Some great moths & a trip to see Honey Buzzard.

Saturday 17th June 2023

My first Uncertain moths were by Andy's moth box this morning.

Last night, well after I had gone to bed, Andy had already set up his moth trap last night and even put a white sheet down to attract the moths and he had sent via Whatsapp, several photos of what was already present by the trap that included Light Brown Apple Moth, Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix, Garden Grass Veneer, Willow Beauty, Riband Wave, Box Tree Moth and even a Swallow-tailed Moth. He also had a bit of film footage from his mobile phone of a Clouded Border, but there was no sign of it this morning. So it looked good this morning for lots of ‘Mothy Goodness’ at his house over a Cup of coffee and a slice of Toast!

Above, both Snout and below, Crambus pascuela were added to my year list.

I got there a little earlier than normal (7.30am) and quickly got into action with a good array of moths that included a few new ones for the year. Up to 5 more moths were added to my year list  that included a Snout, Uncertain, Clay and two micro moths, Crambus pascuela and a superb Variegated Golden Tortrix, which was only my second one ever. A grand total of at least 47 moths of 27 species was exceptional for Andy’s garden. I wonder how many I would have got here with my moth trap and doing a dawn start? Very tempting.

Above, a Clay moth was a nice surprise and below, only my second ever Variegated Golden Tortrix.

 The moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 Common Pug
• 3 Riband Wave
• 2 Treble Brown Spot
• 5 Heart & Dart
• 1 Snout (NFY)
• 2 Uncertain (NFY)
• 1 Clay (NFY)
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 3 Willow Beauty
• 1 Dark Arches
• 1 Swallow-tailed Moth
• 1 Marbled Minor
• 1 Maiden’s Blush
• 2 Crambus pascuella (NFY)
• 4 Garden Grass Veneer
• 1 Common Plume
• 1 Bee Moth
• 1 Tachystola acroxantha
• 2 Aleimma loeflingiana 
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix
• 2 Green Oak Tortrix
• 1 Celypha striana
• 1 Broom Shoot Moth
• 1 Variegated Golden Tortrix (NFY)
• 1 Large Fruit-tree Tortrix
• 3 Box Tree Moth

Today, both Andy Fisher, Geoff Farwell and myself were off to overlook an area of woodland in southern Hampshire for a Honey Buzzard to be added to our year list, but to ‘cut to the chase’, there was no sighting of any today, but we got a fine array of nice birds, plants and insects during our four hour stint there. Yes, the weather was rather humid and even hot at times as we overlooked the top of this woodland with the Rose Bowl Cricket Ground and Whiteley shopping Centre way in the background.

Above, the viewpoint from where we watched for Honey Buzzards. But it wasn't today. Below, our trip here kicked off with this superb Banded Demoiselle damselfly. 

Despite a ‘no-show’ from the Honey Buzzard, we still had 5 raptors under our belt while we were there and that included a superb Hobby and a Peregrine. The Hobby was very high up and chasing high flying Dragonflies and the Peregrine was chasing a flock of Racing or Feral Pigeons and despite picking on one individual, it failed to catch the bird and then flew off heading east. Other raptors seen were at least two Goshawks, although they were both quite distant, though very distinctive in flight. Up to 5 or possibly 6 Common Buzzards were also seen soaring over the woodland in various areas from our viewpoint. Up to two Red Kites were also noted, soaring high over the woodland. Thankfully, I took my scope along with me to help ID these soaring raptors.  

Above, Pyramidal Orchids were abundant as were both Common Spotted and Bee Orchids. Below, this superb Blackneck moth was only my second ever seen.

Where we stood was a rough ‘meadow-like’ area that supported a good array of plants that included three species of Orchid: Pyramidal, Common Spotted and also our first Bee Orchids of the year, with some superb tall ‘spikes’ within the tall grass. Geoff was quick to ID some other plants that included a plant called Goats Rue that was quite tall.  

The plant Goats Rue with its pink and white flowers growing in the scrub.

There were plenty of other birds around that included good numbers of Skylark in the area. Common Whitethroats were seen holding territory on various small bushes nearby and a family flock of this species flew through the bushes. At least 5 Bullfinches flew across and Linnets seemed to be everywhere. A Raven flew low over the woodland and landed near the top of a Pylon and another pair was seen later in the morning circling over the woodland. A male Stonechat held territory nearby and overhead, several Swallows flew past as did a flock of around 15 Swifts.

My first Yellow Shell moth of the year also in the scrub.

Always keeping an eye on the insect life, Andy found a superb Blackneck moth along the footpath; a species that I have only encountered once and that was at Center Parcs many years ago. I also found my first Yellow Shell moth of the year that fluttered low over the ground and perched up in a small bush. Butterflies included our first Marbled White’s of the year along with Small Heath, Large Skipper and Meadow Browns, which were most numerous. On the way back, we found a pair of Small Blue’s tussling with one another and a Common Blue perched on a plant. I found a cracking Grizzled Skipper perched on a grass that probably topped the lot of butterflies seen this morning.

Above, this Grizzled Skipper was seen this morning and below, a Raven perched high up in this Pylon.

A few Dragonflies were noted as well. On the way to the viewpoint, a superb Banded Demoiselle damselfly was seen fluttering over some brambles and thankfully settled on one of the bushes. An Emperor Dragonfly was seen a couple of times flying low over the scrub near the Viewpoint and best of all, was a Vagrant Emperor dragonfly that flew past us. I got the insect through my binoculars and noted the blue thorax and dark tail of the insect and having never seen one before, I checked once I got home that I was correct in its ID, which put a huge smile on my face. 

This Peregrine was unsuccessful in catching one of the passing Pigeons.