Up at 5am again this morning to beat the House Sparrows to my moth box, but only just!! Ten minutes into checking for moths, they were there, checking every nook and cranny for their breakfast. One male House Sparrow actually hopped by my feet in search for a juicy moth!!! Seriously! It was another cool morning with a cloudless sky, but at least there were some nice moths in and around the box.
Above, my second Blair's Mocha of the year and below, a rather stunning Common Marbled Carpet moth. The latter was rather reluctant in leaving and landed on me a few times, but proved very difficult to photograph, hence the photo of the moth in the pot.
My first White Ermine moth of the year was present this morning along with two micro moths, Platyedra subcinerea and Monopis crocicapitella, both of which regularly turn up annually in my garden. My second Blair’s Mocha, a really smart individual, was just inside the box and my first Common Marbled Carpet for my moth box of the year was also a smart piebald individual.
Above, Platyedra subcinerea and below, Monopis crocicapitella which were both new for the year too.
Moths present this morning included the following:
1 Common Marbled Carpet
1 White Ermine (NFY)
5 Shuttle-shaped Dart
2 Pale Mottled Willow
1 Blair’s Mocha
1 Double-striped Pug
1 Lime-speck Pug
1 Vine’s Rustic
23 Light Brown Apple Moth
3 Tachystola acroxantha
1 Brown House Moth
2 Bryotropha affinis
1 Eudonia angustia
1 Platyedra subcinerea (NFY)
1 Monopis crocicapitella (NFY)
From left to right: Eudonia angustea and two Light Brown Apple Moths. The Apple Moths come in various guises and can confuse the best of us in identifying the moth. They are actually an accidental import from Australia!
The Wood Warbler at Bolderwood, which showed very well to us.
I had a choice of several areas on where to go this morning with a few birds to add to my year list on offer that included a Wood Warbler at Bolderwood, Spotted Flycatcher at The Paddocks at Northney and possible Turtle Dove at Charlton. Even Acres Down, in the New Forest, was tempting for both Honey Buzzard and Goshawk. But before the big decision was made, my first port of call was Andy’s moth box at Cowplain Marsh (Andy’s back garden!).
Above, an Orange Footman moth and below, a Least Black Arches moth.
Above, a Common Marbled Carpet was also new for the year and below, another photo of the superb Wood Warbler that was full of song this morning.
Among the few moths present, there were three new moths added to my year list: Least Black Arches, Common Marbled Carpet and best of all, an Orange Footman. Andy’s garden has produced some amazing moths over the years, so I am always excited to check the moth box out when I arrive over a hot coffee and hilarious banter with Mr Fisher. Moths present in Andy’s garden included the following:
1 Common Marbled Carpet (NFY)
1 Least Black Arches (NFY)
1 Orange Footman (NFY)
1 Bright-line Brown-eye
1 Garden Carpet
1 Brimstone Moth
2 Eudonia angustea
1 Light Brown Apple Moth
I was well pleased with that little lot and so I made a decision to head to Bolderwood for our first port of call today. Apparently, we were told by the ‘Lazee Birders’, that the area we were looking at last week was wrong for a sighting of the Wood Warblers, for they were singing in a different area of Bolderwood. I shall not give the exact location of where we looked, but I will say that we saw just the one male bird seen singing high up in the Silver Birches. There is something magical about this species of bird and to be so close to it while it is singing is something to behold. However, trying to photograph the bird was going to be a challenge.
Two more photos of the Wood Warbler with the bottom photo showing the rings on its leg.
There was a bit of a wind blowing and with the tops of the trees swaying in the wind and with the zoom of my camera playing up, I was lucky to get some of the photos that I did manage. The bird did not linger in one spot long and so I was pleased with some of my photos. Later in the day, we met up with fellow ‘Lazee Birder’, Gary Fennemore, who told us that the bird we saw had rings on its leg and sure enough, while checking my photos of the bird, it was sporting both a yellow and blue ring! While making our way to the site, we had a close view of a Firecrest and also a Siskin flew high over the car park.
