A dawn visit to see the Turtle Dove.

Sunday 4 June 2023.

There was a short wait, but the Turtle Dove eventually appeared and began 'purring' . Fantastic. 

After birding pal, Andy Fisher had seen the Turtle Dove yesterday at Charlton, I decided that after checking the moth box (details to follow later) at 4.30am this morning, I would take a drive back up to Charlton village to see if I could see the Dove for myself. I guess that it disappears during the middle of the day, but both dawn and evening times could be best to see the bird where we normally see it.

The Turtle Dove remained faithful to just the one tree.

I arrived around 5.45am at the site and after safely parking the car, I walked to the usual spot and waited. For ten long minutes, no sight or sound of the Turtle Dove and then eventually, I saw it fly into a tall tree and immediately began ‘purring’. I quickly grabbed a few photos of the bird and though distant, my Bridge Camera has a superb zoom and I got some reasonably decent photos of the bird even though it was some distance away. This was my 186th species of bird in the UK this year and so pleased to catch up on this bird on my 4th attempt! I left the bird ‘purring’ in the distance with a big smile on my face and a nice quiet drive home to update my blog.

What a gorgeous sight and sound to be around.

Turtle Doves are now very hard to locate in the UK, especially in Hampshire where in the past, I used to see them at a variety of locations; but so difficult now and so this bird (saw at least two here last year) at this location is a real bonus. They have been so badly persecuted in mainland Europe for years and thankfully, some European countries, including France, have banned the hunting of these gorgeous birds and hopefully, numbers might recover over the following years? 

The Turtle Dove that was seen early this morning. You can just about hear the bird 'purring' in the distance.

Other sightings during my short stay there included a Common Buzzard drifting over the Hill to the south and both Blackcap and Common Whitethroat flicking about in the nearby bushes. A few Stock Doves were seen flying over (nearly ran one over near the Clanfield turn off!) and a several Mediterranean Gulls drifted over heading northbound. Another very sunny day beckons and noticing the sun rising early this morning on my drive up the A3 was simply stunning.

A doe Roe Deer was grazing in a nearby meadow on the hill near the Village.

There weren't many moths this morning which was disappointing and what with that persistent north-easterly wind still gusting across the garden, I wonder if it is really putting off the moths from venturing too far? However, there were two new moths for the year that included a Green Pug, which was resting right next to a Common Pug on my back wall of the kitchen. Also, a relatively common micro moth to my garden, Ephestia woodiella, was also new for the year. My first Carnation Tortrix for the garden this year was re-identified when I checked the photo.

My first Green Pug of the year near my moth box this morning.

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 White Ermine
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Green Pug (NFY)
• 1 Common Pug
• 2 Vine’s Rustic
• 1 Willow Beauty
• 2 Heart & Dart
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 1 Lychnis
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 2 Mompha subbistrigella
• 1 Ephestia woodiella (NFY)
• 2 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Carnation Tortrix  

The micro moth, Ephestia woodiella, was also new for the year.

Black Terns off Hill Head.

Saturday 3rd June 2023.

From left to right: Graeme Loader, John Manley, Andy Friend, Geoff Farwell and Andy Fisher watching the Black Terns out in the Solent.

Today was kind of special as Andy and myself got to go birding with one of our old birding pals, Geoff Farwell. Geoff used to go birding or should I say, ‘twitching’ with us for many years and then eventually went his own way, yet always kept in touch. But today, we picked him up around 8.20am and headed first down to the beach at Fort Cumberland after there was a report of two Black Terns seen among a large Gull flock on the sea. It was just like old times as Fly, Pye and Baldy Be (our nicknames) went birding together for the first time in many a year.

Above, Geoff, Andy Fisher, Andy Friend and John at Hill Head this morning. Below, the flock of Common Scoter going through the Solent.

The weather was fine again with a clear blue sky, but the chilly easterly wind still persisted. Earlier, when picking up Andy, he had earlier told me that he put all his outside lights on to hopefully attract a moth or two; for I was returning his moth box I borrowed for last weekend's trip to Center Parcs. There was just the one moth present, a Willow Beauty, but one is always better than naff all!

