Quieter in the moth box.

Wednesday 30th August 2023.

Just the one Marbled Beauty moth this morning.

Though I put the moth box on in the rain last night, I knew it was going to ease up by midnight and therefore, a chance to get some interesting moths by early morning. Both our dogs joined me this morning in the garden and behaved themselves, which was a bonus. There were a few moths present, but numbers are most definitely decreasing as cooler overnight temperatures arrive.

Lesser Yellow Underwing.

There were just 34 moths of 18 species this morning and one can see that a lot of these moths are familiar for Autumn species. Box Tree Moths are a familiar sight now for those into moths and up to 8 were in and around the moth box today. Some more familiar Autumn moths will hopefully grace my moth box soon. Eventually (and I have been saying this for ages), I will take my moth box over to Andy’s house to see what I can catch.

Mother of Pearl. This dainty, yet large moth, is in fact a micro moth! Work that one out! 

The moths present this morning included the following:

• 2 Willow Beauty
• 1 Marbled Beauty
• 2 Brimstone Moth
• 2 Vine’s Rustic
• 1 White-point
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 3 Square-spot Rustic
• 2 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 2 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Narrow-winged Grey
• 1 Mother of Pearl
• 8 Box Tree Moth
• 1 Common Plume 

One of eight Box Tree Moths today.

Sadly, there was no ‘visible migration’ going on overhead this morning during the time I was out in the garden, but I am going to take the dogs out again this morning around HIghland Road Cemetery again for their morning walk. The incredible spectacle of both Selsey Bill and Sandy Point (Hayling Island) of the Balearic Shearwaters was also echoed off the Isle of Wight. 235 were seen flying east off Selsey and 125 were counted off Sandy Point, whereas the Isle of Wight (not sure where exactly), an incredible 500+ birds were recorded! 

Above, a Spotted Flycatcher and below, a Whimbrel. Both photos were taken recently by Pete Appleton.

On Farlington Marshes yesterday, an Osprey was perched on the North Binness island in the dead tree and other sightings on the reserve included a Ruff, 8 Cattle Egret and a Wigeon. Titchfield Haven hosted a Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper and a Spotted Redshank and most likely the birds present when we were there recently.

Above, this Redstart was seen and photographed by Graeme Loader and below, a female Black Adder was photographed in Pig Push, New Forest by Emma Parkes.