Moth 'lifer' this morning.

Tuesday 26th September 2023.

This micro moth, Saltmarsh Bell, is normally a coastal moth, but I am pleased that this 'lifer' was found in my moth box this morning. 

With all these extremely rare American passerines turning up in the UK due to those strong westerly winds last week, surely something unusual would turn up in Southsea, perhaps? OK, it wasn't a bird I discovered this morning, but a ‘lifer’ micro moth in the form of a Saltmarsh Bell (Eucosma tripoliana). This tiny moth was sitting on one of the egg trays within the moth box, but when I went to pot it, it quickly took flight, hence my dodgy photos of the moth before it flew. Bugger! Nevertheless, a great start to the day, the only other noteworthy moth was a Clancy’s Rustic, but no other surprises among the moths present this morning. A total of at least 32 moths of 16 species this morning.

A selection of moths that were in my moth box today including: Lunar Underwing, L-album Wainscot and a Feathered Ranunculus.

The following were recorded today:

• 2 Willow Beauty
• 1 Clancy’s Rustic
• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 2 Feathered Ranunculus
• 5 Pale Mottled Willow
• 5 L-album Wainscot
• 4 Lunar Underwing
• 2 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 3 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Ruddy Streak
• 1 Common Plume
• 1 London Dowd
• 2 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 2 Box Tree Moth
• 4 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 SALTMARSH BELL

Two common Autumn moths, Lunar Underwing & Feathered Ranunculus.

Overhead, while checking the moths, there was a small passage of both Meadow Pipit and Siskin going over.

Above, there have been some amazing American passerines found in Wales including this stunning Bay-breasted Warbler on Ramsey Island. Photo by Ashley Howe. Below, this Canada Warbler was found at the same place as the Magnolia Warbler at St. Govans Head, Pembrokeshire! Photo by Nick Bristow. 

On my first shift this morning in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, there was a near constant stream of Meadow Pipits going over in various size flocks plus several small flocks of Siskins. As the traffic got heavier from 8.15am onwards, it then becomes difficult to pick up the bird's calls and so I have to rely on sightings only. Thankfully, it was a bit overcast this morning and the birds are much easier to pick up. On the way back home, a male Sparrowhawk was seen flying high over Clarence Parade, being escorted by a flock of Starlings! 

A friend of mine in South Africa sent me this superb photo of a Measly Hawk-moth. Amazing colours.

Early reports in Hampshire this morning included a juvenile Purple Sandpiper at Hill Head with the Turnstones and Emma Parkes has texted me to say that a lot of Swallows are flying over the motorway this morning. Both the Red-necked Phalarope (Keyhaven Marshes) and the Grey Phalarope (now at Titchfield Haven in front of the Meonshore Hide) were present today and this morning, an immature Surf Scoter was found off Keyhaven Marshes!

Fellow 'Lazee' John Manley went on a 'twitch' around the UK and managed to add to his life list with (above) a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Blacktoft Sands, nr Goole, East Yorkshire. Then he went off to Marshside RSPB Reserve, Southport, Lancashire for the juvenile American Golden Plover. Below, the AGP (left) with a Golden Plover.  

Above, the juvenile Purple Sandpiper that was found this morning at Hill Head with the Turnstone. Photo by Pete Appleton. Below, a couple more excellent photos of the juvenile Grey Phalarope at Hill Head last weekend. The bird is still present and now on the actual Reserve itself. Photos by Daz Gorman.