Blair's Mocha moths are on the increase in numbers in my garden this year.
It was back to the moths this morning as I set the trap up again last night; the first time since Saturday night I might add. There weren't that many this morning, the only ‘quality’ moth was a Blair’s Mocha, a species I never get tired of. But there was a good supporting cast of a Yellow-barred Brindle and a Gold Triangle. It was probably quite cold last night and therefore the moth numbers were going to be low. Just 28 moths of 15 species present today.
The micro moth, Gold Triangle.
The local news is reporting how long both the moth and butterfly numbers are, especially in Hampshire. However, all the time the local Councils are spraying the weeds along roadsides and even Cemeteries, the egg laying insects now are going to suffer badly. The good news is that I have seen large numbers of Small White butterflies around, especially where I am working in Pembroke Road.
Yellow-barred Brindle moth.
The moths present this morning included the following:
MACRO MOTHS:
Lesser Yellow Underwing 7
Large Yellow Underwing
Willow Beauty 2
Garden Carpet
Blair’s Mocha
Double-striped Pug 4
Yellow-barred Brindle
Small Dusty Wave
MICRO MOTHS:
Common Plume 2
Box-tree Moth
Rusty-dot Pearl
Light Brown Apple Moth
Narrow-winged Grey
Ruddy Streak 3
Gold Triangle
Above, there was just the one Small Dusty Wave this morning and below, both Lesser Yellow Underwing and Double-striped Pug resting quite close to one another.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Up to 13 species were recorded this morning on my first shift in Pembroke Road and that included several flocks of Swallows passing overhead; though strangely most were heading northbound? Other notable species included a Yellow Wagtail that was heard calling as it passed high overhead. The regular Chiffchaff was heard calling in the nearby trees, but did not offer a glimpse today.
This Kingfisher was on Farlington Marshes on Sunday. Photo by Emma Parkes.
Yesterday, birding pal John Cronin sent me a text to say that he was having a good morning on Thorney Island, West Sussex. Not only had he seen two Hobbies and a Sparrowhawk, but also watched both a Honey Buzzard over and best of all, a White-tailed Eagle. I am not quite sure on which part of Thorney Island he was, but nevertheless, some good raptors there.
Great White Egret. Not quite sure where this was taken. Photo by Pete Appleton.
On this afternoon's shift, the highlight of my hour there at Pembroke Road was the sighting of a Hummingbird Hawk-moth again. This is the 3rd time this year I have seen one at this location, however, the moth never lingered long and disappeared before I could get my mobile camera out. A female Sparrowhawk flew north over the road, being chased by Crows as she deftly avoided them and carried on slowly onwards. Good numbers of butterflies were in the area too with at least 8 Small White's fluttering past me and at least two Red Admirals.
What should have been at this time of year would be a huge number of waders resting on the Lake, with possible Crakes, Water Rails and a variety of other birdlife here. But now, due to sheer incompetance, this flooded lake is now full of sea water!!!
My plan this morning was to meet Geoff Farwell at Farlington Marshes this morning around 11am and also Emma and Matt Parkes, if they could make it. Sure enough, all turned up on time as we met at the lake area of the reserve. I wanted to see for myself the devastation caused by the broken Sluice gates that has let all the seawater onto the reserve and destroying not only most of the reedbeds, but also created a saline lake where there should of been a small area of water surrounded by mud for the waders to roost at high tide. We even met local birder Jason Crook who gave his version of events and his disgust on what such awful marsh management has taken place here and could have so easily been avoided. Even if the Sluice gates are eventually replaced, the damage done to the reedbeds looks as though it is irreplaceable and most likely never to grow here again?
Some more photos of the devastation here including below, the Stream area. Most of the reedbeds are now dead and void of birdlife.
On a positive note, we had a good four hours here and were rewarded with a good variety of birds here on the reserve. Starting with the Lake itself; a large contingent of Coots had now replaced the waders; although on the north side of the Lake, there were a small flock of Redshank, a couple of Greenshank with them and closer by, a pair of Black-tailed Godwit. A pair of Great Crested Grebes swam among the Coot and close to the waters edge near the viewing platform, there were at least two Little Grebes fishing among the dead reeds. Matt and Emma turned up and while waiting for Geoff to arrive, we had sightings of a female Marsh Harrier, a female Kestrel, a male Peregrine and out in the fields with the Cattle, up to three Cattle Egrets could be seen through the telescope. A pair of Ravens then grabbed our attention as they flew high over the reserve and then headed off north.
Above and below, a Kestrel was hovering by the Lake.
Above, a Great Crested Grebe was among all these Coot on the Lake and below, a few waders were resting on the northern end of the Lake.
Above, one of many Grey Herons present on the reserve today and below, a Common Buzzard sailed overhead when we were watching from the seawall.
Above and below, this Little Grebe showed well fishing on the Lake.
