Butser Hill & Catherington Downs.

Saturday 30th September 2023.

Some of the moths were seen this morning from the moth box and egg trays.

Another nice morning with plenty of blue sky at first and a southerly breeze coming in, making the temperature reasonably cool first thing this morning as I went about checking on my moth box. The plan today was a little uncertain as there wasn't that much to go for in Hampshire to add to our year list and so, I decided to take a risk and go to Butser Hill for a possible Ring Ouzel with both Geoff and Andy.

Probable Sycamore Slender moth or Pale Maple Slender.

But first, the moths came first and it wasn't till I got to the end of checking the contents of my moth box. It was a micro moth that grabbed my attention, a species of Caloptilia species, which are quite distinctive due to the way they pose; however, what species. It looked good for something unusual and though I could not put a name to it after checking my Micro moth book, I put it out there on UK Micro Moth identification Facebook page and it was Mike Wall (Hampshire County Recorder) to conclude it was either a Sycamore Slender (Caloptilia hemidactylella) or another rare moth, Pale Maple Slender (Caloptilia honoratella). Both of which would be a ‘lifer’ for me, but the only way to be totally sure would be dissection! Well, that put an end in identifying the moth, for not only I do not have the facility to do that but it flew off anyway!

Other moths present included my third Delicate moth of the year, up to 4 Feathered Ranunculus and my first Privet Tortrix of the month. Overhead, I heard a Yellow Wagtail flying over, but failed to see it. An ‘alba’ Wagtail flew over as did several Meadow Pipits and in a nearby garden, I could hear the soft ‘hooeett’ of a Chiffchaff.  

The moths in and around my moth box this morning included the following:

• 4 Feathered Ranunculus
• 1 Delicate
• 1 Willow Beauty
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 3 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 3 L-album Wainscot
• 2 Lunar Underwing
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 2 Common Plume
• 2 Box Tree Moth 
• 1 Beautiful Plume 
• 4 Ruddy Streak
• 1 White-shouldered House Moth
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Sycamore Slender or Pale Maple Slender.
• 1 Privet Tortrix

Andy’s moth box was less productive in his Cowplain garden with just the following moths present:

• 3 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Narrow-winged Grey
• 4 Common Plume

Good numbers of Meadow Pipits were flying over with at least four large flocks going over and a distant Siskin was heard as well.

Incredible views from Butser Hill as we walked along the escarpment footpath.

After picking up Geoff, we made our way to the car park at Butser Hill. We have had some nice birds here over the years and so our hopes were high with some possible migrating birds to be seen. We made our way north to the steep escarpment where we saw the Ring Ouzels last year and on the way there, there were several Chiffchaffs to be seen, while overhead, there was a constant stream of Meadow Pipits heading over. A pair of Skylarks flew over and showed well and both Swallows and House Martins were seen hawking low over the hill.

Above, Clematis vitalba or the familiar name of Old Mans Beard growing all over these brambles is a familiar sight at this time of year. 

One of four Skylarks seen flying over the Hill this morning.

We had a brief view of a Green Woodpecker heading towards a group of trees and a small flock of Long-tailed Tits and Goldfinch were flitting about the brambles and bushes above us as we slowly made our way along the gravelled track by the escarpment. Down below, we picked out a female Kestrel waiting patiently for something to feed on as we enjoyed the amazing views looking north towards the village of East Meon.

Above and below, this Red Kite sailed effortlessly over the valley below.

When we got to the furthest point north, we stood and admired the view and checked anything that would fly by. A pair of Woodlarks flew over our heads was a nice surprise and flew north and a Red Kite was seen soaring down below in the valley. Walking east along the footpath, we came across a couple of bushes that held some passerines. On closer scrutiny, I picked up our first Blackcap, a male, of the morning and he was quickly followed by two female / immature individuals along with at least 6+ Chiffchaffs. Better still, Geoff picked out a Spotted Flycatcher behind the bush as I eventually got onto the bird with the camera.

Above, one of three Blackcaps seen in this small group of bushes. Below, they were joined by a Spotted Flycatcher. 

Above, Chiffchaffs were abundant in just these two bushes on the Hill.

Further along the hill, several flocks of Siskins joined the many Meadow Pipits flying over and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen flying onto a conifer in the distance, calling in doing so. We rounded the Hill and eventually made our way across a field to get back to the main road leading to the car park where we saw a Goldcrest and a Coal Tit. While enjoying a Latte coffee by the small Cafe, overhead, at least four Common Buzzards soared until eventually dispersing to go their separate directions.

Above, Meadow Pipits were everywhere today, but it was nice to see some on the deck and below, the two Bushes that held a good number and variety of passerines.

Above, Andy just shows how big the Parasol Mushrooms were on top of the Hill. Below, enjoying a hot drink, two of the four Common Buzzards soaring above our heads.

Other nature present included flowering the purples of Wild Marjoram, the yellows of Rough Hawkbit, blue coloured delicate Harebells and various other chalkland plants. A few Red Admiral butterflies flew past us as did a single Speckled Wood and several Vapourer Moths (still none of these species would settle!). After our hot drink, before heading home, I decided we should take a quick look at Catherington Downs; one of my old haunts when I used to live up this way.

Above, on Catherington Downs, a flock of Long-tailed Tits joined the many Chiffchaffs present (below).

Above, this Red Kite flew overhead over the Downs, causing the Long-tailed Tits (below) to give off their alarm calls. 

It was quiet at first when we arrived, with just a single Chiffchaff seen, but it wasn't till we got to the southern area where all the passerines were. Easily at least 20 Chiffchaffs were seen among a small flock of Long-tailed Tits and a single male Blackcap was noted. Overhead, both Red Kite and Common Buzzard were seen during our walk around the reserve, but still no Lesser Whitethroats for my Hampshire year list! I had strict orders from my wife to be home around 1pm and so we made our way back home.