Only my second ever Bordered Sallow moth this morning.
Finally, we had a Moth Box worth getting up at 5am for! A large haul of 84 moths of 35 species were recorded this morning that included FOURTEEN that were new for the year. It was difficult to pick out the best of the moths but I think Bordered Sallowwas probably the best, seeing it was only my second ever of this species I have actually seen. Least Carpet and an early Rufous Pearl came a close second; both quite a scarce moth and the latter is more commonly seen in Autumn rather than early Summer. Double-striped Tabby is near annual to my garden, but always just the one or rarely two here. The most numerous were the Riband Waves of both guises with at least 11 individuals seen though I am sure some flew off before they could be recorded as did a few other moths. There was no sign of the House Sparrows this morning, so they must be a better food source somewhere else.
Above, Least Carpet and below, Rufous Pearl.
Above, Elderberry Pearl and below, Double-striped Tabby.
While checking the Moth Box, I heard the distinctive call of a Sandwich Tern overhead and was not surprised to see a pair heading eastbound high over Southsea, heading towards Langstone Harbour no doubt. This was a ‘garden tick’ for me, which now stands at 67 species seen from my garden.
Bordered Sallow (NEW FOR YEAR)
Common Pug 4
Common Emerald 3 (NFY)
Riband Wave 11
Bright-line Brown-eye 3
Garden Carpet 3
Heart & Dart
White Ermine 3
Brimstone Moth
Dark Arches 2
Lime-speck Pug 7
Double-striped Pug
Treble Brown Spot (NFY)
Willow Beauty 9
White-point
Least Carpet (NFY)
White-shouldered House Moth
Common Plume 3
Elderberry Pearl (NFY)
Rufous Pearl (NFY)
Double-striped Tabby (NFY)
Garden Grey (NFY)
Bud Moth (NFY)
Rosy Tabby (NFY)
Codling Moth (NFY)
Chestnut Tortrix
Large Pale Masoner
Blushed Knot-horn
Rufous Tortrix (NFY)
Copper-fringed Drab (NFY)
Garden Grass-veneer 7
Barred Marble 3
Brown House Moth 2
Bird-cherry Ermine (NFY)
Ruddy Streak 2
Treble Brown Spot moth.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
This morning, there were 12 species seen today in Pembroke Road on my first shift of which all the usual birds were present. A few Swifts flew high over and a male Sparrowhawk flew low over the road and into the garden on the house opposite where I was working. It is the first time I have seen this species here for a few weeks. Yesterday, there were 14 species noted here and it included the unusual sighting of a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the trees by the main road. I have heard them ‘drumming’ in the gardens behind Pembroke Close in the Spring; but this is the first time I have seen one here this year. The ‘Flying Ants’ were out early yesterday morning as a large gathering of mixed Gulls were circling overhead feasting on the Ants. Yesterday was recorded as the hottest day of the year and as I passed Southsea beach, I could see it was packed. I checked the ground temperature by putting my hand on the pavement and it was certainly very warm and yet, still idiots still take their dogs walking in this heat during the day! Last night, while I switched the Moth Box on, at least three Pipistrelle Bats (?) were hawking for insects up and down the gardens again.
Nightjars over Creech Wood, Denmead, last night. Film footage by Andy Friend.
There was a good variety of moths this morning which included four more that were new for the year. However, numbers still remained low for this time of year, of which a lot of those trapping Moths on the south coast are currently experiencing. Hopefully, the second half of the year might improve in numbers. For now, we have a mini heatwave this week as temperatures climb into the 80’s and most likely warm evening too. The Bats were showing very well again last night in my garden as I switched the Moth Box on under a cloudless and very still night.
Above, only my second ever Poplar Grey moth and below, Varied Coronet moths are getting annual here in my garden.
