A trip to Pennington and Farlington Marshes.

Saturday 3rd September 2022.

There were some very interesting birds to try my luck with today, notably the long-staying Pectoral Sandpiper and Little Stint at Pennington Marshes and last night, a Bluethroat had been found at Farlington Marshes at the back of the Lake and a Wryneck near Havant Thicket. I was hoping the Bluethroat was found early morning down Farlington Marshes, but I was already past Fareham on the motorway, Pennington Marshes bound, when the news broke out the bird had been found again.

Above, a Maiden's Blush was a nice monthly addition. Below, my second Currant Pug of the year. Both in Andy's garden this morning.

Before all this excitement, Andy Fisher had his moth box on overnight and there were a few moths to go through and a nice cup of coffee to devour before making our way westbound. A total of 36 moths of 13 species was reasonable seeing it had been light for almost 2 hours before checking his moth box. A Currant Pug, Light Emerald and Maiden’s Blush were new additions for my September moth list.

A Light Emerald moth was just outside Andy's back garden.

The following moths were present in and around his moth box:  

• 6 Willow Beauty
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 3 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 11 Square-spot Rustic
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 3 Vine’s Rustic
• 1 Currant Pug
• 1 Light Emerald
• 1 Maiden's Blush
• 3 Agriphila geniculea
• 2 Agriphila tristella
• 2 Clepsis consimilana
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl

There was a huge number of Starlings behind Butts Lagoon as we made our way to the Pec Sand.

It took just over an hour to get to the Lower Pennington Lane car park and thankfully, there was a spare parking space in the very small car park and so after chatting to a fellow birder within the car park and giving us the good news that the Pectoral Sandpiper was still present on Butts Lagoon, off we went. On the way there, we came across a superb Clouded Yellow butterfly and I was in luck as the butterfly landed on the rough ground, giving me enough time to take a few photos of this attractive butterfly. A Common Whitethroat flew low over the bushes briefly and a Yellow Wagtail flew south overhead. 

Up to 3 Clouded Yellow butterflies were on the wing during our trip here including this individual which kindly landed on the ground, instead of speedily flying past us! Below, Andy's first Little Ringed Plover of the year landed on Fishtail Lagoon. 

Getting onto the seawall, a passing small wader flew past us and landed on the mud on Fishtail Lagoon. It was to be Andy’s first Little Ringed Plover of the year, a nice adult too. Well pleased with this start, we made our way where several birders were watching something from the seawall. Before reaching them, there was a flock of small waders feeding on the muddy stretch of area in front of the reeds and with careful scrutiny through the 15 or so Dunlin (some most certainly looked slightly different from one another), we counted at least 7 Curlew Sandpipers (at least 15 were present on the complex of pools later in the afternoon) among them and showing much closer than the birds I saw at Farlington Marshes yesterday. Moving on, we joined some other birders present and got quickly onto the superb juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper that was showing very well below us on a small creek, alongside 3 Knot and another Dunlin. The bird showed superbly well all the time we were there and I knocked off some lovely images of this delightful American wader. I questioned one of the guys present here if there were any Little Stints present and he told us that three birds were present with the Curlew Sandpipers further back!

Top photo: Dunlin were in good numbers on Butts Lagoon. Other photos, up to 7 close Curlew Sandpipers showed well on the mud. 

So, after watching a Greenshank flying west in the distance and on the shore behind us, good numbers of Ringed Plover were present, we retraced our steps back to where we saw the Curlew Sandpipers and re-checked the Dunlin. There was most definitely NO Little Stints there and I am pretty convinced some of the Dunlin had been mistaken for the Stints. On a positive side, I found our first White Wagtail of the year feeding erratically on the mud just in front of the reeds; for there were thousands of flies on the mud. While searching through the waders, a female Reed Bunting popped out briefly and Andy shouted out that a Peregrine was flying over the saltmarsh with prey in its talons; but I failed to locate the bird. I did, however, find a smart Bar-tailed Godwit feeding with nearby Curlew on the Saltmarsh. There was a trickle of Hirundines flying south, both Swallows and Sand Martins and in the opposite direction, we saw several large skeins of Canada Geese flying north over the Solent from the Isle of Wight.

Above, some of the images I managed to grab of this superb juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper this morning. 

