A trip to Titchfield Haven and Catherington Downs.

Saturday 14th September 2024.

The view from the Meonshore Hide overlooking the South Scrape.

Another very busy days birding with Geoff and Andy at a couple of locations today and with the weather being very nice, it was such a pleasure just being out and though we never saw any bird ‘year-ticks’ today, I certainly had a good day enjoying a few insects I have not seen before and some great birds too. The day kicked off with both mine and Andy’s Moth Box to check and then off to Hill Head to hopefully find the Wryneck that had been present for nearly a week. We rounded off our day for a visit to Catherington Downs to find the Elephant Hawk-moth Caterpillars that had been found the previous day by fellow ‘Lazee’ Andy Friend.

The Moth Boxes:

Left, my second Clancy's Rustic moth of the year and right, my first Lunar Underwing of the year.

Despite another very cold night, there were a good number of moths present this morning and my first Lunar Underwing of the year among a nice variety to look at. Another couple of half decent moths included my second Clancy’s Rustic of the year and my third Dusky Thorn of the year too. Sadly, very few micro moths this morning, but a much better haul than yesterday with 39 moths of 18 species.

A Dusky Thorn moth.

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

MACRO MOTHS:

• Willow Beauty 5
• Square-spot Rustic 4
• Clancy’s Rustic
• Lunar Underwing
• Pale Mottled Willow
• Large Yellow Underwing 7
• Lesser Yellow Underwing 6
• Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
• Setaceous Hebrew Character
• Dusky Thorn
• Bright-line Brown-eye
• L-album Wainscot 2
• Garden Carpet
• Double-striped Pug
• Lime-speck Pug

MICRO MOTHS:

• Common Plume 3
• Rusty-dot Pearl
• Light Brown Apple Moth

While checking the moths, there was a bit of visible migration overhead that included a Yellow, Grey and Pied Wagtail flying over and a good number of Meadow Pipits headed westbound too. A Chiffchaff was still calling deep within the vegetation in nearby gardens. Could we be in for a good day with the birds?

Meanwhile, back at Andy’s garden at Cowplain Marsh, there was a much fewer number of moths present with just 10 moths of five species recorded. A Grey Wagtail flew low over the rooftops and a Chiffchaff was heard calling nearby.

The moths present here included the following:

MACRO MOTHS:

• Angle Shades
• L-album Wainscot
• Square-spot Rustic 4
• Lunar Underwing 2
• Willow Beauty 2

Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve, Hill Head.

Above, a Dunlin came close to the Meonshore Hide. Below, Black-tailed Godwit settling down on the South Scrape.

The main reason we headed to Titchfield Haven was to hopefully see the long staying Wryneck that has entertained the crowds all week. However, come Saturday when most birders get the chance to hopefully see the bird, the bloody thing had gone!!! Despite a lengthy watch from near the Toilet Block looking north over the reedbeds and brambles, there was no sign of the bird. That's the negative side of things and now for the positives. The weather was perfect with a clear blue sky overhead and hardly any wind at all and with good numbers of Swallows flying overhead, surely something good would be found today?

Above, also one of the three Common Sandpipers came close to the hide. Below, Common Terns were on the South Scrape. A Sandwich Tern occasionally dropped in and landed among the Gulls on one of the islands.

Above, a Common Buzzard soared over the reserve and below, there was no sign of the Curlew Sandpiper, this Common Sandpiper was joined by a Dunlin.

Geoff kindly paid for my entrance fee to the reserve, which was very kind of him, as we had earlier enjoyed some very close views of the Turnstone by the roadside. The tide was up within the Solent as a few Sandwich Terns passed by, calling in doing so as we made our way along the footpath by the Meonshore Hide. Apart from a few Common Darter dragonflies and a Chiffchaff plus a flyby Great Spotted Woodpecker, all was quiet for at least around 20 minutes, so we retired to the Meonshore Hide. A Curlew Sandpiper, a species we have not seen yet this year, was seen on Thursday, but there was no sign of it this morning. Instead, there were up to 3 Common Sandpipers, 5 Common Snipe, with good numbers of Oystercatchers and Redshank plus 2 Ringed Plovers and a small flock of 6 Avocets. A healthy number of Black-tailed Godwit were on some of the islands among the Gulls. 

