Gems and a Purple Heron.

Saturday 16th October 2021.

Some of the moths present in my moth box this morning including Angle Shades, Large Yellow Underwing, Black Rustic and Lesser Yellow Underwing. 

Well, it was a ‘Gem’ of a morning with not only some nice moths first thing today, but also catching up with the juvenile Purple Heron over the back of Pagham Village. I was toying with the idea of going into the New Forest for the Ring Ouzels, but I decided to shelve that for now and possibly try next week instead. I had to laugh again at the useless weather prediction for today’s weather on Good Morning Britain yesterday, that said it should be dry and sunny, as I drove from Pagham Village to Church NOrton in pouring torrential rain!

The two Gem moths in my moth box today. An infrequent visitor to my garden. 

Andy didn't join me today as he had other things to attend to and so I had a nice lay-in before I checked my moth box. Another reasonable haul of moths this morning including two cracking Gem moths, a regular immigrant moth from southern Europe and my first for the year. One is pretty good, but two is exceptional for me here in Southsea. The following moths were present this morning:

• 1 Cypress Carpet
• 3 Double-striped Pug
• 4 Angle Shades
• 8 Common Plume
• 3 Beautiful Plume
• 2 Pale Mottled Willow
• 2 Box Tree Moth
• 2 L-album Wainscot
• 2 Black Rustic
• 2 Gem
• 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 2 Tachystola acroxantha
• 2 Garden Carpet

While checking the moths, my first sighting of Redwing was had as a pair flew high south overhead, calling in while doing so. A Chiffchaff was calling in a nearby garden and a Meadow Pipit flew overhead too. I suppose I could have stood here for quite some time as there seemed to be a bit of a movement going on overhead, but I had bigger ‘fish to fry’!

The juvenile Purple Heron showing very well at the end of Summer Lane, Pagham.

The Purple Heron, off Summer Lane in the Village of Pagham, was on my radar, a bird that has been present in this area for well over a week and a good addition to my year list too. However, the weather was not looking good as rain was falling as I neared the site. A new Housing Estate is currently being built off Summer Lane (more countryside being ripped up for expensive new houses), but on a plus side, I parked up in a side road grabbed my binoculars and camera and made my way to the small bridge to the field where the Heron was feeding. Fortunately for me, a passing birder in his car told me the bird was still present, showing well and devouring rodents for breakfast!

More photos of the juvenile Purple Heron this morning.

To view the bird, one had to cross the small bridge over the river and then look from the Five-bar gate looking south. It did not take long for me to pick the bird up, skulking extremely slowly in a marshy area looking for more breakfast. Getting comfortable, using the gate as balance, I grabbed quite a few decent photos and film footage of this elusive bird at my leisure and was amazed on how stealthy the bird was, especially its head that it hardly moved. Then literally snake-like, it thrust out its dagger-like bill and grabbed a hapless Frog and quickly devoured it. I have only seen a handful of Purple Herons in my lifetime, the last was an adult flying over the Solent heading towards the Isle of Wight, which was NOT accepted by the Hampshire Ornithological Society (not a happy bunny over that one!).

Swallows resting on an overhead wire by the Water Treatment Works off Summer Lane.

The Swallows joined by a couple of Pied Wagtails.

While very happy with the Purple Heron now on my year list, I also saw a nice variety of birds here to keep me entertained. While walking along Summer Lane, a flock of 7 Skylarks flew low overhead and a flock of 6 Curlew headed north. A Siskin flew north along with a few small flocks of Meadow Pipits and as I crossed the bridge, a Kingfisher was heard, but not seen. After enjoying the Purple Heron, walking back towards the bridge, two Grey Herons landed near the river along with a single Little Egret, but all flew off as I neared. Both Cetti’s Warbler and Water Rail were heard only as was a Stonechat.

A couple of Grey Herons were scrapping for territory not far from where the Purple Heron was.

A Common Buzzard was near the Water Treatment Works.

The Water Treatment Works area held my attention as I could see a Common Buzzard perched on a fence post nearby and a small flock of Swallows perched on the overhead wire and were also joined by a few Pied Wagtails. A pair of Grey Wagtails were also seen in the area along with at least 6 more Pied Wagtails. A large flock of 50+ Goldfinches took off and landed in a bush by the perimeter fence and in a nearby hedge, I counted at least 5 Chiffchaffs with a small flock of Long-tailed Tits. Chiffchaffs were calling all over the place, though I was hoping for something more rare. A few Jays were noted flying over the countryside; now a familiar Autumn sight.

High tide in White's Creek, Pagham Harbour.

A Curlew in the midday sun close to the North Wall. 

Pintail flying in off the harbour heading north.