Above, a singing Willow Warbler showing well at Acres Down and below, one of many Common Buzzards showing well drifting low over the trees also at Acres Down.
On our way back to the car, I decided to head off to Acres Down for some Raptor viewing and of course, there is always plenty to see there and so it went on to prove. The Farm Shop was closed, which was disappointing and so we drove on to the Car Park which was fortunately, quiet for this time of day. Making our way to the usual viewpoint overlooking the top of the woods, we had a good variety of birds along the way that included a singing Willow Warbler, a pair of Woodlarks, a Cuckoo and a very brief view of a Wheatear that simply disappeared into the nearby vegetation. On reaching the viewpoint, we met up with fellow ‘Lazee’, Garry Fennemore who sensibly brought along a deck chair to sit in and view. There was also another experienced birder present with him (who apparently does guided tours through the Forest) and was also an expert on Raptor ID. Already the guys had seen Goshawks and many Buzzards over the woods, but no sign of any Honey Buzzards yet.
Above, a male Goshawk high over the woodland and below, a female Goshawk flying past us.
Down below, both Tree Pipit and Redstart were singing, but it was only the former that was seen displaying down in the valley below. During our 3 hours there, we had several sightings of Hawfinches flying through and Meadow Pipits were also displaying nearby. A lone Swift flew north over the woodland as did a small flock of 4 Swallows and a Cuckoo perched in a tree down in the valley below for around half an hour, showing well through the scope.
Above, a Meadow Pipit showing well by the Viewpoint and below, a Woodlark dropped in near us as well.
Though we never got to see any Honey Buzzards today, we had many sightings of Goshawks with both male and female birds seen many times over the woodland. These were our first of the year and this site has to be one of the premier sites in the New Forest. Andy found a Hobby flying low over the trees as we watched it soar over the woods and then disappear north. At least three Red Kites were seen and one flew right over our heads. On the subject of Honey Buzzard, I did see one bird that looked good for it and even through the scope I was pretty convinced it was one. However, after trying to point it out to the other guys, I lost the bird and so will remain a mystery on its ID.
Above, a Red Kite cruising low overhead and below, the panoramic view of the woodland at Acres Down.
By 1pm, I decided to call it a day here and walking back to the car park with Gary, we discussed all our sightings of late including his trips abroad. Thankfully, the Farm Shop was open as we had a quick binge to ease our thirst and hunger. Earlier in the day, a fluorescent green large beetle flew around us, but it wouldn't settle and low and behold, there was one perched on the frame of the door of the Farm Shop! It was a Rose Chafer beetle, but my photo of it through my mobile was bloody awful. There were quite a few Brimstone butterflies on the wing over the heath as Common Heath moths, but none settled for a photo.
Above, I think this is a Marsh Click Beetle that I found in grassland at Charlton this afternoon. Below, I am waiting for a possible ID on this Beetle that Andy found on Acres Down.
On the way back home, I thought we would try our luck again for the Turtle Doves at Charlton, but yet again, there was no sight or sound of them. On a brighter note, there was a good supporting cast that included a pair of Ravens overhead; Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, a couple of Buzzards and at least 3 Swallows. Andy spotted a small butterfly which I identified as our first Dingy Skipper of the year. So it wasn’t all bad.
Birds-foot Trefoil.
The Spotted Flycatchers were still at The Paddocks on Northney today and this evening, two Temminck’s Stints were found on the Lake at Farlington Marshes along with the Curlew Sandpiper still; the latter was also seen by Andy yesterday evening who is desperately trying to catch me up in species seen this year, lol! Another great days birding with superb company.
Grey Dagger agg. moth. A very smart looking moth of which I regularly get annually in my moth box.
I was up at 5am this morning with the full intention of beating the Sparrows to my moth box and thankfully, I won. It was quite cold at first as a cloudless sky probably meant fewer moths, but 26 moths of 17 species wasn't too bad considering that I had five species that were 'new for the year' which included a fine looking Grey Dagger agg. (the agg means it could possibly be a Dark Dagger or Grey Dagger and for the purpose of making my life easier, I am going with Grey Dagger. The only way to tell them apart is through dissection of their genitalia, which is a major ‘No thanks’!). There were 4 species of Pug on show including my first Common Pug of the year.
