Two Moth Boxes and then on to Titchfield Haven.

Saturday 29th August 2026.

A stunning sky to start the morning with. Then the rain came in!

The weekend was upon us yet again and the weather was rather grim. A strong south-westerly was blowing in off the Solent and although it was mild, there was a lot of rain on and off throughout the day. I am not going to complain about the rainfall as we need it desperately here on the south coast, but where to go birding in such inclement weather.

I decided last night that a sea watch from Hill Head and then a trip to the Hides at Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve was the agenda today, but not before we had two Moth Boxes to look at. The dogs got their walk this morning after I sorted my Moth Box out as it was still dry, but only just as it began to spit when I neared my house. By the time I left my house to pick the guys up at Cowplain Marsh, it was pouring down and a lot of surface water on the A3 made sure I kept my speed down.

There have been some interesting birds along the south coast recently, including close to the Hampshire border. A Franklin’s Gull was found at Stanpit Marshes and, remarkably, was seen in Hampshire today flying along the shoreline at Milford-on-Sea before heading west back into Dorset but lost from view. Curlew Sandpipers, a species I have yet to see this year, have also been on the move; today, 10 were on the lake at Farlington Marshes.

The Franklin's Gull at Stanpit Marshes yesterday. Photo by Andy Tew.

My Moth Box:

My first Flounced Rustic of the year that was in my Moth Box this morning.

As we had a combination of both strong winds and rain last night, I wasn’t too surprised to find that the Moth numbers were a lot lower than Thursday morning with just 26 moths of 20 species. Despite the low numbers, I did find my first Flounced Rustic of the year sat on one of the egg trays within the Box. They are an annual species to my garden, but always in low numbers, but a well-marked Moth species.

My second Pearly Underwing of the year.

Up to four Golden Twin-spot moths were recorded and other migrant Moths included my second Pearly Underwing of the year, a Turnip Moth and a Portland Ribbon Wave (certainly one of the best years I have ever had of this species).

Square-spot Rustic. They are turning up more regularly now.

Of the micro moths, the usual species were present, and the only migrant moths were the 6 Rusty-dot Pearls (Udea ferrugalis).

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Flounced Rustic * x1	Common Plume x1
Pearly Underwing x1	Tree-mallow Tortrix x2
Turnip Moth x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x6
Square-spot Rustic x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x1
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1	Box Tree Moth x2
Bright-line Brown-eye x1	Apple Leaf Miner x3
Vine’s Rustic x1	Chevron Grass-moth x1
L-album Wainscot x2	Chestnut Tortrix x1
Portland Ribbon Wave x1
Golden Twin-spot x4
Small Dusty Wave x1
Pale Mottled Willow x1

 

Geoff’s MV Moth Box, Cowplain Marsh:

Two Vestal moths were at Cowplain Marsh this morning.

I was surprised to find that Cowplain Marsh got nearly twice as many Moths than my Moth Box this morning, despite the wind and rain from last night. Though there was no new Moth species for the year, there was some very notable Moths among the 45 moths of 22 species recorded here today.

This Common Crimson and Gold Moth was my second of the year.

A Dark-bordered Pearl (Evergestis limbata) was the first notable moth found in Andy Fisher’s back conservatory and several Small Dusty Waves were on the wall of the Conservatory. The egg trays spread around the Conservatory produced some nice moths that included a Knot Grass, 2 Small Blood-vein, 2 Blair’s Mocha, Dusky Thorn and TWO Vestals!

Knot Grass.

In the Moth Box itself, my second Common Crimson-and-gold Moth (Pyrausta purpuralis) of the year (we found one earlier this year at Alice Holt Forest) was perched on the Box and within the Box, a Dark Strawberry Tortrix (Celypha lucanana) micro moth was a notable record here too. A good total here this morning and plenty to talk about the various species.

One of two Small Blood-veins present.

There were no bird sightings from Cowplain Marsh due to the rain that was now pouring down and so we got ourselves ready for a wet windy day down at Hill Head.