This Kingfisher buzzed past the Meonshore Hide. The shutter speed on my camera just managed to grab the bird as it flew past. Below, one of many Black-tailed Godwit in front of the Hide. 

Above, the female Marsh Harrier flew in sharply and grabbed a Moorhen before flying off north. Below, this juvenile Herring Gull photo-bombed this photo in front of a flock of Avocet.

A spectacular sighting of a female Marsh Harrier crashing onto a hapless Moorhen scattered all the birds and then chased off by Crows as it flew off northbound. Other raptors here included a Kestrel hovering nearby the Meonshore Hide and a Common Buzzard, first seen perched on a post near the reedbed and then sailed slowly south-west over the reserve. A Water Rail was persistently calling in the reedbed close to the Hide, but did not show itself. Suddenly, Andy got a text to say the Wryneck had been seen again and so grabbing our gear quickly, we rushed to the area by the toilet block.

Above, the flock of 6 Avocets flew over the reserve and below, the Great Green Bush-cricket Geoff found near the main road while we were waiting for the non-existent Wryneck to show.

Above, one of several Lapwing present today. This one was close to the Hide. Below, one of five Common Snipe near the Hide.

Above and below, some of the birdlife in front of the Hide.

Above and below, a variety of birds in front of the Hide.

Above and below, a showy Common Sandpiper in front of the Hide.

Above, a female Common Darter dragonfly near the Meonshore Hide and below, several Turnstone were close by the roadside.

From here, we joined the other birders, ever hopeful for the Wryneck to show, but as the morning wore on, knowing that it was a clear night, the chances of seeing it were slim. The message he received was erroneous for it was the sighting of the bird from yesterday that came through on Hants Birding! Though we never saw the bird, we had sightings of a superb Kingfisher belting past us and our first flock of 6 Wigeon of the season flying over the reserve. Best of all though was actually an insect. Geoff found a superb Great Green Bush-cricket nearby close to our feet, which not only was my first one for many a year, but the gathered birders also took a keen interest of this elusive insect. Migrant Hawker dragonflies also entertained close by too, darting back and forth across the reedbeds and brambles. As Geoff bought my ticket for the reserve, we stayed a while longer and made our way back to the Meonshore Hide, where we enjoyed more views of the waders mentioned earlier, plus a couple of Bearded Tits flying over the nearby reeds. During my time here, the light was absolutely superb and I was pleased with many of my photos taken this morning.

Above, one of the Common Sandpipers in front of the Meonshore Hide. Below, one of the two Dunlin present on the reserve is also in front of the same Hide.

Catherington Downs, near Clanfield:

Thanks to Andy Friend, I got to see my first Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar.

Yesterday, Andy Friend found up to four Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillars here on Catherington Downs and seeing I have never actually seen the actual Caterpillar of this species, he kindly sent over a ‘Pin drop’ where he had actually seen them. So, after our trip to Titchfield Haven, we made our way northbound. Walking slowly towards the ‘Pin-drop, we eventually found (thanks to Andy Fisher for checking my film footage on what plants they were feeding on) the said Caterpillars. They were bloody huge! The Elephant Hawk-moth Caterpillars were on Rosebay Willowherb plants and we found the four that Andy had seen yesterday; which were my first ever.

Photos of two more of the Elephant Hawk-moth Caterpillars.

We slowly took a walk around the reserve and found a few bird species of note that included at least 6 Chiffchaffs and 4 Blackcaps. A Grey Wagtail flew over and at least four or five flocks of Swallows headed south low overhead. The whole area is in a valley and probably the site is very good for some visible migration and also attracts a good variety of passerines on migration here. Andy recently saw his first Pied Flycatcher of the year here at this site. Other birds noted included a Common Buzzard and two distant Red Kites; a Nuthatch flew low over our heads and after a Jay was heard calling, it seemed to disturb two Tawny Owls that 'hooted' up in the trees. The Butterflies seen here were few and far between, but both Common Blue and Meadow Brown were noted.

Above, one of two Common Blue's here on the Downs and below, one of many Swallows pouring through over the site.

Above, Andy in search of migrants and below, a view of Catherington Downs looking south. 

