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.

Another nice haul of Moths with no Fox disturbance!

Tuesday 22^nd September 2026.

The high pressure over Southern England continued into today and it looks as though it is going to be as warm as yesterday with a clear blue sky and hardly any wind whatsoever. There was a little bit of visible migration going on overhead although with the clear blue sky, it was hard to locate any of the passerines flying over.

I did hear the Fox outside by my Moth Box in the early hours of this morning (and so did my dogs!), but it looks as though I have thwarted any attempts by the Fox to disrupt my Moth Box by putting a lot more obstacles in the way. Huzzah! So, I didn’t have to get out of bed at 4am to scare it off.

Pembroke Road in Old Portsmouth was quite busy with bird species, and it only took 5 minutes to notch up 10 species! A few surprises were in store too but as Autumn progresses, it should start getting well into double figures.

My Moth Box:

The Langmaid's Yellow Underwing this morning. I did have it in a pot and while flying inside the pot, I could clearly see the underwing pattern that is diagnostic to this species.

A reasonable total of 58 moths of 18 species were recorded this morning and although there were no new moths for the year, a good variety of migrant and Autumn moths present.

Above, a Blair's Mocha and below, an Olive-tree Pearl.There were two each this morning of both species.

This morning’s migrant moths included a Delicate, Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing, Turnip Moth, Olive-tree Pearls (Palpita vitrealis) and Rusty-dot Pearls (Udea ferrugalis). The unexpected highlight was an exceptionally late Barred Yellowneck (Oegoconia deauratella). As this micro-moth closely resembles the Four-spotted Yellowneck (Oegoconia quadripuncta), the two can be distinguished conclusively only by dissection; for now, I will record it as the former species.

Above, my second Feathered Ranunculus this week and below, the probable Barred Yellowneck micro moth that was inside the Moth Box.

There were four species of Yellow Underwing this morning, though numbers are gradually reducing. The following Moths were recorded this morning:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Blair’s Mocha x2	Olive-tree Pearl x2
Pale Mottled Willow x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x5
Large Yellow Underwing x6	Common Plume x1
Lesser Yellow Underwing x6	Light Brown Apple Moth x13
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1	Barred Yellowneck x1
Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing x1
Square-spot Rustic x2
Delicate x1
Clancy’s Rustic x7
Turnip Moth x1
Willow Beauty x1
L-album Wainscot x3
Double-striped Pug x4

 

While checking the Moth Box, I noted several birds migrating overhead: up to two Grey Wagtails, which I heard but did not see, and a Pied Wagtail, which I saw clearly. I also heard Meadow Pipits but, once again, did not see any.

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The clear, calm conditions produced a notable level of bird activity at this site during my first shift. The Jays were showing well this morning, both birds flying back and forth between the Holm Oaks and the Sycamore Trees. I could only just hear the Meadow Pipits flying over, somehow over  the din of the passing traffic and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard for the first time here in a long time; I think the last time was in the Spring. Sadly, there were no sightings of the bird, though I know it landed in one of the Sycamore trees further down the road. The following species were recorded:

• Herring Gull
• Great Black-backed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay (2)
• Starling
• Robin (singing)
• Blue Tit
• Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard calling)
• Meadow Pipit
• Wren (heard singing)
• Chiffchaff (heard calling)

Dusk over Highland Road Cemetery this evening when I walked past with my dogs for their evening walk.

Feathered Ranunculus moth added to year list.

Monday 21^st September 2026.

A stunning sunrise over Highland Road Cemetery when I walked the dogs early this morning.

Its warming up again! Today was not only bright and sunny with cloudless sky throughout the day, but it was very warm this afternoon as I could actually feel the sweat running down my back! Yes, it was quite cool first thing this morning as I checked the Moth Box, but there was not a puff of wind blowing as flock after flock of Meadow Pipits flew over.

My Moth Box:

My first Feathered Ranunculus moth for the year.

Annoyingly, despite putting up an array of obstacles to stop the local Fox rummaging around my Moth Box, I could hear the damn animal around 4am again and so I had to get up and scare it off before it done any damage to my Box. It wasn’t light till around 6.30am and thankfully, a lot of Moths were still present around the Moth Box.

My 3rd Delicate moth for this year.

A total of 45 moths of 16 species were recorded this morning and that included my first Feathered Ranunculus moth of the year. A typical Autumn species to my garden, I normally get good numbers of this species throughout the season and hopefully, they are on their way here. 6 Clancy’s Rustics was also exceptional, which I think is the highest count of this species I have had this year so far.

One of five Clancy's Rustics in and around the Box today.

A Delicate moth was another excellent Moth for my garden; a true immigrant Moth and I think the 3^rd one for the year. A Plumed Fan-foot was just inside my kitchen and the reason it spent all day in my house was that it was stuck to some spider web of which I managed to get off and release the Moth back into the garden. A Least Carpet was perched on my neighbour’s wall and the pick of the micros was a Mint Moth.

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Least Carpet x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x9
Small Dusty Wave x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x3
Clancy’s Rustic x6	Beautiful Plume x1
Delicate x1	Mint Moth x1
Feathered Ranunculus * x1	Common Plume x1
Lesser Yellow Underwing x6
Large Yellow Underwing x3
L-album Wainscot x4
Square-spot Rustic x3
Double-striped Pug x1
Plumed Fan-foot x1

 

This Twin-spot Centurian; a species of Soldier Fly, that was in my Moth Box.

Also, within the Moth Box, there was a species of Soldier Fly, a Twin-spot Centurian (Sargus bipunctatus) and also a Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus). Up to two Chiffchaffs were in the gardens near mine and one of which was seen on top of the tall tree at the back of my garden before flying off south. Overhead, a steady stream of Meadow Pipits flew over involving at least 50+ birds. Singles of both Grey and Yellow Wagtail were also heard flying over.

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Wall to wall sunshine throughout the day here in Old Portsmouth.

A good count of 13 species was recorded today at Pembroke Road in the bright sunshine. A Chiffchaff was first heard and then seen flying from the Holm Oaks to the Sycamore trees to the west and another was heard by the Bowling Green a little later. Again, there was a trickle of Meadow Pipits flying over and a Grey Wagtail was also heard overhead.

This afternoon, on my second shift, though no new bird species were added to todays total, a Clouded Yellow butterfly flew west past me; summing up what a superb year it has been for this migratory species. The only other insects seen today was a Buff-tailed Bumblebee and Syrphus species of Hoverfly. The Hibiscus Bushes are now full of Ants and Blackfly and now, we have Garden Spiders all around the Bushes.