As I was not far from the North Wall area of Pagham Harbour, I could not resist taking a look along the harbour wall. The tide was up within the harbour and there were a lot of restless waders and wildfowl jostling for space on the remaining bit of mud. There was a good variety of birds here and my trip here kicked off nicely with good numbers of calling Wigeon in White’s Creek along with a few Great Crested Grebes on the water. A small flock of Brent Geese flew low over the water heading south. Waders here included Lapwing, Redshank, Grey Plover and also a flock of around 20+ Golden Plover, my first of the Autumn. A few Common Snipe also flew over, with another on the Breech Pool among the 44+ Black-tailed Godwits.

A preening Black-tailed Godwit and a sleeping drake Teal on the Breech Pool.

A Common Snipe (in the water) with Teal, Mallard and a Cormorant on the Breech Pool.

I walked up the bushes at Owl Copse and then made the return journey back to the car, just in time before the heavy rain came in. However, a few Reed Buntings and a male Kestrel were added to my day sightings here on the North Wall. I could not find one Cattle Egret here at this site, though at nearby Marsh Farm, there were 25 present. I expected the Cows were out grazing!

Common Knapweed was one of the few flowering plants along the North Wall.

My last stop of the day was Church Norton, for there was always a chance of a Ring Ouzel hiding in the shrubberies! Nope! To be honest, it was fairly quiet, especially the Churchyard where the only birds of note were a pair of Mistle Thrushes and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The Churchyard was screaming for something like a Dusky Warbler skulking here! The harbour held at least a dozen or so Great Crested Grebes on the water and waders out on the spit in the harbour, including Grey Plover and a few Dunlin. I did find a lone Whimbrel on the edge of the salt-marsh having a bath and good numbers of Redshank were abundant throughout the harbour. I then took a walk towards the beach and the small pool adjacent to the Pony Field held a Greenshank and at least a dozen Teal. All the local Corvids and Wood Pigeons took off unexpectedly from the trees and hedgerows to the north as three Common Buzzards chased each other. My last notable sighting was a small group of 3 Siskins flying north over the woodland. Apparently, there was an adult Spoonbill in the middle of the harbour, but not seen by me. 

Storm clouds over Pagham Village in the distance.

Grey Plover in the harbour with Black-headed Gulls. 

Redshank in the harbour.

Greenshank in the small stream by the Pony Field.

The Whimbrel in the harbour viewed from Church Norton.

Though the weather looked very dark and bleak over towards Pagham Village, it was now sunny here and therefore made my way back home. Another superb morning's birding here in West Sussex and I was also keeping up with the 'Lazee Birders Group Whatsapp' page and their sightings of the Ring Ouzels at Leaden Hall, in the New Forest. The Pectoral Sandpiper was present again today at Oxey Marshes. Below, film footage of the superb juvenile Purple Heron.

 

A quiet ending to my working week.

Friday 15th October 2021.

Looking very Autumnal at Porchester Crematorium today.

It has been rather quiet for me over the past few days, though there have been a few sightings of note I would like to add to my blog. I was over The Oaks Crematorium this morning and a quick check of the Book of Remembrance building revealed just the one moth, the micro moth, Eudonia angustea, but nothing else. While checking the area, a couple of Song Thrushes flew over between the two woods, but no sign of any Redwing this morning. Birding friend, Denise Murray, spent some time birding in the Shetlands and has allowed me to put some of her superb photos on my blog: 

Red-breasted Flycatcher.

Black Guillemot.

Shorelarks.

Whooper Swans.

Bluethroat.

White-billed Diver.

Red-eyed Vireo. 

Western Bonelli's Warbler.

I did not put the moth box on last night due to the fact I was getting up early for work this morning. It was a rather cool start to the day, but plenty of sunshine, though a shame I didn't see anything really of note bar the odd Buzzard in its usual place by the M275 and several Pied Wagtails on the roof of our Fratton building. It looks as though I am birding on my own tomorrow and my target species is the Purple Heron over Pagham and what else I can find in the area.

I found this small Crab Spider species in our garage at work this morning and could not resist a photo.

Both the Long-toed Stint and White-tailed Plover were still present in West Yorkshire today, but there was no sign of the Western Sandpiper today although the Pectoral Sandpiper was apparently seen in nearby Oxey Marshes. 

  

Plenty of moths again in and around my moth box.

Thursday 14th October 2021.

This Cypress Carpet was probably the pick of the moths this morning.

Another cold night didn't deter the moths this morning as I notched up another good haul. I have read with interest on how many dare I say it, thousands of Redwing pouring through the country at present, with tens of thousands counted early yesterday morning passing over. So I popped out into the garden last night and had my first calling birds of the Autumn. I was counting at least one bird calling every 15 seconds, but the true number heading south must have been enormous. While checking the moth box this morning, three Song Thrushes flew high over, all heading south-east and were most likely migrant birds.

