Three more moths added to year list.

Saturday 2nd July 2022.

My first Small Ranunculus moth of the year, a species I get on an annual basis in my garden, though this one was a little tricky to ID at first. I think the yellow flecks helped me to narrow it down to this species. 

So it's goodbye to June and hello July as another month beckons. Back to the moths first thing this morning where a clear and cool start to the day with temperatures around the 12 degree mark, but it's dry as I enter the garden at 4.30am to the sound of ‘chirruping House Sparrows in the trees and ‘mewing’ Herring Gulls overhead. I was still a bit bleary eyed due to going to bed late last night after going to the Cinema to watch the latest Tom Cruise film, Top Gun Maverick, which my wife and Russ and I enjoyed.

Always a pleasure in seeing the lovely marked Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing.

June produced a good total of 86 species that included 57 ‘macro’ species of moth and 29 ‘micro’ moths, with Large Tabby and Marbled Coronet added to my ‘Moth Life List’. Eventually, I might have time to have a tally up on exactly what that is!

Another first for the year, a Garden Rose Tortrix. Again, a few turn up every year in my garden.

This morning, there were a few new for the year including a Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Small Ranunculus and the micro moth, Garden Rose Tortrix Just to add to the flavour, there was also my second Privet Hawk-moth of the year.

Though a little worn, this Privet Hawk-moth was my second of the year.

The following moths were present:

• 1 Privet Hawk-moth
• 1 Swallow-tailed Moth
• 2 Riband Wave
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Willow Beauty
• 1 Small Ranunculus (NFY)
• 1 Buff-tip
• 1 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Buff Ermine
• 1 White Ermine   
• 1 Box-tree Moth
• 1 Varied Coronet
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 1 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (NFY)
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 2 Chrysoteuchia culmella
• 1 Endotricha  flammealis
• 2 Common Plume
• 3 Tachystola acroxantha
• 4 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Brown House Moth
• 1 Blastobasis lacticolella
• 1 Garden Rose Tortrix (NFY) 
• 1 Bee Moth

Second Eyed Hawk-moth of the year.

Thursday 30th June 2022.

This micro moth Pammene fasciana was new for the year.

A cool and slightly overcast start to the morning as we enter the last day of June and yes, it's up early again to check my moth box. There was a bit of overnight rain, but again, nothing as much as was predicted and my garden looked quite dry on the patio area. There were at least 34 moths of 21 species recorded this morning that included my second Eyed Hawk-moth of the year, albeit a very tatty individual, which I eventually placed carefully in one of my hanging baskets. Also present was my second Swallow-tailed Moth of the year, I think one of our most beautiful delicate moths and I will go as far as saying ‘Angel-like’! 

My second Swallow-tailed Moth in my garden this year.

New for the year were two micro moths, Pammene fasciana and Bud Moth with two of each. To add a bit of colour, both Gold Triangle and Meal Moth were present too.   

My second Eyed Hawk-moth of the year. 

The following moths were present this morning:

• 1 Eyed Hawk-moth
• 1 Single-dotted Wave
• 4 White Ermine
• 2 Riband Wave
• 1 Lychnis
• 2 Double-striped Pug
• 6 Lime-speck Pug
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 1 Swallow-tailed Moth
• 1 Uncertain
• 1 Cabbage Moth
• 3 Tachystola acroxantha
• 4 Common Plume
• 1 Broom Shoot Moth  
• 1 Meal Moth
• 2 Celypha striana
• 1 Bee Moth
• 1 Gold Triangle
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 2 Pammene fasciana (NFY)
• 2 Bud Moth (NFY)

A rather worn Lychnis moth, my second of the year, was present on top of the box.

Two more moth 'year-ticks'.

Wednesday 29th June 2022.

White Plume moth. My first of the year, which was found at Portchester Crematorium this morning.

Another busy day at work which took me to Portchester Crematorium early this morning and then to St. Peter St. Mary’s Church at Fishbourne, near Chichester. Much cooler of late, there were a few sporadic light rain showers around which we got caught in a few, but it was mostly a pleasant day in the sunshine and roughly around 18 degrees throughout the day.

Crambus pascuella was another moth that was new for the year.

First thing this morning, we had to be at Portchester Crematorium for 8.30am and so having a bit of spare time, I gave the South Chapel exit and the Flower bay a good sweep for moths. I came up with a couple more ‘year-ticks’ when I found a smart White Plume Moth and also one of the Grass micro moth species, Crambus pascuella; all by the South Chapel exit. Also present there were the micro moths Pediasia contaminella, 2 Common Plumes and a Bee Moth. The only ‘macro’ moths present were a Small Dusty Wave and a Double-striped Pug. 

