the pot plants; the first one I have ever found in my garden and quite a big caterpillar too.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

The young Fox in the early morning sunshine.

After checking the moth box and having breakfast, I took the dogs for an early morning walk around Highland Road Cemetery, prompted in part by the good number of warblers moving through. Patchy high cloud lingered overhead and, with the recent cooler feel to the mornings, I wore my fleece just in case. The walk proved quite eventful. Alongside the birdlife, a young Fox showed beautifully in the sunshine near the Mausoleum.

Above, patchy high cloud over the Cemetery and below, a preening Blue Tit.

The visit began well when a Painted Lady butterfly flew past at speed before settling on the perimeter wall, where it remained for several minutes. I then continued towards the Lime trees, where the alarm calls of Starlings quickly caught my attention. Moments later, I watched a female Sparrowhawk fly up to the top of the Lime tree directly above me, although the branches prevented a clear view.

Under the shade of the Plane Tree on the east side of the Cemy and below, the juvenile Green Woodpecker.

On reaching the southern end of the cemetery, I checked the gravestones carefully for anything perched on them. Several Magpies were searching for food across the dry, brown grass, but there was little else to note at first. A little later, however, I picked up a distant Jay as it flew up into one of the Lime trees I had passed earlier.

Above and below, some of the Chiffchaffs in the Cemy. They rarely stood still for long and most kept in cover; there was a Sparrowhawk around!

I then followed the path towards the east side of the cemetery. It was quiet at first, until I heard the distinctive call of a Green Woodpecker. Soon afterwards, a juvenile Green Woodpecker flew over the cemetery and, fortunately, settled on a gravestone some distance away. It was still close enough to allow a few reasonable photographs of this lovely bird. This was my first Green Woodpecker here for at least a year, the previous sighting being an adult chased by a Sparrowhawk last spring.

Another photo of the gorgeous Fox and below, this Painted Lady butterfly kicked off proceedings here in the Cemy.

After seeing at least three Willow Warblers this morning by my garden, I wasn’t at all surprised to see several ‘Phylloscs’ here in the Cemetery and I believe most of at least six birds were Chiffchaffs, judging by their shorter call and plumage details and at one stage, there were at least four birds together. I hanged around for a while to check there wasn’t any other Warblers present, but apart from a few Robins, sadly, there were no other Warblers.

It was looking a bit straggly over in the centre of the Cemy, but a Green Woodpecker livened things up. Below, a Wood Pigeon took a liking for the Blackberries.

As I made my way towards the Mausoleum, something caught my attention to the south and there was a very young Fox sitting in a sunny area on the grass. It was not only giving its coat a good lick but also keeping an eye out for the dog walker along the footpath to the south. Squirrels here are abundant, with many seen this morning, but it is always special to see one of our most beautiful animals, especially when they are so close.

The young Fox in the Cemetery this morning.

A gorgeous walk this morning and what with the horrible humidity gone for now, a welcome change. True, we most definitely need a lot more rain here on the south coast to help the flora and fauna, but when will it arrive?

This gorgeous Queen of Spain Fritillary on Mottisfont Down, Isle of Wight. Photo by Andy Friend.

Several butterflies in my garden today.

 

Wednesday 5^th August 2026.

 

This Red Admiral was very confiding in my garden late this afternoon. Another one flew in and it got up and chased it breifly and then settled again close to where I sat. 

I left the moth box off overnight, as I needed a break from recording the same species repeatedly. Today was much cooler, with a blustery south-westerly wind throughout the day and no rain forecast. Most of the rainfall, including some heavy thunderstorms, appears to be north of the border. We could really do with some of that weather down here soon.

A lot of cloud and blustery winds throughout the day here in Southsea.

Little was added to the Hants Birding website today, but over at Woolmer Pond, a Peregrine was seen along with a Hobby by a regular to the site and he also found a male Red-veined Darter by the Pond; a species I have yet to catch up with: though this species is getting more common as the years go on.