Above, this Willow Beauty moth was the only moth in Andy's garden this morning and below, one of several Swallows at Charlton today. 

When Andy, Geoff and myself arrived down by the car park at Fort Cumberland and took the footpath to the beach. Thankfully, there were no Nudists present, so we didn't have to put up with those strange individuals and simply concentrated on the sea. Sadly, all we saw were a few Common and Sandwich Terns flying over the calm sea. There was a large flock of birds probably a good mile out to see, more over Hayling Island side, and with the poor light, there was no way in identifying a Black Tern among them. Fellow ‘Lazee’ Chris Geary joined up briefly and also dipped on the Black Terns. Geoff is very good with plant identification as we put names to the plants we came across on the way back to the car that included Sea Radish that was growing abundantly and clumps of Tall Rocket.

Above, a family group of Ravens flew overhead at Charlton as did large numbers of Mediterranean Gulls going through heading north.

Hill Head was our next destination in search for a Black Tern and despite a lot of searching over the Solent, we came up trumps with two individuals flying among a group of Gulls and Terns about half way across the Solent. We were earlier joined by fellow ‘Lazee’s’, Graeme Loader, Andy Friend, John Manley, Mark Francis and a few other birders as we also scored with several Gannets (another ‘year-tick’ for him) and a distant flock of around 20 Common Scoters flying low east over the sea (Andy’s third ‘year-tick’ in about five minutes!!!!). Yes, the Black Terns were my first for the year, though they were quite distant we were confident in their ID.

This Common Buzzard flew low over our heads heading north.

Behind us, over the Reserve behind us, a female Marsh Harrier was seen quartering over the reedbeds to the tune of both Reed and Sedge Warblers singing in the foreground. Swallows and Swifts were abundant around the reserve and I even spotted a Common Buzzard soaring over the reserve near the Canal. Common Terns flew overhead onto the reserve, showing superbly well in the bright sunshine, but too quick for me to get a good photo of them. Again, my Bridge Camera is not great in taking flight shots and has trouble focussing on a flying bird.

Above, Geoff and Andy overlooking the countryside at Charlton and below, a Thick-legged Flower Beetle (left) and an Orchid Beetle on Bulbous Buttercups.

We said our Goodbyes and headed off northbound for Charlton to hopefully get our Turtle Dove ‘year-tick’ and again, I will not disclose exactly where they are for their protection. Long story short, we did not see any of the Turtle Doves despite them being seen earlier this week, though I was sure I did hear one very briefly. But we did hear a Lesser Whitethroat 'rattling' nearby and so went after that instead. Again, we were not in luck as there was no further sight or sound of the Warbler, but we did have some nice sightings during our time here. A group of three Ravens flew low overhead as did a Common Buzzard and there was a constant stream of Mediterranean Gulls flying north over the countryside. Both Blackcap and Chiffchaff were seen singing and both Goldfinches and Linnets passed through. There were plenty of Swallows in the area and the occasional Swift went through as well. Other sightings included a male Kestrel hunting in the area and I caught my first sighting of a Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly near the railway line. A group of four Hares were seen distantly on a nearby hill.

Above, a Common Blue butterfly and below, a Dingy Skipper on the hill nearby.

On the nearby Downs, we took a stroll up the hill and came across a few butterflies that included Brimstone, Small White, Common Blue and a single Dingy Skipper, while Geoff with his far superior plant knowledge, was pointing out a variety of plants that were flowering including Horseshoe Vetch, a food plant for Chalkhill Blue butterflies. Also, Musk Thistle, Common Spotted Orchid, Common Milkwort, Salad-burnet and Cowslips were all seen within a swathe of Upright Brome grass. What a beautiful place and the view we got from the top of the hill was breathtaking. Later in the afternoon, Andy went back up to Charlton and saw the Turtle Dove almost immediately to notch up his 4th ‘year-tick’ of the day. Well done that man and now he is 7th in the Hampshire Year Listing league. 

