Another three figure number of moths.

Friday 23rd June 2023.

This Thistle Ermine was my first for the year.

Back to the moths first thing this morning as I awoke to a clear blue sky, though there were some clouds in the distance that were reflecting the early morning sunrise. Pretty. A pleasant temperature also of 15 degrees as I made my coffee and got about checking the moths outside. A few more species were added to my year list again as yet another reasonable number of moths were present. At 4.30am, it is still a bit dark around by the box, but once I start turning the light off, there is a bit of an exodus of moths passing me by to seek a darker place.

Above, Common Wainscot and below, the micro moth, Italian Tubic (Metalampra italica) were both new for the year.

There were another four more moth species added to my year list this morning that included the macro moths Common Wainscot and Marbled Beauty plus the micro moths Caloptilia rufipennella and the pretty Italian Tubic (Metalampra italica). Riband Wave was the most numerous, closely followed by the micro moth Garden Grass-veneer. A total of at least 111 moths of 38 species were recorded.

Another two more that were new for the year were above, Small Red Slender (Caloptilia rufipennella) and below, Marbled Beauty.

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 17 Riband Wave
• 4 Willow Beauty
• 5 Lime-speck Pug
• 5 Common Emerald
• 1 Marbled Beauty (NFY)
• 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 5 Heart & Dart
• 4 White Ermine
• 5 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Cabbage Moth
• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 3 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Common Wainscot (NFY)
• 1 Common Marbled Carpet
• 2 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Dark Arches
• 1 Lackey
• 6 Common Plume
• 1 Caloptilia rufipennella (NFY)
• 3 Aleimma loeflingella
• 1 Metalampra italica (NFY)
• 2 Ephestia woodiella
• 3 Tachystola acroxantha
• 4 Bee Moth
• 2 Brown House Moth
• 1 Crassa unitella
• 12 Garden Grass-veneer
• 1 Crambus pascuella
• 2 Diamond-back Moth
• 3 Blastobasis lacticolella
• 6 Box Tree Moth
• 1 Thistle Ermine (NFY)
• 1 Crescent Plume
• 1 Marbled Yellow-pearl
• 1 White-shouldered House Moth
• 1 Broom Shoot Moth
• 1 Beautiful Plume
• 1 Bud Moth

Above, my first Inlaid Grass-veneer (Crambus pascuella) in my garden this year and below, a Cinnabar Moth in Emma Parkes kitchen!

Above, this female Broad-bodied Chaser was in Andy Friend's garden this morning and showing very well to us both. Below, Emma Parkes photographed this Emperor Dragonfly in Whiteley Woods today.

Also in the same wood, this Golden-ringed Dragonfly (above) was also seen by Emma, along with this Ringlet butterfly (below).

New moths keep arriving.

Thursday 22nd June 2023.

Only my second ever Marbled Yellow-pearl seen. This is an uncommon immigrant moth and I am well pleased it ended up in my garden. I shall release it tonight from its pot once it's dark. 

I couldn't resist another moth session this morning at 4.30am (I need locking up & possibly therapy!!!) and so I put the moth box on and again last night and was rewarded with some decent moths that were added to my ever growing year list. It was overcast first thing this morning with a light breeze and judging by the white sheet and the surrounding area, it certainly looked promising.

Above, my first Clancy's Rustic of the year and below, the micro moth Dingy Dowd (Blastobasis adustella), another new moth for the year. The latter I see throughout the summer months.

Promising it was, with yet another rare moth in the bag as I found an immigrant moth resting on top of the box lid. It was a Marbled Yellow-pearl (Evergestis extimalis) and although they do breed in the UK in small numbers, it is considered to be an uncommon migrant here in the south. This was my second ever of this species. There were another three moth species that were new for the year and included a pristine Clancy’s Rustic. This species is now starting to be regular here in my garden (three years running), though by no means common either. Two relatively common macro moths made their annual debut today: Clepsis consimilana and Blastobasis adustella; both of which are abundant during the summer months. There was also my first Snout moth of the year for my garden (actually, it was inside my kitchen to be honest!) after one seen in Andy Fisher’s garden earlier this month. I have started to use the venicular names for a lot of the micros now, which should help those starting to learn moths and not totally refer to their scientific name.