I have been a bit reluctant in putting the Moth Box on overnight due to the poor showing of late, but seeing it was so warm yesterday, it surely must get better. There were only 17 moths present in all, but what was lacking in numbers made up for it in quality. Four ‘year-ticks’ were present that included only my second ever Poplar Grey moth and my fourth species of Hawk-moth too was present; the gorgeous Elephant Hawk-moth that was sitting on the white sheet behind the Box. A Varied Coronet and Lackey were the other two that were new for the year; the former is becoming a bit of an annual visitor to my garden now. I normally get a good showing of Lackey moths during the next few months and the best of the ‘micro’ moths has to be the Twin-barred Knot-horn; a species that isn't that common here in the south coast.
Above, aLackey moth and below, the micro moth Twin-barred Knot-horn.
The moths present this morning included the following:
Buff-tailed Bumblebees enjoying the flowering Poppies in Pembroke Road.
Another very warm day here in Southsea, though some sea fog came in around 2.30pm, which put a dampener on those sunbathing on the seafront. Shame! From my perch at Pembroke Road today, a total of 16 bird species were noted during both my shifts which included four species of Gull again (Mediterranean, Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gull), a small flock of Goldfinches and just the one Swift.
There were a few notable insects seen today that included several Buff-tailed Bumblebees enjoying the ornamental Poppies in one of the gardens in Pembroke Road and a White Ermine moth was found by the entrance of a Retirement Home in Highland Road. It's funny what you unexpectedly see when you are on your travels. Tonight, while walking the dogs, there was a very large gathering of Swifts overhead with at least 40+ present and easily the largest number by far I have seen over my road. On a negative front, last Saturday's exertions at Durlston Head has still taken its toll on my old legs and something to think about next year. Yes, I have to lose a bit of weight and get used to walking a lot more over the coming year.
I found this White Ermine moth by a Retirement Home this morning.
Geoff Farwell didn't go with us last Saturday and instead, he went to the Houghton / River Test area where he recorded the following sightings: 4 Common Buzzard, 3 Red Kites, Hobby, 30 singing Skylarks, 9 Corn Bunting, 8 singing Yellowhammers and 10 singing Common Whitethroats. On the River Test, there were 5 Cetti’s Warblers, Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Buntings, 2 Stonechats and 4 Little Egrets. Yesterday, Geoff went to Twyford Down where he had the following sightings: 3 singing Corn Bunting, 9 Common Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 22 singing Skylark, 75 Mediterranean Gulls, a single Red Kite and 2 Common Buzzards. He also had a Golden-ringed Dragonfly there along with a Painted Lady butterfly and several Ringlet butterflies. I had a busy day yesterday getting a few household chores done before we had a family BBQ in the afternoon. While chilling out, a Common Buzzard was seen soaring high over my house and a Med Gull drifted over.
Fellow birder, Emma Parkes, took the above photos at Durlston Head on Saturday. Top photo was of the Razorbills on the cliffs close to the main viewpoint and the others were of the lone Puffin seen near Dancing Ledge.
One of the superb views from the viewpoint. A Fulmar gracefully sailing by the cliffs with Guillemots loafing on the sea below. Beautiful.
So, it was back to Dulston Head, near Swanage, for our annual trip to see the Puffins near Dancing Ledge and also take in the wealth of wildlife and scenery this magnificent place had to offer. However, apart from John Goodall and myself, there was a change of guys with us today that included John’s daughter, Louise, who kindly did the driving to and from today. Matt and Emma Parkes joined us today, of which we met them at Durlston Head. And what a day! The weather was near perfect with light winds, plenty of sunshine and occasional high clouds. The only downside today was that I got a very bad case of cramp at the top of my left leg, but hey, you have to ‘suffer for your art’ sometimes!
Above, a large raft of Guillemots and Razorbills were on the sea below the Viewpoint. Below, a pair of Ravens flew past the Viewpoint.
Above, one of the Ravens and below, the view from the Viewpoint. Stunning.
Above, Jackdaws were abundant along the cliffs. Five species of Corvid were seen here today.
I could easily write chapter and verse again but what we saw today and as I said to Emma, that I could easily just stand all day from one of the viewing areas looking down on the Auks and Fulmars. Just magical. So I am going to let my photos do most of the talking or it could be dark outside by the time I finish writing this.
Above, there were plenty of interesting insects to look at including this Hairy Shieldbug. Below, Kestrels were seen throughout the day including this showy bird by the cliffs.
