Iberian Chiffchaff within Otterbourne Hill Wood.

Saturday 21st May 2022.

The Iberian Chiffchaff showing well singing high up in an Ash tree within Otterbourne Park Wood.

For well over a week now, a ‘putative’ Iberian Chiffchaff had been found within Otterbourne Park Wood and after days of discussion on the bird's biometrics and its song, the good news is it has now been confirmed as a true Iberian Chiffchaff. This would be a Hampshire ‘tick’ for both Andy and myself and so we took ourselves the 35 minute journey up there to view the bird on a pleasant sunny morning.

Heart & Dart moth. Another first for the year.

I checked Andy’s moth box, which was put on overnight and though the number of moths were small, the egg trays contained my first Heart & Dart moth of the year. Other moths present included 2 Common Pugs, 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart and 1 Brimstone Moth. The coffee was nice too which Andy had made while I laboured outside!

 

A Mistle Thrush seen while enjoying a coffee by the Otter Pub within the village.

 

Another photo of the showy Iberian Chiffchaff. I have only ever seen one of these species before and that was many years ago on the Isle of Portland. 

After getting the information to park near the Otter Pub within Otterbourne village, we made our way up Chapel Lane to enter the mostly deciduous Otterbourne Hill Wood. But where was the bird habiting within the woodland? Thankfully, with the power of Whatsapp rare birds group, a chap called John was already within the woodland and having seen the bird earlier in the day, he took us over to view the bird and within a few minutes, we were viewing our first Hampshire Iberian Chiffchaff. The bird has a very distinctive rattle call after the ‘Chiff-chaff’ bit and was easily noticeable, but to tell the difference between it and a Chiffchaff based on biometrics would have been impossible as the bird was quite up within an Ash tree. However, it did show relatively well as I managed to grab some half decent photos of it and a bit of video footage.

A well hungover Andy struggling to cope with the hills within the woodland.

Foxgloves were abundant within the woodland.

After ten minutes of so, we slowly made our way back up the hill, much to Andy’s suffering with his hangover (shame!) to exit the lovely wood behind us. We also saw a close Nuthatch within the woodland and several Long-tailed Tits, while Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff and a Bullfinch were all heard. Nearing the Otter Pub, we noticed that a Coffee Bar was by the car park and so Andy bought us breakfast as we enjoyed views of Swallow, Common Buzzard and a pair of Swifts overhead (the latter Andy missed and he still needs them for a ‘year-tick’ !). He had to be back by midday to pick his car up from the Garage and so we made our way back home with another species added to my year list, which currently stands at 186 species for the year so far.  Below, some video footage of the Iberian Chiffchaff singing.

Another 'lifer' moths added to my life list.

Friday 20th May 2022.

True Lovers Knot moth was a nice surprise and my second 'lifer' within a week!

Another very early start this morning (4.50am) to check the moth box I put on overnight resulted in a ‘lifer’! It wasn't till I was at the last egg tray when I turned it over and it revealed my first ever True Lovers Knot, which begs the question, how on earth did someone come up with this name for this moth? Truly baffling. I realised straight away I had something very interesting here and so very quickly got round to potting the moth so it would not fly off while photographing it. However, another very interesting Pug species eluded identification despite putting a photo of the moth on Hants Moths, only to be told that a better angle would be required to get a correct ID. The moth had promptly flown off before I could grab any more photos!

Willow Beauty.

Yellow-barred Brindle.

Right, a Buff-tip and to the left of it, a Bright-line Brown-eye.  

Pale Mottled Willow.

Never mind, I still got a ‘lifer’ and at least 10 more moths that were new for the year. The weather was very mild overnight and for a change, no thunderstorms or any rain either, which produced 40 moths of 21 species. The following moths were present in and around my moth box:

• 1 True Lovers Knot
• 5 Willow Beauty (NFY)
• 2 Yellow-barred Brindle (NFY)
• 5 Lime-Speck Pug
• 1 Buff Ermine (NFY)
• 1 Silver Y
• 3 Bright-Line Brown-eye
• 2 Garden Carpet
• 2 Common Marbled Carpet
• 1 Buff-tip (NFY)
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Pale Mottled Willow (NFY)
• 1 Vines Rustic )NFY)
• 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character (NFY)
• 3 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 5 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Agonopterix arenella
• 1 Garden Pebble
• 1 Mompha subbistrigella (NFY)
• 1 Bryotropha affinis (NFY)
• 1 Ephestia woodiela (NFY)
• 
  

Vines Rustic.

