My first Cream Wave of the year, which Jackie found on the lounge wall last night.
A lot more breezier this morning, especially when I took the dogs for an early morning walk. I managed to get up around 4.45am this morning (bleary-eyed and wobbly!) and dragged myself out of bed to go and check the Moth Box. After yesterday’s strong heat, I was expecting a lot more moths than what I actually got this morning, but there were a few more moths that were new for the year. As I write, it's 23 degrees, so I think we are in for another warm one again.
My Moth Box:
Ringed China-mark was new for the year.
Around 10pm last night, a check of my Moth Box and moths were coming in thick and fast and so it was out with the pots. I managed to grab my first Cream Wave moth of the year and other moths found were a Small Mottled Willow, Swallow Prominent, Sharp-angled Peacock and a Silver Y. This looked as though it bode very well for tomorrow.
Two more for the year list: above, Olive Pearl and below, Mottled Pug.
In all, up to 29 moths of 18 species were recorded including those that were seen last night. Four more species were new for the year and that included three micro moths, Garden Pearl (Udea olivalis), Ringed China-mark (Parapoynx stratiotata) and the stunning Large Fruit-tree Tortrix (Archips podana). Three good quality moths. A Mottled Pug was sitting on the bathroom window, which was new for the year and up to 10 Pale Tussock moths were also present. The Moths recorded from last night and this morning included the following:
MACRO MOTHS
MICRO MOTH
Pale Tussock x10
Garden Pearl * x1
Swallow Prominent x1
Ringed China-mark * x1
Silver Y x1
Large Fruit-tree Tortrix * x1
Cream Wave * x1
Small Mottled Willow x2
Sharp-angled Peacock x1
Mottled Pug * x1
Knot-Grass x1
Common Marbled Carpet x1
Treble-lines x1
Heart & Dart x1
Orange Footman x1
Willow Beauty x1
Green Carpet x2
The usual ‘bugs’ were present again this morning with Green Drake Mayflies being most numerous and the Caddisflies. There was just the one Cockchafer Beetle which I quickly rescued and put in the bushes. While checking the Moth Box, a small flock of 5 Siskins came into the garden and all the usual birds were singing nearby.
Above, the walk along East Street heading south and below, a male Blackbird on the road between parked cars.
Above, a good population of House Sparrows here in Chittlehampton and below, one of the two Swallows that regularly perch up in wires within the village.
All the usual Swifts, Swallows and House Martins were present again within the village as we walked down East Street south down the road, taking in all the amazing flowers that were on show. A couple of Blackbirds walked across the road as did a rather confiding Robin that didn't bother looking up as I passed with the dogs.
Above, my first ever Bush Vetch plants growing in the hedgerow and below, a pair of Stock Doves that were seen in exactly the same place recently.
Above, aSpear Thistlegrowing along the side of the road and below, one of the Swallows preening.
The Sheep field held the usual Jackdaws and Blackbirds searching for food on the grazed grass and by one of the Barns, a pair of Stock Doves were resting on the roof. The road was a little busy with traffic now and then, but all behaved themselves courteously, A pair of Linnets flew over heading towards the village and a few screaming Swifts overhead was all that was seen during a rather quiet walk this morning. I did find a plant that was new to me, a Bush Vetch, that looked unfamiliar. Using the Google App, I hope I am right with the ID?
Above, a Robin was oblivious to me and the dogs walking past on the road and below, one of the many Painted Ladies feeding on Nipplewort plants.
Above, Poison Hemlock is growing on the edge of the road. Another of our deadliest and most poisonous plants in the UK. Below, Ox-eye Daisies swaying in the breeze along East Street.
Only my 3rd ever Lime Hawk-moth here in Devon last night.
As the heatwave lingers on, after a very sticky night, I awoke later than expected (6am) and quickly made a coffee before checking out my Moths this morning. Late last night, our Jackie gave us a shout that a large moth was outside by the Moth Box around 11pm and amazingly, it was only my 3rd ever Lime Hawk-moth and showing very well on the wall by the Box! I was well chuffed. Why I hardly get any in my Southsea Moth Box, who knows; but it is always a ‘buzz’ to get a Hawk-moth, no matter what species. Again, it is very warm this morning here in Chittlehampton as is the rest of the south.
