The micro moth, Mallow Seed Moth, was new for the year.
I was up at ‘Beyondajoke’ o’clock again this morning though this time not on a ‘twitch’ to see a bird. I thought I would get up at dawn to check my moth box I had overnight, for I am sure I miss a few moths that just might have flown should I have got up later? Another two new species for the year were added to my year list, both ‘micro’ moths and a selection of others that are starting to get regular now. Last night, around 10.30pm, I went out to check the moth box and above me, a probable Pipestrelle Bat was hunting in and over my garden throughout the ten minutes I was there. I was so still last night that I could hear the Bats' wings fluttering past as my Moth Box light lit up the underside of the Bat. Simply amazing.
Above, the micro moth Garden Mompha and below, my second Marbled Minor moth of the year.
The Moth Box:
As mentioned, another species was added to my year list, Mallow Seed Moth (Platyedra subcinerea), a species again that is regular in my garden. A total of 27 moths of 14 species were recorded this morning and though nothing else was new for the year, a nice selection nonetheless.
Above, a Pale Mottled Willow and below, one of 8 Willow Beauties this morning.
The moths recorded in and around my Moth Box this morning included the following:
Garden Carpet
Lime-speck Pug 4
Willow Beauty 8
Brimstone Moth
Marbled Minor
Pale Mottled Willow
Ruddy Streak 3
Light Brown Apple Moth
White-shouldered House Moth
Mallow Seed Moth (New for Year)
Garden Mompha
Blushed Knot-horn
Rusty-dot Pearl
Light Brown Apple Moth 2
Above, a lot of Spiderlings crawling on top of my white sheet and below, the Green-fanged Tube-web Spider.
After checking the moths, I relaxed in my garden with a hot cup of coffee and watched the Swifts overhead circling in the blue sky. At least a dozen birds were seen including a few birds chasing one another low over the house. A pair of House Sparrows were mating in my neighbours Holly Tree, producing the next lot of offspring while both the dogs and myself looked on. Along with the moths, my moth box always attracts other insects and this morning I found a Short-tailed Ichneumon Wasp on one of the egg trays and near the box, a Green-fanged Tube-web Spider was poking its legs out of one of the fence panels (what a gruesome name for a spider!). There were at least 30+ Spiderlings on the top of my white sheet behind the Moth Box as well to add to my little Spider collection!
A Short-tailed Ichneumon Wasp was also in the Moth Box.
The superb Eyed Hawk-moth at Andy's house this morning. My second Hawk-moth species of the year.
Yet another very busy days birding and this time, I kicked the day off with the lovely company of both Emma and Matt Parkes as we made an unsuccessful trip to West Sussex for yesterday’s male Dotterel on Bignal Hill, near Pulborough. They kindly picked me up from my house and then dropped me off back there too. Then I jumped into my car and picked up Geoff and Andy, but not before checking Andy’s moth box that attracted some excellent moths. We then headed off back into the New Forest where we saw some cracking birds at Pig Bush, near Beaulieu. Though overcast, with the occasional hint of sunshine at times, it looked as though it just might pour with rain, but we were lucky and it certainly got very warm by the time we left there around 1pm.
Above, a Common Marbled Carpet and below, a Snout moth; both new for the year.
The Moth Box:
I picked up another four more excellent moths this morning to add to my ever expanding moth year list that included the ‘macro’ moths Blair’s Mocha, Snout, Common Marbled Carpet and the best of all, a superb Eyed Hawk-moth of which Andy near squashed in the door as he went to close it! Phew! Thankfully, the moth was totally unharmed as I safely put it in nearby vegetation after taking several photos of this beautiful moth. There was also a fine supporting cast of moths and even our first Cockchafer Beetle of the year. The following moths were present in Andy’s garden this morning:
Eyed Hawk-moth
Blair’s Mocha
Snout
Common Marbled Carpet
Treble Lines
Brimstone Moth
Common Pug 2
Freyer’s Pug 4
Willow Beauty 6
Narrow-winged Grey
Two more species were in Andy's garden that were new for the year that included (above) a Blair's Mocha moth and (below) a Cockchafer Beetle.
While enjoying a coffee and checking the moths, I saw a Red Kite soaring high overhead and quickly pointed it out to the guys. A good omen me thinks?
Above, the footpath up the hill. Despite checking both sides of the field thoroughly, there was no sign of the Dotterel. Below, this Red Kite was busy searching for food over the fields.
Yesterday's male Dotteral on Bignor Hill. Photo by John Moseley.
Bignor Hill, nr Pulborough:
Emma and Matt Parkes kindly picked me up from my house at 5.15am this morning to take the journey to Bignor Hill, some 45 minutes away. After checking Birdguides again first thing this morning, I realised the male Dotterel at this site was last seen flying strongly north around 6pm last night and was not seen subsequently. Gulp! Was this going to be a big ‘dip’ on seeing this delightful bird of which, I'm afraid, was the end result. Hurrumph! However, what a beautiful place. I have never been to this site, which was part of the South Downs complex and the views here (and the birds) were breathtaking. I say the birds such as the Yellowhammers and Skylarks were gorgeous and numerous too. We parked up within the car park, not to disturb a few Camper Vans with their sleeping occupants and then walked up the footpath with bare chalky fields adjacent to the footpath. The weather was good, a little overcast, but looking further south, it looked as though thunderstorms could arrive within the hour. We made our way to the top of the hill and though we checked the area thoroughly, there was no sign of the Dotterel. Yep, we had dipped on this what would be a ‘lifer’ for both Emma and Matt; but hey, that's the risk of birding.
