Moth numbers on the increase.

Wednesday 14th June 2023.

This stunning Peppered Moth was my first for several years.

This morning exceeded all expectations with a superb haul of 81 moths of at least 37 species; easily my highest total of the year that included EIGHT new species for the year. My favourite had to be the Peppered Moth that sat on our little shed near the moth box, but a very close second was a Swallow-tailed Moth perched on the side of the moth box.

Above, a Treble Brown Spot moth and below, an early Lesser Yellow Underwing moth that sadly succumbed to a House Sparrow on release.

Again, balmy conditions contributed to the good number of moths and with yesterday’s temperature getting up into the mid 80’s, no doubt it will be more of the same today. A tad cooler this morning, but it was OK for t-shirt and shorts to go rummaging around trying to find the moths outside the moth box before the Sparrows do (though I had to shoo them off several times despite putting food out for them!).

Above, the beautiful Swallow-tailed Moth was new for the year as was this (below), the micro moth Aleimma loaflingiana.

Other moths new for the year included a Treble Brown Spot and an early Lesser Yellow Underwing (of which, I caught in a moth pot then released it and promptly caught by a Sparrow in mid-flight!!!). Even micros got in on the act with a Cherry-bark Tortrix, Aleimma loeflingiana, Crassa unitella and a Red-barred Tortrix; four rather attractive little moths. Up to 11 Willow Beauty’s were counted, the most numerous this morning.

Two new micro moths for the year included this (above) Crassa unitella and below, Red-barred Tortrix.

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 Peppered Moth (NFY)
• 4 Lime-speck Pug
• 2 Common Pug
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Small Dusty Wave
• 11 Willow Beauty
• 4 White Ermine
• 1 Treble Brown Spot (NFY)
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 7 Heart & Dart
• 1 Common Marbled Carpet
• 3 Dark Arches
• 2 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 2 Garden Carpet
• 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing (NFY)
• 1 Pale Mottled Willow
• 5 Riband Wave
• 1 Swallow-tailed Moth (NFY)
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Marbled Minor
• 1 White-point
• 4 Ephestia woodiella
• 1 Bee Moth
• 2 Anania coronata
• 1 Mompha subbistrigella
• 1 Tachystola acroxantha
• 2 Green Oak Tortrix
• 5 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 2 Bud Moth
• 1 Mint Moth
• 2 Box Tree Moth
• 2 Garden Grass Veneer
• 1 Cherry-bark Tortrix (NFY)
• 2 Apple Leaf Miner
• 1 Aleimma loeflingiana (NFY)
• 1 Crassa unitella (NFY)
• 1 Red-barred Tortrix NFY)

Birding buddy Andy Fisher went for the singing Quail last night and although the bird never showed or called, he saw a cracking Tawny Owl on the way back home, perched up on a telegraph pole. While waiting for the Quail (which was calling yesterday evening around the fields of Soberton, he also saw a Kestrel, 140 Mediterranean Gulls, male Sparrowhawk carrying prey, a Hobby and a probable Corn Bunting.

The Tawny Owl Andy filmed on his mobile on his way back from Soberton last night.

It was yet another very warm day with temperatures getting up to the mid-seventies and of course, I am always keeping an eye out for anything interesting throughout the day. During my first shift this morning, a Red Admiral was fluttering around where I was working and what with the Field Poppies, Tall Rocket and Mallow growing in a fenced off area and nearby, Valerian growing on a brick wall; which was sure enough going to attract many a Butterfly or Bee. A few Swifts drifted quietly overhead in the blue sky and an adult Blue Tit was teaching its youngsters on how to pick off insects in the Holm Oak trees. But, apart from a pair of Blackbirds feeding out in the playing field, it was fairly quiet.

Field Poppies and Tall Rocket growing near where I work today.

After my first shift, I met up with a pal of mine, Gary, then we both headed off for a Coffee and a chat over Gunwharf. Enjoying our coffees and a good conversation, I pointed out a Little Egret flying south low over the harbour; though I don't think he even knew that such a species existed! Ho hum! Nothing like a bit of bird identification.

Not the best photo in the world, but this is a Cherry Bark Tortrix that was in my moth box this morning; my first of the year.

This evening, I got to work watering the plants in the back garden before Wednesday’s edition of Springwatch started. I flushed a few moths that survived the Sparrows onslaught this morning that included a Willow Beauty and while enjoying watching the House Sparrows make the most of the Suet Pellets put out for them and the Starlings, all the alarm calls went off as a female Sparrowhawk came cruising in low over the garden and then headed off north. In the early evening light, I think I saw every marking of this beautiful hawk including its beady yellow eye and I am sure it saw me well enough as it didn't stop to say hello!

Two minutes of the local Swifts sailing over my house tonight.

After Springwatch, I went out into the garden again and watched the local Swifts go about their socialising overhead. I could hear them screaming outside as I was watching my programme, which encouraged me to film the birds from my mobile camera. Chris Packham tonight, told the viewers that the Swift numbers have plummeted over the past 5 years, but there are some hearty souls doing their best in making nest boxes for the birds as their old homes are disappearing fast.