A bit disappointed in not seeing a Little Stint, I noticed later at home on Hants Birding that a Little Stint had been seen exactly the same time we were there on Butts Lagoon???? I’m sorry, I do know what Little Stints look like in all plumages and there was certainly no sign of any when we were there. Even the 9 Curlew Sandpipers reported seem excessive although some may have flown off? Still, a superb trip here and could we get lucky with Bluethroat on Farlington Marshes on the way back? A Kestrel was seen hovering above the scrub as we neared the car park. 

There were three very close Knot showing very well below the sea wall.

After grabbing a load of nosh from the Garage on the way back, we made our way to Farlington Marshes and parked up in the very busy car park. Some idiot decided to get stroppy with me about where I parked, despite him parking so badly that two cars could have parked in his spot. So I asked him to move his car so I could get in. He did and then drove off! Just laughable, some people. We grabbed our gear and joined the large group of birders already assembled on the sea wall of which a lot of them were the ‘Lazee Birders’ and a few well known birders present. 

Two of the Knot below the sea wall with a Dunlin in the centre at Butts Lagoon.

It turned out that not only a Bluethroat was present at the back of the Lake, but a Spotted Crake as well, which really whetted the appetite. Apparently, the Bluethroat was very elusive and during the time we were there (about a couple of hours), it only popped out once and was seen only by a lucky few as it perched on a reed stem and then flew back in again! Ger-rumble! Then Kevin, one of the ‘Lazee’s’, shouted out that a probably Crake was showing in the same place at the back of the Lake. This I did manage to get onto, but only briefly and it certainly did look like a Spotted Crake, small and dumpy, but the shout of Water Rail went up and our hearts sank. However, I am still not convinced and possibly both species were present? Another ‘Lazee’ reckoned he got a view of the bird's bill and was convinced it was a Spotted Crake and accepted it. Two bird theory perhaps?

The White Wagtail seen on the dried up pools on Butts Lagoon. That was a nice bonus.

During our time there, there were 7 Curlew Sandpipers present at the far end of another Lake and talking to local birder Jason Crook, he said there were 11 birds here earlier this morning, which included two adults and 9 juveniles! Also, a Little Stint was present as well! Bugger! Out in the harbour, someone spotted a Peregrine chasing a Pigeon over the harbour heading north and getting on the bird, we all watched the hapless Pigeon get caught by the raptor as the bird then settled on the mudflats to enjoy eating its victim. Mother nature is merciless with us watching the world's fastest bird catching its prey. The Osprey was seen distantly perched on the trees on North Binness Island.

The female Peregrine enjoying its fresh kill of a Pigeon within Langstone Harbour.

There was a Wryneck reported at a place called Peartree Green Nature Reserve of which some of the ‘Lazee’s’ departed for the bird. Hopefully, they got onto the bird and another Wryneck was reported from the New Forest today also. There was one here on Farlington Marshes seen by Jason Crook earlier this week, so it's worth keeping our eyes peeled now one of the busiest months for scarcities and rarities has arrived. Keeping an eye on the Whatsapp Lazee Birder site, the Bluethroat reappeared briefly again for about a minute and a juvenile Garganey was on the Lake late afternoon.  

The juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on Butts Lagoon. 

A pair of Wax moths arrive.

Saturday 3rd September 2022.

One of two Wax Moths arrived this morning in my garden.

After a poor night's sleep, I decided to get up just before the alarm went off and stagger downstairs to tidy up the kitchen before making my coffee and wandering into the garden. I could already see a few moths on the white sheet on this very still morning. Looks like it's going to be a repeat of yesterday although I do hear that rain is on the way soon. By about 6.15am, I can turn the light off the moth box and then go about checking the egg trays and the surrounding area.

One of our most attractive, yet common moths, the Brimstone Moth.

Compared to yesterday, there was a large drop in moth numbers this morning, though a total of 92 moths of 31 species was still nothing to be sniffed at, with the only ‘new for the year’ being a couple of Wax Moths. These rather large micro moths are not always annual here in my garden and I believe they are actually a pest to Bee-keepers, but nonetheless, a welcome addition to my year total. Though numbers were considerably down from yesterday, the variety was there still and Pale Mottled Willows were dominant in numbers again.

Square-spot Rustic moth resting on one of our flower heads by the moth box. 