Pediasia contaminella. I have seen this species here earlier in the year. 

I saw a lot of Swifts today, especially around where the M27 goes into the M275 southbound, with at least 20+ birds present and flying quite low over the road, which made me wonder if there were going to be any casualties? Hopefully not. Along the top of Portsdown Hill, both a male Kestrel and a Common Buzzard were hovering above the road, but little else was seen along this stretch. Over at Fishbourne, the churchyard there held a Green Woodpecker that was seen flying low over the graveyard and a male Kestrel flew low over as well as I pointed it out to my work colleagues.

St. Peter St. Mary's Church at Fishbourne, West Sussex.

This gorgeous Purple Emperor butterfly was found by 'Lazee Birder' Matt Parkes while at work in a Glasshouse. I personally have never seen this species yet, but hopefully will rectify that soon.

A couple of superb Little Tern at Normandy Marsh, Hampshire. Photos by Andy Tew.

Low numbers of moths this morning.

Tuesday 27th June 2022.

My first Common Footman moth of the year.

It was back to the moths this morning of which there was a relatively small catch today. I awoke to a clear blue sky overhead and with the current temperature around 13 degrees, I was not surprised by the numbers. In fact, there was hardly anything on the white sheet and only a few moths outside the box. Nevertheless, there was a new moth for the year, a Common Footman, which was the first of this family to arrive in my garden this year. Also present was my second Elephant Hawk-moth of the year, which is always pleasing on the eye. There was just 19 moths of 15 species this morning.

My second Elephant Hawk-moth of the year was always a bonus.

The following moths were present this morning:

• 3 Willow Beauty
• 1 White Ermine
• 1 Elephant Hawk-moth
• 1 Common Footman (NFY)
• 2 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Box-tree Moth
• 1 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Common Pug
• 1 Udea prunalis
• 2 Common Plume
• 1 Endotricha flammeus
• 1 Mompha subbistrigella
• 1 Chrysoteuchia culmella  

Yesterday, I saw my second Osprey of the year when I was driving northbound over the M275. The bird was flying quite low over the road and heading towards Portsmouth Harbour, but there was no subsequent sighting after this from any other birder that day. A few Common Buzzards and a Kestrel were seen while driving over Portsdown Hill as I made my way to Portchester that morning as well. Back over The Oaks Crematorium, up to three Mistle Thrushes were seen close to the main road when I entered the premises, searching for food on the grass beside the trees and a Skylark was seen singing as it rose into the sky. There was not a single moth by the Book of Remembrance building. Grumble! 

Willow Beauties.

On Farlington Marshes yesterday, the pair of Glossy Ibis was still present around the Deeps area and a probably returning Green Sandpiper was seen on Posbrook Floods. Some excellent photos are being currently shown on the 'Lazee Birders' Whatsapp as some of them are touring the east of the UK, notably Norfolk for the breeding Bee-eaters at Trimmingham, plus Caspian Terns and Hoopoe. I am well jealous!

My 11th trip to see the Puffins and more.

Saturday 25th June 2022.

A couple of 'photo-bombers' joining in our group photo at Durlston Head first thing this morning! From left to right, John Cronin, John Goodall, someone, someone else and my good self!

It was back to Durlstone Head in Dorset for our Annual pilgrimage to see the Puffins with both John Goodall and John Cronin. It was my 11th trip here to this wonderful place, but, alas, Mr Fisher could not make it today due to unforeseen circumstances. Yet again, the weather was a bit indifferent at first, but the sun eventually came out and it was a glorious day up until the last hour where we had a very light shower. It most certainly did not spoil our day, which personally produced three more ‘year-ticks’ and a superb variety of wildlife to look at, as well as brilliant company. 

Some scenic photos of the Jurassic coastline here at Durlston Head including the Tillywhim Caves (bottom photo).

I certainly realised at the end of the trip how unfit I was as my calf muscles were absolutely knackered and I am the youngest one of the trip! Whereas Mr Goodall is 71 years of age and Mr Cronin being 65, looked like ‘Spring Chickens’ when we arrived back into the reserve Car Park! I must have taken well over 60+ photos during our trip and for a change, instead of writing a chapter and verse about everything we saw, I am just going to let my photos do most of the talking. Enjoy.   

