The Moths back into treble figures.

 

Friday 17th July 2026.

My second Dewick's Plusea moth for the year and week!

Possibly the last day of this current heatwave today (phew!) as cooler air is set to hit the UK over the weekend. Early this morning, it was back to a three-figure count of Moths in and around the Moth Box. Thankfully, it was also a cooler night and so I slept comfortably only to get up at 5am again!

The birds in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, were quiet again though I did get into double-figures again with the bird species, but nothing out of the blue today. Another clear blue sky overhead and the temperature wasn’t too bad this morning although it will be getting a lot hotter this afternoon.

I noticed on the BBC1 News this morning that there is a Great Butterfly Count going on today. I have already had a Holly Blue in my garden this morning and no doubt there will be more throughout the day.

 

My Moth Box:

One of three Turnip Moths today.

I virtually doubled my Moth total from yesterday with up to 116 moths of 41 species recorded this morning. Though nothing new for the year, there was plenty of migrant Moths present this morning including my second Dewick’s Plusea of the year. Up to 6 Golden Twin-spots, 2 Small Mottled Willows, 3 Turnip Moths, a Silver Y and 9 Rusty-dot Pearls were here this morning, despite a very light northerly wind.

Some of the interesting Moths present in and around my Moth Box this morning included from top to bottom: Buff Ermine, Elephant Hawk-moth, Nutmeg and Least Carpet.

Another Elephant Hawk-moth was in the trap and my second Nutmeg moth was perched on top of the rain guard. Clay, Dun-bar, Least Carpet and Rustic were all notable moths, and the micros didn’t disappoint either with a Cypress Gelechia, more Willow Ermine’s, 2 Tree-mallow Tortrix and 2 Fulvous Pearl’s among the many moths present today. The Moths present this morning included the following:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Golden Twin-spot x6	Light Brown Apple Moth x14
Dewick’s Plusea x1	Cypress Gelechia x1
Silver Y x1	Bee Moth x1
Small Mottled Willow x2	Bird-cherry Ermine x7
Nutmeg * x1	Willow Ermine x6
Turnip Moth x3	Hampshire Dowd x5
Double-striped Pug x8	Common Plume x1
Lime-speck Pug x3	Fulvous Pearl x2
Bright-line Brown-eye x1	Elderberry Pearl x1
Blair’s Mocha x1	Garden Grey x1
Buff Ermine x2	Common Masoner x10
Common Rustic x2	Tree Mallow Tortrix x2
Elephant Hawk-moth x1	Garden Grass-veneer x4
Small Dusty Wave x2	Large Pale Masoner x1
Rustic x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x9
Clay x1	Mother of Pearl x2
Dun-bar x1	Codling Moth x1
Least Carpet x2	Apple Leaf Miner x4
	Grey Knot-horn x2
	Carnation Tortrix x1
	Mint Moth x1

 

Other insects seen in the Moth Trap this morning included several Lacewings and a couple of Harlequin Ladybirds. Overhead, along with the usual Swifts, up to four Swallows flew high northwards.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

At least 10 Carnation Tortrix moths were fluttering around in the front gardens within Pembroke Road.

Up to twelve bird species were recorded in Pembroke Road today across both shifts, with the adult Lesser Black-backed Gull again the highlight. This afternoon, it was feeding on a flying-ant eruption on the Bowling Green, joined by around eight Herring Gulls. The feast was short-lived, however, when two bowlers flushed them from the green. The gulls soon reappeared on the short, yellow grass of Governor’s Green, where they continued searching for more flying ants.

Up to four Swifts were seen this morning, flying low over the road and houses, while the usual birds were either heard or seen.

There were a good number of Carnation Tortrix moths fluttering about on and over the plants within the roadside gardens. I counted at least ten of them and some sat nicely on the Hibiscus Plants and Windows.

My Garden:

The Swifts over my house were gathering up in one big screaming flock. Very entertaining. 

This lunchtime, the Swifts were now gathering up in large numbers and one big flock easily totalled at least 30+ birds all screeching away over the rooftops. I could hear their wing beats as they sped low overhead. Over the past few days, I have been cleaning my patio within the back garden, and I seemed to be flushing a lot of my Moths I released from my Moth Box this morning including a very smart Mother of Pearl moth. Late news from last evening; a female Common Darter dragonfly landed briefly in the back of the garden but did not linger. However, a Red Admiral spent a good 20 minutes in the back of my garden before flying off to roost.

In Hampshire today:

The Pectoral Sandpiper on Fishtail Lagoon, Pennington Marshes. Photo by Steve Laycock.

