My third Figure of Eighty moth ever. The name of the moth comes from the white markings in the centre of the wing.
The moth box went on last night due to the fact it was such a very warm afternoon and evening yesterday and therefore looked very promising for something interesting. Both my first shift and second shift were fairly quiet again today in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, but I am now getting daily sightings of the Swifts. It was overcast and rather cool at first this morning, but this afternoon it certainly got a lot warmer, especially standing for long periods in the sunshine.
Above, my first Shuttle-shaped Dart of the year and below, my second Buff Ermine of the year.
The Moth Box:
This morning, I found my third ever Figure of Eighty perched on one of the egg trays within the moth box and my first Shuttle-shaped Dart of the year as well. Up to three Brimstone Moths were good and singles of Silver Y, Buff Ermine and Garden Carpet were welcome to my May moth list. Again, micro moths were dominated with Light Brown Apple Moths. There was another interesting macro moth but it flew off before I had a chance to properly identify it.
Above, a Garden Carpetmoth was perched near the light bulb and below, a Bright-line Brown-eye moth on one of the egg trays.
Species present this morning included the following:
Figure of Eighty (New for year)
Silver Y
Buff Ermine
Brimstone Moth 3
Shuttle-shaped Dart (NFY)
Bright-line Brown-eye
Garden Carpet
Narrow-winged Grey
Light Brown Apple Moth 8
Ruddy Streak 5
Not only moths get caught in my trap. This Spotted Meliscaeva hoverfly was present within the moth box.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Sadly, there was a paltry number of 12 species seen here on both shifts today and probably the three Swifts seen were arguably the best sighting today here. A pair of Pied Wagtails were on the Bowling Green again early this morning at 8am, but nothing of note flying over today. A Purple Heron was seen several times this morning at Titchfield Haven and possibly could be the Pagham Harbour bird that has now moved on. In my garden around lunchtime, two Holly Blue's and a Small White butterfly were seen along with many Bees and Hoveflies.
Whiteley Pastures, Whiteley:
Tonight, Andy Fisher picked me up to join fellow ‘Lazee’s’ at Whiteley Pastures to hopefully see the Nightjars which were present last night here at this magnificent site. Earlier today, Andy Friend put on the Whatsapp site that there was to be a Nightjar night for all Lazee’s to attend if they want and seeing it was such a calm night and also my wife was away for the evening, why not? Yes, there was hardly any wind and it was a cloudless evening and so off we went.
Not only Nightjars were a possibility, but also this area is good for both Woodcock and Nightingales and as it happened, we managed to see all three! Firstly, the Nightingales. There were at least three birds singing deep within cover and actually going to see one was going to be a challenge. Thankfully, one was not too far from the main footpath and eventually, it gave itself up very briefly flitting about in deep cover and it actually flew over our heads to start singing again in the opposite thicket. Andy managed to grab just three very brief sightings, but enough to add to his year list.
While checking the Nightingales, we could hear the occasional Nightjar ‘churring’ in the distance, but it wasn't till well after 9pm that the first Nightjar showed as we picked up its distinctive flight call and then I saw it flying low over the trees. However, one bird eventually flew high over the footpath and showed well before flying back over the thicket again and out of view. The Nightjar sightings were brief, but the Woodcocks were much more obliging as they did their ‘roding’ flight over our heads and the neighbouring thicket several times. You knew they were coming as you could hear their distinctive ‘twisick’ call before seeing them. I never saw this species last year and having had so many sightings of this lovely bird tonight, that surely made up for that.
Andy and I have never done birding in the evening here before and I am sure we will be coming back again. What a place! Not only Nightjars and Woodcocks, but a background song of Nightingales too and let's not forget the two Tawny Owls calling in the distance too. A large Bat flew over and plenty of pale looking moths flew past. Sadly, no photos were taken as some ‘numbnuts’ forgot to put his Memory Card in his camera! Doh!
A sunny evening over Highland Road Cemetery today.
It was back to work this morning and today turned out to be very warm indeed. A light northerly wind blew across Southsea on a nice sunny day where on both my shifts in Pembroke Road, there were all the usual birds on show today. Sadly, nothing was out of the ordinary here today, but at least it was dry. In the evening, I took the dogs for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery and it was pleasing to finally hear the Swifts over my local patch.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
As mentioned, all the regular birds were present with up to 14 species seen today. Surprisingly, there were no Swifts seen over Old Portsmouth, but I am sure they will be here sometime this week. A Small White butterfly was seen flying close to the main road and a small micro moth fluttering around by my plants looked good for a Carnation Tortrix.