My Moth Box:
One of two Alder Moths this morning.
Though I got up late and probably missed a lot of moths that had probably flown off, I still recorded seven new moths for the year and also a micro moth ‘Lifer’! The micro moth was a Beautiful Knot-horn, a rather attractive species I might add. Oddly, that was the only micro moth here this morning, but the excellent ‘macro’ moths made up for that with ‘year-ticks’ of Swallow Prominent, Iron Prominent, Alder Moth, Setaceous Hebrew Character and the migrant moth, Dark Sword-grass.
Two Prominent species of moths turned up this morning with (above) this Iron Prominent and below, a Swallow Prominent. Two superb moths that I only see about once a year.
Above, the migrant moth,Dark Sword-grass (I only record them in the Autumn in Southsea) and below, a new micro moth 'lifer' for me, the BEAUTIFUL KNOT-GRASS. What a stunner!
My first Setaceous Hebrew Character of the year. It is a common moth at times, but nice to get my first one. Below, a strikingly marked White Ermine.
There was another migrant moth, a Small Mottled Willow present and most likely the Silver Y was a migrant moth too. A total of 23 moths of 14 species were recorded this morning .I read on Migrant moths on Facebook that some chap had over a hundred Small Mottled Willows within 5 traps put out on the edge of Exmoor overnight! The Moths recorded this morning were as follows:
MACRO MOTHS
MICRO MOTH
Lime Hawk-moth * x1
BEAUTIFUL KNOT-GRASS * x1
Dark Sword-grass * x1
Swallow Prominent * x1
Pale Tussock x 9
Iron Prominent * x1
Alder Moth * x2
Least Black Arches x1
Silver Y x1
Heart & Dart x1
Setaceous Hebrew Character * x1
White Ermine x1
Maiden’s Blush x1
Small Mottled Willow x1
Other insects attracted to the Moth Box again were the Green Drake Mayflies, Welshman's Button Caddisfly and just the one Cockchafer Beetle.
Our lovely walk in the country lane.
The dogs got their morning walk this morning and though a bit warm at 9am, it was a pleasant walk that produced a lot of Hirundines over the village and good numbers of Painted Ladies nectaring on all the flowering plants along the footpath and hedgerows. I was so impressed by the flowering weeds and plants that they actually stopped me in my tracks to see if I could ID some of them. One garden was full of Cat’s-ears and along the footpath, bunches of Ox-eye Daisies grew along with Herb Robert and Herb Bennet plants.
A little bit of cloud built up over our Cottage, but it still remained hot.
Today, the temperatures soared up into the mid-eighties and I had to stay in the garden waiting for a package to arrive. It might sound bad, but it was such a relaxing day and though my wife and I kept in the shade, it was so very hot all day even as I write this at 6.45pm! It seems that I am not the only one getting some very nice migrant moths in the UK as the Migrant Lepidoptera Facebook site was littered with some amazing moths arriving in the UK including good numbers of Striped Hawk-moths and Crimson Speckled and many more.
Back to the birds seen on this hot, though pleasant day in the garden. I got stunning views of the Siskins this afternoon as one of the male birds was displaying and singing its heart out all day. I just love it when they do that long wheeze in their song. The Spotted Flycatcher put in an appearance briefly in the Ash tree this morning until flying off down the gardens. Both the elusive Blackcap and Chiffchaff have been singing all day and a Coal Tit also put in a very brief appearance.
Ted and Buddy taking a drink from Becky's water cooler in the garden.
While reclining in one of the sun loungers on the grass, looking up, I saw both Common Buzzard and Red Kite sailing high overhead close to one another and a few distant Herring Gulls must have been thousands of feet up near the clouds! Yes, there were quite a few big white clouds around today, but there was hardly any wind hence why it was so hot today. Chaffinches, Greenfinches,Goldfinches and the odd Linnet or two were seen this afternoon and also in the garden, numerous Painted Lady butterflies were nectaring on the flowering plants.
