Bloxworth Snout added to growing moth year list.

Wednesday 13th April 2022.

My first Bloxworth Snout of the year. They are annual within my garden most years.

Another busy day today with not only a visit to The Oaks Crematorium, but also a trip to the north of the County, to both Basingstoke and Andover. My job could take me anywhere at times, but at least it was a good day with great company. The weather was a little indifferent at first this morning but as the afternoon wore on, it became a lot sunnier, hence wearing the ‘shades’ all the way home from Andover!

This morning's Angle Shades moth suffered from a damaged wing.

The moth box didn't disappoint this morning with yet another new moth for the year, a stunning Bloxworth Snout. With 3 Early Grey, An Angle Shades (which was found when I got home from work by the box) and 19 Common Plume, it really was picking up again.The following moths were present this morning:

• 1 Bloxworth Snout
• 4 Double-striped Pug
• 3 Early Grey
• 4 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Angle Shades
• 4 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 19 Common Plume

Regarding the birds seen today, it kicked off with a perched Common Buzzard again on one of the lamp posts northbound on the M275. A pair of Mediterranean Gulls flew over New Road in Bedhampton, both heading north over the houses. The Oaks was alive with bird song, notably Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Blackbird and Nuthatch from the adjacent woodland; both Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker were also heard calling from deep within the woods. Chiffchaffs were seen displaying by the edge of the woodland, while singing birds were seen flitting about around the gardens..A single Long–tailed Tit  was seen flying across the  gardens and into the woodland.

Cowslips were flowering at The Oaks Crematorium.

It was nice to see Cowslips growing here on the neat grass between the woodland and the gardens, which I found totally unexpected. I do not remember seeing them there last year. After our morning job, a work colleague and myself made our way up to Basingstoke first to carry out our second job of the day and on the way up the M3, at least two Red Kites were seen high over the motorway. Once at our Basingstoke branch, a pair of Red Kites drifted very low over our heads and over the rooftops. 

A male Syrphus species of Hoverfly in my moth box this morning.

Even when we reached our Andover branch, I was seeing Red Kites everywhere, but it wasn't till I was making my way back down the M3 that I started seeing Common Buzzards high over the motorway. As we were making our way into Basingstoke Crematorium, a pair of Red-legged Partridges were busy searching for food on the neatly manicured lawn and gardens and were seen again on our exit from the Crem. Brimstone butterflies and a single Peacock butterfly were also seen today.  

In Hampshire today, migrants are pouring in thick and fast and include a female type Montegue’s Harrier heading north over the reserve (after being identified by photographs).  One of the ‘Lazee’s’ had a nice selection this evening with Common Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs and a Swallow at Farlington Marshes. A flock of 6 Glossy Ibis settled briefly on the Posbrook Floods before returning briefly a little later.  I am now on a 5 day break from work and hope to do a very early sea-watch tomorrow morning to whet my birding appetite!