A handful of moths and a bit of overhead passage on a very wet morning.

Saturday 2nd October 2021.

Feathered Ranunculus. A common species at this time of year especially down here in East Prawle.

Well, last night or should I say the early hours of this morning didn’t start as expected as our Scruffy simply could not settle and so we ended up kipping in the front room instead at 3am! I had stayed up until 11pm last night after enjoying a few beers and Fish & Chips in the Pigs Nose Pub and couldn't resist a check of the moth box before retiring to bed. A Common Marbled Carpet, Feathered Ranunculus and an odd brown job were present of which the last two I quickly potted to take a better photograph the following day. Also present was a Bronze beetle and a Caddis Fly, which also took a liking for the bright light. 

Photos from top to bottom: Twenty-plume Moth, Bronze Beetle and a Common Marbled Carpet.

I awoke on the settee this morning at just after 7am and noticed rain tapping on the window and not only tired, I really did not fancy checking the moth box in the rain; so I got up and dragged my sorry soul outside while Scruff relieved himself. Bloody dog! Though nothing really present to set the heart racing, there were a few moths present as well as numerous Crane Flies, which were literally everywhere. As I was checking the moths, something caught my eye and it was a Robin flying to my moth box and picking off the moths that I had placed on the rain guard! More than likely, it had been doing this before I got to the moth box; so I might try a different place tomorrow to place the moth box.

The following moths were present last night / this morning:

• 3 Feathered Ranunculus
• 3 Lunar Underwing
• 3 Common Marbled Carpet
• 1 Square-spot Rustic
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl    
• 1 Twenty-plume Moth (in the cottage)

This Robin surprised me as I was checking the moth box. How many did he pinch before I got to look at the moths? 

Once I was indoors, I made some hot drinks for both Becky and myself and then went downstairs to do some 'Vis Migging' (watching visible migration taking place overhead). It looks as though today is going to be a very wet day with very heavy rain forecast all day, but this didn't put me off checking what bird life was moving overhead. 

Despite the consistent rain, this Robin was showy enough in the back garden to have a quick sing while searching for insects. 

This male Blackbird was making the most of the berries in the back garden. Simply a good harvest here for both migrant and resident thrushes. Thanks goes to the owner of the Cottage for making it wildlife friendly

Though nothing unexpected happened during the hour and a half I was observing, there was a trickle of birds passing overhead, which included plenty of finches, Meadow Pipits and Hirundines; while in the very large berry-laden garden, a Robin, male Blackbird, Wren and a few Blue Tits took a liking too. Armed with my binoculars and Camera, the following species and numbers were seen (with a time-out for breakfast in between):

• 16 House Martins
• 55 Swallow
• 5 Chaffinch
• 15 Greenfinch
• 26 Linnet
• 38 Goldfinch

This was one of three Lunar Underwing moths by my moth trap this morning.

I did check Birdguides this morning via the App on my mobile phone and a few days ago, there was a good movement of Balearic Shearwaters off Prawle Point. Should the weather improve tomorrow morning, I shall get down there nice and early and try my luck. It should be good for good views of Cirl Buntings, but you never know what else one could find at this superb place.

Swallows passing through heading south over the Village this morning. They will be gathering in good numbers here over the coming weeks. I hope to check them out very carefully in case of something much rarer amongst them.

Back at East Prawle for a week.

Friday 1st October 2021.

The amazing view from the bottom of our road. I hope to spend many more superb moments at this fabulous place, enjoying the many migrants and wildlife that is so abundant here.

At last, Becky and I are spending a week at East Prawle; the gorgeous quaint little village on a Devon headland jutting out into the English Channel and just screaming out for a rare bird to be discovered as many have in the past. Maybe it's my time for something very rare to grace my presence here, although I will happily enjoy a juicy Cirl Bunting or two. Not only the birdlife I am looking forward to, but also the moths for I have brought my moth box along for the ride too and as I write this, it is up and running already!

Photos from top to bottom: the cottages overlooking the English  Channel at the bottom of the road; Herring Gulls checking out the fields close to the cliffs and a very distant female Cirl Bunting in the late sunshine.