A pair of Swifts high over the Cemetery this evening and below, a pair of Collared Doves flying over the southern end of the Cemy.
Above, one of the Collared Doves landed close to the main footpath and below, I believe I was near where a Robin was nesting nearby.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
Earlier today, I was finishing off potting some plants in my back garden and I noticed a good number of Swifts overhead. A flock of 8 birds were wheeling high in the sky, calling loudly until dispersing across the sky. Though a lot of the birds within the Cemetery were keeping a low profile, you could still hear them singing their hearts out within the trees. Again, more Swifts were heard overhead and at least four birds were seen sailing high in the sky. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was found flying around by the west perimeter wall along with several Herring Gulls. I think it's the first Lesser Black-backed I have seen here in the Cemy this year. There was nothing else out of the ordinary here this evening and now it's No Mow May. I will be looking forward to checking the growth of the plants here.
Above, a female Blackbird searching for food and below, the adult Lesser Black-backed Gull on one of the houses by the perimeter wall.
In Hampshire today, there was a small Red Kite movement with double figures passing high overhead. A Fulmar was seen off Sandy Point, Hayling Island and a pair of Hobbies were flying over Portsdown Hill. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen briefly at the IBM Lake, Cosham and a Yellow Wagtail was on Posbrook Floods. Elsewhere in the UK, a staggering 265 Red Kites went west over Abbotsbury Swannery, Dorset! More locally, a Temminck’s Stint was on the Stilt Pool, Medmerry RSPB Reserve and a Wood Sandpiper tonight near Honer Reservoir, Pagham Harbour.
Above, the Alpine Accentor that was found at Pitstone Quarry, Buckinghamshire last Saturday. Photos and film footage by Toby Carter. It is one species I have always wanted to see, but this was yet another 'one day' bird.
A pair of Great Crested Grebes passing through east over the Solent.
With all those Skua’s passing through the Solent, especially a few Pomarine Skuas, I had to do a sea-watch this morning and so grabbing both Geoff Farwell and Andy Fisher this morning, we then made our way to Gilkicker to view from the concrete Shelter overlooking Stokes Bay. The weather was not looking great, with plenty of rain showers, although mostly over the Isle of Wight by the look of it, but having the benefit of the shelter, we had a trickle of movement this morning, which included another ‘year-tick’ for me and Geoff.
Above and below, Sandwich Terns flew up and down the shoreline in Stokes Bay.
Above, this male Pied Wagtail walked about our feet by the shelter and below, a pair of Shelduck flew west close in.
Stokes Bay:
There was a very light northerly wind blowing offshore and the Solent was dead calm and so picking off the birds over the Solent was relatively easy, though it was a bit misty at times. Swallows were coming in off the sea in fits and starts and heading north-west and even several Swifts were seen coming in. Though we had no Skua’s through during the four hours we spent there from 8am onwards, we did hear that an Arctic Skua and up to 4 Black Terns were seen off Cut Bridge (Milford-on-sea), with the birds over on the Isle of Wight side; but sadly, they never made their way past us.
Above, there was some huge shipping going through the Solent including this whopper and below, Sea Campion growing abundantly on the beach.
Above, Geoff checking the Solent from the shelter. Below, yet another Sandwich Tern fishing along the shoreline.
Geoff picked out a Diver passing through eastbound low over the sea and we eventually all agreed it was a Red-throated Diver. After checking photos on my laptop, it was in full summer plumage. Andy saw an adult Gannet flying west and I quickly got onto it through the scope. The same bird eventually turned round and headed off back eastbound and then another soon followed. About an hour later, two adult birds together also were seen flying east. These were my first Gannets of the year and that put a grin on my face. Andy had already seen one off Sandy Point way back in January. There were a few waders passing through that included two Whimbrel east; 6 Dunlin headed east along the shoreline (a group of four birds and then two birds; all in summer plumage) and at least two Oystercatchers. Sandwich Terns flew up and down the shoreline throughout the morning and just 7 Common Terns were seen during our spell here.
Above, though distant, this Red-throated Diver passed through eastbound and below, one of many Swallows seen coming in off the sea.