Above photos: My first Fulmar's of the year. These birds showed superbly on the cliffs , literally coming within feet from where we stood and showing off nicely in how to control the updraft of the wind on the cliffs.

Along with Guillemots, the Razorbills were showing extremely well along the cliffs and down below on the sea.

Above, a mixed flock of Guillemots and Razorbills and below, this Guillemot flew off the cliffs at Dancing Ledge.

Above and below, the star birds, the Puffins. Sadly, it looks as though there is only one pair left here at Durlston Head, but we did manage to see them within a few minutes after arriving at Dancing Ledge. Phew!

There were plenty of Gannets offshore (adults and sub-adults), though most were distant apart from the occasional flew that thankfully were worth a photo or two.

As expected, Shags were common along the cliffs as well as the sea with several juveniles seen today as well as plenty of adults.

Mediterranean Gulls have really increased in numbers here including this juvenile bird above. Below, adult birds on and over the sea. 

On our way back, we enjoyed a large mixed raft of seabirds probably feeding on small fish just below the water that also attracted a lot of Sandwich Terns (above) and a few Common Terns among them. Also, there were at least three Kittiwakes, including a smart juvenile; also plenty of Herring, Mediterranean & Black-headed Gulls present. Spectacular was an understatement.  

Great Black-backed Gulls nested close to the viewpoint.

Three species of raptor were seen on our trip today including this Common Buzzard which attracted the attention of an angry Herring Gull and a couple of Carrion Crows. As well as at least two Kestrels, also present were a pair of Peregrines, including a couple of their youngsters (below) that took a fancy in chasing a Pigeon over the sea. We think the Pigeon escaped, but only just. Though I took a few photos of the juvenile Peregrines, there was someone by the cliff edge with a long lens also taking photos of the same birds. However, I think we flushed the birds as they soon took off!  

Above, this Rock Pipit was walking so close to us, it virtually walked just inches from my foot while we were having our lunch at Dancing Ledge. Rock Pipits are common here and many male birds were still displaying around the cliff edges. Though not as numerous, Meadow Pipits were seen along our journey too. Below, this Rock Pipit showed well near the viewpoint.

Stonechats were, I am pleased to say, still abundant along the route, with many family flocks around the footpaths and always a joy to see. It was amazing to see the male birds literally hovering high above their perch, calling in doing so. 

And now away from birds, this Wall Lizard showed very well where we were having lunch at Dancing Ledge. Its a speedy little creature and ran from side of the small quarry to the other virtually in a split second!

Butterflies are always a feature to Durlston Head as we notched up at least 9 species were recorded including good numbers of Marbled White's (above). We were very surprised in not seeing one 'Blue' species on our trip here, nor any other 'White' species either. I was wondering whether the morning blustery onshore wind had something to do with it or simply they were not on the wing? However, two species of moth were seen including a Six-spotted Burnet Moth and a Silver Y. 

Six-spotted Burnet Moth nectaring on a Centaury plant.

Lulworth Skippers butterflies were abundant here at Durlston Head. Below, a male Lulworth Skipper.

Above, there was equally abundant number of Small Skippers present too. So many were seen dancing about your feet along the coastal footpath. Below, several Dingy Skippers were noted.

Above, a Speckled Wood butterfly was a bit of a suprise being right out in the open along the hill walk. Normally associated with woodland or near trees, this individual was nowhere near any trees! Below, one of our most delightful butterflies, the Dark-green Fritillary. Several were seen along the hill walk on the way back.

Above, a few Bloody-nose Beetles were encountered today and below, a Dark Bush-cricket nymph was found by the footpath. Its not just the birds that keep me searching for something of note as there were plenty of insects to keep me entertained.

Durlston Head is well-known for its variety of Orchids and though Pyramidal Orchid (below) was very common on the short grass, I only found two spikes of Bee Orchid (above).

The Johns. Messrs Cronin and Goodall embark on their umpteenth trip to Dulston Head. 

And so ended my 11th trip here to this beautiful place. Will our Puffins still be here next year. Lets hope so.

Such an enjoyable trip here at Durlston and I thought I would also add that we had sightings of Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Linnets, Yellowhammer, several Ravens and also my third ‘year-tick’ of the day, a pair of Manx Shearwaters flying low over the sea. Sadly, the boys failed to get onto the birds and there were no other sightings of this species either. We were hoping for some Dolphins to go through as there were reported sightings earlier this week, but none by us today. Never mind, we had a brilliant day and though the back of my legs are ‘barking’, it was well worth the pain and do it all again this time next year.