Wednesday 15th September 2021.
I thought it was time to catch up on what I have been noting of late and apologies if you are an avid reader on here with nothing to read! Yes, moths have been dominant in my sightings of late, but I have also seen some interesting birds over the past week as well. You see, I never stop looking wherever I go, especially when I am working; so there is always something to write about. I have to say, my faith in Computer shops is at an all-time low as I have rang several shops for them to ring me back to help me commute my blog over to a new domain. None have rang back! Obviously, they are either telling lies that they can do it or simply they do not want my business! Looks as though I shall have to try myself, so be patient everyone.
Back to the moths. Last Saturday evening I put the moth box out and was rewarded on Sunday morning with my first Delicate moth of the year among the 95 moths of 26 species. I had two Thorn species, Dusky and Canary-shouldered my first Flounced Rustic in the garden for the year. An Old Lady and Cypress Pug were also noted, with Willow Beauty being the most numerous with 12 individuals. Our Buddleia tree is attracted good numbers of butterflies including both Small and Large White’s, plus plenty of Red Admirals too. A real spectacle for our guests later that afternoon. Even a Willow Warbler popped in briefly and eventually flew over the garden heading south.
On Monday, as I didn’t put my moth box on overnight, I checked the moths around Portchester Crematorium in the morning and notched up 25 moths of 10 species. Among these was my first Ear Moth species (there are several specific species of Ear Moth and dissection is the only sure way to tell them apart) along with a Blair’s Mocha, 2 Light Emerald, Angle Shades and up to 10 Beautiful Plume moths!
On Tuesday, back at Portchester Crematorium, I found my first Red Underwing of the year. What a cracking moth and reminiscent of a large butterfly when it flew off. My second Straw Underwing of the year was also found among the 36 moths of 11 species. Both the Light Emeralds and Blair’s Mocha was still there. A fine Red Admiral butterfly allowed me to take close up photos of it by one of the windows and most likely on its ‘last legs’. Over at The Oaks Crematorium, I found just the one moth by the Book of Remembrance building – a Box Tree Moth. Now, this species is in its ascendency as my birding pal, Geoff Farwell, reported over 50+ by his MV Moth trap earlier this week! Also present at The Oaks was a Marsh Tit. However, the bugger would not show for me and I had to be content with listening to the bird deep within a bush beside the wood adjacent to the car park. When I got home from work, the Buddleia was still attracting the butterflies and even a Holly Blue joined in on the act. When will I get a Hummingbird Hawk-moth? Another Willowchiff was ‘hoo-eeting’ in the gardens somewhere, but not visible this time. There was
This morning, 84 moths of 23 species were counted. Though nothing new was seen, there were impressive numbers of certain species including 14 Willow Beauty and 13 Lesser Yellow Underwing with Gold Triangle, Flounced Rustic and 2 Angle Shades noted. Visible Migration has been somewhat at a premium of late, so a Meadow Pipit heading northbound was exciting! Over at Portchester Crematorium, both the Light Emerald and Blair’s Mocha were still present in exactly the same spot and one of the Crem attendants assures me that he saw the Red Underwing again this morning near the same spot where I had it. Not many birds seen today, but I did have a Chiffchaff by my vehicle at Portchester Crematorium and a male Kestrel was seen soaring over the main road on Portsdown Hill as I was driving along. Occasionally, I get emails or images on Whatsapp of butterflies, moths and insects for me to ID and this week, Orange Swift moth and Box Tree Moth photos have been sent. On the subject of moths, the UK’s second ever Lorimar’s Rustic moth was discovered in a Fareham garden yesterday, the first since 1967! A Palm Moth was found on the Isle of Wight on somebody’s decking today! This is a South American moth, but apparently, it has been in Europe and the population is spreading fast.
It seems the Knepps White Storks are on the move, having been first seen flying low over Hayling Island and just now, flying over Segensworth (near Fareham) currently heading west! Around 26 birds, in all.