Notable sightings in Hampshire today included a Wryneck at Twyford Down and a flock of 13 Glossy Ibis dropped in briefly at Posbrook Floods this morning but most flew off northbound. 

Another new moth for the year & migrants flying over.

Friday 13th September 2024

My first Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing of the year this morning.

Overnight, it was very cold and with a cloudless sky, it couldn't have been much above freezing here in Southsea. Nevertheless, I still put my Moth Box on overnight, hoping to trap a few migrants; though I didn't really expect many moths to be out and about. Yesterday, Emma Parkes sent me a photo of a Convolvulus Hawk-moth they found in Gosport, of which I am very jealous. I have been getting these moths annually to my garden over the past few years; so hopefully, another one this year would be nice.

 

Above and below, the Convolvulus Hawk-moth. Photos by Emma Parkes.

The Moth Box: 

Just 13 moths of 6 species were in and around my Moth Box this morning; however, there was a new moth for the year with a Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing present, though proving a little difficult to get a decent photo. This is the lowest total of moths for some time, but the recent cold weather has not helped at all, though it is supposed to be warming up again this weekend.

The following moths were recorded this morning:

• Lesser Yellow Underwing 4
• L-album Wainscot 2
• Garden Carpet
• Pale Mottled Willow 2
• Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (New for Year)
• Common Plume 3

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

I logged up to 15 species this morning while on my first shift and that included a pair of Jays, a calling Chiffchaff again, a male Kestrel that flew over my head and landed on the Garrison Church nearby and good numbers of Meadow Pipits going over heading westbound.

A Chiffchaff was by my garden again around midday as I had my lunch in the garden. A few Small White butterflies were in the garden and one landed nearby in the Ivy, while a Red Admiral butterfly and a Common Darter dragonfly flew over my garden heading north. 

Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillars on Catherington Downs. Film footage by Andy Friend.

My second shift was much quieter, though a lot warmer. An addition to this mornings species count included a Great Tit, making 17 species for the day. In Hampshire today, the Wryneck at Titchfield Haven put in another appearance and hopefully, will linger till tomorrow where I shall try my luck if all goes well with the guys. Fellow ‘Lazee’ Andy Friend found four Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillars on Catherington Downs today and kindly dropped me a pin where to look for them. I have never seen a Hawk-moth caterpillar in all the years I have had an interest in moths.

A montage of waders on Hayling Oysterbeds recently. Film footage by James Cutting.

Migrants are on their way.

Thursday 12th September 2024.

A Hornet-mimic Hoverfly with two Batman Hoverflies on an Ivy Plant in Highland Road Cemetery this morning.

Another glorious start to the day with a clear blue sky and hardly any wind, unlike the day before where it was not only windy, but very cold indeed. An Arctic blast hit the UK yesterday with snow over the Cairngorms and here in the south, temperatures were down to single digits. Today, it was a lot warmer in the sunshine and though there were a few rain showers in the afternoon, it was mostly sunny and bright. The sunny weather encouraged a lot of passerines to make a move overhead and again, plenty of insects around taking advantage of the flowering plants.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A Small White butterfly in Pembroke Road this afternoon. 

Up to 16 species were recorded during both my morning and afternoon shift at Pembroke Road and that included both a Yellow and Grey Wagtail heard flying over and on the opposite side of the road, a Chiffchaff was heard singing briefly. A few Meadow Pipits were on the move too, with these birds actually seen flying low and heading west. A flock of Starlings suddenly took flight around the Garrison Church as a female Sparrowhawk soared past them and perched on one of the distant rooftops. A few Hirundines were on the move too as a probable Swallow flew over Governor’s Green though headed off west, whereas, two House Martins showed well as they flew overhead at speed, heading west.

Above, a variety of different coloured Harlequin Ladybirds and their larvae were swarming along these railings along Pembroke Road.

On the insect front, yesterday morning, I was checking Governor’s Green when I noticed several Harlequin Ladybirds and their larvae on the perimeter railing fence. In fact, it turned out that every spike on the fence held at least one Harlequin Ladybird or larvae and at least five or more different colourations. So, probably hundreds of them here this morning, taking advantage of the bright weather. Today, a Small White butterfly was resting on one of the house walls and then took off and showed well. Many Bees were on the wing too, enjoying all the flowers along the roadside houses, which included Buff-tailed Bumble Bees, Batman and Marmalade Hoverflies and a small Wasp that grabbed my attention. After noting its diagnostic abdomen, I concluded, with a bit of research, that it was actually a Digger Wasp!

