Another new moth for the year & a trip to Old Winchester Hill.

Saturday 21st September 2024.

The large rain cloud was heading our way while we were on the Fort. My new waterproof coat done the business kept me dry, though my jeans took a good soaking.

There was no sign of yesterday’s Pectoral Sandpiper early morning down Farlington Marshes and so as there seemed to be a lot of visible migration overhead and as the weather was overcast and a north-easterly blowing, I suggested we all go to Old Winchester Hill. There is always a chance of a good migrant or two and should anything turn up in southern Hampshire, we could always make our way there afterwards. One thing we didn't count on was a heavy shower over the Hill, but I had brought my wet weather gear and so didn't get a soaking like I did last time it hammered down here.

The Moth Boxes:

My first Buff Footman of the year.

A fair selection in and around my Moth Box this morning that included a Footman species that had me scratching my head. After carefully going through my ID guide, I actually got a better look of it later when I got back home from birding with the guys and I am now convinced it was actually a Buff Footman; my first one of the year. There were some other nice moths too that have been scarce this year in my garden that included yesterday’s Scarce Bordered Straw, Clancy’s Rustic and a Maiden’s Blush. My first Common Marbled Carpet of the Autumn finally arrived among the moths too. A total of 46 moths of 22 species were recorded today. 

Just the one Old Lady moth present this morning.

The Moths present in and around my Moth Box included the following:

MACRO MOTHS:

• Old Lady
• Buff Footman (New for Year)
• Double-striped Pug 4
• Scarce Bordered Straw
• Clancy’s Rustic
• Maiden’s Blush
• Willow Beauty 4
• Pale Mottled Willow
• Square-spot Rustic
• Garden Carpet 2
• L-album Wainscot 6
• Common Marbled Carpet
• Lesser Yellow Underwing 3
• Angle Shades

MICRO MOTHS:

• Box-tree Moth 4
• Rusty-dot Pearl 2
• Light Brown Apple Moth 2
• Ruddy Streak 4
• Narrow-winged Grey
• Common Plume 3
• Tree-mallow Tortrix
• Pale-backed Detritus Moth

Meanwhile, over at Andy’s Moth trap, there was less variety, though that was to be expected. A few notable moths here this morning included a Straw Dot, Blair’s Mocha, Lunar Underwing and my second Common Marbled Carpet among the 27 moths of 15 species. Overhead, a Grey Wagtail put in an appearance as it flew over the rooftops and a Chiffchaff was calling nearby.

Above, a mixture of both Large and Lesser Yellow Underwings, L-album Wainscot and Lunar Underwing. Below, a Common Marbled Carpet.

The moths present in his garden this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHS:

• L-album Wainscot 4
• Straw Dot
• Blair’s Mocha
• Willow Beauty
• Lesser Yellow Underwing 4
• Large Yellow Underwing 4
• Square-spot Rustic 3
• Lunar Underwing
• Common Marbled Carpet
• Garden Carpet

MACRO MOTHS:

• Narrow-winged Grey
• Box-tree Moth 2
• Ruddy Streak
• Light Brown Apple Moth
• Rusty-dot Pearl

Old Winchester Hill, Meon Valley:

This Dock Bug was found while we took a rest on one of the benches near the Fort entrance. I saw one earlier this year in Andy's back garden.

This morning here can best be remembered for the large number of House Martins flying through. There were easily at least 500+ seen throughout the morning, coming through in waves with smaller numbers of Swallows among them. I remember a few years back, roughly the same time, when exactly the same thing happened when there was a constant flow of House Martins passing through this site and it's incredible to note, they are hardly seen during the Summer months and then a huge number pours through. It really was amazing to watch.

Above, Parasol Toadstools growing on the top of the Fort area and below, Andy making his way up the south slope on the Fort.

Above, Andy finally gets to the top of the south slope and below, a passing Red Kite passes overhead.

As expected, there were good numbers of both Chiffchaff and Blackcap on the Hill, but no other species of Warbler were seen on our walk here today. Where are all the Whitethroats gone? Of the Corvids seen, at least two Jays were seen flying over the valley below and a few Ravens were seen too, albeit distantly. Raptors seen here included at least three Red Kites and a few distant Common Buzzards. A lone Kestrel was seen hovering around the Fort area, until flying off north over the countryside. A couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen and a Green Woodpecker was heard only. Will we ever find a Wryneck here one day? The track leading to the Fort produced sightings of Bullfinch, Coal Tit and a flock of 14 Yellowhammers; the latter all flying into the adjacent field. Meadow Pipits also were abundant, with many flocks flying overhead. There was just the one Tree Pipit seen this morning that was flying north from the Fort area shortly after that weather front had pushed through. This was Geoff's first one for the Autumn.

Above, a juvenile Bullfinch and a Greenfinch down at the bottom of the south slope and below, the male Redstart on the slope itself.

Above, another view of the Redstart and below, a male Yellowhammer with a Greenfinch down at the bottom of the south slope.

Other notable sightings included a brief sighting of a Firecrest also along the footpath leading to the Fort and a nice male Redstart was seen on the south slope of the Fort; perched in a small bush, picking off insects that flew close by. Down at the bottom of the slope, there were good numbers of Greenfinch in the trees and these were joined by a few Chiffchaff and Blackcaps flitting about among them.

Above, a Carline Thistle growing on the South Slope and below, a pair of Meadow Brown butterflies in the same area.

Above and below, at least two Adonis Blue butterflies were also in the same area.

The south slope, which is famous for its rare chalkland plants, also held a few butterflies on the wing that included good numbers of Meadow Brown, a few Red Admirals and best of all, at least two Adonis Blue’s. A variety of insects were noted during our walk here today and that included the Toothed Tiger Ichneumon Wasp, Plantain Leaf Beetle, a Dock Bug and a Common Green Shieldbug. Roesel’s Bush Crickets could be heard in good numbers, but too hidden to find in the undergrowth. I found a few Parasol Toadstools growing at the top of the Fort, though I did think they were Horse Mushrooms, but on closer inspection with the photos, they were most definitely Parasols.

A Plantain Leaf Beetle and below, a Toothed Tiger Ichneumon Wasp.

Above, several Black Slugs were seen in the damp grass. Below, the view of the countryside from the bottom of the South Slope.

Above, Geoff overlooking the South Slope and the sheep in the background. Sadly, I had to remind a few dog walkers in keeping their dogs on a lead. Obviously, some people just choose to ignore the big signs put up for the dog walkers. Below, Geoff pointed out this Dogwood growing on the Hill.

One of the Adonis Blue butterflies on the South Slope on Old Winchester Hill.

Coombe village:

The Barns that held a number of interesting birds.

Near Old Winchester Hill is the small hamlet of Coombe and seeing we had some time on our hands, I suggested going down into the valley here at Coombe and check out the birdlife here from the side of the road, overlooking the farm to the north. Geoff occasionally does bird recording here in the Winter and as we were in the full throes of migration, I fancied checking out the area for an hour or so. There were plenty of sheep grazing in the fields in the distance which attracted a lot of Corvids. Good numbers of Stock Doves were seen flying over and at least 5 Red Kites and a couple of Common Buzzards were seen soaring over the top of the slopes. We found at least 5 Chiffchaffs around the Barn area, easily picking off the many insects here along with a pair of Pied Wagtails. It really is a lovely location  and as I said to Geoff, I wonder how many species would be seen if I started at first light here? 

The countryside near the Barns. Geoff had a gathering of over 30 birds here last winter and today, both Red Kite and Common Buzzard were all over the place.