Waders are now appearing more regularly on their return migration. At Pennington Marshes today, a Pectoral Sandpiper was found, while a Wood Sandpiper was reported at Farlington Marshes. At Titchfield Haven, up to four Common Sandpipers were on the reserve, along with a Great White Egret and a Common Snipe. Offshore, a flock of nine Common Scoters was seen in the Solent. The Night Heron was again reported early this morning at Miller’s Pond, Southampton, while a report of another individual in Clanfield appears to be erroneous.

Pectoral Sandpiper on Fishtail Lagoon, Pennington Marshes. Photo by Steve Laycock.

 

A Beautiful Demoiselle in front of my house!

 Thursday 16th July 2026.

Three Golden Twin-spot Moths were in and around the Moth Box this morning.

A cool, breezy start to the morning which started with another look at the Moth Box. It looks as though it is going to be a repeat of yesterday regarding the weather with a cool start and then gradually getting very warm. Winds are still from the north-east and therefore a cool start to the day here in Southsea and Pembroke Road in Old Portsmouth.

Yesterday, though I never had the Moth Box on overnight, I still found a Jersey Tiger moth in Pembroke Road. I thought it was a butterfly at first by the way it fluttered around, but when it finally settled on someone’s front door, I could clearly see the pattern on the upperparts. I did try to get a photo, but it was too skittish and quickly flew off over the houses! 

My Moth Box:

A Bright-line Brown-eye and a Cabbage Moth from the Moth Box.

Another average Moth total this morning with 51 moths of 29 species recorded this morning. Most were in and around the Moth Box with very little elsewhere in the garden. There was nothing new for my Moth Year List this morning, but 3 Golden Twin-spots is always a very good record. My second Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing of the year was present at the base of the Moth Box and a pair of Elephant Hawk-moths were on the egg trays.

My second Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing of the year.

My second Rustic moth of the year was also on the egg trays along with a Cabbage Moth and a Knot Grass. Among the micros, my second Netted Tortrix (Acleris forsskaleana) & Cypress Gelechia (Gelechia senticetella) of the year was also in the Moth Box.

Knot Grass. I normally get a handful of these every year in my garden.

This time last year, I had a total of 39 moths of 25 species and in all honesty, virtually the same Moths as this year too! I did get my first ever Tawny Sycamore Piercer micro moth this time last year and this time in 2025, my first Jersey Tiger moth of the year was present in my back garden. The following Moths were recorded this morning.

 

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Golden Twin-spot x3	Rush Veneer x1
Elephant Hawk-moth x2	Common Plume x1
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1	Apple Leaf Miner x1
Large Yellow Underwing x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x9
Lesser Yellow Underwing x1	Hampshire Dowd x1
Bright-line Brown-eye x3	Netted Tortrix x1
Cabbage Moth x1	Fulvous Pearl x1
Knot Grass x1	Brown House Moth x1
Double-striped Pug x5	Bud Moth x1
Rustic x1	Grey Knot-horn x2
Clay x1	Common Masoner x1
Garden Carpet x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x4
Lime-speck Pug x1	Mother of Pearl x1
	Cypress Gelechia x1
	Dingy Concealer x1

The only other insects within the Moth Box were a few Lacewings and one very large Flesh Fly! Via ‘The Lazee’ Birders WhatsApp site, birding chum Andy Friend had a Gypsy Moth in his garden this morning. Jammy so and so! I have yet to add this species to my Life List! When I arrived back from my second job, I found a Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly fluttering about by my front door and window! After Andy Fisher had one in his garden recently, I didn’t expect one to be near my house! They obviously move around a lot and I can only assume there must be a big garden pond around?

This Gypsy Moth was a nice find for one lucky 'Lazee Birder'. Photo by Andy Friend.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A tad warm in Pembroke Road this afternoon. Pembroke Close is in the centre of this photo.

I got up to 13 bird species this morning here in Pembroke Road and although there was a nice breeze going down the road, it remained bright and sunny all morning. The usual three species of Gull flew over, and a Swift made a brief appearance flying low over the rooftops. A lot of the birds were mostly heard including the House Sparrows, a ‘ticking’ Robin and a Greenfinch was heard flying over. The Wren put in a brief appearance, but I have not heard the young Wrens in their nest this morning. Have they been abandoned or been predated upon?

I have noticed a good number of Carnation Tortrix moths flying around by the Hibiscus Bushes and nearby plants and after yesterday’s Jersey Tiger moth fluttering around, I shall be keeping a watchful eye for any more Moths in the area. A couple of Red Admiral butterflies were flying past at speed and over the Bowling Green, a pair of Small White butterflies could be seen.