I have already taken a walk down the lane to view from one of the best viewpoints in the area and visible migration was most evident. Meadow Pipits, ‘alba’ Wagtails, Linnets and good numbers of both House and Sand Martins were all around, while flitting around the roadside bushes were several Chiffchaffs that occasionally showed. I stood with Scruff overlooking the superb viewpoint from the end of the Cottage where I had a conversation with a family member staying there. A large number of Gulls, mostly Herring Gulls, were feeding in a field by the cliffs along with good numbers of Carrion Crows, while more passerines were passing through in good numbers, notably Linnets, Meadow Pipits and more House Martins.

The above photos: A few Chiffchaffs were seen along the road leading to the viewpoint; Verbena plants were still flowering and House Martins were abundant around the cliffs and Cottages.

I checked the sea for anything of note, but it was mostly distant Gannets I could clearly see flying low over the calm sea, while closer to the shoreline, several Oystercatchers were flying over the rock pools. Earlier, I noticed a large moth by the front entrance of the Cottage I was watching from and on closer inspection, it was a Dark Sword-grass; my second of the year. With my moth box on, it will be interesting to see how many I shall get here this time around. Of course, I always check what is along the roadside as there are plenty of plants and insects on show. Verbena plants was still in flower as were a few sprigs of Dark Mullein, while Dark Bush Crickets were calling everywhere along the thick vegetation. It is only Friday and hopefully, more interesting sightings have yet to come. 

Photos above: The Dark Sword-grass moth I found at the Cottage at the bottom of the road from our Cottage. The front and rear view of our Cottage, The Shippen, with Scruff having a good old sniff round! 

Black Rustic moth added to my year list.

Thursday 30th September 2021.

The weather has now become very Autumnal as the temperatures have dropped by at least 20 degrees compared to last week and also quite a bit of rain around. Early this morning, it was very overcast and rain threatened all day, but it wasn't till the early evening that the rain finally came.

Above, some of the moths that were in the moth box this morning: Lunar Underwing, Feathered Ranunculus, Black Rustic and L-album Wainscot.

My moth box held not that many moths, but it did hold my first Black Rustic of the year (top photo); a typical Autumn moth and most welcome in my moth box. Up to two Feathered Ranunculus were present along with 3 Lunar Underwings. In total, the following moths were present:

• 2 Feathered Ranunculus
• 3 Lunar Underwing
• 1 Black Rustic
• 2 L-album Wainscot
• 6 Box Tree Moth
• 2 Willow Beauty
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 2 Common Plume

 While  I was checking the moths in the garden, there was a passage of Meadow Pipits moving south and I counted at least 18 birds in various size flocks passing through. One Meadow Pipit was flying with an ‘alba’ Wagtail (Pied or White Wagtail) and looked good for being companions (or so I thought!). Still, it's always good to see visible migration first hand and against a grey sky, it was easy to pick the birds out.

Above, there were few 'macro' moths at Portchester Crematorium including this Large Yellow Underwing. 

While at my Fratton branch, I heard more Meadow Pipits passing overhead and watched several going over and also a male Sparrowhawk flew over too, much to the annoyance of the local Starlings. I was working over Portchester Crematorium this morning and checking out the moths (as per usual), I found the following moths:

• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 1 Box Tree Moth
• 8 Beautiful Plume
• 6 Common Plume

I was somewhat surprised that I thought there would be a lot more moths than this, though there were literally hundreds of Crane Flies around instead. Plenty of food it seems for the local birds and Spiders! While I was driving to the Crematorium, I noticed several  large skeins of Canada Geese passing through low overhead, all heading east; whether it was to nearby Lakeside in Cosham or possibly Farlington Marshes? I must have counted at least 50 birds in all along with a few smaller individuals that could have been hybrids. It didn't end there either as about 30 minutes later, more birds passed by while I was at the Crematorium and making quite a din as they passed over. The only other bird of note seen at the Crem was a lone Swallow flying over.

Above photo: Water Rail, Ringed Plovers and Sanderling taken at Titchfield Haven and Hill Head by local birder, Christine Whiffen, who kindly allowed me to post these lovely photos on my blog.