Above, my first Privet Tortrix (Clepsis consimilana) of the year and below, the Yellow Oak Button (Aleimma loeflingiana), which is now turning up regularly this week.

Other notable moths included my second Buff-tip and Gold Triangle of the year. In total, there were 101 moths of 38 species. Away from moths, a family friend, Penny Townsend, had her regular Badgers outside her Gosport home again (see photo). I must try and get over there to see them for myself. Fellow 'Lazee Birder' Andrew Dickety sent me over several moths to ID from his Sister's house on the Isle of Wight. Glad to oblige.

The only Large Yellow Underwing in my moth box this morning. This species has gone relatively quiet again, but I liked this photo as it shows the bright underwing for a change. Mind you, why this species is called 'Yellow' instead of Orange, heaven knows! I think the chap who ID'd it must have been colour blind!

Moths present this morning included the following: 

• 10 Willow Beauty
• 7 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Common Emerald
• 4 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Dark Arches
• 7 Lime-speck Pug
• 2 Common Pug
• 2 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Snout
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 2 Garden Carpet
• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 7 Riband Wave
• 2 White Ermine
• 1 Buff Ermine
• 5 Heart & Dart
• 1 Buff-tip
• 1 Marbled Minor
• 2 Small Dusty Wave
• 1 Clancy’s Rustic (NFY)
• 1 Marbled Yellow-pearl (NFY)
• 2 Apple Leaf Miner
• 2 Clepsis consimilana (NFY)
• 5 Diamond-back Moth
• 1 Celypha striana
• 9 Garden Grass-veneer
• 1 Blastobasis adustella (NFY)
• 1 Psychoides filicivora
• 6 Common Plume
• 2 Ephestia woodiella
• 1 Tachystola acroxantha
• 3 Zeiraphera isertana
• 1 Gold Triangle
• 1 Mompha subbistrigella
• 1 Bee Moth
• 2 Box Tree Moth
• 2 Aleimma loeflingiana

A superb photo of one of Penny Townsend's Gosport Badgers last night.

This evening, some more moths were found around the house that included a Beautiful Plume, a Double-striped Pug and the Snout was still present near the back door to the garden. Another Dingy Dowd was identified by a kind chap on the UK Micro Moth Identification site to add to my day total. Last night, I had two Bats flying over our gardens, which I can only assume are Pipistrelle’s.

This Saturday, I am off to Durlston Head again for our annual pilgrimage to see the Puffins. John Goodall rang me tonight to arrange Saturday morning and he told me that he saw an Osprey flying north over Waterlooville today from his garden. Just goes to show that even in the height of summer, anything can turn up! 

I would like to round off the day with this superb photo of a Common Tern catching a fish off Pennington Marshes. Simply stunning. Photo by Ollie Crabbe.

A Peregrine over the garden.

Wednesday 21st June 2023.

Left, a juvenile House Sparrow perched in our Pyracantha while Dad Sparrow searches for a juicy insect for its youngster.

I spent just ten minutes out in my back garden this evening, hoping to get some photos of the delightful juvenile House Sparrows being fed by their parents. Up to three wing-quivering youngsters were seen begging to be fed as the parents frantically searched the shrubs and trees around my garden and occasionally popping onto the feeders to grab a Suet Pellet to either feed themselves or ground it down to feed one of the youngsters. 

Above, the youngster is still waiting and below, two of the three juveniles in search of food.

As well as a few Swifts making an appearance over the house, so did a couple of adult Mediterranean Gulls.

Anyway, it was interesting to watch as the youngsters followed and watched their parents in search of a tasty insect for them. All part of the learning process for these delicate birds in their early part of life; with the parents ever watchful for danger from the local Sparrowhawk or one of the Cats in the area.

The male Peregrine was flying over Southsea tonight.

While checking the Sparrows, a superb male Peregrine was seen flying high eastbound over Southsea, seen from my garden and thankfully, I had my camera to hand, though I think I shall raise the shutter speed to get clearer photos in the future. Still, I was pleased with these I have put on my blog tonight. It seems Peregrines are doing very well this year with both Winchester and Chichester birds raising good numbers of offspring. Both Emma Parkes and Christine Whiffen have taken some amazing photos of the birds of late. 