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

One of several Chiffchaffs in the Cemy this morning.

Becky and I have been looking after our daughter’s Labradoodle puppy since yesterday and so once I got home from my first shift at Pembroke Road, I took her for a walk around the Cemetery. Even though she is still very young, she walked superbly for me and we slowly walked around the Cemetery in the bright sunshine. 

Above, one of several Red Admiral's here in the Cemy and below, one of two Hornet-mimic Hoverflies in the Cemy with two Batman Hoverflies in attendance.

A very much dead Ivy Bee caught by this Garden Spider and below, a very much alive Ivy Bee.

There was a reasonable variety of birds seen within the Cemetery this morning and again, there must have been a good fall of Chiffchaffs once again here on the south coast. In just one area of the Cemetery, I counted at least five birds flitting about around each other and the Green Woodpecker flew up into one of the taller trees when I approached the warblers. Overhead, a Yellow Wagtail was heard to call, but I had better views of the Meadow Pipits that flew westbound. Another migrant, a Tree Pipit, was heard and then seen flying westbound high over the Cemetery. While checking the Warblers, I was sure I heard a Firecrest calling, but it only called just once and was never seen. It was good to see a nice variety here this morning plus all the common birds here this morning.

Above, one of many Tapered Drone Flies seen today and below, a Turnip Sawfly.

Above, flowering Ribwort Plantain and below, another Chiffchaff showing well.

Above, on closer inspection of the photo, there were two Tree Pipits flying over the Cemetery and below, could there be more goodies hiding in the Cemy that I missed?

The sunny weather brought out plenty of insects as one particular Ivy Bush held numerous Bees and Hoverflies including Hornet-mimic Hoverflies, Drone and Tapered Drone Flies, Thick-legged and Batman Hoverflies as well as good numbers of Common Wasps. Large and Small White butterflies and Red Admirals were all abundant too. This cold snap we are having is set to disappear over the weekend as the temperatures start to climb back up to where they should be for this time of year.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Starling
• Robin
• Blackbird
• Chiffchaff 6+
• Firecrest (heard only)
• Meadow Pipit
• Yellow Wagtail (heard only)
• Green Woodpecker
• Tree Pipit (heard)

Even from my garden, I am always keeping an eye out for nature and I have had both Small White and Large White enjoying the Ivy growing in my garden and a few Red Admirals have gone through too. Chiffchaffs have been heard calling deep within vegetation and my neighbours tree as well as a few Yellow Wagtails and Meadow Pipits going over. Around midday, a large dark cloud passed overhead (just as I had hung out all my washing on the line), but it was circling just below it which had me rushing back into the kitchen to grab my binoculars. Three birds were circling together, but all looked different. One was a Raven, another was Herring Gull, but the third was most definitely a falcon, but it was big and to me, it looked like a big Kestrel, with thin outstretched wings ruling out both Peregrine and Sparrowhawk; but it flew like a Kestrel, but too big for one. Eleaonora’s Falcon? The bird flew off southbound and was lost to view as did the other two birds.

Above and below, a Common Sandpiper at Blashford Lakes today. Photo by Andy Tew.

On a controversial note, the reedbed on the Lake at Farlington Marshes has been nearly destroyed by the broken Sluice Gates spilling tons of seawater from the harbour. The utter incompetence by the people supposed to be looking after the place beggars belief and a birding friend of mine has told me over the past month, lamenting on the very poor Marsh Management going on here on my favourite reserve. The Social Media, including Facebook and the ‘Lazee Birder’ Whatsapp group has been awash with negative comments about the poor Management on Farlington Marshes. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel as the Environment Agency, bowing under a lot of people pressure, has assured the public and Nature groups that work is underway next month to replace the old Sluice gates and hopefully, the reedbed and the Lake itself will be back to normal; however, this will take a long time and who knows how much damage has been done. We shall see over the coming year. Sadly, hardly any waders have been seen roosting or feeding on the Lake area this Autumn and I for one, is fuming over this total incompetence by the idiots running the place.