Feathered Ranunculus added to year list.

Thursday 22nd September 2022.

My first Feathered Ranunculus of the year.

A repeat of yesterday regarding the weather first thing this morning; still, clear blue sky and cool. Another good number of moths this morning, with a new moth species for the year and also a bit of ‘Vis mig’ going on overhead regarding migrant birds.

A selection of moths from the egg trays.

There were 66 moths of 26 species present today, which included my first Feathered Ranunculus of the year, which was hiding on the last egg tray to be pulled out of the moth box. Yesterday’s Blair’s Mocha was still present in exactly the same place and other welcome guests included a Turnip Moth, Angle Shades, a Snout and a Clancy’s Rustic. Both Lesser and Large Yellow Underwing were the most numerous species.

A Snout moth showed well on the back of the white sheet.

While checking the moth box, a trickle of Meadow Pipits were heard flying over including a flock of 3 birds I did see. A pair of Grey Herons also flew over, first seen heading west and then veered south as if heading towards the Isle of Wight. A Chiffchaff was heard calling in the neighbouring gardens and then seen behind my garden in the tall tree, while the local House Sparrows came in for their breakfast on my feeders along with a pair of Blue Tits. Lovely to hear the Robin singing in the garden all the time I was outside this morning. 

Large Yellow Underwing, Feathered Ranunculus and Lunar Underwing; all familiar Autumn moths.

The following moths were present this morning:

• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 6 Willow Beauty
• 11 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 12 Large Yellow Underwing
• 2 Lunar Underwing
• 1 Small Dusty Wave
• 3 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Blair’s Mocha
• 3 Square-spot Rustic
• 2 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Angle Shades
• 1 Clancy’s Rustic
• 1 Turnip Moth
• 1 Feathered Ranunculus (NFY)
• 1 Garden Carpet 
• 1 Snout
• 1 Flounced Rustic
• 1 Box Tree Moth
• 6 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Beautiful Plume
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Clepsis consimilana
• 3 Eudonia angustia
• 1 Agriphila geniculea
• 1 Apple Leaf Miner
• 1 Common Plume

My first Turnip Moth for a few weeks.

This afternoon, a 15 minute break in the back garden had me checking out the Hoverflies and Bees nectaring on the flowering Ivy. It's that time again and although a lot of last year's Ivy has been cropped back, there was enough to attract quite a few insects in the sunshine. Ivy Bees were notable with at least 6 present and one, possibly two female Syrphus ribesii Hoverflies were seen on the Ivy plants.

 One of two Syrphus ribesii hoverflies in my garden this afternoon.

Earlier, at least two Red Admiral butterflies were in my garden and also one Small White, the latter settling on the Buddleia tree. One of yesterday’s Wrynecks was still present at Lepe Country Park early this morning, but soon disappeared like they usually do! Apart from the Wryneck, not a great deal of excitement elsewhere in Hampshire. 

One of many Ivy Bees on the Ivy plants.

The Spitfire flying over Southsea again on its daily flight to Lee on Solent airfield.