Above and below, Emma Parkes took these superb photos of the Peregrines at Winchester Cathedral.

Three moth 'lifers' in my moth box today.

Wednesday 21st June 2023.

My first ever Crescent Plume. A coastal species that finally made it by my moth box this morning.

Well, the longest day of the year is upon us and after yesterday’s early morning torrential rain and thunderstorms, it was back to normality today with a clear blue sky, not a breath of wind and me prancing about at 4.30am again this morning checking the moths! Yet again, I was in for a few surprises (that's why I do it folks!) among the many moths, though clearly nowhere near on how many moths I had yesterday; but still a reasonable total.

Above, Eligia similella and below, Dioryctria abietella were both 'lifers' for me.

A total of at least 112 moths were recorded this morning of 42 species and although slightly less numbers than yesterday, at least 7 were new for the year and three of those were new to my life list. Three micro moths were ‘lifers’ that included Eligia similella, Dioryctria abietella and a Crescent Plume. There were three species of macro moth that were new for the year that included a Barred Yellow, Burnished Brass (both rarely seen in my garden) and a rather worn Dun-bar moth. The micro moth Zeiraphera isertana was also new for the year and annual in my garden.

Two scarce moth species to my garden. Above, Barred Yellow and below, Burnished Brass.

Unlike yesterday, no moths were in double figures this morning, but at least there was a good variety to look through. There was a large Ichneuman Wasp present in my moth box this morning once I took the lid off, but I prompted it with a finger to fly off before the Sparrows had their way with it. Later, after breakfast, there was a lot of commotion going on near my kitchen, inside the house. One of the female House Sparrows had decided to search for moths INSIDE my house this morning and eventually, we got the poor knackered bird out of the house by opening up another back door!   

Above, my first Dun-bar moth of the year and below, the micro moth Zeiraphera isertana was also added to my year list.

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 5 Common Emerald
• 8 White Ermine
• 7 Riband Wave
• 6 Lime-speck Pug
• 2 Double-striped Pug
• 5 Willow Beauty
• 3 Dark Arches
• 2 Garden Carpet
• 4 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Barred Yellow (NFY)
• 5 Heart & Dart
• 1 Varied Coronet
• 2 Silver Y
• 1 White-point
• 2 Lackey
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 4 Pale Mottled Willow
• 2 Vine’s Rustic
• 1 Dun-bar (NFY)
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 1 Burnished Brass (NFY)
• 1 Dwarf Cream Wave
• 3 Common Plume
• 5 Diamond-back Moth
• 7 Garden Grass Veneer
• 6 Box Tree Moth
• 4 Bee Moth
• 1 ELEGIA SIMILELLA (LIFER)
• 3 Celypha striana
• 4 Apple Leaf Miner
• 1 Mompha subbistrigella
• 1 Ephestia woodiella
• 1 DIORYCTRIA ABIETELLA (LIFER)
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Blastobasis lacticolella
• 1 CRESCENT PLUME (LIFER)
• 1 Hawthorn Moth
• 1 Brown House Moth
• 1 Bud Moth
• 1 Eudonia mercurella
• 1 Aleimma loeflingiana
• 1 Zeiraphera isertana (NFY)

A friend of mine, who lives in nearby Gosport, has Badgers regularly turning up near her doorstep as she feeds them most nights. I, personally, have not seen a 'live' Badger for many years! Film footage by Penny Townsend.

Thunderstorm brings in the moths.

Tuesday 20th June 2023.

My second Small Elephant Hawk-moth of the year which was flanked by a couple of Garden Grass Veneer moths.

I was woken up early this morning to the sound of torrential rain outside and when I finally got out of bed at 5am to go and check on my moth box, I could hear thunder, which could be heard outside as the rain belted down outside. Thankfully, I could see a few moths near the moth box, which got my hopes up. Fortunately, the rain had stopped around 6am as the storm headed off north and so I got to work in checking in and around the moth box.

Two new moths for the year. Above, one of two Lackeys this wet morning and below, one of two Light Arches.