Geoff eventually joined us and after a brief chat, we made our way around the perimeter wall. We stopped to check out what the small passerine was on the wire fence, which transpired to be a male Stonechat. A female Stonechat then popped up and a Wheatear was seen further along the fence. A Whinchat was also found on the same stretch of fencing and now all three Chat species were on the fence together! Jason Crook then joined us for a chat and his version of events about the poor management on the reserve and while he continued to talk to Geoff, we all picked up a Kingfisher perched on a fence-post by the main Lake. The bird kindly entertained us for the next 15 minutes or so, flying up and down the area and was even seen catching a small fish and battering it against the fencepost! I even let a few interested people look through my scope to check out the Kingfisher.
Above, a Little Egret flying over the Lake and below, a distant Kingfisher entertained the small crowd gathered by the seawall.
Out in the harbour, the tide was going down rapidly and I found a group of 11 Harbour Seals resting on the mudflats south of the small islands and promptly put the guys onto the Seals. A Common Sandpiper soon entered the scene when it was first heard and then seen flying towards us and then back towards the Lake again. By the Point Field, a further three more Whinchats were seen along with several Meadow Pipits and the briefest of sightings of a Dartford Warbler flying into the brambles, but no further sign. A Yellow Wagtail flew overhead and landed in the Point Field and although I could hear it, the bird was not visible up until it eventually flew off towards the distant Cattle.
Some of the Harbour Seals out in Langstone Harbour.
The Deeps area was also an area of controversy with large hill-like mounds now in place. For what purpose, who knows? But they certainly looked unsightly as did the ploughed up field to the north of the Deeps. What the hell is going on here? The Deeps was literally void of any birds apart from a flock of Linnets and no waders whatsoever! There was no sign of any Ospreys or raptors on the islands out in the harbour, but another Wheatear was found in the field near the Blockhouse, as was a female Kestrel in the fields. We had good views of a Small Copper butterfly on the brambles; a species I have only seen a handful this year. Also, Common Blue’s, Small Heath, Small White and Meadow Brown’s were seen along the perimeter wall and a lone Red Admiral was seen further along the footpath. Both Common Darter and Migrant Hawker dragonflies were abundant on the reserve today and later in the day, Geoff told me that the Willow Pool, over in the south side of the Marshes, was holding Small Red-eyed Damselflies. Interesting.
Above, a Small Copper butterfly on brambles by the seawall. Below, a female Kestrel over on the east side of the reserve.
Finally, another look at the mess left behind by some utter idiots!!!!
We met up with three ‘Lazee’s’ on the seawall: Pete Gammage, Northern John and Andy Friend and while having a good chat about our respective sightings today, a Sparrowhawk was seen distantly soaring to the north of the reserve; our fifth raptor of the day.
A few waders that were on the Lake that included Redshank and a few Greenshank. This time last year, there would have been hundreds of waders on here at high tide!
One of the Whinchats in the Point Field. Unfortunately, my photos of the birds here were poor and so this one was taken by Emma Parkes.
Yet another clear blue sky overhead as I went about checking my Moth Box this morning at 6.45am. Even through the kitchen window, I could see anOld Lady moth and a few Willow Beauties by the Moth Box, which was encouraging and as Autumn progresses, I should be getting quite a few moths for my year list.
I am lucky to get a Bloxworth Snout in my garden as there is a small population here in Portsmouth.
Among the 62 moths of 23 species, I was fortunate to find another new moth for the year; my first Blood-vein of the year. The moth was actually behind one of my pot plants close by, but it looked like a nice fresh moth too. My second Double-striped Tabby of the year was on one of the egg trays inside the Moth Box. Yesterday’s Dusky Thorn was right at the bottom of my Moth Box and looked a little confused on where it was as I gently released it onto a nearby plant along with all the other moths in my Moth Box.
Only my second Double-striped Tabby of the year.
Other notable moths included another single Bloxworth Snout, two Old Lady moths and a Lunar Underwing. L-album Wainscot moths were in good numbers this morning with up 8 present; my highest number of this species this Autumn.
The moths present this morning included the following:
MACRO MOTHS:
Old Lady 2
Willow Beauty 5
Double-striped Pug 4
Lime-speck Pug 2
Lunar Underwing
Lesser Yellow Underwing 8
Large Yellow Underwing 6
Setaceous Hebrew Character
L-album Wainscot 8
Vine’s Rustic
Pale Mottled Willow 3
Bright-line Brown-eye
Blood Vein (New for Year)
Square-spot Rustic 6
Silver Y
Dusky Thorn
Bloxworth Snout
MICRO MOTHS:
Double-striped Tabby
Common Plume 3
Rusty-dot Pearl 3
Light Brown Apple Moth
Ruddy Streak
Box-tree Moth
A Chiffchaff was calling again in nearby gardens and overhead, small flocks of Meadow Pipits were heading east. I hope to go off to Farlington Marshes later this morning to meet Geoff down there. Could it be good?