The following moths were present this morning:

• 4 Willow Beauty
• 1 Yellow-barred Brindle
• 6 Square-spot Rustic
• 2 Angle Shades
• 4 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 22 Pale Mottled Willow
• 4 Vine’s Rustic
• 3 Marbled Beauty
• 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 3 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Pearly Underwing
• 2 Large Yellow Underwing
• 1 Dark Sword-grass
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 1 White-point
• 1 Silver Y
• 3 Double-striped Pug
• 4 Lime-speck Pug
• 2 Small Dusty Wave
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 6 Common Plume
• 2 Wax Moth (NFY)
• 3 Tachystola acroxantha
• 4 Agriphila geniculea
• 1 Brown House Moth
• 1 Gold Triangle
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 1 Clepsis consomilana
• 1 Beautiful Plume
• 3 Horse-chestnut Leaf Miner
• 1 Apple Leaf Miner

Curlew Sandpipers and Kingfishers on Farlington Marshes.

Friday 2nd September 2022.

One of the pair of Kingfishers by the Sluice gate on the reserve, enjoying a freshly caught fish.

While my wife had a Nail Appointment at midday, after dropping her off, I made my way to Farlington Marshes for a nice relaxing bit of birding. It was overcast when I arrived and the tide was just making its way up and at its peak at 4.25pm, I was watching the main lake fill up with waders throughout the two stay there. When I left, the clouds had cleared and sunshine poured down and the temperature increased rapidly as I was making my way back to the car.

Above, Starlings in fresh Autumn plumage on the lamp post by the car park. Below, Redshank, Common Snipe and a few Mallard at the back of the Lake.

I decided not to walk all around the reserve and simply concentrate on the main lagoon where the water level was low and therefore attracting a large number of both waders and wildfowl. Not only that, but a pair of Kingfishers entertained all afternoon close to where I stood by the Viewing Platform. The walk through the Bushes area was somewhat quiet, though a Common Whitethroat popped up briefly. Blackcaps could be heard ‘chacking’ deep within the brambles that were loaded with Blackberries.

Top photo: Linnets resting on a bramble by the sea wall in front of the Lake. Middle photo: a pair of Teal in the harbour and bottom photo: Redshank arriving on the Lake to join the other waders present.

On reaching the Lagoon, I could already see that it was full of waders, notably Black-tailed Godwit feeding in the centre of the lake. Probably around 150+ ‘Blackwits’ were counted with more pouring in from nearby Langstone Harbour. Redshank were probably the next most abundant waders with at least 60+ present and among these, I counted at least a dozen Greenshank and at least 30+ Dunlin. Careful scrutiny of each and every Dunlin revealed no rare Sandpipers, but I did have a very good count of at least 10 Curlew Sandpipers; they were all juveniles bar one adult that was still showing a bit of red flush on its breast. Andy Fisher and myself enjoyed a group of three Curlew Sandpipers last month over at Pagham Harbour.

Top photo: a skein of Canada Geese arriving onto the Lake from the harbour. Middle photo: more Redshank arriving onto the Lake and bottom photo: Redshank landing on the back of the Lake.

Other waders noted included a Whimbrel that was seen flying off over the reserve and a single Knot at the back of the lake. Also present were at least 3 Common Sandpipers and a single Common Snipe, the latter resting with the Redshank at the back of the lake. At least 6 Grey Plover joined the throng including a few in gorgeous summer plumage. Among the wildfowl were Mallard, Teal, a few Pintail, Gadwall and overhead, my first Wigeon of the year as a big flock of around 30+ flew over, but never settled. 

Top, middle and bottom photos: Curlew Sandpiper feeding with other waders including some Redshank and Grey Plover on the Lake.

A pair of Kingfishers kept me very much entertained as they perched on the nearby posts on the lake or perched on the concrete just below the Viewing Platform. In fact, I think that because I kept so still, they got closer and closer throughout my stay there. Yellow Wagtails were abundant over the reserve, flying over in loose flocks or singularly over the lake and then heading towards the fields, but I could not find any Wheatears or Whinchats perched on the fence wire at the back of the lake, though two Common Buzzards were noted.

Top photo: three juvenile Grey Herons resting on the lake. Middle photo: one of the Common Buzzards perched behind the lake and bottom photo: a mixed group of birds including Gadwall, Teal, Black-headed Gull and a single Common Sandpiper in the foreground. 