As expected, the vast majority of the moths were within the moth box, but I still achieved my highest total of the year so far with 132 moths of 41 species present this morning (still got another micro moth to ID) that included four more moths that were new for the year: Light Arches and Lackey plus two micro moths, Rosy Tabby (Endotricha flammealis) and Pine Marble (Piniphila bifasciana). My second Small Elephant Hawk-moth was present upon one of the egg trays inside the moth box and also my second Variegated Fruit-tree Tortrix of the year was also present.

Left, my first Rosy Tabby of the year with a Common Emerald to the right.

Thankfully, the rain kept off and it took me over 30 minutes to go through the many moths present. 

My first Pine Marble of the year.

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 Small Dusty Wave
• 12 Riband Wave
• 2 Dark Arches
• 7 Willow Beauty
• 5 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 18 Pale Mottled Willow
• 9 Common Emerald
• 3 Garden Carpet
• 6 White Ermine
• 1 Buff Ermine
• 3 Lime-speck Pug
• 2 Common Pug
• 1 Freyer’s Pug
• 2 Silver Y
• 2 Lackey (NFY)
• 1 Clay
• 1 White-point
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 10 Heart & Dart
• 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 2 Light Arches (NFY)
• 1 Vine’s Rustic
• 1 Small Elephant Hawk-moth
• 8 Box Tree Moth
• 2 Common Plume
• 9 Garden Grass Veneer
• 3 Ephestia woodiella
• 1 Meal Moth
• 1 Bud Moth
• 1 Hawthorn Moth
• 2 Endotricha flammealus (NFY)
• 1 Broom Shoot Moth
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Apple Leaf Miner
• 1 Beautiful Plume
• 2 Anania coronata
• 2 Eudonia mercurella
• 1 Variegated Golden Tortrix
• 1 Bee Moth
• 1 Piniphila bifasciana (NFY)
• 1 Diamond-back Moth

My first ever Lizard Orchids.

Monday 19th June 2023.

One of at least ten Lizard Orchids I saw this morning at a secret location

Fellow Birder and nature lover, Emma Parkes, had put a photo on the ’ Lazee’  Whatsapp site of a Lizard Orchid, which is quite a scarce species here on the south coast, but the details of exactly where I shall have to omit because of its secret location. Emma kindly gave me the actual site and this morning, I went along to go and view this gorgeous plant for myself.

Above, both Kidney Vetch and below, Tufted Vetch was present along with Ox-eye Daisies at the site.

Parking up near the site, I took the directions sent to me and already, I could see several Pyramidal Orchids on display close to the main footpath. But it did not take me long to spot one of the Lizard Orchids showing proudly amongst the tall grass near the main footpath and in fact, I found at least 10 plants in all and that was without trudging through the long grass to find them. They are relatively tall plants, standing some 14 to 20 inches in height and quite spectacular too’ a species that I have not ever seen before, hence the short trip to see them.

Above, a Rough Hawkbit (left) growing next to a Pyramidal Orchid. Below, a Meadow Grasshopper on brambles.

Other typical chalky grassland plants nearby included both Kidney and Tufted Vetch as well as Ox-eye Daisy and all these plants were attracting a lot of Marbled White butterflies and a few Meadow Brown’s. Though I did not have a lot of time on my hands, I enjoyed the 15 minutes or so I had here. A Chiffchaff was seen singing from an overhead wire and a Mistle Thrush was heard singing nearby as well.

Marbled White butterflies on the wing at today's site.

Earlier today, on my first shift in Old Portsmouth, a calling Grey Wagtail flew low over my head, heading southbound towards the seafront. A non-breeder perhaps? I didn't put the moth box on last night and regretted it as my body clock went off at 4am this morning! Groan! Yesterday afternoon, there were a few waders present down Farlington Marshes that included a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Common Snipe, 5 Grey Plover and up to 56 Black-tailed Godwit. Birding pal, Geoff Farwell, took a trip yesterday to Noar Hill where he saw a pair of Firecrests tending to a newly fledged brood. Also present were 3 Common Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, Marsh Tit and 2 Grey Partridge. Both Dark Green Fritillary and Small Blue butterflies were seen plus a huge show of Orchids growing too.