From the Whatsapp group I have recently joined, yesterday’s juvenile Grey Phalarope was still at Blashford Lakes, on Ibsley Water today; though mostly keeping its distance in the middle of the lake.  A small flock of 4 Manx Shearwaters passed through Selsey Bill this morning, but mostly quiet throughout the south coast. 

Two Red Underwing moths at Portchester Crematorium.

Tuesday 28th September 2021.

There has been a big weather change here on the south coast with a large band of low pressure directly over us causing a good deal of heavy rain at times today and yesterday. The UK is now going through an alleged fuel shortage, which has consequently got all the idiots panic buying fuel for their cars (which, incidentally, the awful UK media instigated!) and causing long tail-backs around the forecourts. Like the toilet-roll fiasco a year or so ago, it's the same again only it seems a lot worse.

Above and below, one of the Red Underwing moths I found at the Crematorium today, showing a bit of the red underwing itself.

With all that mayhem going on, I still kept an eye out for anything interesting to mention on my blog and today, while driving along James Callahan Road along the top of Portsdown Hill, I pointed out to my co-driver, two hovering Kestrels and a large flock of around 20+ Meadow Pipits, seen from the comfort of the car I was driving. A lot of heavy rain had fallen on Portdown Hill and the roads were a tad flooded in places. I was also sure I saw a Raven flying away from me and though I was driving, another quick glimpse kind of confirmed it.

The familiar Box-Tree Moth, which is now a common sight around Portchester Crematorium and seen regularly by day as well as night.

I was working at Portchester Crematorium both this morning and early afternoon and it was on my second visit that I had a check around the flower bays for moths. Though not many were found, I did find TWO Red Underwings moths near the South Chapel exit, of which one allowed me a close approach to take a photo. The only other moths I could find were one Box Tree Moth and at least 8 Beautiful Plume and 2 Common Plume’s. Also around the flower bay, was a roosting Red Admiral butterfly. Not much in the way of bird life, but a Robin was in full song close to where we park the cars to take the family home.

Checking the local websites, it was reported that a ringtail Hen/Pallid Harrier was seen and photographed by Sidlesham Ferry Pool, West Sussex around 1pm and could possibly be the same bird that was flushed off the beach at Church Norton early today. The Harrier was seen to hunt and catch a Red-legged Partridge and apparently, another hybrid type was seen in Norfolk. Off Selsey Bill, 3 Balearic Shearwaters were seen to head west as well as a Great Northern Diver. In Hampshire, both Black-necked Grebe and a drake Common Scoter were off the Hayling Oysterbeds this morning and our Brent Geese are back with at least 92 birds counted in the north-west corner of Langstone Harbour.

Chiffchaffs & Hoverflies abundant in the Cemy.

Sunday 26th September 2021.

I took Scruff for a nice easy stroll around Highland Road Cemetery late morning, enjoying the bright Autumn sunshine and I was pleasantly surprised at how many insects were on the wing. 15 species of birds were either seen or heard during the hour we were there including good numbers of Chiffchaffs and at least four Jays were also seen flying from tree to tree. I was soon regretting taking my fleece with me as the temperature easily climbed into the 70’s for there was very little wind to cool things down. Above, one of many Red Admirals in the Cemy this morning.

These Herring Gulls were in a big squabble on the rooftops opposite the Cemy, causing onlookers to stop in their tracks.

The Chiffchaffs were quite entertaining as at least 5 possibly 6 birds were flitting around the trees close to the Mausoleum. A rather disturbing scene, which stopped a couple of dog-walkers in the tracks, was two Herring Gulls having a fight (see photos) on a rooftop. One would not let go of the other one's neck! A few Meadow Pipits flew high over, heading south, which represented the only bit of migration going on.

Chiffchaffs (top photo) were in good numbers around the Mausoleum and several Collared Doves (bottom photo) flew off from the Chestnut Tree's over on the east side. 

The only butterflies on the wing this morning were nectaring Red Admirals which were enjoying the flowering Ivy Plants and several Small White’s that were seen flying over the Cemy. I even found a few moths on the wing and included a Box Tree Moth and a Vapourer moth: the latter spinning around in the air as per usual but not landing. Hoverflies were also enjoying the flowering Ivy (both Myathropa florea and Eristalis tenax) and this in turn attracted plenty of Garden Spiders to build their webs to trap the insects. 