This afternoon, on my second shift, it was hovering around 28 degrees, though it certainly felt a lot warmer than that. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull flew low overhead and flew off east over the houses; not a bad species to add to my day total here. A few Swifts went over and another Red Admiral flew past at some great speed again. 

In Hampshire today:

This Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly was a real surprise flying around at the front of my house at lunchtime.

There was no news if the Night Heron was still present on its favourite pond in Southampton today. Over at Lower Test Marshes, a good count of at least 9 Common Sandpipers was present; I still have not seen one this year! On Titchfield Haven, a Roseate Tern was reported on one of the islands on the South Scrape. A few waders were on Hayling Oysterbeds early afternoon including a Whimbrel and up to 6 Dunlin.

Birding pal Dave Levy had a Light Crimson Underwing moth to his garden this morning.

Rustic moth added to year total.

 Monday 14th July 2026

My first Rustic moth of the year.

A breezy and cool start to the morning here in Southsea and it was back to the Moth Box first thing this morning. I wasn’t expecting too many Moths this morning and after last weeks 100 plus Moths most days, it was back to half that now. There was just the one new Moth for the year, but some nice Moths among the haul today.

Pembroke Road was quiet again with the birds, but there was a few interesting insects on show on my first shift here this morning. The Night Heron at Miller's Pond, Southampton, was showing well again this morning to at least 10.30am. My early morning walk with the dogs produced a couple of Moth sightings and perched on the shop windows along Highland Road were a Double-striped Pug and a Buff Ermine!

 

My Moth Box:

One of four Golden Twin-spot moths today.

As mentioned, the Moth numbers have dropped considerably from last week with only 56 moths of 24 species recorded this morning. A Rustic moth was my first of the year and if I didn’t check it on Obsidentify, I would of easily claimed it as a Vine’s Rustic; however, the more rectangular shape and blunt end to the wings was noticeable. A good Moth for the year.

One of two August Thorns.

Up to FOUR Golden Twin-spots were present of which I might add is a very uncommon Moth in the UK. Possibly, they are breeding here on the south coast, but these did coincide with an influx of 11 Silver Y moths! Other migrating moths from the Continent included a Small Mottled Willow and 5 Rusty-dot Pearls. It is always good to get a Hawk-moth in the trap and so an Elephant Hawk-moth is always most welcome. Two August Thorns added as splash of colour.

Comfrey Ermine. My second of the year.

Among the ‘micro moths’, my second Comfrey Ermine of the year was sat on top of the Rain guard as was my second Larch Bud Moth of the year.

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Golden Twin-spot x4	Blushed Knot-horn
Rustic * x1	Willow Ermine x1
Silver Y x11	Hampshire Dowd x6
Double-striped Pug x1	Common Plume x1
Elephant Hawk-moth x1	Brown House Moth x1
Small Mottled Willow x1	Comfrey Ermine x1
Shuttle-shaped Dart x1	Tawny Sycamore Piercer x1
Least Carpet x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x8
Riband Wave x1	Apple Leaf Miner x1
August Thorn x2	Italian Bark Moth x1
	Large Pale Masoner x2
	Rusty-dot Pearl x5
	Rosy Tabby x1
	Larch Bud Moth x1

 

Other insects attracted to my Moth Box overnight included several Lacewings, a Buff-tailed Bumblebee and at least 3 Harlequin Ladybirds. A Common Rustic moth was found at the back of the garden while I was washing the patio down after my first shift.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Another very bright sunny day here from Pembroke Road.

It was cool on my first shift this morning, with a breezy north-easterly keeping the temperature down to bearable! Once again, it was a clear blue sky overhead, but the number of bird species seen or heard this morning was low again. I managed to get up to 10 species in all and what with this afternoon being called off because of the heat, the best bird seen here today went to the showy Jay that flew over my head and into the nearby Sycamore trees on the opposite side of the road. It remained there for some time before flying on to the next tree.

I have been seeing this insect over the past few weeks and finally, this one settled nicely on the Hibiscus Bushes. It is a Yellow-striped Darwin Wasp (Ichneumon xanthorius).

Both the parent Wrens were busy flying back and forth to their young within their nest. The male bird was having a quick sing now and then, seen perched on a nearby garden wall. The usual Buff-tailed Bumblebee’s were back and forth to the flowering Hibiscus bushes and at least four Carnation Tortrix moths were fluttering about among the plants.  I did take a photo of one perched on one of the bushes, but it came out awful on my phone. Hurrumph! However, the photo I took of a Yellow-striped Darwin Wasp, a species of Ichneumon Wasp, walking over the leaves of one of the Hibiscus bushes actually came out OK!

A Small White butterfly on the Lavender in my back garden today.