The micro moth, Eudonia angustea. Though quiet a common moth, always a pleasure to see one.

There was a good haul of moths this morning and again, though new species for the year, there was a good variety which included the following:

• 1 Cypress Pug
• 2 Double-striped Pug
• 3 Garden Carpet
• 15 Common Plume
• 2 Beautiful Plume
• 26 Box Tree Moth
• 4 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 3 Angle Shades
• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 1 Eudonia angustea
• 1 Square-spot Rustic
• 1 Common Marbled Carpet

I had time to check out the Flower Bay at Portchester Crematorium around midday and yet again, there were hardly any macro moths to look at - with the exception of one Double-striped Pug. I counted a total of 15 Beautiful Plume and 12 Common Plume micro moth, which are most certainly on the increase.

Some of the 25 Box Tree Moths present this morning. Even a work colleague sent me a photo of one in his house tonight and then said he actually had four!

Common Buzzards were enjoying the sunny weather today with at least 8 individuals seen during my working day. The usual bird was perched on the lamp post beside the M275 and at least 3 were seen over Portsdown Hill. A further two more were sailing high overhead near Portchester Crematorium and other raptors seen today included a male Kestrel over Portsdown Hill and a female Sparrowhawk late in the day, flying south over Drayton. A male and female Common Darter dragonflies were seen on the footpath by the Crematorium gardens this morning, but there was no further sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler from Tuesday.

Looking very Autumnal in the Portchester Crematorium gardens today.

In Hampshire today, one of the ‘Lazee’ birders, Andy Tew had both a male and female Ring Ouzel at the well known Autumn location of Leaden Hall, in the New Forest (see photo). A Bittern was seen flying north up the reserve and a Great White Egret was on the reserve in front of the Spurgin Hide. In West Sussex, the Purple Heron was still present near Honer Reservoir. This time last year, we were staying in East Prawle, South Devon; where a Yellow-browed Warbler was inhabiting the small pond near the Village. So I read with no surprise that another was there this week at exactly the same location! Within the UK, both the Long-toed Stint and White-tailed Plover are still in West Yorkshire, while further south, the Western Sandpiper was still on Normandy Marshes, Lymington.  

A female Ring Ouzel at Leaden Hall today. Photo by Andy Tew.

A Yellow-browed Warbler heard.

Tuesday 12 October 2021.

One of two Lunar Underwings at The Oaks Crematorium today.

I was in for a bit of a surprise this morning when I was working at Portchester Crematorium. I had just parked the car at the bottom car park when I heard the distinctive call of a Yellow-browed Warbler.   I told my work colleagues that I had a bit of time on my hands and so went off to try and see the bird, but despite my best efforts, the bird eluded me. It was calling for around a minute and then all went quiet, then it started calling again behind the Memorial gardens, but, again, I failed to locate the bird and that was the last I heard it. Bugger! I did send a message to the ‘Lazee gang’ on Whatsapp, hoping someone else might have better luck than me, but it looked as though it might have fallen on deaf ears.

While searching for the bird, a few notable birds were seen including 3 flyover Skylarks, a Coal Tit and a flock of 7 Linnets overhead heading west. A check around the back of the South Chapel produced a large amount of moths, but mostly Common and Beautiful Plume moths (20 & 16 respectively); the only other moth species found here this morning were two Rusty-dot Pearls, which was a bit disappointing.

The second Lunar Underwing moth at The Oaks Crematorium this afternoon.

While over The Oaks Crematorium this afternoon, I found two Lunar Underwing moths by the Book of Remembrance building. Jays were constantly flying over from woodland to woodland (a permanent feature for this species today while on my travels) and a flock of 4 ‘alba’ Wagtails flew over the car park heading west and probably off to roost. A Chiffchaff was heard calling by the woodland, though never seen with another at Portchester Crematorium this morning.

This new noticeboard has been put up at The Oaks Crematorium, who are in partnership with the Hampshire Wildlife Trust.

While driving around, at least three Common Buzzards were seen, with one perched on the lamp post beside the M275 and two more flying over Portsdown Hill as well as a male Kestrel. It was a rather warm day today although overnight temperatures plummeted and we awoke to a very cold start to the day, reminding us that Winter is just around the corner. Redwings are now being reported in numbers within the countryside, although I have yet to see or even hear any yet. 

Insects galore in my garden this afternoon.

Monday 11th October 2021.

Three of the four Red Admiral butterflies nectaring on the Ivy in my back garden this afternoon. 