Above, Horseshoe Vetch and below, Musk Thistle seen on the Hill nearby.

My first Common Spotted Orchid of the year also on the Hill.

   

 

 

My first trip to Thorney Island this year.

Friday 2nd June 2023.

A male Common Whitethroat greeted me at the start of my walk on Thorney Island.

I went over to the ‘dark side’ this morning and took a walk along the west side of Thorney Island for the first time this year. Yes, I have been birding only in Hampshire all year, but seeing that this area of Thorney Island is a good bet to see a Lesser Whitethroat (not seen or heard one yet this year), I thought what the hell, let's give it a go. Of course, there was no sight or sound of one, but it was most certainly a cracking trip to this side of West Sussex with a variety of birds and nature to look at during the couple of hours I was there.

Above, a Buff-tailed Bumble Bee nectaring on Hemlock Water-dropwort. Below, the Little Deeps.

It's not just the birds that grab my attention when I am out on a walk. Insects and plants come a close second. This tiny Thick-legged Flower Beetle with its metallic green body was enjoying the fruits of a Cats Ear plant.

The trip here started nicely with a singing Common Whitethroat perched on a bush by the main track leading to the seawall on the west side of Thorney Island, while nearby, I could hear both Reed Bunting and Reed Warbler singing in the large reedbed to the south of the footpath. Sadly, as always here, there was dog poop all over the place along the path due to irresponsible dog owners, so I had to watch my step. I rarely walk fast along this path as there is so much to look at and not just birds. In fact, there weren't that many birds along the path, but plenty of plants and insects to look at.

The female Marsh Harrier over the Little Deeps and below, a singing Reed Warbler was also seen here. When the Reed Warblers first arrive in the UK, they tend to sing quite low and out of sight within the reedbeds, but when they are established in their territories, they are happy to go to the top of the reeds. 

There were plenty of buttercups around including the bright yellow Bulbous Buttercup , Hemlock Water-dropwort and Mallow growing along the path and great swathes of Yorkshire Fog grass grew along the edge of the path. Dog Rose bushes were also in bloom and looking quite stunning in the sunshine that attracted Buff-tailed Bumble Bees to their flowers. I stopped briefly to watch a female Marsh Harrier hunting over the reedbeds south of the footpath, lazily twisting and turning and then gliding gracefully over the Little Deeps area until disappearing from view. A few Swallows headed north and several Swifts were seen hawking in the blue sky above.

Above, another photo of the showy Reed Warbler by the Little Deeps and below, a Thick-legged Flower Beetle nectaring on a colourful Dog Rose. This particular bush was growing on the embankment near the Little Deeps and stood out against the dark surrounding grass.

Above, several Swifts were hawking for insects over the Island and seen in small flocks.

I had a quick look at the harbour where the tide was almost at its highest, but little of note when it came to the birdlife, so I promptly made my way down to the main footpath leading south to the Great Deeps. Another Common Whitethroat was seen singing as I made my way down the footpath leading to the Little Deeps. The bench on the harbour wall was very inviting and from here, I could see at least three species of raptor that included two Marsh Harriers, one Common Buzzard and a hovering Kestrel in the same field of view to the east of the island. Another small group of three Swifts flew over all heading north, though on the Little Deeps, there was very little bar, one Little Grebe and a sleeping drake Tufted Duck. A singing Reed Warbler popped up on top of the reeds and showed well, but a singing Cetti’s Warbler remained typically hidden. A nice surprise was a Common Sandpiper that took off from the Little Deeps then flew over into the harbour and then headed off south low over the water.

Above, this male Meadow Pipit came down to park itself on a nearby bush after 'parachuting' to proclaim its territory. Below, a large clump of White Campion was growing by the Great Deeps.

Common Cats-ear (also known as Flatweed) was abundant along the footpath, which is a good food source for the insects.