I have a confession to make!!! I had left my camera charger at home back in Southsea (I am a bloody idiot, no?) and so ordered a battery charger from Amazon yesterday and so had to wait all day for it to turn up. Once it arrived and got it charged up, I was out in the garden straight away and fortunatley for me, the Spotted Flycatchers performed nicely in the late afternoon sunshine.
Above and below, the pair of Spotted Flycatchers in the neighbouring gardens. Note that the one below is missing its tail!
Above, the tail-less Spotted Flycatcher having a preen and below, a male Siskin perched in the lone Ash tree.
Above, some of the many Swifts on the wing over the gardens and below, adult and juvenile Rooks in a nearby field.
Above, a juvenile Blue Tit in one of the nearby gardens and below, a Silver Y moth nectaring on the Daisies in our garden.
Above, one of the Spotted Flycatchers in the favoured Ash tree. Apologies about the bells ringing from the nearby Church and the noisy Rooks!
This evening, again I took the dogs out for their late walk and taking my usual route down East Street, I now had my camera with me and I was in luck again as both the Little Owl and Barn Owl were out hunting. The Barn Owl was seen first, flying in one of the fields south of the road and then over the main road itself before disappearing north over the fields. Sadly, the light was too poor to get a photo of the bird, but I had much better luck with the Little Owl.
Above, the Little Owl showing fairly well in the fading light this evening and below, a large flock of mixed Corvids took off from nearby trees and made their way over the fields.
As me and the boys were walking back to the Cottage, after 'clocking' the Barn Owl, I checked the top of the Barns again and then 'Bingo', there it was perched on the thatched roof of one of the Barns. I did this time get some half decent photos (well, I'm pleased with them) of the Little Owl before it flew off. Happy days.
Above, distant Jersey Cows in one of the fields to the south. Below, my first Silver-ground Carpet moth for the year.
The remaining light was quite spectacular when I started my walk and although I missed the sun going down over the countryside like last night, the remaining clouds were lit up an orangey colour. Walking through the village, the Swifts were all over the place as I watched several fly into their nest sites under the eaves of the houses and a few Swallows were perched on the overhead wires. There was plenty of birdsong still, though mostly Blackbirds; but I still could hear both Chiffchaffs and Siskins singing in the distance.
Above, a stunning sunset and below, some of the Swifts flying over the village tonight.
The walk to my usual spot and back again produced a huge number of Silver Y moths in the hedgerows. I counted at least 60+ of these migratory Moths foraging around the hedges, though a bit difficult in the fading light to grab a photo of these fast flying Moths. I did find one Moth that was a 'year-tick', a Silver-ground Carpetthat fortunately landed close to the road within the grassy verge. However, I must say that I have never seen so many Silver Y moths in many a year and obviously, like the Painted Lady butterflies, been brought over by the current heatwave.
One of a pair of Swallows resting on overhead wires within the village.
Only my third ever Puss Moth, which was sitting on the patio this morning.
Though bright and sunny at 5.30am this morning, there was a breezy cool easterly blowing over the garden here in Chittlehampton, which I think resulted in not many Moths. But on the positive side, there were three more that were new for the year, including one of my favourites. The local birds were all in fine voice as Siskins flew over and the Swifts were screaming high overhead and not lets forget those noisy Rooks behind our garden! It is looking like another very warm day with temperatures climbing up to around 30 degrees centigrade.
My Moth Box:
My first Marbled Brown of the year.
I think because of the wind and not being by the box earlier this morning, some of the Moths present would have probably flown, but there were still 16 moths of 11 species present and that included three that were new for the year: Puss Moth, Marbled Brown and a Spectacle. The Puss Moth was actually found on the patio along with around 6 Cockchafer Beetles and so I grabbed a Pot and carefully placed it on the patio table.
Above, a Narrow-winged Grey and below, a Green Carpet.
Above and below, the Spectacle moth.
The Marbled Brown, a very smart moth, was perched on the wall by the Moth Box and the Spectacle ( I don't think I saw one last year) was on one of the outside egg trays. A good number of Pale Tussocks yet again and a fine Green Carpet was perched on the BBQ I have the Moth Box sat on! Finally, we have our first ‘micro moths’ of the trip here, with a male Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella) sitting a long way from the Box and a Narrow-winged Grey (Eudonia angustia) perched on the patio window.