After spending several hours at my Father’s house catching up on my day off, this afternoon while having a spot of lunch, I checked out the insect life in my back garden, especially around the flowering Ivy in the sunshine. Similar to yesterday, there were up to four Red Admiral butterflies on the Ivy and a nice variety of other insects.

The Red Admiral butterflies showed very well and allowed a close approach for these photos.

Hoverfly species present included the Common Drone Fly Eristalis tenax, Dead Head Hoverfly Myathropa florea, Syrphus ribesii and the small Syritta pipiens. A Common Wasp joined in the action, as did a lot of House Flies and Ivy Bees. In just 15 minutes checking out the Ivy, there was a wealth of insects to look at. I have been told that a lot of moths will nectar on the flowering Ivy during the night, so worth keeping an eye out later tonight. 

Photos from top to bottom: Common Drone Fly, Dead Head Hoverfly and Syrphus ribesii.

On the way to my Fathers house, driving out of Portsmouth on the M275, at least two Common Buzzards were seen perched on lamp posts beside the road and at least 6 Jays were counted as I drove up the A3, with a further two more seen from my Father’s garden. The juvenile Purple Heron was again present this morning in fields off Summer Lane, Pagham, while over at Normandy Marsh, the Western Sandpiper was still entertaining the crowds.  

Photos from top to bottom: Ivy Bee and Common Marbled Carpet moth, which I found near the moth box this afternoon.

A nice haul of Autumn moths.

Monday 11th October 2021.

A nice variety of moths in and around the moth box this morning after a clear cool night.

I had booked another days holiday today and though I was up at ‘stupid o’clock’, it wasn't till 8.30am that I went to check the moth box to see if there were any moths. I have not had the moth box on since coming back from Devon, but it was a clear night and quite mild as well, therefore convincing me to try my luck. This morning was dry and bright and a lot of bird activity was going on over and near my garden, but the moths came first.

One of four Angle Shades moths this morning.

Though there was nothing new for the year this morning, there was a nice variety of Autumn moths present 33 moths of 12 species, which included the following:

• 12 Common Plume
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 2 Double-Striped Pug
• 4 Feathered Ranunculus
• 4 Angled Shades
• 2 Box Tree Moth
• 1 Silver Y
• 2 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Blastobasis lacticolella
• 1 Common Marbled Carpet

The vast majority were Common Plume moths, with their distinctive cross shape, while four Angle Shades is nothing to be scoffed at. In the background, I could hear a Chiffchaff calling and eventually, I saw the bird at the back of my garden in my neighbours tree and was associating with a strange calling Great Tit. At this time of year, one has to check what they are listening to as any rare bird can turn up at any place! Overhead, a few Meadow Pipits flew over and small groups of Goldfinch also went past. I could hear an ‘alba’ Wagtail flying over, but no sighting.

The two forms of Box Tree Moth were in my moth box this morning.

Yesterday, I topped up the seed feeder and it didn't take long for the local House Sparrows to find it and get stuck in. Becky was impressed as we were having a late lunch in the back garden. In the warm early afternoon weather, the flowering Ivy was certainly attracting the insects, with at least four Red Admiral butterflies nectaring on the plants. Stripey Ivy Bee’s were also taking full advantage of the Ivy along with the Hoverflies Common Drone Fly and the small Syritta pipiens were abundant. I did find a small micro-moth on the wing and once it settled, I quickly had a good look at it. Though I never had my camera to hand, I deduced it was a Prochoreutis species. I only wish I had got my camera now, but no doubt it would have flown off anyway.

This Blastobasis lacticolella micro-moth was totally unexpected in my moth box.  

We popped over to my daughter's new house in Bedhampton after shopping and on the way there, a female Sparrowhawk flew low over the A3M heading north. Earlier this morning, when I put Scruff out into the garden, a Kestrel flew low over the rooftops heading south, being pursued by a flock of Goldfinches!

This superb photo of a male Sparrowhawk was taken recently by birding pal, Richard Tucker.

The Western Sandpiper was still present yesterday on Normandy Marshes and nearby on Oxey Marshes, a Pectoral Sandpiper was present. It or a different bird was reported on Normandy Marshes on Saturday, but I think it was dismissed as a mis-identification. How wrong was that to be, for that would have also been a very good ‘year-tick’ too. Birding pal, Geoff Farwell, went down to Farlington Marshes yesterday and had a reasonable day with sightings of 3 Peregrines, Osprey, Sparrowhawk, Dartford Warbler, numerous Blackcaps, 11 Mergansers and 4 Stonechats. A Lesser Whitethroat was also reported there along with an ‘alpina’ race Dunlin on the lake with a Curlew Sandpiper.