The Red Admiral settling down on one of our garden tables.

Over at Titchfield Haven, up to four Spoonbills were present again on the South Scrape and a few waders too that included five Common Sandpipers and a Knot. Closer to home, I didn’t see one Swift today around my house and though I will expect to see some over the coming weeks, the vast majority are now on their way back to Africa.

My garden held a couple of Red Admiral butterflies this afternoon and during the day, both Holly Blue and Small White were seen. A smart Comma was present yesterday, but too quick for me to grab a photo. A Vapourer Moth was fluttering about at the back of the garden but would not settle.

It does make a refreshing change where the temperatures have returned to normal here in the south of England; though there is talk of yet another heatwave on the way. Grumble!

One of my friends sent me this photo of an Oak Eggar moth that was rescued by her husband in their Cowplain garden last week. Photo by Abbie Baker.

A possible 'Lifer' among the Moths.

 Tuesday 4^th August 2026.

A regular to my garden around this time of year, the Dark-bordered Pearl.

The Moth Box was active again last night. With so many migrant moths arriving in the UK now, it is always worth taking a chance on finding something extraordinary—just as I did yesterday with that Sulphur Pearl.

It also makes me smile when I post entries on the Hants Moths Facebook page and certain individuals feel the need to comment on the use of Latin names rather than vernacular names. I use both on my blog because I know some of the older readers prefer the Latin names. The Moth Box remains worth running while migrant moths are moving through. Yesterday’s Sulphur Pearl was a good reminder that something special can turn up. I will continue using both vernacular and Latin names to keep the blog accessible to different readers.

Another very warm day is ahead, with plenty of sunshine and high UV levels expected. The dogs had their usual early morning walk, although there were no moths to be seen along the way.

I am very pleased to see that the brutal Guga Hunt on Sula Sgeir in the Hebrides will not be taking place this year—and hopefully never again. NatureScot has refused permission for the Hebridean islanders to carry out this annual practice, which targets a beautiful species that is rapidly declining in the UK. It feels as though people power has finally won the day. Well done to everyone who signed the petition, and to NatureScot for listening and coming to its senses.

 

My Moth Box:

One of three Olive-tree Pearls this morning.

There were some very nice moths in the Moth Box this morning, with 111 individuals from 33 species recorded.

One possible new 'lifer' may also be on the cards: a suspected Norway Maple Dot (Etainia sericopiza) micro moth. I have posted a photo for confirmation, although it is very similar to another Etainia species, so dissection may be needed for a definite identification.

Above, Blood-vein and below, the micro moth Brassy Y.

Other migrant Moths this morning included a Turnip Moth, Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing and a Rusty Acorn Piercer (Cydia amplana). Once again, the Apple Leaf Miners were out in force with at least 43 individuals counted.

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Small Dusty Wave x3	Common Plume x7
Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing x1	Apple Leaf Miner x43
Blood-vein x1	Olive-tree Pearl x3
Lime-speck Pug x6	Dark-bordered Pearl * x1
Double-striped Pug x1	Blushed Knot-horn x2
Brimstone Moth x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x5
Common Rustic	Bird-cherry Ermine x3
Garden Tiger x2	Meal Moth x2
Jersey Tiger x1	Norway Maple Dot * x1
Blair’s Mocha x1	Ruddy Streak x3
Bright-line Brown-eye x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x9
Marbled Beauty x1	Common Masoner x1
Canary-shouldered Thorn x1	Garden Mompha x2
Turnip Moth x1	Coeleophora sp. X1
	Rusty Acorn Piercer x1
	Hampshire Dowd x1
	Brassy Y x1

 

A possible Norway Maple Dot micro moth.

While checking the Moth Box, overhead, at least three very high-flying Swallows flew past and a few Swifts still remained here flying low over the houses.

STOP PRESS: Southsea actually HAD some rain today, roughly around 1pm for an hour or so, but nowhere near enough to replenish the brown grass. But some is better than none!

