Cabbage Moth added to year list.

Friday 12th May 2023.

My first Cabbage Moth of the year.

I was up around 5am this morning listening to the sound of both House Sparrows ‘chirruping’ and a male Blackbird singing from the comfort of my warm bed! However, I had my moth box overnight again and to hopefully catch some moths before they fly off, I reluctantly got up and after making a quick cup of coffee, made my way into the garden to check the moth box. It was damn cold too with a clear sky overhead, but by 6 am, clouds had come in and a grey sky replaced the blue. Rain is forecast later today, but for now, a little blowy with a north-easterly wind whipping through the garden.

Above, there was just the one Pale Mottled Willow moth this morning. Below, two Buff Ermine moths were present today.

There was just the one new moth for the year, a Cabbage Moth, which is always most welcome in my garden and two Buff Ermine this morning, which were both perched outside the moth box. There was not a great deal within the moth box, with several Light Brown Apple Moths and a Pale Mottled Willow being the main moths. 

This is the activity of 'mining' by moth caterpillars.

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 Cabbage Moth
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 2 Buff Ermine
• 4 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Lime-speck Pug
• 1 Eudonia angustea
• 6 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Brown House Moth

During my first shift this morning in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth; there were sightings of a female Sparrowhawk with prey after she dived into neighbouring Holm Oak trees and grabbed her breakfast! A Robin serenaded me during my time there, though it remained unseen in a tree nearby and both a Dunnock and a Great Tit were checking out roadside vegetation nearby. Overhead, at least four Swifts were screaming and chasing each other. Always something to see if you keep your eyes open. Hot on the heels of the Grey-necked Lapwing seen in Northumberland (still cannot believe that it is a genuine wild bird!) Birdguides has informed everyone that a Yellow-billed Kite of unknown origin, had been seen on Lyn Tip near Newport, Isle of Wight. Surely it has to be an escape? But you never know these days!  

Above, a Hobby and below, a pair of Common Terns squabbling at Hill Head. Both photos by Emma Parkes.

Above, a male Wheatear at Pennington Marshes yesterday and below, a Tree Pipit in the New Forest. Both photos by Andy Tew.

The adult Long-billed Dowitcher at Pennington Marshes earlier this week. I hope to be going for it this weekend should it still be around. Film footage by James Cutting.