Setaceous Hebrew Character.

Buff Ermine.

Most certainly, the most moths I have had this year to date and should it stay mild, I could possibly get some higher numbers. Of course, the Sparrows had a feast on some of my moths once I went back into the garden and I have been moaned at on Social Media by some morons  for not getting up early enough to check my moth box, hence getting up so early! That is why I am only ‘moth-ing’ just 3 days of the week. It's too knackering! I have put photos of the moths that were new for the year on today's entry.

A moth 'lifer' in my moth box yesterday.

Thursday 19th May 2022.

My first ever Fox Moth, a male, that was in my moth box this morning.

The last two evenings have witnessed some interesting thunderstorms and consequently put on quite an amazing light show should one stay up to witness it. Frankly, I have been too tired to stay up having to get up early for work (and my moth box!) and consequently working a full day and then continuing to paint my fence panels in the evening. Yesterday, I was up at 5am to check the moth box and I got a really nice surprise when I discovered quite a few moths that were new for the year. However, I was in for a real surprise when I found out that one was a ‘lifer’ for me! 

More photos of my first ever Fox Moth.

Again, one has to get up very early to avoid the local breeding House Sparrows taking advantage of an easy breakfast on my moths and so bleary eyed, cup of coffee in hand, I then go about recording the moths in and around my moth box. The following moths were present this morning:

• 1 Fox Moth (male) (LIFER)
• 1 Common Marbled Carpet
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Small Dusty Wave (NFY)
• 2 Lime-speck Pug (NFY)
• 1 Common Pug
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Willow Beauty (NFY)
• 1 Silver Y (NFY)
• 1 Vestal (NFY)
• 1 Common Plume
• 1 Garden Pebble (NFY)
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 3 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Eudonia angustea
• 1 Platyedra subcinera (NFY)
• 1 Agonopterix arenella (NFY)

Silver Y.

One of two Lime-speck Pugs.

The immigrant micro moth Diamond-back Moth.

I have to say, despite some very heavy showers overnight, I was really happy with that haul of moths, especially when at least 7 of them were new for the year. However, I was in for a real surprise later in the evening when an expert eye noticed that I had originally put a moth photo of a Lackey. It was re-identified by moth expert Ben Dale as a male Fox Moth, a species I have never seen before! Apparently, it was too early for Lackey’s to arrive yet and Ben concluded I was very lucky to get one in my moth box as males rarely are attracted to light. 

Garden Pebble.

Agonopterix arenella.

Small Dusty Wave.

Off the subject of moths, the drive over Portsdown Hill on the way to Portchester Crematorium during my working hours produced a Peregrine flying south high over the Hill and also a male Kestrel hovering near the roadside. Today, a few Common Buzzards were noted, including a displaying bird high over Catherington Cemetery and a Blue Tit was using a very ornamental nest box within the Cemetery as well. The Kestrel was seen again as I drove over Portsdown Hill but very little else apart from a few Skylarks near the roadside by Skew Road.

Platyedra subsinera.

Vestal.

Rustic Shoulder-knot moth at Portchester Crematorium this morning.

Checking for moths around around Portchester Crematorium, I found my first Rustic Shoulder-knot of the year hiding away behind one of the doors by the South Chapel exit. I also found a Bloxworth Snout high up in the same area, but it would not play ball and remained too high up to get a decent photo of the moth. Sadly, apart from a Large White butterfly by the Flower Bay, there were no other moths present around the Flower Bay.

Large White butterfly at Portchester Crematorium this morning. 

Eupeodes species of Hoverfly on my moth box yesterday morning.

Very interesting bird news comes from the Romsey area where it has been confirmed that a pair of Dippers have nested on the River Test. Due to possible disturbance, it has been safe to say that the exact location is being kept secret at present, but hopefully will be disclosed at a later date so most Hampshire birders can get their ‘County tick’ no doubt……..including me! Cracking news though, nonetheless.

The Dipper on the River Test. Photo by Andy Tew.