Above, one of several Swifts seen also coming in off the sea and below, a male Linnet in front of the shelter.
Other sightings today included two Brent Geese flying together eastbound, a pair of Mallard westbound, 2 Mediterranean Gulls west, 2 Great Crested Grebes east and one on the sea, a male Kestrel headed east along the shoreline and on the beach, a pair of Pied Wagtails fed a youngster on the promenade and a pair of Linnets were also seen. On Farlington Marshes this morning, a drake Garganey was present and yesterday's Wood Sandpiper was also present (Geoff saw the Wood Sandpiper yesterday).
Above, an adult female Pied Wagtail was with its juvenile offspring on the promenade and below, one of the Swallows flying over the shelter having just come in off the sea.
Another cool start to the day with bright sunshine waking me up this morning. I had a lot of writing to do for my blog this morning after yesterday's superb day and so I got up early at 5am to not only start updating my blog but also to check the moth box. I don't normally put the moth box two nights consecutively, but I made an exception and thankfully, it paid off. I had Terry, my window cleaner, putting up another three Swift nest boxes this morning at 10am and he was promptly on time too, though, annoyingly, it had clouded over and drizzle began falling down.
Above, a Bloxworth Snout and below, the micro moth Ruddy Streak.
The Moth Box:
Another new moth for the year was by my moth box this morning that included a Common Pug that was perched on the box below the moth box. Other moths present included a Bloxworth Snout, 2 Brimstone Moths, 2 Double-striped Moths, 1 Narrow-winged Grey and finally, 10 Light Brown Apple Moths. Not too bad, but I am hoping for more as the month wears on.
The Woodchat Shrike at Steart Marshes in Somerset. Photo by Matt Parkes.
There was a ‘Lazee’s’ sea-watch this morning at Gilkicker, but I had far too much to do and so I had to dip out. A light-phase Pomarine Skua went through the Solent again, heading east fairly close in according to the observer and another went through later in the morning. An Arctic Skua was also seen heading east, but very little else. Two Black-necked Grebes in summer plumage were seen off Western Sailing Club. Yesterday, Emma and Matt Parkes went up to Slimbridge to see the Bluethroat that has returned there for the past four years. On the way back, they popped into Steart Marshes in Somerset where they had a ‘lifer’ in the form of a Woodchat Shrike.
The view looking east from Woolmer Forest. Large areas of burnt heath-land and trees was not what I was expected here at Woolmer today.
We took a drive north today, up to the superb area of Woolmer Pond and the Forest and Heath beyond, a place I always refer to as a mini New Forest. The weather was perfect with hardly any wind and bright sunshine brought out a good variety of birds, flowers and insects to entertain us three old Codgers! After Woolmer Pond, spurred on by some nice butterflies seen, I wanted to try my luck at nearby Noar Hill for the Duke of Burgundy butterflies, a site where they are famous for them and draws many admirers to this beautiful part of Hampshire. But first, there were two Moth Boxes to check both at my house and Andy’s house and I was in for a few new moths for the year too.
Above, this Dock Bug was in Andy's garden this morning and below, my first Yellow-barred Brindle moth of the year that was in my garden.
The Moth Boxes.
Kicking off the day at 4.45am (what on earth…….?), I got out of bed and eventually checked the moth box and the surrounding area. Two more ‘year-ticks’ were found that included a Yellow-barred Brindle perched on the outside kitchen wall and a Buff Ermine, which, unfortunately, I could not photograph as the moth dropped into my neighbours garden while I was trying to pot the damn thing! These moths like to ‘play dead’ when handled and so the moment was lost when I tried to get a photo of it. Other moths present included the following: 2 Double-striped Pugs and 6 Light Brown Apple Moths. After picking Geoff up and arriving at Andy’s house, I quickly got into his moth trap, but there were very few moths. Just two Brimstone Moths were present, which was really disappointing. Yes, it was clear overnight, but I did expect more to be here.
Above, this Red Kite soared low over our heads at Woolmer Pond. Below, one of the singing Garden Warblers by the Pond.
Above, a Lesser Redpoll by the woodland next to the Pond. I had read earlier this week they had been seen here at this location.
One of the singing Garden Warblers this morning at Woolmer Pond.