Several Migrant Hawker dragonflies were seen hunting on the reserve, notably a close individual around the Bushes area, while out on the near high tide within the harbour, a calling Sandwich Tern was seen fishing over the still water. One thing I enjoyed about this trip was showing a lady the Kingfisher and explaining the types of waders that were on the lake. If you can pass on your knowledge to help others, I think birding then can be so rewarding; along with the whoosh of the waders as they fly over the sea wall to land on the lake. Something else. 

Above, some of the photos I took of these very obliging Kingfishers on the lake at Farlington Marshes this afternoon. By keeping quite still, I think I gained their confidence in settling close to where I stood.

Stop press: I have just had a Whatsapp message to say that a Bluethroat had been found at the back of the lake late this afternoon. Sadly, though I did see a few Reed Warblers flitting about, I did not come across the Bluethroat. The Pectoral Sandpiper and Little Stint are still on Pennington Marshes, which is probably where we will be heading tomorrow. 

Returning Wigeon flying low over the lake.

A new micro moth for my life list.

Friday 2nd September 2022.

This is the best I could do for this new tiny micro moth, Sycamore-seed Pigmy. Probably around 3 to 4 mm long and resting on the bottom of my moth box.

There must have been some overnight rain as the moth box and the patio were wet still and it most certainly brought in the moth numbers and variety to go along with it. Fortunately, the rain had gone although there is more on the way apparently. At least it does our garden plants good.

Above, Pearly Underwing (above) and a Cabbage Moth from one of the egg trays this morning. Below, Pale Tortrix.

A whopping 160 moths of 45 species were recorded this morning including a new moth for my life list. The extremely tiny micro moth Etainia decentella (Sycamore-seed Pigmy) was found at the bottom of the moth box along with a few Apple Leaf and Horse-chestnut Leaf Miners. Two other interesting micros were a Pale Tortrix and another very tiny moth, Cosmopterix pulchrimella.

Above, a Common Clothes Moth I found in the house early this morning. Below, another Blair's Mocha was by the moth box of which I nearly missed as I was packing away the egg trays. 

Among the many macros, I had a Blair’s Mocha, 6 White-point, 2 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Clancy’s Rustic, Dark Sword-grass and 2 Pearly Underwing. A whopping 33 Pale Mottled Willows were counted, although there could have been more! Some interesting insects were also present including the Caddis Fly, Limnephilus marmoratus, which is quite a large individual of this group. A huge Hornet-mimic Hoverfly was on top of the box and another unusual insect called a Dull Four-spined Legionnaire (Chorisops tibialis), which has a distinctive metallic green thorax. A Giant House Spider was under the white sheet and on the wall opposite a Fork-palped Harvestman (Dicranopalpus ramosus), which isn't a true spider and one of the Opiliones family. 

This has to be the best year ever for Clancy's Rustic for my garden.

The moths present this morning include the following:

• 1 Blair’s Mocha
• 5 Lime-speck Pug
• 8 Square-spot Rustic  
• 7 Willow Beauty
• 14 Vine’s Rustic
• 7 Garden Carpet
• 2 Silver Y
• 33 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Garden Tiger
• 6 White-point
• 7 L-album Wainscot
• 3 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 3 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 4 Large Yellow Underwing
• 5 Angle Shades
• 2 Pearly Underwing
• 4 Marbled Beauty
• 4 Double-striped Pug
• 2 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
• 1 Cabbage Moth
• 3 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Riband Wave
• 1 Yellow-barred Brindle
• 1 Clancy’s Rustic
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 1 Dark Sword-grass
• 2 White-shouldered House Moth
• 1 Tachystola acroxantha
• 2 Celypha striana
• 1 Gypsonoma dealbana
• 2 Box Tree Moth
• 4 Agriphila geniculea
• 1 Gold Triangle
• 1 Rush Veneer
• 1 Bryotropha affinis
• 3 Apple Leaf Miner
• 5 Horse-chestnut Leaf Miner
• 1 Mother of Pearl
• 1 Etainia decentella
• 1 Beautiful Plume
• 1 Clepsis consimilana
• 1 Common Plume
• 1 Common Clothes Moth
• 1 Pale Tortrix
• 1 Cosmopterix pulchrimella

Above, two Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings graced my moth box today. Below, the Hornet-mimic Hoverfly on top of my moth box. A beast of a Hoverfly.