Birding on Hayling Island.

Saturday 22nd October 2022.

Dunlin flying over Black Point, Hayling Island. Just a shame they were getting disturbed again despite warning signs for people to read and note.

It was mostly a bright and sunny day as Andy and myself spent most of the morning and early afternoon on Hayling Island. We tried out several areas for anything of note, sure there must be something rare lurking about within the brambles and trees, but to be honest, I think the rarest bird we saw all day was a Razorbill off the harbour entrance at Sandy Point.  

Above, a Blair's Mocha and below, the Merveille du Jour moths were present by Andy's moth box this morning.

Checking Andy’s moth box, the trio of Marveille du Jour, Green-brindled Crescent and Cypress Carpet were still present in his back conservatory, but also present was a Diamond-back Moth that was sitting close to the light bulb and a Blair's Mocha resting on the outside wall. The rest of the moths present were several Light Brown Apple Moths, at least 4 Eudonia angustea, 1 Tachystola acroxantha and finally, a Clepsis Consimlina.

Above, Brent Geese swimming near the Hayling Sailing Club and below, Grey Plover, Dunlin and Ringed Plover roosting on the sand bar at Black Point.

A few flocks of Redwing flew over his house including one flock of at least 40+ birds, but not a great deal else bar a Robin singing its heart out close by. I was thinking of trying out Woolmer Pond and even Butser Hill, where the latter site held up to 5 Ring Ouzels today and lots of winter thrushes over. Andy suggested Sandy Point, after that large number of Razorbills that turned up there recently. So southbound we went. 

Above, a Shaggy Inkcap Toadstool at Sandy Point and below, a Red Admiral was also found here.

Parking up by the footpath at Seafarers Walk, we slowly made our way to the harbour entrance. I really fancied my chances of a Yellow-barred Warbler or something rarer, but the best we could notch up was a male Goldcrest flitting through the vegetation. A pair of Jays were making a racket in a small tree and the cause soon flew out, a female Sparrowhawk that promptly flew off northbound. 

This Big Sheath Toadstool (Volvopluteus gloiocephalus) was growing also at Sandy Point.

We made our way to the Lifeboat Station to view the harbour with the scope, but beforehand, we checked out the bushes on the way, but all we could notch up were flyover Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, while the Bushes held a few Great Tits and Robins. I did hear a few Siskins flying over and also a Redpoll, but, as per usual, they were so high up I could not spot them. Andy found a Toadstool which I instantly recognised as a Shaggy Inkcap, my first of the year. A Red Admiral was seen sunning itself on the brambles, our first butterfly of the day and a Syrphus species of Hoverfly landed on the back of Andy’s head! 

Above, Sanderling on Black Point and below, a male Kestrel hunting over the Triangle Field. 

From the Lifeboat Station, we found one Razorbill swimming on the incoming tide within the harbour entrance, but apart from a few Gulls and the occasional flock of Sanderling, all was quiet. I checked out the small harbour to the north where a good number of Brent Geese were swimming and waders (Dunlin, Grey Plover and Ringed Plover) were resting on the sand bar. Walking slowly back to the car, we came across Becky Ladd (another Lazee Birder). We had a good discussion on the birds seen here of late and also about Andy Johnson’s prolonged stay on the Shetlands. She now has the reign of finding all the rare birds here on Hayling, seeing its local patch, so best of luck young lady.

Above, another cluster of Toadstools. Though difficult to ID, this particular species is from the family Psathyrellaceae in the Triangle Field and below, the Razorbill off Sandy Point.

Our next stop was to the Triangle Field by Sparkes Marina and to be honest, I was really surprised at how close we were to Black Point from here. We could see the waders trying to rest on the sand bar, but Becky was telling us earlier that she was getting so frustrated by people wanting to disturb the waders by walking onto their territory. She also found Northern Wheatear here earlier today. Checking out the harbour to the north, again, there was a good number of Brent Geese on the harbour and at least four Sandwich Terns were seen resting on the posts of buoys. Good numbers of waders were flying around including Dunlin, Grey Plover and Ringed Plover, but also smaller numbers of Sanderling that eventually rested on the sand bar. Back at the Triangle Field (saw my Pied Flycatcher earlier in the year here), the best we could find was a male Kestrel, a Goldcrest and several Goldfinches; but all was quiet. A pair of Speckled Wood butterflies were seen on the brambles and nearby, a few Small White butterflies were flying over the Triangle field. Just a shame nothing unusual was found here during our stay.

Above, one of two Speckled Woods sunning at the Triangle Field and below, one of at least four Sandwich Terns in Chichester Harbour.