Above, the Red Kite over the fields that was certainly busy in search of food and provided some nice photos for Emma (below).
Above, a male Yellowhammer searching for food in one of the fields.
On a positive note, we did see some nice birds while we were there. A Red Kite showed very well at times, soaring low over the fields in search of beetles or earthworms on the chalky soil and it even landed a few times on the ground. A Common Buzzard was perching in the neighbouring trees where we heard a singing Firecrest. A pair of Partridge species were high up on the top of the footpath, but had gone by the time we reached the top. Distant lumps of mud did their utmost to confuse us on a possible exciting bird! Pheasants were also dotted around in the fields as were several Stock Doves; but as mentioned, there was always something to look at and if not, simply take in the amazing views. From the top of Bignor Hill, one could see Pulborough Brooks to the west and the River Arun running through this beautiful part of the West Sussex countryside. OK, we dipped on the Dotterel, but finished our trip with a well earned breakfast at Maccy D’s! Yum!
Above, this singing Chiffchaff greeted us when we got to the Pig Bush Car Park.
Above and below, the Spotted Flycatchers showed well for us within the woodland.
Pig Bush, New Forest:
There were two target species here today at this site; a place I have not been for many a year and with reports of both Honey-buzzard and Spotted Flycatcher being seen here this week, I knew I had to try the place. I did not have a lot of time here as I promised someone I would see them later today, so as soon as we got out of the car, we made our way around the perimeter of the first wood by the car park. Above us, a Chiffchaff was singing with gusto up in a tree by the car park and then went off to look for food nearby. Both Stonechats and Meadow Pipits were heard singing out on the adjacent heath as we walked south on the outskirts of the wood and then I heard the distinctive call of a Spotted Flycatcher coming from within the woodland and so venturing inside, we soon found our first target species; a fine Spotted Flycatcher perched high up in the Oak trees. A second bird was nearby as we watched them sitting on exposed branches and showing very well indeed.
Above, I didn't get any really decent photos of the Honey Buzzard, but I did get some film footage of the bird as it sailed past us heading north while the guys watched on.
Things got even better when we exited the first wood and overlooked a clearing with Woodfidley Enclosure in the background. Andy had seen a Redstart in a tree in front of us, but I had picked up a large soaring raptor in the distance and I was sure it was a Honey-buzzard. I quickly told the guys as the bird got nearer and nearer and eventually flew north over the trees. We were in no doubt that it was a Honey-buzzard and I even filmed the bird as it circled and then flew north. What a stroke of luck having two ‘year-ticks’ within 20 minutes of one another. A little later, a Common Buzzard flew overhead and though with a bit of head scratching, we eventually ruled out Honey-buzzard on this bird! Both male and female Cuckoo were heard calling in the distance (I have not heard a female bird ‘bubbling’ call in a very long time) and soon watched one chase the other distantly over the heath to the west of where we stood.
Butterflies were scarce and probably due to it being overcast, but this (above) Brimstone butterfly showed well. Below, one of many Stonechats present on the heath.
Above, a Common Buzzard sailing overhead and below, the plant Common Water-crowfoot grows abundantly in one particular area of Pig Bush.
The bird life here was very busy; with Meadow Pipits and a family of Stonechats (a female and three juveniles) on the heath, as was a pair of noisy Canada Geese and a Mallard in the boggy area! A Bullfinch flew over and earlier, we were sure we heard a Hawfinch calling in the trees but out of view. Chaffinches were flitting about and the songs of Redstarts were heard in at least four locations of which I managed to see one high up perched on a tall tree. Other birds seen included a Marsh Tit with young nearby, searching for food within the Silver Birch trees and a Nuthatch briefly flying on the outskirts of the same wood. Mistle Thrushes were flying overhead as did a Little Egret! I have never seen a Little Egret within this area of the New Forest.
Above, Lesser Spearwort plant and below, a Meadow Pipit; one of many seen and heard.
Above, the first time I have seen a Little Egret in this area of the New Forest and below, a singing male Redstart high up on one of the Silver Birch trees.
Not only did the birds keep us entertained throughout our stay here, but there were a few insects noted too, including our first Rose Chafer beetle of the year. This amazing Beetle was flying around us at one time and I was hoping it would settle on the ground but this vivid green insect would not settle. It was seen again by the car park, but yet again, it would not land. Not many butterflies were seen with just one Brimstone and a Holly Blue noted, though it was overcast most of the time. A large Hornet flew past our heads and landed in the leaf litter by a small bush. On closer inspection, it had disappeared into the undergrowth. Bugger!
Two plants that were common on our walk through Pig Bush. Above, Mouse-ear Hawkweed and below, Tormentil.