The dogs got another walk this morning on the brown grassy field just east of the Bowling Green in Old Portsmouth. There were a few House Sparrows within the hedgerow.

SULPHUR PEARL moth added to my Moth Life List.

 Monday 3^rd August 2026.

This SULPHUR PEARL moth was a 'lifer' for me, which was found on the Church window of St. Margaret's nearby.

It is a bit like Ground-hog Day here in Southsea with continuous very warm weather, though there was a bit of cloud cover. It was overcast when I put the Moth Box on overnight, though it was clear as a bell first thing this morning at 5.45am. A very light south-easterly was blowing this morning that produced a good variety of Moths again and I was going to be in for a big surprise when I took the dogs for their early morning walk. Read on.

 

My Moth Box:

A Canary-shouldered Thorn was sat on the side of the Moth Box.

Over 130 moths, representing 29 species, were recorded this morning. Apple Leaf Miners dominated the catch once again, with at least 72 counted. When I checked the moth box first thing, dozens more could be seen flying over the garden plants.

Above, my first Chevron Grass-moth this year and below, one of two Turnip Moths.

Above, the migrants keep coming in with two more Rusty Acorn Piercer's present and below, I rescued this Golden Twin-spot from certain death!

The only new species for the year in my garden was the micro moth Chevron Grass-moth (Agriphila geniculea), an annual visitor here around this time. I also managed to rescue a Golden Twin-spot from a spider’s web, carefully removing the strands before releasing it safely; it soon flew off towards the back of the garden.

Setaceous Hebrew Character's have been scarce this year and so this one was very welcome.

The migrant moths continued to provide interest, with two Small Mottled Willows and two Turnip Moths recorded.

Above, a Shuttle-shaped Dart (left) and a Small Mottled Willow. Below, one of two Marbled Beauties.

Among the micro moths, there were three Rusty Acorn Piercers (Cydia amplana) and six Rusty-dot Pearls. An Olive-tree Pearl (Palpita vitrealis) also flew out while I was removing one of the trays for closer inspection; unfortunately, it disappeared before I could see it again.

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Golden Twin-spot x1	Box Tree Moth x3
Small Dusty Wave x3	Apple Leaf Miner x72+
Common Rustic x1	Olive-tree Pearl x1
Lime-speck Pug x2	Light Brown Apple Moth x9
Small Mottled Willow x2	Rusty Acorn Piercer x3
Shuttle-shaped Dart x2	Hampshire Dowd x3
Canary-shouldered Thorn x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x6
Double-striped Pug x3	Chevron Grass-moth * x1
Heart & Dart x1	Ruddy Streak x1
Silver Y x1	Dark Moss-moth x1
Marbled Beauty x2	Bird-cherry Ermine x1
Setaceous Hebrew Character x1	Meal Moth x2
Pale Mottled Willow x1	Blushed Knot-horn x1
Turnip Moth x2	Common Plume x1
	Hawthorn Moth x1

 

While walking the dogs early this morning, I followed the path behind St. Margaret’s Church on Highland Terrace and spotted a Hummingbird Hawk-moth high on the church wall. I managed to take a few photos with my mobile phone, although they were unfortunately rather poor.

The morning became even more memorable when I found my first ever SULPHUR PEARL (Sitochroa palealis) resting on one of the church windows. This time, the mobile phone photos came out much better. From what I understand, SULPHUR PEARL is a moth more often associated with downland and coastal locations, so this individual may have drifted a little inland.

In Hampshire today:

These gorgeous summer plumage Knot were on the beach at Hill Head this weekend. Photo by Daz Gorman.

Black Terns are on the way back to the south coast and early this morning at Hill Head, there were up to 7 roosting south of the Sailing Club. This evening, four were seen in the same place. At least 4 Yellow Wagtails were on Farlington Marshes plus a Wheatear was on the Deeps area.

A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was seen on Blashford Lakes and a Great White Egret was on the reserve also. The drake Scaup was on Hayling Oysterbeds too with a selection of Warblers seen too.