Another stunning moth & a trip to the Cemy.

Thursday 7th November 2024.

The Jay in Highland Road Cemetery this morning.

The weather has been the same all week, with low clouds and hardly any wind and the temperatures hovering around 12 to 14 degrees. A quick check of the Moth Box revealed just 4 moths this morning of which one turned out to be a real surprise. It was back to Pembroke Road again this morning as I kept an eye out for anything interesting during my hour there. When I got home from my first shift, I took the dogs for a nice walk around Highland Road Cemetery. Though fairly quiet, both a Green Woodpecker and Chiffchaff showed well.

The Moth Box:

Only my second ever Oak Rustic moth.

Yet, another Golden Twin-spot moth was present again within my Moth Box, which begs the question, how many of this rare Mediterranean species are out there in Portsmouth or are there more making their way to our shores (sounds familiar doesn’t it?). However, another dark looking macro moth was in the Moth Box and at first, because of the poor light this morning, I thought it was a Black Rustic and took a few photos. Other moths present included a couple of Double-striped Pugs.

Another Twin-spot Rustic this morning.

I checked my photos a little later and I was sure now that the Black Rustic was in fact something completely different and when I got home from my first shift, I confirmed it was my first Oak Rustic for my Moth Trap in my garden. This is only the second individual I have ever seen and a smart looking moth too. As the temperatures in Portsmouth have been very mild of late, I shall keep the Moth Box going till it gets too cold over the coming month. All the time I was checking the moths, a Song Thrush was calling deep within the cover of the trees at the back of my garden.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A couple of the Sycamore trees in Pembroke Road of which the Jays favoured.

I shall kick off with yesterday's birds here at this site, which totalled 14 species that included a Cormorant heading east and three Mute Swans (two adults and a juvenile) heading west towards Gosport. This morning, up to 13 species were seen or heard and included the usual Jays, a Grey Wagtail flying over heading east and a Chiffchaff heard calling along the footpath towards Curtain Moat.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

The leaves are falling in the Cemy.

It was still overcast yet still around the Cemetery this morning, but there were still a few notable birds seen. This included the Green Woodpecker that showed well briefly high up in the bare branches of a tree, but flew off only to land on a gravestone. A single Chiffchaff was first heard and then seen well in a bush close to the Mausoleum, along the main footpath but did not linger long. At least one Jay was present (see photos and film footage below) and showed very well burying acorns in the uncut grass near the Holm Oak clump. Both Song Thrush and Goldcrest were heard only, but no Titmice or Robins seen or heard which was unusual.

Above, this Carrion Crow was calling high up in one of the tallest trees and below, the large clump of Honey Fungus we saw here on Sunday was still present.

Above, the Green Woodpecker showed well briefly, but was quite vocal. Below, the Chiffchaff scurrying around by the footpaths.

Above, the beautiful colours of Autumn leaves and below, the Jay about to swallow an acorn!

Above, the same Jay perched on a gravestone and below, I believe, because of the size, this is a Parasol Toadstool. 

Above, I think this is Fenugreek Milkcap and is poisonous.

The only insects seen in the Cemy this morning were a couple of Buff-tailed Bumblebees and the only notable flowers still in bloom included Yarrow, Smooth Sow-thistle and Mallow.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay
• Green Woodpecker
• Chiffchaff
• Starling
• Goldfinch
• Blackbird
• Song Thrush
• Wren
• Goldcrest

The Jay in the Cemetery this morning.