After picking up some refreshments, our next stop was Sinah Gravel Pits. Again, there wasn't all that much around, bar at least 6 Chiffchaffs and another Sparrowhawk and so we made our way to our final destination, Northney. By now, the tide was making its way out and we noticed a lot of roosting waders resting on the Salt Marsh including Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit. Good numbers of Brent Geese were present, noticeably a lot of juvenile birds that would indicate a good breeding season for this species. Though there were plenty of the latter, any exciting passerines were virtually non-existent, which was very disappointing. We then got a message on our Whatsapp group that a Yellow-browed Warbler had been found over Gilkicker this morning. By now it was 1pm and I decided to call it a day.   

All the photos were taken at Northney early this afternoon. From top to bottom: Black-tailed Godwit, more Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, more Redshank, even more Redshank with an Oystercatcher and Brent Goose. 

              

One hell of a Moth day!

Friday 21st October 2022.

My first Yellow-line Quaker of the year by my moth box this morning.

It was dry first thing this morning, although there looked to have been some overnight rain judging by the wet garden this morning, when I went outside to check the moth box. Right on cue, my first Yellow-line Quaker moth of the year was found outside the moth box, in an egg tray, which put a huge smile on my face! 

Feathered Ranunculus, Black Rustic and an L-album Wainscot moths from the egg trays.

A few migrant moths were present, with both Rush Veneer and Rusty-dot Pearl present and I read this morning that the moth traps on  Portland Bill produced another incredible migrant moth, a Robust Tabby (Pandesma robusta), a moth from southern Europe. This is hot on the heels of a first for Britain in the same location, a Southern Brindled Green!

A late Blastobasis adustella on the edge of the moth box.

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 Yellow-line Quaker
• 8 Feathered Ranunculus
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 2 Black Rustic
• 1 Blastobasis adustella
• 1 Rush Veneer
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 4 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Common Plume

Again, I heard a few Redwing flew high over the garden last night and this morning, while checking the moth box, a flock of 6 Greenfinch, a Skylark, 3 Goldfinch and some Meadow Pipits flew over.

Only my second ever Merveille du Jour moth. This was a real surprise this morning by Andy's moth box. 

This morning, I met up with Andy again at his house, for he had his moth box on overnight and wow, I never expected to see such superb moths by his trap. Though there had been plenty of overnight rain in Cowplain, it most certainly produced the goods with THREE new moths for the year including one spanking Merveille du Jour moth, a species I have only ever seen once before and that was quite a few years ago over the Oaks Crematorium, Havant.

Above, a Green-brindled Crescent and below, Cypress Carpet were both added to my year list.

What a stunning moth and was backed up with a Green-brindled Crescent and a Cypress Carpet. Other moths present included a Vine’s Rustic, Rush Veneer, 5 Eudonia angustea and singles of Common Plume, Tachstola acroxantha and Light Brown Apple Moth. Though short on numbers, still a very impressive list of moths.

Above, I counted at least 5 Eudonia angustea by Andy's moth box and below, a Rush Veneer was perched on his mop!

In truth, I really didn't expect many moths, for I was hoping for a bit of visible migration overhead seeing there has been a large thrush movement of late over southern Hampshire. I was not to be disappointed as there were several flocks of Redwing flying over, with one flock containing at least 40+ birds. Also seen during a few cups of coffee over a couple hour period were a flock of 20+ Goldfinch and a few smaller flocks, one Linnet, two Jackdaws, three Coal Tits and a Grey Wagtail heard several times but not seen. Andy had the briefest of views of a Red Kite heading south, but it disappeared behind the trees before I could get a glimpse. Hurrumph!

A couple of Goldfinches settled in the neighbouring gardens.

Redwing passage & two new moths.

Thursday 20th October 2022.

My first Red-green Carpet of the year by my moth box this morning.

I was reluctant at first, but I decided to put my moth box on overnight, as recommended by the chap on Migrant Lepidoptera Facebook site, saying that light winds from the Canaries would be hitting the south coast overnight. However, rain and thunderstorms were predicted and although we did not get to receive the latter, I woke up to rain this morning. It turned out to be a good thing as the moth box attracted two more new moths for the year.

Acleris sparsana; my first for many a year.

The first new moth for the year was a pristine Red-green Carpet which was resting on the sodden white sheet behind the moth box of which I quickly potted to get a decent photograph for later. The second new moth for the year was a micro moth, Acleris sparsana, a grey individual that had me intrigued. Also among the 23 moths of 14 moths were two Black Rustics and my first Monopsis crocicapitella for many months, which was located at the very bottom of the moth box. I was hoping for more migrant moths, but just two Rush Veneer and a Rusty-dot Pearl made up the numbers there. 