A variety of nice sightings on the hottest day of the year.

Tuesday 17th May 2022.

The Pale Tussock at The Oaks Crematorium this morning.

There was a bit of activity today over The Oaks Crematorium which I thought was noteworthy. We were told by the weather ladies this morning that today was going to be the hottest day of the year so far and my vehicle temperature gauge said it was 80 degrees this afternoon over The Oaks! More thunderstorms were due late this afternoon, though it was still dry around 4pm this afternoon, despite it starting to cloud up and the wind getting up.

Above, a view of the small pond by the car park at The Oaks Crematorium. Sadly, no Dragonflies today. Below, Red Campion growing beside the Pond.

A male singing Chiffchaff was heartily singing its distinctive song from the edge of the wood on the west side of the car park and a probable female flew out of vegetation and back into the woodland. The Great Spotted Woodpecker flew onto the feeders in front of the main hall and overhead, a Common Buzzard soared low enough for me to get a good view of the bird, until it flew off into the woodland to the north.

This Brown House Moth was in my kitchen this morning. A quick couple of photos and then I let it go outside. 

I did check the Book of Remembrance building again and the Light Emerald moth was still present, although I must have flushed it as it flew down and landed deep within the vegetation below. Better still, from the exit of the main hall, the beams by the fountain held a superb Pale Tussock moth and I had to fetch a chair to stand on to grab a decent photo of the moth. My second of this species within the week. I was checking the Pond to the west of the car park and came  across my first Painted Lady butterfly of the year which was resting on the ploughed ground that has wildflower seeds sown into it. There were no Dragonflies or Damselflies on show here, but the Red Campion plants looked attractive.

The young Starlings within their nestbox opposite my house tonight.

I resumed painting the fences tonight and enjoyed a flock of around 10 Swifts flying so close together and so low too as they screamed by overhead. Twice they did this until flying off. Tonight, I also noticed the young Starlings poking their heads out of their nest box hole with the adult in attendance outside the box (see photo). Though I do expect a heavy shower or two tonight, I have my moth box on and hopefully, should attract a few more moths than Monday morning. So here’s to another very early start tomorrow morning. Below, some video footage of a family group of Stone Curlews filmed in the North-west of the County.

Moths are back in my garden.

Monday 16th May 2022.

One of four Brimstone Moths in my moth box this morning.

Last night, the south coast experienced a nice thunderstorm and though it put on a great light show, it wasn't till the early hours of the night that it went overhead. A deluge of rain resulted in my garden getting a good drenching (and about time too), but this didn't deter me in putting my moth box on for the first time in a few weeks. My garden is nearly completed, with just the painting of the fences to finish off and I hope to finish off this week. For those that are unfamiliar with my blog, summer is on its way and I have a real love for moths, hence the moth trap, so expect a lot of moth photos. 

One of two Common Marbled Carpet. 

I was up at 5am this morning, knowing full well that the local House Sparrows could devour my moths in no time and so I got dressed and got into the garden as soon as possible. There were 13 moths of 7 species present including a new for the year moth. These included the following:

• 4 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 2 Common Marbled Carpet
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 2 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Diamond-back Moth NFY 

Though nothing that unusual, the Diamond-back Moth would of been a migrant moth and hopefully, with a dry night, more moths are on their way. Overhead, I noticed at least 13 Swifts overhead, circling low over the rooftops while the local House Sparrows were busy searching for insects to feed the young under the eaves of my house.

Shuttle-shaped Dart.

Rusty-dot Pearl.

Eudonia angustea.

A visit to Portchester Crematorium revealed a few moths that included my first Light Emerald and Rusty-dot Pearl; the latter most likely also  to be a migrant moth. A few more Tachystola acroxantha were found by the South Chapel exit and best of all was my first Eudonia angustia. This afternoon, a visit over to The Oaks turned into a bit of an emergency. A large swarm of Honey Bees had gathered just by the flower bay, mostly congregating around a small tree behind the Flower Bay and after I heard that someone got stung, I put on my Health & Safety helmet and informed the staff that they should evacuate the remaining mourners from the Flower Bay before more got stung.

One of the Honey Bee's that took a liking to one of the benches in the Crematorium.