Hoverflies were in large numbers today, making the most of the sunshine and flowering Ivy including Myathropa florea (bottom photo) and Eristalis tenax (top photo). 

As per usual with the Cemetery, there is always something to look at here and something will always capture my attention as I slowly make my way around the footpath. Though the Council have given the grass a good mowing, it still looks and feels very Autumnal now with lots of leaves on the ground and more falling all the time. It will not be long when the Winter Thrushes will begin to stop over and even roost here. For now, more migrant birds are coming in and hopefully, the Yellow-browed Warbler might make a return visit as per previous years.

There were few plants on show within the Cemy today, but Smooth Hawks-beard plants (top photo) were common while a sprig of Michaelmas Daisies were on show by one grave. Yarrow, Smooth Sow-thistle, Lady Bedstraw (bottom photo) and a few Cats ears were found too. 

There was a good sea-watch off Sandy Point, Hayling Island this morning by Andy J. He notched up a Balearic Shearwater (six off Selsey Bill this morning also), a Red-throated Diver, Guillemot and an Arctic Skua! The Glossy Ibis is still at its usual haunt at Nore Barn, going into its 2nd full week into its stay and still pulling in the birders. No big rarities on the south coast just yet, but watch this space as I am sure they are on their way. I have been reading the Birding Iceland site on Facebook and some of the American rarities that have been arriving there of late are quite staggering. One UK birder has just come back from there and notched up Buff-bellied Pipit, American Redstart, Red-eyed Vireo and Semipalmated Sandpiper along with White-winged Scoter, Harlequin Duck, Gyr Falcon and both Barnacle and Pink-footed Geese. Becky and I had the pleasure of going to Iceland a few years back during the month of February. Truly a superb place, but we failed to see the Aurora borealis. Sob! 

Garden Spiders (Araneus diadematus) also known as Cross Spider were also abundant with webs literally everywhere where there was bushes. I watched one poor Hoverfly land in one web, manage to escape only to fall in another and perish!

Feathered Ranunculus moth & Honey-buzzard this weekend.

Sunday 26th September 2021.

A fairly bright start to the morning though a lot of cloud cover soon rolled in, but it was pretty mild with very little wind. Again, a reasonably nice haul of moths for this time of year and included my first Feathered Ranunculus (above) of the season along with several Lunar Underwing and L-album Wainscot. The only migrant birds flying over while I was checking the moth box were Meadow Pipits again, but apart from the noisy Herring Gulls, all was quiet.

Above, one of many Willow Beauty's this morning along side a Lunar Underwing moth. Yesterday, I was too busy helping my daughter move into her new house in nearby Drayton. It was here that I spotted an interesting raptor flying low overhead being pursued by a couple of Carrion Crows and as it got nearer, I could clearly see it was a Honey-buzzard! That was a total surprise as I clearly noted the long straight tail and its long head, completely different from a Common Buzzard. I honestly thought I had missed this species this year, so that was a real bonus and puts me currently on 189 species for the year.

This superb juvenile Purple Heron was gracing the fields behind the North Wall at Pagham Harbour, though quite elusive at times, but, luckily, local birder Sarah Russell managed to grab some distant photos of the bird.

The Purple Heron over Pagham Harbour was being quite elusive during the day, but a Birding friend, Sarah Russell managed to not only see the bird at dusk, but also managed to grab a few decent photos of the bird (see photos). Birding pal Geoff Farwell took a stroll around Beacon Hill in the morning where he saw the following: 6+ Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, Marsh Tit, 30 Stock Dove, 2 Red Kite & Common Buzzard along with a passage of Swallows. The following moths were noted this morning:

Moths recorded this morning included this morning:

• 1 Feathered Ranunculus
• 3 Lunar Underwing
• 12 Willow Beauty
• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 2 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 1 Silver Y
• 5 L-album Wainscot 
• 2 Lime-speck Pug
• 4 Double-striped Pug 
• 2 Square-spot Rustic
• 2 Tachystola acroxantha 
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Common Plume