Five moth 'year-ticks' added this morning.

Friday 10th May 2024.

Another good moth for the year list. This Rustic Shoulder-knot was my first for several years.

It was yet another very warm day here in Southsea and with a very light south easterly wind, after my first shift in Pembroke Road, I thought I would take a look over the Solent by an hour's sea-watch. The sea was dead calm and very hazy towards the Isle of Wight and the possibility of a Skua passing through was on the cards. However, I had my moth box to check over early this morning and several more ‘Year-ticks’ were present again.

Above, Vine's Rustic and below, Least Black Arches were also new for the year.

The Moth Box:

As mentioned, there was a good variety of moths present this morning that included my first Rustic Shoulder-knot, Willow Beauty, Vine’s Rustic, Pale Mottled Willow and Least Black Arches of the year. A total of 22 moths of 12 species this morning only goes to prove that it is getting better in variety and numbers of moths at last. I shall put the moth box on tonight (I don’t normally do that, but it has been quite a warm day) and hopefully both mine and Andy’s moth box will bring in some more that were new for the year.

• Rustic Shoulder-knot (New for Year)
• Vines Rustic (NFY) 2
• Double-striped Pug
• Brimstone Moth 3
• Least Black Arches (NFY)
• Pale Mottled Willow (NFY) 3
• Bright-line Brown-eye
• Garden Carpet
• Willow Beauty (NFY)
• Light Brown Apple Moth 4
• Ruddy Streak 2
• Narrow-winged Grey 2   

Above, both Willow Beauty and below, Pale Mottled Willow were also added to my moth year list.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The view overlooking the Solent while I was 'sea-watching'.

Another glorious morning where there were plenty of birds seen and heard around where I was working in Pembroke Road today. In all, 15 species were seen or heard throughout the day here which included a fine pair of Swifts that flew low down over the road. Surprisingly, there have been no Sparrowhawk sightings here all week and with the light winds, I was hoping for at least one raptor flying high over today. Both Greenfinch and Goldfinch were present today and again, a pair of Pied Wagtails were on the Bowling Green again.

Southsea Castle & The Solent:

Overlooking the Solent from the benches just east of the Castle, I spent a good hour here checking for anything of note. Sadly, still no Skua passing through the Solent during my time there, but a tidy small flock of 5 Whimbrel flew in a line heading eastbound fairly close in. Up to 5 Sandwich Terns flew past as did a lone Oystercatcher. Apart from a Swallow flying north, I have to say it was very quiet with lots of loafing Gulls some distance out on the sea. A Small White butterfly was fluttering about in the tall grass in front of me and eventually, I soon made my way back to the car. Fellow ‘Lazee’ Gary Fennemore had three pale-phased Arctic Skua’s close in off Sandy Point this afternoon.