However, I did manage to check out the Book of Remembrance building for any moths and found another Light Emerald perched on one of the windows. The only birds of note seen here was a Chiffchaff flitting about some of the small trees including the one that the Bees were in! I might put my moth box on tonight although I do not want to get up at 5am every morning this week!

The Light Emerald moth at Portchester Crematorium this morning.

No Redstart sightings at Woolmer Pond again!

Saturday 14th May

The water level has dropped considerably from the last time we were here at Woolmer Pond.

After a successful evening last night at Creech Wood, we came down to earth with a bump and saw nothing new for the year at Woolmer Pond. I paid a visit to my Father first of all before arriving at Andy’s house around 9.30am and then getting stuck into the moths around his trap. It was a bright sunny morning and it looked as though it was going to be a very warm day.

Above, this stunning Pale Tussock moth was a nice addition to my year list and below, this Garden Carpet was my second one this week having found one at our Fareham Branch this week.   

There were a few nice moths around his moth box that included my first Pale Tussock and Common Marbled Carpet of the year; two very attractive moths and also present included 2 Common Pugs and a Garden Carpet, but I could not find anything else. I have asked Andy if he could clear his shelves as the local Spiders seem to be having a good feast on the moths!

Above, the 'teneral' form of the Common Blue Damselfly at Woolmer Pond. Below, the adult form of the same species.

Above, this Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly showed well in the Cottage garden. 

Arriving at the near deserted car park near Woolmer Pond around 10am, we made our way carefully across the road to walk through the woodland to the Pond. A pair of Blackcaps were seen flitting about in the woodland, as were several Chaffinches, Great Tits and a pair of Mistle Thrushes. Exiting the woodland, we noticed that the red flags were up and therefore the Army were using the Firing Range nearby. Grumble! A large number of Long-tailed Tits were flitting about in the trees on the edge of the woodland and both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were in song in the woods. It is just a shame that the traffic noise by the Pond can be so distracting.

Above, a Common Blue butterfly enjoying the Lesser Trefoil plants north of the Cottage. Below, my first Cinnabar Moth of the year. Not an easy individual to photograph.

I took my sunglasses as I wanted to check the sky for Raptors and Hirundines and I was glad I did. Though nothing much of note, bar one distant Red Kite, was at the southern end of the Pond and looking north, we noticed how low the water level was on the Pond. Not a great deal on the Pond except for Canada Geese, Moorhen and a few Coot. There were no waders except for the resident Lapwings at the northern end, so no nice surprises with a Common or Wood Sandpiper lurking about along the water's edge.

Above, this Common Buzzard drifted low and close as we left the Cottage garden. Below, a Red Kite also came in fairly close.  

As we neared the Cottage, Redstart was our target bird, but unbelievably, none were seen whatsoever. Frustratingly, I heard one singing distantly by the woodland to the east, but because the flags were up, there was no chance of going to view the birds. To make up for the lack of Redstarts, we got lucky with a superb female Goshawk soaring high overhead and then we watched it close her wings and stoop down at a fantastic speed to the woods below. That was only the second time I have seen this species at this location. Other Raptors seen here included a couple of Common Buzzards and another Red Kite, but no Hobbies.

The Star of Bethlehem plant showed nicely near the Pond.

A Red Admiral butterfly sunning itself on a nettle. Butterflies seemed to be at a premium today. 

Some Army Cadets were camping in the grounds of the Cottage, but they were no bother as we chilled out by the fallen large Oak and had a drink and a bite to eat. I could just about hear a male Redstart singing in the distance but there were none whatsoever in the garden this morning which was very disappointing. I really counted on them being here today too. The garden was somewhat very quiet with just a few Blue, Great and Coal Tits and the occasional Chaffinch seen. I did find my first Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly nearby and managed to grab a few nice photos of the insect. On the subject of dragonflies, there were good numbers of Common Blue Damselflies along the main path and I even found the ‘Teneral’ form of this species as we were making our way back.

Above, the delightful and underrated Goldfinch. Below, a Long-tailed Tit also by the Pond. 

The beautiful woodland at the southern end of the Pond. I found a male Pied Flycatcher one spring here many years ago and today, a few Blackcaps and other small passerines were flitting about in the treetops. The bracken below on the ground was up to three feet tall.