Woolmer Pond, nr Bordon:
After parking up in the small car park nearby, Geoff, Andy and myself made our way to the Pond where we listened out for any Spotted Flycatchers along the woodland footpath leading to the Pond. Sadly, none to be heard or seen, but Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Great Tits could be heard singing unseen within the woodland. On reaching the perimeter road, we walked anticlockwise first to view the southern end of the Pond and scrub. From here, we came across a gorgeous Garden Warbler singing and showing fairly well up in the trees opposite the Pond, the bird was seen later in the trees and bushes just south of the Pond. A second singing male was discovered close by the original bird.
Above, up to three Peacock butterflies were seen in the Cottage garden and below, Stonechats were seen throughout the area including this female bird.
Does this look like a very happy Andy Fisher after adding both Cuckoo and Tree Pipit to his Hampshire year list? Below, a 'teneral' form of freshly emerged Large Blue Damselfly.
A good scan over the Pond looking north, Geoff picked out a lone Sand Martin flying over, while on the Pond itself, up to two pairs of Little Grebes could be seen along with Mallard and Tufted Duck. Canada Geese were present, including a pair with two Goslings. A Red Kite drifted low overhead and all the plumage detail could be clearly seen in the bright sunshine. There was no sign of any Tree Pipit here on territory (a good spot here every year for this species), but I did find a male Stonechat nearby and several Linnets in the Gorse bushes. As we started making our way clockwise around the Pond, I found what I thought was a female Siskin feeding with Goldfinches high up in the trees, but on closer inspection, it was in fact a Lesser Redpoll! A Woodlark could be heard singing somewhere overhead and I soon picked out the bird distantly flying high near the woodland over on the east side of the Pond.
Above, the Tree Pipit seen near Woolmer Forest and below, an adult male Stonechat keeping an eye out on one of its youngsters. Another youngster was seen nearby.
Above, a distant Woodlark was singing on the edge of the Forest and below you can just see this Hobby at the base of the upright dead tree.
I was checking the plants as we walked on and there was literally a carpet of blue and purple with both Germander Speedwell and Storksbill all along the edge of the road. ‘Proper’ wild Bluebells were seen as well, which in turn attracted a lot of small Damselflies, notably the ‘Teneral’ type that were flitting along in their near see-through form. However, there seemed to be plenty of Large Red Damselflies on the wing and these were joined by good numbers of Four-spotted Chaser dragonflies that seemed to be everywhere. As it happens, this in turn was good news for the local Hobbies here of which we were lucky to see at least two birds this morning feeding over the large lake by Woolmer Forest.
Above, one of several Large Red Damselflies seen in the woodland and below, the flowering Lousewort plant.
Above, our first Small Copper butterfly of the year enjoying this Lousewort flower. Below, some of the devastation the fire had caused over the heath to the east of Woolmer Forest.
As we made our way to the Cottage for a cup of coffee from our respective flasks, Geoff saw our first Cuckoo of the year flying west low over the scrub to the north. Our first of two ‘year-tick’ today and pleased with our first Cuckoo of the year, we made our way into the garden. From here, we watched a pair of Goldcrests having a bit of a tussle in a Conifer and a singing Chiffchaff high up in a dead tree. Andy found a female Blackcap up in one of the trees and another Woodlark was heard to sing somewhere north of where we sat by the old fallen tree. There was a lot of Bracken growing here in the garden and this attracted at least three Peacock butterflies and at least one Holly Blue butterfly.
Above, this burnt Pine Cone was testament of the damage done by the fire here. Below, a superb Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly finally settled for me to grab a photo.
Above and below, this Hobby was feasting on Dragonflies.
As we neared the Forest, it didn't take long to find the Hobbies going about chasing dragonflies over the large pond area in front of Woolmer Forest, both taking advantage of the dead Conifers out on the heath. Though a little distant, the birds performed superbly and if you had a long lensed camera, I think you would of been in for a treat. A pair of Stonechats nearby were concerned by our presence as they were looking after two fledgeling youngsters close by and were also joined by a female Reed Bunting and two Chaffinches in the same small Silver Birch. A few Common Buzzards could be soaring in the distance as we made our way along the track and then up flew our second ‘year-tick’ of the day, a Tree Pipit. The bird sat on an exposed branch on one of the Conifers and allowed me a fairly close approach to take a few photos. A Redstart could be heard singing nearby, but we never got onto the bird. Yet, another Woodlark was heard singing and this time, I located the bird perched high on a conifer by the edge of the Forest singing its heart out.