Above, a Dichrorampha acuminatana. Its venicular name is Sharp-winged Drill. Below, my first Common Pug of the year.
Micro moths were in good numbers and variety with Dichrorampha acuminatana, a Rusty-dot Pearl and a Garden Pebble being new for the year.
Above, my first Rusty-dot Pearl of the year. This micro moth is an immigrant moth from the Continent and normally more common in the Autumn months when thousands arrive along the south coast. Below, my first Garden Pebble moth of the year. Sadly, I think it was probably deceased judging by its moribund position!
Moths present this morning included the following:
1 Grey Dagger (NFY)
1 Common Pug (NFY)
1 Double-striped Pug
1 Freyer’s Pug
1 Lime-speck Pug
1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
1 Pale Mottled Willow
1 Garden Carpet
1 Angle Shades
1 Dichrorampha acuminatana (NFY)
1 Pshychoides filiciviora
9 Light Brown Apple Moth
1 Rusty-dot Pearl (NFY)
1 Garden Pebble (NFY)
2 Tachystola acroxantha
1 Brown House Moth
1 Bryotropha affinis
I'll be off birding again today with Andy Fisher, but not before checking his moth box out (sounds rather rude!). One bit of good news is that one of our local Swifts is actually in one of the nestboxes in my house. Happy days!
Farlington Marshes reserve entrance. Wintercress was growing by the main gate.
A quick check on Birdguides after I finished my first shift this morning, revealed that both a Curlew Sandpiper and a drake Garganey were on the Lake on Farlington Marshes. Needing both species for a ‘year-tick’, I headed off down to my favourite location. The weather was spot on, with light clouds, hardly any wind and not too warm either, which was a bonus. There was also a rising tide within Langstone Harbour, which could possibly bring in something good and at this time of year, who knows what could turn up?
Above, a Little Egret preening close to the Viewing Platform by the Lake.
Above, the Curlew Sandpiper at the back of the Lake and below, a squabbling pair of Avocets also on the Lake.
Parking up easily near the main entrance, I made my way along the footpath to the main Lagoon (the Lake) and quickly got my scope out to check the many waders on the water there. A pair of Swifts swooped low over my head and headed off south over the reserve and at least three male Common Whitethroats were in song and holding territory near the footpath. A scan out in the harbour revealed no waders at all on the mudflats, with just a few Gulls out in the harbour, so I concentrated on the main Lake.
Above, another photo of the Curlew Sandpiper. Below, a small flock of Black-tailed Godwit.
Below, a pair of Avocets were among at least 10 birds on the main Lake.
Up to 10 Avocets were feeding on the Lake along with at least 25+ Black-tailed Godwit and 10 Redshank, but it was on the south-east side of the Lake that I spotted some smaller waders feeding along the water's edge. Among two Dunlin and a Ringed Plover, I found the adult Curlew Sandpiper that was just about coming into summer plumage. It has been some years since I have seen a ‘Spring’ ‘Curlew Sand’ and so I was pleased with that. However, on the downside, there was no sign of the drake Garganey reported at 8 am and so I assume that the bird had flown.
Above, a pair of Tufted Ducks on a small pool on the south side of the reserve as I was walking around the seawall. Below, Hoary Cress was growing abundantly in various places around the seawall.
Above, this male Common Whitethroat was singing near the Point Field. One of many seen today.
Other birds in and around the Lake area included a couple of Common Buzzards perched on the fence posts behind the main reedbed and later on my return, after walking around the reserve, a male Kestrel were the only other raptors seen today as it flew low close past me heading south. Both Bearded Tits and Reed Warblers were seen flitting about in the reedbeds and a couple of Reed Buntings were also noted. The lure of Little Terns out in the harbour had me packing away my scope and therefore I made my way anticlockwise around the reserve.
Above, Common Vetch growing along the footpath. Below, Shelduck were gathering up in the fields.