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Small Dusty Wave x4	Dark-bordered Pearl x1
Vine’s Rustic x4	Common Grass-moth x2
Flame Shoulder x1	Chevron Grass-moth x2
Willow Beauty x5	Light Brown Apple Moth x1
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1	Common Crimson-and-gold Moth x1
Knot Grass x1	Box Tree Moth x4
Bright-line Brown-eye x4	Mint Moth x1
Square-spot Rustic x2	Rusty-dot Pearl x1
L-album Wainscot x2	Dark Strawberry Tortrix x1
Small Blood-vein x2
Blair’s Mocha x2
Dusky Thorn x1
Vestal x2

 

Hill Head and Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve:

Despite the poor weather, there was a large congregation of birds in front of the Meonshore Hide.

We parked up at Cliff Road and made our way to the beach huts down below to shelter out of the rain and wind, but the poor weather got the best of us and after around 20 minutes in getting a rather good soaking, we made our way to the ticket office to purchase our day pass to the Reserve.

Above, this Little Egret flew in to the shoreline in search of fish on the incoming tide. Below, an adult moulting Turnstone was one of many down on the exposed shoreline in front of the huts.

During those 20 minutes or so, the tide was coming up within the Solent and checking the flocks of Herring Gulls on the shoreline, there was single Mediterranean Gull among them and a flock of Turnstone, around 22 birds, flew in and began searching for food among the pebbles and seaweed. I saw one pick up a small crab and took it away to be cracked open and eaten. There were a few still in summer plumage among the flock. A lone Sanderling flew west close to the shoreline; the bird still in partial summer plumage and many more were seen later in the afternoon.

Above, a second Little Egret joined the first bird in pursuit of fish along the shoreline despite the poor weather. Below, island E held a decent sized flock of Oystercatchers along with the Terns and Gulls.

A couple of Little Egrets flew in and landed on the shoreline and several Oystercatchers were seen among the Gulls. Large numbers of Common Terns were flying out to sea, braving the blowy conditions and then out into the gloom in the distance. Sadly, the rain was getting too much of a problem and so we decided to make our way to the ticket office.

Above, there was only one Common Snipe in front of the Hide, but it showed well at times. Below, a Mallard and a Teal preening.

Above, one of three Common Sandpipers that were on the South Scrape. This individual was on the small island in front of the Hide. Below, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull (right) sharing an island with Common Terns, Black-headed Gulls and  drake Mallard.

Above, a pair of Black-tailed Godwits in the rare but of sunshine and below, a juvenile Common Tern perched on the wooden railing in front of the Hide.

A Moorhen decided to walk through a flock of Black-tailed Godwit.

After purchasing our tickets, we waited for the rain to ease up and then made our way (at pace) to the Meonshore Hide to spend the next couple of hours there in the dry! From the Hide, there was a hive of activity with a variety of birds to be seen. The Common Terns probably stole the show with at least 200+ birds still present on the South Scrape, that included many juveniles among the adults. Searching through the Terns for an Arctic Tern (of which we found none), several Sandwich Terns were among them along with good numbers of both adult and juvenile Mediterranean Gulls and a single adult Common Gull.

Above, a pair of juvenile Black-headed Gulls on the eastern side of the South Scrape with a Common Sandpiper and Starling flanking them. Below, a Sandwich Tern moulting into winter plumage. Behind the bird, a Mediterranean Gull with Black-headed Gulls.

Above, I just love the intricate plumage on this juvenile Common Tern and below, Reed Warblers occasionally showed in the reeds in front of us.

Above, a variety of birds on one of the more distant islands and below, large numbers of Common Terns and Gulls flying over the Hide below the rain-filled clouds.

Above, I couldn't resist another photo of this beautiful juvenile Common Tern.

Waders present included around 20+ adult and juvenile Black-tailed Godwits, about a dozen Redshank, a single Common Snipe and at least three Common Sandpipers. An Avocet dropped in and landed near to the Hide before flying off towards the back of the scrape. Surprisingly, there were only a few Lapwing present, but no hoped-for Curlew Sandpipers here today. The sun did come out a few times and especially the Snipe and Godwit, the birds looked stunning in the sunshine.

Above, there was only one Avocet present on the South Scrape today and below, the Common Snipe came out from the reeds to feed.

Above, one of the Common Sandpipers bathing close to the Hide and below, a passing Redshank was flushed off by this Water Rail that dashed out from the reedbed!