Above, a female Tufted Duck with a Little Grebe on the Pond. Below, Canada Geese also swimming on the Pond with their Goslings.
As we walked through the Forest, we noticed that there must have been a Forest fire here because the base of all the trees were scorched and black. In fact, the fire must have gone into the heath beyond the Forest as most of the area was black and sporting grass and Bracken instead of Heather and Gorse. Who knows how much wildlife was lost here and I was not aware that there was a fire here recently and can only assume it happened earlier this year? On a positive side, I could see new plants growing in the Forest and I am sure it will rebuild itself over the coming months. On reaching the other side of the Forest, we took in the sheer beauty of the area and one can see why I call it the ‘mini New Forest’. The different shades of green in the distance is simply stunning in the sunshine and overhead, we admired a group of raptors soaring that included two Red Kites and three Common Buzzards circling amongst each other. Bliss. As we walked along the footpath here, our first Small Copper butterfly of the year was found nectaring on a small flower which Geoff quickly identified as Lousewort. This then gave me the idea of paying Noar Hill a visit for a species I have never seen before, the Duke of Burgundy of which the guys quickly agreed to. From our viewpoint overlooking the heath and woods in the distance, we could hear another Tree Pipit singing in the distance, which kind of rounded off our trip here and so we made our way slowly back to the car, enjoying good views of the Dragonflies and Damselflies and also the Hobbies on the way back. It's a stunning place that never disappoints and thankfully, very few ‘non-birders’ explore. We did come across a couple of birders who also enjoyed the Hobbies and told us that they had seen some Crossbills earlier.
Above, the entrance sign for Noar Hill and below, we were greeted with this singing Common Whitethroat.
Noar Hill, nr Selbourne:
Unfortunately, the clouds were closing in when we parked in the road near Noar Hill, though I was optimistic in seeing the ‘star’ butterfly of which we did. It was more luck than judgment as a young lady, who was also looking for butterflies with her son, spotted a Duke of Burgundy and quickly pointed it out to us as we were walking up the footpath on the Hill. Lucky for us, the butterfly landed and we were quickly onto the insect though it mostly had its wings closed. Never mind, even the underwing is stunning to look at as I grabbed a lot of photos of the said insect. Over the moon with the sighting, surely with all the Cowslips around, of which the whole area was carpeted in them (what a sight!), there surely must be more of these small butterflies around, but with it being overcast overhead, butterflies were very hard to come by. In fact, the only butterflies seen were a Holly Blue and a Peacock during the couple of hours we were there. So we decided to concentrate on the Orchids growing here of which Early Purple Orchids were also growing abundantly.
Above and below, Andy and mines' first ever Duke of Burgundy butterfly. What a stunner!
Above, there were plenty of Yellowhammers around and below, the Cowslip plants, an important food source for the Duke of Burgundy butterflies, were everywhere.
There was another unusual species here that I have never ever seen before; Fairy Shrimps. Earlier last month, both Matt and Emma Parkes paid a visit here and found where the Fairy Shrimps were and sent me photos of them. Geoff knew where to look for them and after finding a few large puddles caused by tractors most likely and now filled with rain water, we soon found these small creatures in good numbers in one of the larger puddles! Incredible looking things and apparently, Geoff was telling us that when the puddles dry out, the creatures buy themselves deep within the mud and come back out again when the rut fills with rain water again! Amazing stuff.
Above, one of many Twayblades growing on the Hill and below, another view of the carpeted Hill with Cowslips.
Above and below, the dark shapes you can see are the Fairy Shrimps.
Some film footage of the Fairy Shrimps at Noar Hill.
The bird life here was also not bad either with good numbers of singing Yellowhammers around and a supporting cast of singing Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff as well as soaring Common Buzzards overhead. A Green Woodpecker was heard somewhere nearby and a Marsh Tit showed well for us and actually chased and nearly caught a Holly Blue butterfly. Geoff said that this site was also good in the Autumn for passing migrants. The viewpoints overlooking the countryside here were breathtaking and one could easily spend all day here. We are sure to come back soon here for more butterflies and plants as well as the birds in the near future.
Above and below, this Marsh Tit showed well at the top of the Hill.
Above, this Common Carpet moth gave us the runaround until it finally settled and below, some of the woodland here was carpeted in Ramson plants.
Above, you don't often see singing Yellowhammers on the ground! Below, one of many Early Purple Orchids growing on the Hill.