I admired the many flowering plants along the footpath down to the Great Deeps that included Smooth Tare, Hoary Cress, Hop Trefoil and Common Cats Ear that was growing along the harbour wall and along the edge of the footpath, which in turn attracted a good number of Thick-legged Flower Beetles that took full advantage of the flowering plants. Despite a good lengthy walk, I only saw just one butterfly, which I think was a Common Blue, but took off before I could get a good look at it. Out in the Gorse fields, both Linnets and Goldfinches were abundant and both Skylark and Meadow Pipits were seen singing over the fields.

Above, a lone Ringed Plover on the Great Deeps was soon joined by a single Oystercatcher. Waders were at a premium today, though a few non-breeding birds were around. I did see quite a few Oystercatchers out on the Saltmarsh within the Harbour.

On reaching the Great Deeps, I checked out the bird life present that included at least 8 Common Terns flying low over the water. Some flew out over my head and into the harbour while the others flew east towards the new Tern Rafts present. I didn't have my scope with me and so I was not sure what was nesting on the rafts, but with this many Common Terns here, I assume they are nesting on them? On the nearby stretch of shoreline mud, singles of Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover were found and on the south side of the Great Deeps, both Little Egret and Grey Heron were stalking the shallow water close to one another. A few Shelduck swam on the water and out on the fields south of the Great Deeps, two Roe Deer were grazing.

Above, a pair of Roe Deer were seen grazing out in this field south of the Great Deeps and below, a fishing duo of Little Egret and Grey Heron also at the same location. The Grey Heron soon flew off, leaving the Egret to fish alone.

Above, the Tern Rafts on the Great Deeps. This is a new sighting for me and I'm really pleased that some good conservation work is taking place here. This brilliant island has so much to offer when it comes to wildlife that is so abundant here.

The walk back was pleasant enough, but now I was facing a breezy northerly wind, though it was nice once the sun reappeared from behind the few large clouds. On reaching the Little Deeps again, a Sedge Warbler was now in full song and showed well enough for me to grab a few nice photos. The footpath leading back towards my car held a singing Chiffchaff perched high on an overhead wire, while a family of Common Whitethroats were skulking about in the hedgerows near me including a couple of youngsters quivering their wings to be fed and a male Reed Bunting was observed flying over the nearby reedbeds and then land in a tree at the end of the path. Nearing the end of the footpath, a large Dragonfly landed on the ground and though a bit distant, I was sensible enough to grab a few photos of which I have now identified as a male Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonfly.

Above, one of the Common Terns climbing out of the water within the harbour and below, the singing Sedge Warbler by the Little Deeps that showed very well on the opposite side of the footpath.

Above, a female Helophilus pendulus Hoverfly on a Common Cats-ear flower. Believe it or not, this Hoverflies common name is The Footballer! Such a striking Hoverfly that I just had to photograph it.

I got the heads up from fellow ‘Lazee’ Mark Francis that there were up to 6 Black Terns now feeding among the Gull flock within the Solent; seen from the Brownwich area of Gosport. I am tempted to go to view them later today, but we shall see as I am absolutely knackered. It's not easy getting up at 4.45am; but ‘no pain then no gain’ as they say!  

Above, this Chiffchaff was seen along the footpath back to the car as well as this (below) male Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonfly. This was the first Dragonfly species I have been able to photograph this year. Hopefully, more to come later in the year.

Four more moths added to year list.

Friday 2nd June 2023

This May Highflyer was unexpected. I dont often get this species of moth in my garden often.

It was overcast when I ventured out in the garden at 4.45am this morning and this in turn produced a much better return of moths in and around my moth box. Hot coffee was close by and after putting out the Dried Mealworms for the House Sparrows, I got on and checked out what today had in store. Again, there was a northerly breeze blowing across the garden, which I thought would have put the moths off, but thankfully, I was wrong there.

White-point. This is a reasonably common immigrant moth that I get in small numbers in my moth trap. 

Another three nice macro  ‘year-ticks’ were added to my year moth year list that included a May Highflyer, Lychnis and a White-point moth. There were at least 34 moths of 17 species this morning which also included another Large Yellow Underwing, Turnip Moth and a Yellow-barred Brindle to add to the total. Much better than yesterday, so could be on the up?

