Dusky Thorn moth & a walk around the Cemy.

Sunday 19^th September 2021.

A very grey and dark start to the day with the weather forecast predicting heavy rain coming in this afternoon. Of course, I put the moth box on overnight and there was a reasonable number of moths to look at with a total of 52 moths of 15 species. The pick of the bunch was my 3^rd Dusky Thorn of the year and quite a smart individual too. The most numerous species were the Willow Beauty's with 10 present today. The following moths were present this morning:

• 4 Pale Mottled Willow
• 10 Willow Beauty
• 7 Box Tree Moth
• 1 Cypress Pug
• 6 Double-stripe Pug
• 6 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 2 Lime-speck Pug
• 1 Small Dusty Wave
• 1 Square-spot Rustic
• 7 Large Yellow Underwing
• 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Dusky Thorn
• 2 Tachystola acroxantha
• 2 Common Plume

Above, two photos of the Dusky Thorn moth and bottom photo, the Cypress Pug.

There was very little visible migration overhead, though a pair of Meadow Pipits did fly over heading west. Yesterday evening, a Willowchiff was calling somewhere in the gardens, but very little else, but I will always keep my eyes open as the Autumn progresses. I got a text from birding pal Geoff Farwell who was birding at Broughton Down near Stockbridge, north Hampshire. He said he had a 'cracking' Goshawk over along with 8 Buzzards, 2 Red Kites, 2 Raven, Woodlark, 8+ Blackcap and 4+ Chiffchaffs along with several Chalk-hill Blue butterflies. I am hoping to take Scruff for a walk later this morning to my local patch, Highland Road Cemetery. So, watch this space.

Highland Road Cemetery looking north from the southern end.  

The rain finally fell this morning around 11am, but before that, I managed a nice walk around Highland Road Cemetery with Scruff. Though looking quite dark in the south, the heavy cloud cover did not put me off and it was quite mild with very little wind. There were a few dog walkers present this morning, which is to be expected on a Sunday, but all were polite as they passed us by.

Top photo: though only Robin I saw this morning, though a few were heard singing about the Cemy. Botom photo: A female Drone Fly perched on a bush beside the footpath.

There was quite a few Chiffchaffs around the Cemetery, with the area near the Holm Oaks being popular with at least 7 birds in that particular area, along with at least 6 Long-tailed Tits. The latter species are not very common here and I think I have only seen them just three times since I have been coming here. Still, always a pleasure to see as they flick their way though the branches, trailing their long tail. At least 3 more Chiffchaffs were seen in the southern half of the Cemy, but I am sure there were probably a lot more. Sadly, no other warblers and to be honest, sightings of any bird was at a premium.

Top photo: Collared Doves are a common occurrence within the Cemetery and can roost in large numbers in the winter here. Bottom photo: one of the many Chiffchaffs present this morning.

I eventually had 15 species of bird on my walk, though most were actually only heard, including Wren, Great Tit and a few others. I was hoping for a bit of visible migration overhead, but the sky was virtually empty, bar a few Starlings and Gulls flying over. Nothing of note was perched on any of the gravestones, but I was more than surprised when I saw a grave getting ready for a funeral next week as Burials here are extremely rare as the Cemetery is full.

Top photo: next weeks funeral preparation in the Cemetery, which is rare here as the place is full. Bottom photo: Fleabane growing on one of the graves on the east side, adding a splash of colour.

Because it was cloudy, there were very few Hoverflies about this morning and no butterflies were on the wing at all. A female Drone fly was noted perched on a small bush and good numbers of the Syrphus species hoverfly were on the wing in various areas of the Cemy, but were quite difficult to photograph as they were quite skittish. A lot of Squirrels were down to ground level, busy stocking up with acorns and seeds to store away for Winter, especially around the Holm Oaks area. All the usual plants were noted, though I did find a rather large Prickly Sow-thistle growing in one of the graves. I am looking to take another trip over to the Cemy this afternoon as my ever demanding granddaughter wants to ride her bike around there. Ho hum!

Top photo: a scarce bird in this Cemetery, the Long-tailed Tit, which I counted at least 6 birds. Bottom photo: Honey Fungus making a return with this individual growing under one of the tall Beech Trees.

Locally, a Spoonbill is on Titchfield Haven and the one on Medmerry RSPB Reserve is still present along with the nearby Osprey. A Merlin was also reported there this morning. Returning Brent Geese have been seen passing Selsey Bill this morning, so it should not be long before they arrive in Langstone Harbour. Finally, the Glossy Ibis is still visiting its favoured field at Nore Barn today.

I took Isabelle for a ride on her bike around the Cemetery late this afternoon and seeing it closes now at 7pm, we had less than an hour for her to enjoy cycling along the footpaths. For me personally, I got to see a Great Spotted Woodpecker briefly, flying from one tree to another and even the Jays were heard calling, both species being absent earlier today. Isabelle particularly enjoyed watching a Squirrel high up in a Horse Chestnut tree, munching off the prickly shell off a Chestnut. A Migrant Hawker dragonfly made a brief appearance along the footpath near the Holm Oaks and even Isabelle managed to see it as it disappeared between the bushes. The 'yellow weather' warning issued by the Met Office turned out to be miss-information yet again as bright sunshine shone over the Cemy as we made our way home.