Saturday 13th June 2026.
The gorgeous Barn Owl at Warblington this afternoon.
I knew today was going to be a lot warmer and sunnier thanks to our wonderful weather forecasters and for a nice change, they were right. In fact, it actually got into the mid-70’s and plenty of sunshine, virtually t-shirt weather no less. Though we saw Geoff Farwell briefly this morning at Cowplain Marsh (Andy’s garden) after he had just come back from doing an early Bird Survey in the Cosham area (Geoff had a Cuckoo flying over) ; Andy and I, after checking his Moth Box, took our annual trip to the village of nearby Charlton for Turtle Doves.
Afterwards, a trip to Pook Lane in Warblington to view the Barn Owl to add this species to my Hampshire List for the year. On both trips, we were joined by at least 7 ‘Lazee Birders’, who were great company and a good laugh too. The Moth Boxes produced a reasonable number of Moths and a good number of ‘year-ticks’ too.
My Moth Box:
My first Ash-bark Knot-horn moth of the year.
It was clear overnight and quite cool too and at 5.20am this morning, I was outside in the garden with a hot coffee checking the garden and the Box for the Moths. In total, there were 31 moths of 21 species present of which, the only new Moth for the year was a micro moth, Ash-bark Knot-horn (Euzophera pinguis). There was nothing out of the ordinary with the macro Moths present, though my second Lackey of the year was noteworthy. The ‘micro’s’ present included a Garden Mompha and two Barred Marbles; both fairly common throughout the summer.
The only other insect attracted to the Moth Box this morning was a Lacewing and a small insect called a Malthinus flaveolus, a species of Soldier Beetle.
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Malthinus flaveolus.
Cowplain Marsh (Andy’s Garden):
Dwarf Cream Wave.
My Moth Box quality was mediocre compared to Andy’s garden where Geoff's MV Moth Box was used overnight. At first, it looked fairly quiet by the Moth Box, but when I saw my first Common Emerald Moth of the year perched on the wall, I knew we were in for a good morning here. A total of 25 Moths of 19 species were recorded here this morning and among these, I had 6 more Moths that were new for my year list.
Above, a Yellow Oak Tortrix and below, a White-banded Grass-moth.
Above, a Common Emerald and below, a Clay moth.
These included a Dwarf Cream Wave, Clay and Common Emerald and the micro moths, Yellow Oak Tortrix (Aleimma loeflingiana) and White-banded Grass-moth (Crambus pascuella). So, despite the cold conditions overnight, Andy’s garden comes up with some very nice Moths again and no doubt, will come up with some more over the coming months.
While I was writing up the Moths seen this morning, I always kept an eye out for the birds going over his garden. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling within the trees opposite his house and some Mediterranean Gulls went over as did a Swift.
Charlton, Hampshire:
A Mistle Thrush seen from the Railway Bridge.
Andy and I spent a good half an hour at this site situated near the Railway Line searching for the Turtle Doves and the sign they were still present at this lovely site was that we both heard one ‘purr’. But that's as far as it went. No further sight or sound of the birds during our three hour stay here, though we were soon joined by another seven ‘Lazee Birders’ also after the Doves.
Above, a juvenile Starling searching for food along with the Horses and below, the singing Chiffchaff by the Railway Bridge.
Above, one of the several Swallows present by the Railway Bridge and below, this male Blackcap was also singing close by.
From the Railway Bridge, enjoying some of Andy’s flask Coffee and a Rocky chocky bar, we had sightings of both Blackcap and Chiffchaff singing close by and a few Swallows were seen perched on the nearby trees and flying around us. I had my scope with me and double-checked the distant telephone poles with both Collared Doves and Stock Doves perched on them (just in case!) A Mistle Thrush, with a beak full of worms, was searching a nearby field to the north of the bridge and overhead, both Red Kite and Common Buzzards soared in the bright sky.