Lychnis. Quite a striking looking moth of which they regularly occur in my garden throughout the warmer months.

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 3 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 May Highflyer (NFY)
• 2 Silver Y (1 deceased in a Spiders web)
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 1 White Ermine
• 1 White-point (NFY)
• 1 Lychnis (NFY)
• 4 Heart & Dart
• 4 Vine’s Rustic
• 1 Yellow-barred Brindle
• 1 Turnip Moth
• 4 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 2 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Brown House Moth
• 5 Light Brown Apple Moth   
• 1 Psychoides filicivora

To the birds now; and it seems that there was a good number of Black Terns in the Solent yesterday with up to 16 birds recorded. There was a frenzy of both Terns and Gulls within the Solent, feeding on a large shoal of small fish going through. Even my step son sent me some film footage from his mobile of a large flock of birds off Southsea beach! Sadly, I was too busy again to take advantage of seeing this, so I hope they might linger till today, fingers crossed. 

My step-son Russell sent me this film footage of the Gulls & Terns he saw off Southsea beach yesterday afternoon.

It was superb to see so many young Starlings in my garden a little later after checking the moths. I counted at least 10 juveniles following a couple of adults all around my garden hoping to be fed.

Some film footage of the young Starlings in my garden this morning.

Two additional new moths for the year.

Thursday 1st June 2023.

This Large Yellow Underwing moth was my first for the year.

Another new month and another very early morning with a clear blue sky. This could only mean that the moth numbers in my garden were going to be low again and sure enough there were just only 9 moths of 8 species. This is definitely a worrying trend for a lot of other people studying moths are reporting very low numbers too, especially on the south coast and are putting it down to a very poor wet spring last year. These overnight temperatures do not help either and therefore a lot of moths are not flying that far from where the food source is. This time last year, though again cold overnight, produced 30 moths of 14 species. Hopefully, the moth numbers will rise later this month? 

A Light Brown Apple Moth sharing some space with my first Treble Lines for the garden this year.

On a brighter note, my first Large Yellow Underwing moth of the year was present. This species even got a mention on last night's Springwatch due to the fact that a survey was done by four University Students on Nightjar poo! They analysed the DNA from the said poo and discovered that the majority of the DNA belonged to the Large Yellow Underwing species, but concluded that this moth is actually declining in numbers, while the Nightjars are slowly on the increase. As Spock would say ‘fascinating’!

Vine's Rustic.

My first Treble Lines for my garden this year was also present, after seeing one in Andy Fisher’s garden earlier last month. Even micros were low in numbers, with just three species present. I am now getting into the habit of potting the macro moths and releasing them when it's dark in the evening. I know the local House Sparrows have youngsters (I can hear them in their nests on my roof!), but I always put out dried Meal worms for them first thing and so saving the moths is paramount. During the month of May, I saw a  total of 61 species of moth, which wasn't too bad. Will the month of June break that record. 

The micro moth Notocelia cynosbatella. Only my second for the garden this year and my third for the year.

Moths present this morning in my garden included the following:

• 1 Large Yellow Underwing (NFY)
• 1 Treble Lines
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 1 Vine’s Rustic
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Mompha subbistrigella
• 1 Notocelia cynosbatella
• 1 Large Fruit-tree Tortrix (NFY)

Yesterday, I could of possibly had three ‘year-ticks’ when it comes to the birds as Pennington Marshes hosted a Temminck’s Stint, Little Stint and a Garganey and what with up to 6 Black Terns off Lee-on-Solent early in the morning, four could of been on the cards. Sadly, I was busy all day. The female Red-tailed Shrike, which would have been a ‘lifer’ for me, was a no show yesterday which would have disappointed a lot of birders I’m sure.

This Mother Shipton moth was found and photographed by Andy Dickety.

This was a late surprise. This male Large Fruit-tree Tortrix was found late this morning on a fence panel near my moth box.