Geoff pointed out a lot of interesting plants here that included Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Heath Speedwell, Tormentil, Lesser Spearwort and Common Water-crowfoot all of which were abundant on the ground. A cracking day with great company again and I shall look forward to seeing the guys again next week. The only downside today was the amount of litter I found on our walk of which I picked up and dutifully disposed of. Sadly, a lot of day trippers use this site for their recreation and some just simply abuse the area. No wonder there are so many Forest fires within this beautiful National Park.
A distant Common Buzzard flying high over Southsea this morning. I took this photo while in the Cemetery.
What could have been the rarity of the year for me today was sadly extinguished by the awful noise of the traffic while I was working in Pembroke Road this morning on my first shift. There was an earlier report of a Bee-eater seen over Ventnor at 7.30am this morning and with an onshore breeze coming in lightly off the Solent, there was always the possibility it could fly over Southsea? Well, there was a slight quiet spell in Pembroke Road and then I heard what I thought could only have been a Bee-eater and then a procession of noisy cars went through and the opportunity to locate the bird overhead was lost. Hu-bloody-rummph!!! Later in the morning, I took the dogs for their stroll around Highland Road Cemetery and was very disappointed that those in charge of the Cemetery did not do the ‘No Now May’ for this year! To say I was angry was a big understatement, but there were a few birds of note to keep me entertained.
Above and below, Beaked Hawksbeard plants grow on the brickwork by the Curtain Moat.
Above, from left to right, one can see the Garrison Church, Portsmouth Cathedral and Spinnaker Tower looking north-west over Governor's Green.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Yes, a possible Bee-eater went ‘AWOL’ overhead, but I still notched up 14 species today at Pembroke Road that included plenty of Swifts and a pair of Jackdaws flew low eastbound down the road; a species that is uncommon here. A Linnet was heard but not seen. I arrived early this morning and so ‘christened’ my new binoculars (only a cheap pair of Persual 10 x 42 HD but pretty good nonetheless) by taking a walk over to the Curtain Moat and checking out the Solent. Not a great deal of note there, but a lot of Gulls resting on the water mid-channel and a Cormorant passing through. On the walk back to the car, I could hear a Common Whitethroat singing and also heard a little later when I was in Pembroke Road. The plants on show caught my eye, especially the Beaked Hawksbeard growing on the walls of the brickwork by the Moat. Cow Parsley and Storksbill were abundant along the banks of the Moat.
Above, a Common Plume moth by the entrance to the Cemetery. Below, Willowherb growing on one of the graves.
Above, Birds-foot Trefoil and below, Beaked Hawksbeard were flowering today.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
After some refreshments and a few household chores, I then grabbed the dogs and made our way to the Cemetery. Yet again, there were a good number of Swifts hawking over the trees above the Cemy and two species of raptor were seen here this morning. Firstly, a female Sparrowhawk glided north across the Cemetery, but too quick for me to grab a photo as it flew in between the trees and then off over the houses. Then I saw a large distant raptor soaring high over the rooftops to the north and as I didn't have my binoculars with me, I zoomed in on the camera and can only assume it was a Buzzard species. After playing around with photoshop, I can concur that it was indeed a Common Buzzard.
Above, a pair of Collared Doves on one of the nearby houses and below, one of many Holly Blue butterflies this morning in the Cemetery.
Above, this Swift flew low over the Cemetery and below, this male Blackbird was in full song on the Plane Tree in the north-east corner.
The birds seen within the Cemetery this morning included the following:
Common Buzzard
Sparrowhawk (female)
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Collared Dove
Goldfinch
Blue Tit
Starling
Wren
Robin
House Sparrow
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Carrion Crow
Swift
Above, Prickly Sow-thistle and below, I had to take this photo of a Carrion Crow perched high up on the 'spikey' Horse Chestnut tree.
Above, I cannot stress enough how difficult it is to get a decent photo of a Swift using my Bridge Camera. I do take an awful lot of photos and most of the bar a few are awful!!! Below, a female Hairy-footed Flower Bee seen within the Cemy this morning..
Other notable sightings today included good numbers of Holly Blue butterflies on the wing, but no other butterfly species seen. However, I did find my first Common Plume moth for the month perched on the fence panel by the main gate. There were plenty of plants on show and most were growing on the graves after all the grass had been cute elsewhere. Fume! Birds-foot Trefoil, Beaked Hawksbeard and Prickly Sow-thistle were now in flower and Willowherb was now growing on several graves.
One of the Roseate Terns at Normandy Marshes today. Photo by Andy Friend.
More interesting birds have been seen in Hampshire, notably a pair of Roseate Terns on Normandy Marshes again and showing signs of courtship too! In nearby West Sussex, a Dotterel is spending its second day at Bignor Hill, just north of Arundel and on Medmerry RSPB Reserve, a Little Stint was present on the Stilt Pool. Nationally, there has been a big influx of Red-backed Shrikes in the UK, though mostly on the Scottish islands where some of the island had large numbers. Let's hope one or two make their way down here. This morning, before I went to work, I was quickly sweeping up the garden when I found a Silver Y moth in what I had swept up and so quickly let it climb on my finger and so safely put it on one of the plants nearby.