Above, one of two Rush Veneer micro moths this morning. Below, the micro moth Monopsis crocicapitella. 

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 Red-green Carpet (NFY)
• 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 3 Feathered Ranunculus
• 2 Double-striped Pug
• 2 Large Yellow Underwing
• 2 Black Rustic
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 2 Rush Veneer
• 3 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Clepsis consimilana
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Beautiful Plume 
• 1 Crocidosema plebejana
• 1 Monopsis crocicapitella
• 1 Acleris sparsana (NFY)

When I put the moth box light on last night, there was a lot of Redwing passing overhead, recognised easily by their distinctive ‘seeping’ call and this continued right on into the morning, it seems. I spotted at least one group of three birds heading south and another lone individual also heading south a little later. A pair of Song Thrushes also headed south-west, very high over the houses, their call giving their ID away. Back down on the ground, a Chiffchaff was flitting about my neighbours tree at the back of my garden. The rain is set to last most of the morning, but it is very mild today with the current temperature a balmy 16 degrees centigrade!

One of two Black Rustic moths. 

Yesterday, there seemed to be a glut of Ring Ouzels in Hampshire with 4 birds seen at Hook-with-Warsash, one over Titchfield Haven with Fieldfares and 3 birds over Tweseldown, near Church Crookham. Today, FIVE Ring Ouzels were found at the same location yesterday on Butser Hill where Andy and I found them and one was in the Bushes area on Farlington Marshes. Redwing were most evident today with massive numbers going over Tweseldown (3,300) and Trigpoint Hill, Timsbury (2,790). Woolmer Pond had at least 300 going through along with 60 Fieldfare! Not only thrushes were in huge numbers; a staggering 316 Razorbills were seen on the sea off Sandy Point, Hayling Island early this morning! And that was with one slow sweep of the telesope! Incredible.       

Ring Ouzels at Butser Hill.

Wednesday 19th October 2022.

One of the male Ring Ouzels seen at Butser Hill early afternoon. 

With some time in my hands, Andy Fisher and myself took a drive to Butser Hill around midday to see if we could notch up another ‘year-tick’ for him. Though reasonably bright and sunny, there was a strong easterly wind blowing across the Hill, but as we made our way down the Hill and following a footpath on the west side, the area was protected by the wind and therefore our chances of finding a Ring Ouzel now looked promising.

Above, the Clustered Bonnet toadstools growing just outside Andy's front door! Below, Andy walking on Butser Hill heading to Bushy area where we saw the Ring Ouzels.

In fact, after finding a cracking male Ring Ouzel perched on a small bramble by the footpath some 100 yards away, below a large area of scrub; a further three more male birds soon flew out of cover and south over the valley below. But, fortunately for us, they all flew back again to return back into the scrub. Their distinctive calls echoed across the valley as they flew back into cover, though one showed well briefly. A few Blackbirds and Song Thrush were also seen as we made our way to where they showed last, but there was no further sighting of the birds, though we did hear one deep within cover.

The spectacular views from the west side of Butser Hill.

Other birds seen during our stay here included two male Kestrel's down in the valley that were getting a lot of hassle from the local Crows. We saw the birds several times, but quite often with a Crow giving them a bad time, hence the birds calling frequently. A pair of Stonechats were on the slope below us, as was a Green Woodpecker, which was seen hopping about on the short turf, while above us, the occasional flock of Meadow Pipit would pass by and a pair of Blue Tits flitted through the brambles above us. Not only enjoying the birds with a cup of coffee from Andy's flask, the views were amazing in the sunshine.

Above, the Ring Ouzel was seen well, although a bit distant and eventually flew down the valley only to return again to the same area.

We got to the end of the footpath then climbed the hill and then rounded the bushy area to return to where we first saw the Ouzels. From here, looking back across the escarpment, we saw at least two Ring Ouzels, again both males, fly out and when a female Sparrowhawk was seen to dive into the same Bushes, at least one Ring Ouzel flew out of cover, calling loudly. Then I spotted a large group of Thrushes flying out and hearing them call, they turned out to be  our first Redwing of the season, with at least 18 birds all heading south. Happy with our sightings, we made our way back to the car.

Above, Wild Basil was growing along the escarpment as we walked along the footpath. Below, the Vapourer Moth perched on Andy's jacket.

On our way back, Andy spotted a moth fluttering around by his feet and fortunately for us, it actually landed on Andy’s coat. It was a Vapourer Moth and I quickly took several photos before it could fly off. I thought I had seen one earlier on our trip here and this individual confirmed it. Back near the car park, we had a cup of coffee and rested on one of the park benches. From here, we had a pair of Common Buzzards riding the breeze to the south and a further three more Redwing flying south. The drive back through Clanfield produced a Red Kite sailing high over the village (our fourth raptor of the day) and a further three more Common Buzzards again sailing the breeze over the hill along South Lane. Most certainly, not a bad couple of hours birding. Andy now had his 190th species for the year and closing in on the magic 200. I had already seen a female Ring Ouzel earlier in the Spring at Old Winchester Hill, but these male birds were superb. in the Spring.  