Twenty-plume Moth in our lounge.
Later this morning, I found a Twenty-plume Moth just inside the lounge patio window! This was only my second one of the year and a good find. Just goes to show that you must keep looking in case you miss something.
MACRO MOTHS
MICRO MOTHS
Puss Moth * x1
Bee Moth x1
Garden Carpet x1
Narrow-winged Grey x1
Marbled Brown * x1
Twenty-plume Moth x1
Pale Tussock x5
Pebble Prominent x2
Orange Footman x1
Green Carpet x1
Spectacle * x1
Incredibly, there were around 10 Green Drake Mayflies present around the Moth Box and on the patio; a species I don't think I have ever encountered before, but beautiful little things nonetheless. Another first was a species of Caddisfly called Welshman’s Button Caddisfly of which there were around three present. They look a bit bland, but much different from the regular Cinnamon Sedge Caddisflies I get in my garden. Another Red-headed Cardinal Beetle was found on the patio this morning, to add to the one I saw yesterday. This place certainly looks good for insects, so I will be keeping my eyes open.
Insects are always attracted to my Moth Box, which included all the above. From top to bottom: Welshman's Button Caddisfly, Green Drake Mayfly and Red-headed Cardinal Beetle.
Our plans for today were to take a drive to Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, near Barnstable; where Becky, Jackie and myself (with the dogs) would have lunch before going off to do some shopping in Barnstable. The weather was again very warm, but at Castle Hill Gardens, not only were we under a large umbrella over our outside table, but there was a refreshing cool wind blowing over the whole area.
The Garden:
A view of our garden.
Yet again, the garden produced a good variety of birds and one could not feel totally content just relaxing in a deckchair watching the many Swifts, House Martins and Swallows going about their business overhead. They are so very entertaining, especially being so close overhead; however, the mood of the birds changed when a big female Sparrowhawk sailed low overhead! All day, we have had a young Blackbird squawking to be fed by its parents in the garden, though it looked safe enough even when I got too close, it went running under the bushes!
A view of the Meadow at the back of the neigbouring gardens. I wonder if they have Badgers there?
As well as the Sparrowhawk, my first Red Kite of the trip sailed over the village and circled by a small army of Rooks and Carrion Crows before the Kite flew off east. The Great Spotted Woodpecker showed very well again in nearby trees and this evening, after finishing our BBQ, I watched a Spotted Flycatcher mating in the lone Ash tree. That’s a first! Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were heard singing throughout the day. Yet again, Siskins were seen every so often, especially in the Ash tree where a male bird was heard displaying and singing throughout the day.
Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches and even a Linnet used the same tree for a spot of singing and also popular for a host of birds. The Painted Lady butterflies were yet again abundant within our garden and I even found a Holly Blue within the garden.
Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh:
The Castle Hill Estate.
While having an excellent lunch ‘al fresco’ style, Becky and I saw a Common Lizard run across the driveway close to the cafe area. That was totally unexpected, but the many Painted Lady butterflies seen here wasn't unexpected as there seems to be an invasion of this species into Devon. I wonder if they are numerous in Hampshire now?
A panoramic view overlooking the fields here.
While enjoying our delicious lunch, I watched the many Swallows swooping low over the grass within the fields opposite. A river was running through the field in the distance and that was probably the reason we had a Large Red Damselfly circling our table (well found Jackie). A Common Buzzard drifted over the field and headed off north and both Green Woodpecker and a Goldcrest were heard calling close by. Our dogs behaved themselves nicely, sitting in the shade of the table. I have heard some idiots are walking their dogs in this heat, but mine get their long walk at dawn and dusk.
My first BBQ of the year!
Our dog walk tonight with Jackie sadly did not bring us any Owls to watch, but there was a gorgeous sunset tonight to round off yet another superb day. Tonight's temperature at 10.15pm as I write this up for my blog currently stands at 20 degrees centigrade!
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