Above, there were quite a few Gadwall scattered about the reserve this morning. Below, this Sedge Warbler performed well perched on Hemlock.
By now the tide was rising and most of the mudflats were now covered. On the south side of the reserve, a lone Avocet was wading in a small pool by the footpath and a pair of Tufted Ducks and a drake Gadwall were swimming in the same pool. Out in the fields, Canada Geese were tending to their many Goslings and the Lapwing were chasing off the Crows over the reserve. Both Skylarks and Meadow Pipit were singing and a few Mediterranean Gulls drifted over, calling in doing so.
Above, this singing Sedge Warbler was in the Point Field. Below, Hemlock Water Dropwort on the footpath by the Point Field.
Above, good numbers of Linnets, including this gorgeous male bird, were around the reserve. Below, Spotted Medic grows in various places on the reserve.
As I neared the Point Field, there was a chap there filming some birds and on closer inspection, after taking a few more Common Whitethroat photos (they were everywhere!), I got some nice photos of a singing Sedge Warbler in one of the brambles and the tall Hemlock plants. In fact, there were three male birds all trying to outsing each other and occasionally doing their display flight. After feasting myself on this spectacle, I carried on walking around the Point Field and noticed not one, but three Harbour Seals off the seawall. One was very close (see film footage and photo) to the seawall and another even had both its head and tail out of the water!
This Harbour Seal showed very well just offshore from the Point Field.
Film footage of the Harbour Seal off Farlington Marshes this morning.
As I neared the Deeps, I scanned the harbour to the east and came up with my first Little Tern of the year; though it was a distant bird flying away from me, it was so distinctive. I saw another one near the islands again, but all the sightings remained distant. A lone Great Crested Grebe swam in the harbour, but there was no sign of any Ospreys on North Binness islands. The Deeps held a good number of breeding Black-headed Gull and even some young were present on one of the rafts. There was just the one Common Tern perched on one of the rafts, while closer to where I stood, both Cetti’s and Reed Warblers were flying and singing along the creek adjacent to the harbour wall. Sadly, Bird influenza looks to be happening here too as I found at least 5 dead Gulls around the edge of the Deeps.
Above, the remnants of Winter past with three Brent Geese still on the reserve. Below, nesting Black-headed Gulls on the Tern rafts with young on show as well.
Above, there was only one Common Tern on the Deeps area.
A very brief film footage of the singing Sedge Warbler on the Deeps.
Linnets were abundant today along the brambles and even more Common Whitethroats were seen. I checked the Cattle present in the fields for any Yellow Wagtails around their feet, but none today. A single Swallow (the only one seen today) flew close past me and a noisy flock of Oystercatchers flew past overhead and then returned towards the Deeps area. Up to three Brent Geese were lazing about in the fields just past the Deeps and looked more than happy in spending the Summer here. Approaching the top end of the Stream near the Info Building, again, there was no sign of the drake Garganey with just a large gathering of Gulls, including one Med Gull, that dropped in briefly. Both Reed Bunting and Reed Warbler were singing deep within the reedbed and also a few more Bearded Tits were also heard.
Above, Wintercress growing on the reserve and below, a pair of Mute Swans flying over the Tern Rafts on the Deeps area.
Above, a small flock of Oystercatchers flew over my head near the Deeps and below, a showy Lapwing was in a field close to the main footpath.
The Stream area was relatively quiet with a few Black-tailed Godwit, around 4 Gadwall and a Grey Heron putting in an appearance. A lone Little Grebe swam on the water, looking good in its summer plumage now. In summary, a cracking walk around the reserve with plenty to look at and a good variety of flowering plants on show as well that included Spotted Medic, Wintercress, Hemlock Water Dropwort, Hoary Cress, Common Vetch and Cowslip. The only butterfly seen was a Small White flitting about by the car park as I was getting back into the car.
This adult Med Gull popped in quickly for a quick bathe before heading off back to the harbour.
The Curlew Sandpiper among Black-tailed Godwits this morning on the main Lake.
