Large Ranuculus moth added to year total.

Friday 7th October 2022.

Large Ranunculus was a good moth for the year in my garden.

A clear, cold night produced a few moths in the moth box this morning, which was somewhat disappointing; but on a positive note, I did score with my first Large Ranunculus moth of the year and a rather fresh individual too. I do not often get this species here in my garden, whereas when we are staying at East Prawle, Devon, in the Autumn, they are a frequent visitor to the moth box.

Bar-tailed Godwit (below) and Black-tailed Godwit photographed by local birder Christine Whiffen while on a recent trip to Norfolk.

3 Little Stints photographed at Pennington Marshes by Andy Tew.

The moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 Feathered Ranunculus
• 2 Large Ranunculus
• 1 Lunar Underwing
• 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 3 Large Yellow Underwing
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 2 Clepsis consimilana
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Box Tree Moth

There was a bit of visible migration this morning while checking the moth box with two Pied Wagtails (one heard only), 1 Grey Wagtail that was heard only, 1 Linnet and 1 Greenfinch (heard only). A Chiffchaff could be heard calling in the neighbouring gardens, but did not venture into mine. 

Top and middle photo: Ruffs at Pennington Marshes and below, a Curlew Sandpiper at the same location. All photos by Andy Tew.

In Hampshire, the Spotted Sandpiper, which was found by local birder Jason Crook, was still present on Farlington Marshes yesterday, on a stream near the Blockhouse, but proved elusive at times to view the bird. A few Ruff, Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper are still at Pennington Marshes and on Titchfield Haven, the Glossy Ibis and Curlew Sandpiper were in front of the Meonshore Hide. A returning Brambling was with the local finches in front of the Woodland Hide, Blashford Lakes. A late afternoon report of a pair of female / 1st winter Ring-necked Ducks with Tufted Duck on the body of water within Wellington Park, near Reading. Apparently, just within the Hampshire border. Early afternoon, a small flock of 8 Cormorants headed west high over Southsea, most likely heading to Portsmouth Harbour.