Windy, but plenty of moths.

Wednesday 19th October 2022.

Two Turnip Moths arrived overnight in windy conditions.

It was very blustery overnight as I noticed the white sheet flapping about in the wind before I headed off to bed and I wasn't really expecting many, if any, moths the following morning. However, I was wrong. A total of 19 moths of 10 species were present and although there was nothing new for the year within the box, I was really pleased I actually got any.

There was just the one Double-striped Pug.

Migrant moths included the two Turnip Moths and the Rusty-dot Pearl this morning, though I am still awaiting one of the ‘line’ Quakers to arrive. Though not common in my garden, they do turn up annually. There were few birds noted overhead, probably due to the strong easterly wind, but I did hear a Grey Wagtail flying over the houses while checking the moth box.  

The L-album Wainscot is a familiar moth in my garden.

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 4 Feathered Ranunculus
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 2 Turnip Moth
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 6 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Clepsis consimilana
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl

A good list of birds within the Cemy.

Tuesday 18th October 2022.

A very heavy dew in the Cemetery first thing this morning.

It was a beautiful morning with wall to wall clear blue sky, hardly any wind at all and relatively mild for this time of year (13 degrees Centigrade). Taking my usual anticlockwise route around my local patch, Highland Road Cemetery, I had already notched up 12 species by the end of the footpath on the west side that had included a calling Chiffchaff and a small flock of 3 Skylark flying high east. There was a heavy dew on the grass here this morning, signalling that it must have been very cold last night, but not too cold for a frost.

Above, the dew settling on the spiders webs. Below, many insects took advantage of the flowing Ivy Plants including this Tapered Drone Fly, one of our larger Hoverflies. 

A very good total of 27 bird species were seen or heard this morning and probably the best of an entertaining bunch was the Firecrest, which was first heard calling then seen flitting about the Holm Oak Clump of trees in the centre of the Cemetery. They are regular at this site and kind of expected for this time of year, though I am hoping for the rare Yellow-browed Warbler to make another appearance here. Long-tailed Tits are scarce at this location, but this morning's flock of around a dozen birds was quite exceptional, though I did see them the last time I was here. They normally come attached with a few other species and this time they were joined by at least one Goldcrest, a Blue Tit and a Chiffchaff.

Above, Goldfinches heading east over the Cemetery. Below, the colour of the trees look gorgeous in the Autumn sunshine.

The female Sparrowhawk also put in a brief appearance as she sailed quietly over the east side of the Cemetery then flew over the rooftops, scattering all the local Pigeons, Gulls and Starlings. I was lucky to come across the Green Woodpecker this morning as I found it perched on one of those concrete ornamental pots by a grave, though it didn't hang around long. There was a bit of visible migration this morning, what with a few Skylarks and Meadow Pipits going over and finally, Siskins are on the move and although I did not actually see the birds, at least two or three flew very high over; so very difficult to locate them as they fly so high up and against a clear blue sky, near impossible to find.

Above, the Green Woodpecker posed nicely for a few seconds. Below, Wood Pigeons will get into any position to get at an acorn! 

The mild and sunny weather brought out the insects too, with the flowering Ivy Plants attracting plenty of Common Wasps and Hoverflies, notably a few Drone Flies and Tapered Drone Flies. There were two butterflies seen this morning with one Red Admiral showing well on the last remaining flowers of a Buddleia plant and probably another one flying east of the Cemetery. Yes, a lovely walk around the Cemetery this morning and I also met some nice people walking their dogs and having a friendly chat with them. 

Above, a pair of Jays showed well occasionally and below, one of the dozen or so Long-tailed Tits.  

Birds seen or heard within the Cemetery this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Carrion Crow
• Jay
• Magpie
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Long-tailed Tit
• Chiffchaff
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Sparrowhawk
• Green Woodpecker
• Goldcrest
• Firecrest
• Skylark
• Meadow Pipit
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Siskin
• Wren
• Pied Wagtail 
• Blackbird
• Song Thrush

Photos taken today at the Cemetery from top to bottom: Jay, Long-tailed Tits, the Bracket fungus Red-belted Polypore and a Red Admiral.

Another interesting read coming up as my latest copy of the HOS Kingfisher magazine drops through the letterbox this morning. It was nice to see a lot of Andy Tew's photos within this edition.