A good variety of moths again.

Wednesday 17th August 2022.

The second generation of Yellow-barred Brindle are arriving in my garden now.

I don't think it rained last night though there are a few showers expected here on the south coast this morning. Much cooler last night although it was clear, but still produced 79 moths of 34 species. Though nothing new for the year, there was a very good selection of macro moths that included a Marbled Green, Yellow-barred Brindle, Cabbage Moth and up to 5 Marbled Beauty’s. My first Pyrausta despicata micro moth in my moth box for the year was a surprise, where I normally see a lot of these when I am walking Scruff around nearby Highland Road Cemetery. Two Garden Pebbles were also present and while putting the rubbish out this morning, I found a Rush Veneer perched on the outside wall! 

Above, a Cabbage Moth was on the white sheet. Below, the Pyrausta despicata micro moth was unexpected too.  

Outside of moths, yesterday produced a few more Pied Flycatcher sightings, notably over at the Paddocks at Northney, where some nice photos were taken by some of the ‘Lazee Birders’. Andy Fisher took a stroll over Catherington Downs in the afternoon and notched up a Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaffs, Nuthatch and a Green Woodpecker. Apart from the more common migrants, it was fairly quiet in Hampshire and in West Sussex, the Squacco Heron was still present at Pagham Harbour NR and the Temminck's Stint returned to the Ferry Pool. 

One of the Pied Flycatchers yesterday at the Paddocks on Hayling Island. Photo by Pete Appleton.

Moths recorded this morning included the following:

• 5 Garden Tiger
• 4 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 6 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 1 Yellow-barred Brindle
• 12 Lime-speck Pug
• 6 Double-striped Pug
• 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 1 Small Dusty Wave
• 1 Cabbage Moth
• 1 Marbled Green
• 5 Marbled Beauty
• 2 Square-spot Rustic
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 2 Willow Beauty
• 1 Common Rustic
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Vines Rustic
• 1 White Ermine
• 1 Straw Dot
• 10 Common Plume
• 1 Rush Veneer
• 1 Box Tree Moth
• 2 Garden Pebble
• 2 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 1 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Bryotropha affinis
• 1 Pyrausta despicata
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 2 Beautiful Plume
• 1 Hawthorn Moth
• 1 Ephestia woodiella

Above, two Setaceous Hebrew Character were in the moth box.