After a warm night, another good array of moths.

Monday 12th August 2024.

The Vapourer Moth this morning.

Another sticky night with temperatures not much below 18 degrees, but it was clear and bright first thing this morning (5.45am). Surprisingly, there was only one moth that was new for the year, a Vapourer. This species is a rather common moth, but rarely seen settled as they have a distinctive flight pattern and are often seen during the day with their spiral flight. I often see them around this time of year over Highland Road Cemetery, so to get one sitting on the Moth Box is always rewarding.

Above, my first Flame Shoulder moth in my garden for several years and below, a Light Emerald moth with a Harlequin Ladybird.

Up to three Garden Tigers were present along with the long-staying Poplar Hawk-moth still perched on the same plant. The Plumed Fan-foot was also present and whether it is one of several in the area, I don't know, but it still is a very good moth to see. My first Flame Shoulder for many a year in my garden was a good find after seeing one in Devon a few weeks back. Other popular moths included a Light Emerald, 2 Marbled Green and a Tree-lichen Beauty. A total of 76 moths of 37 species were recorded today.

Elderberry Pearl.

The following moths were present this morning:

MACRO MOTHS:

• Bright-line Brown-eye
• Flame Shoulder
• Double-striped Pug
• Plumed Fan-foot
• Common Rustic
• Cabbage Moth
• Marbled Green 2
• Vapourer Moth (New for Year)
• Lime-speck Pug 5
• Poplar Hawk-moth
• Marbled Beauty 3
• Silver Y
• Tree-lichen Beauty
• Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
• Brimstone Moth 4
• Shuttle-shaped Dart 7
• Riband Wave
• Garden Carpet 2
• Garden Tiger 3
• Light Emerald
• Yellow-barred Brindle 2

MICRO MOTHS:

• Mint Moth 2
• Black-banded Masoner
• Brown House Moth
• Broom Shoot Moth
• Bud Moth
• Chestnut Moth
• Bird-cherry Ermine 3
• Common Masoner 2
• Dark-spotted Moss-moth 2
• Light Brown Apple Moth 7
• Elderberry Pearl
• Meal Moth
• Common Plume 9
• Garden Grey
• Tree-mallow Tortrix
• Dark Moss-moth

Two Plant Bugs were present in the Moth Box.

Other insects present in and around the Moth Box included two Plant Bugs and three Harlequin Ladybirds. Yesterday afternoon, the Flying Ants brought out good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls among the many Herring and Black-headed Gulls. Even the Swifts suddenly reappeared after an absence over the last few days. Most have now started to move south with birds probably the northern birds now pushing through. Today is going to be the hottest day of the year and I wonder what will be seen today on the south coast. The Semipalmated Sandpiper is once again on the Sidlesham Ferry Pool this morning and for the ‘twitchers’, the American Cliff Swallow is still on St. Mary’s, on the Isle of Scilly.

The potted August Thorn this afternoon.

This afternoon, I checked around the Moth Box and surrounding area for any moths I missed and flushed an August Thorn that quickly flew off but fortunately for me, it landed on the outside kitchen wall. I quickly potted it and checked it thoroughly to dismiss the closely related September Thorn. A few other moths flew off, but nothing of note. Over at the Paddocks at Northney, Hayling Island; the first Autumn's Pied Flycatchers was found by a fellow 'Lazee Birder', but subsequently disappeared shortly afterwards. I will probably try my luck this week if not, maybe Highland Road Cemetery might come up with the goods!

Above, a Pied Flycatcher was found at an undisclosed site in the New Forest on Sunday. Photo by Pete Appleton. Below, the Osprey at Fishlake Meadows. Photo by Rob Porter.