Above, the size comparison between this Mallard and Teal is a useful ID pointer for the beginners and below, a Redshank that got flushed by a Water Rail!

Above, the beautiful plumage of a Black-tailed Godwit in the sunshine.

Both Swallows and Sand Martins were hawking low over the water throughout out time here and a juvenile Water Rail burst out of the reedbed to flush off a Redshank that was obviously too close to the Water Rail’s liking! In the vegetation in front of us, several Reed Warblers were seen now and then and some actually posed quite nicely for a few seconds. One of the warblers was possibly a Sedge Warbler, being lighter in colour, but the sighting was far too quick to be certain. After having our lunch within the Hide, we decided to try the sea again for possible seabirds passing through in the strong wind.

Above, a Canada Goose 'photo-bombed' this shot while I was taking photos of the birds behind it. Below, another photo of the unexpected Water Rail in front of the Hide.

Above, a juvenile Common Tern trying to land next to this adult bird. Below, a Redshank in front of the Hide.

Above, a juvenile Common Tern successfully got a post to stand on in front of the Hide and below, a feeding Black-tailed Godwit.

Another pair of Black-tailed Godwits feeding in front of the Hide.

From the Toilet block that we used for shelter, there were many Common Terns offshore and some very large flocks in the distance over towards the Southampton side of the Solent. A few Sanderling flew past in front of us and one landed among the Gulls on the shoreline, that also included several Med Gulls. Checking the sea thoroughly, I soon came across an Auk species, but it was difficult to get an ID as the bird kept disappearing behind the waves. But using a higher magnification, I soon discovered what I first thought was a Razorbill (that would have been a ‘year-tick’!), it was in fact a Guillemot and as Andy needed it for a ‘year-tick’, I quickly put him on the bird and after several attempts to see the bird, he eventually connected with the bird to put a big smile on his face.

Above, a Common Tern flying out to a stormy Solent. There were large flocks of both Terns and Gulls distantly offshore. Below, a Sanderling flew in and landed with the Gulls on the beach.

Above and below, a moulting Mediterranean Gull was on the beach.

The guys have never walked down the east side of the Reserve and so we took a walk to both the Meadow Hide and Knights Bank Hide. It was a bit of a walk to the Meadow Hide but once inside and out of the wind and drizzle, there was one of the Voluntary Wardens inside, who was keeping an eye on the Highland Cattle to the north. From this Hide, we saw 3 Little Egrets and a Grey Heron perched in some Willow Trees with a small group of Cormorants. A few Swallows and Sand Martins made their way south over the Meadow in front of us and a pair of Gadwall flew north. All was pretty much quiet here and soon we were on our way to the Knights Bank Hide. Our one and only butterfly seen today, a Red Admiral, was flushed from cover and flew off into the trees.

Above, the view from the Meadow Hide. The grim weather didn't help trying to find the birds and I thought the wind was going to blow the wind off the Hide! Below, the few birds we did find from the Hide did include a distant Little Egret with Cormorants keeping out of the wind.

Above, a Cattle Egret flew in and joined the Little Egrets and Cormorants.

Again, on arrival, the Voluntary Warden was within the Hide and while Andy was chatting to him, I picked up a Cattle Egret flying south over the Meadow and landed among the Little Egrets. Very little was seen due to the strong south westerly wind apart from a pair of Grey Lag Geese heading south and a few Mediterranean Gulls on the water on the River Meon. After 20 minutes or so, we then made our way back to the car and then home. At least it had stopped raining now and the walk back was pleasant enough. We all agreed that we should try the east side of the Reserve more often for the potential of something very interesting in the coming months seemed a good possibility.

Above, both Sanderling and Turnstone intermingled with the Black-headed Gulls on the Hill Head shoreline. Below, a group of six Sanderling in various states of plumage.

Above and below, some of the Sanderling got a lot closer to where we stood and we could see some of the birds moulting from summer to winter plumage.

While speaking with one of the Voluntary Wardens, we learned that most of the other scrapes in front of the hides were completely dry. The situation on the North Scrape was especially worrying. Some birds, including several waders, had died from botulism. Thankfully, the rain has now arrived. Hopefully, the pools will begin to refill and help eradicate this horrible disease. I will say though, some might say that the entrance fee might be a bit steep, but that's the best £6 I have spent in a long time!