Above, this early Small Skipper was a nice surprise and below, at least a dozen Marbled Whites were also present. Both species were my first this year.
After hearing a Turtle Dove ‘purring’ in the distance, we took a walk back down the road to the gulley below the Hill. Fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ Pete Gammage joined us to listen to the Doves, but that was the last we heard of them. However, a family flock of Marsh Tits flew past us, totalling around 4 birds and the likes of Blackcaps, Yellowhammer and a male Bullfinch were all seen during the 45 minutes we spent there.
Above and below, this male Firecrest was singing above our heads.
So, no further sign of the Turtle Dove; but the butterflies were good. Our first Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites and a Small Skipper were seen and also a very fast flying Dark Green Fritillary were seen plus Small Heaths and Common Blues were on the wing here. There was a Burnet Moth nectaring on a Birds-foot Trefoil flower, but as I got nearer, the insects completely disappeared. Hurrumph!
This Steam Train passed by while we were standing on the Bridge.
Pete went off to join the other ‘Lazee Birders’ and after around ten minutes, we also joined them for a good chat. Andy Friend suggested taking a footpath east from our location and up to a quarry he knew. It was all uphill but the climb wasn't too bad as we eventually got to the quarry. However, it was full of lorries and vans and really didn't look too inviting and so we headed back to the cars. On the way back, a male Firecrest was singing in the overhead canopy and showed very well for us. Once we reached the cars, we all agreed to go for the showy Barn Owl at Pook Lane, Warblington. I have not seen one in Hampshire and so off we went.
Pook Lane, Warblington:
The Barn Owl at Warblington checking out something above it within this Oak Tree.
Andy and myself were the first to arrive at Pook Lane, but despite a good search in the said tree where the bird was supposed to be, we simply could not locate the Barn Owl. However, it wasn't till we got to see the heart shaped hole in one of the trees, that Andy Tew suddenly said the Barn Owl was just left of the tree. Andy was rolling up a cigarette at the time near my car and so ushered him over to view the Barn Owl; my first one this year in Hampshire.
Above, the Barn Owl still showing relatively well and below, a female Kestrel was nearby.
I never got to photograph the Barn Owl at Chittlehampton, Devon, last month; but this bird posed nicely for us, though the sunlight bouncing off the bird's back made it clearly visible even from a distance. But still, any Barn Owl showing well during daytime hours is always a big bonus.
Some of the 'Lazee Birders' enjoying the Barn Owl and below, Andy taking a break.
Other birds present included several Stock Doves present in the Oak Trees and a pair of Kestrels were in the area including a male bird that posed nicely in the dead branches of an Oak Tree. Two dazzling white Mediterranean Gulls flew over during our time there and headed off east and east. It was tempting to go to look for Cattle Egrets at nearby Mill Pond by the Royal Oak pub, but I had other plans and sat in Cowplain Marsh enjoying a cup of coffee watching Damselflies. Our afternoon plans are sorted!
Cowplain Marsh (Andy’s garden):
I took this photo of the Large Red Damselfly by Andy's Pond and an Azure Damselfly (left) photobombed!
Enjoying a hot brew in the shaded area of Andy’s garden by the Pond was most enjoyable. Three species of Damselfly were showing well and that included Azure, Large Red and Blue-tailed Damselflies; although the latter was somewhat a bit more cagey in getting a reasonable photo. The other two species showed very well and both species also were seen laying eggs in his pond as well as perching fairly close to where I stood. A few Hoverflies were around the pond and the only ones I could see were the expected Marmalade Hoverfly and a much larger Common Banded Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii).
Above, the Blue-tailed Damselfy and below, mating Azure Damselflies.
Above, mating Large Red Damselflies and below, a Common Banded Hoverfly.
There have been a few dragonflies seen by the Pond recently, but still nothing was showing for us today despite the warm sunshine. A good day’s birding with good company too.
The Funky Wardens new Album cover.