Above, the top of the Lighthouse shows just above all these Kidney Vetch flowers. Below, we have Emma, Matt, Louise and John making their way up on one of the many inclines along the coastal path.
Above, we believe we saw this Rock Pipit on both our journey there and back today. Meadow Pipits were abundant too with many displaying male birds seen.
What I will say is that the local Peregrines performed superbly for us and put on a hunting display either chasing a group of Racing Pigeons high overhead or just sailing by the cliff edge close to where we stood. While having our lunch by the usual cove (where Lolo Williams sat with another birder on this year's Springwatch), we were lucky this time with a Puffin sitting on the sea and we only had to wait about 15 minutes for the bird to magically pop out of nowhere! Emma grabbed some amazing photos of the bird and mine, though distant, were not too bad either. We saw 39 species of birds on our trip here, two species of Orchid (my first Bee Orchid of the year and thousands of Pyramidal Orchids) among the throng of beautiful plants as far as the eye could see along the footpaths. We did have a good laugh at one local chaps pronunciation of Pyramidal which sounded like Piraemdial!!!!
Above, Stonechats were still in good numbers here throughout our walk. This male stood out beautifully on the wall.
Above and below, this female Peregrine gave us a superb flypast by the cliffs.
Above, we found this Roe Deer grazing on one of the slopes and below, though a quiet day for 'Blue' butterflies, we found several Common Blue's around.
Of the Butterflies, sadly, there wasn't the greatest of variety this time round with just six species seen (we had 17 species on one trip here in the past!) though three of which were new for the year, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper and Lulworth Skipper plus Common Blue and Small Skipper. Two moths species were picked up also with singles of both Yellow Shell (new for the year) and a Silver Y. Sadly, no Hummingbird Hawk-moths today, a species we regularly seen here on previous trips. Other notable insects seen today included and completely unexpected was a Golden-ringed Dragonfly up on the walk back along the top fields. Yes, I have seen them in good numbers in the New Forest, but never have I seen one here. I know Norfolk Hawker dragonflies have expanded their range considerably, but a Golden-ringed here?
Above, both Soldier Beetles and a Nursery Spider share a Wild Carrot plant. Below, one of thousands of Pyramidal Orchids we encountered today.
Above, good numbers of Linnet were seen today here and below, one of several Large Skipper butterflies seen.
Above, I had to take a photograph of this Wild Carrot plant. I've never seen anything like it! Below, finally, our star bird, the Puffin. We dipped on seeing these last year and so to find one in just 15 minutes within the Cove where we had lunch, was terrific. It spent a good 20 minutes just sitting on the sea before flying off back to the cliffs.
Above, the infamous Face rock within the Cove! Below, the only Yellowhammer seen today, a fine male bird that showed very well as we climbed the 'Dreaded Hill'!
Above, one of the spectacular views at Durlston Head and below, I finally found my first Bee Orchid of the year which was growing in the top fields.
Above, a most unexpected find was this Golden-ringed Dragonfly. Annoyingly, it would not settle long enough for a decent photo, so a flight shot would have to do. Below, Guillemots resting on the cliff edge.
Above, we even found a small group of Razorbills on the cliffs and below, an adult Shag having a good splash on the sea below the cliffs.
Above and below, just watching these beautiful Fulmars was scintillating.
Above, Matt found this Fulmar resting in the Cliffs and below, within the Durlston Centre, this deceased Death's-head Hawk-moth was on display with a Snake skin. I have yet to see a live Death's-head, but maybe one day?
I won't go on about my cramp I got while walking up the ‘dreaded hill’ near the Dancing Ledge, but that was sheer bloody agony and probably due to not drinking enough fluids on my walk. Yes, I had my fleece on mostly on the way to the Puffins and probably sweated buckets. So, lots of fluids next year I think! Once again, a fantastic trip here with fantastic sightings and the company I kept today were superb. We even finished off with an ice cream and cold drink by the restaurant, reflecting on a wonderful day.
The 'star bird' today, the Puffin. Thankfully, this is one of six birds that is apparently present here at Durston Head.
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