Canary-shouldered Thorn. It has been a good year for this species in my garden.
More rain was forecast today and it certainly belted down while I was in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth early this morning. Fortunately, it didn't last too long as I kept an eye and ear out for any passing birds where I was working this morning. I put the Moth Box on overnight for the first time this week and it paid off and though there was nothing new for the year, there was a good variety and number of moths plus it was dry too!
The Moth Box:
Above, a Clancy's Rustic and below, one of three Lunar Underwing moths.
A good total of 80 moths of 19 species recorded this morning of which an incredible 22 of these were L-album Wainscot moths. I think this is a record for my garden for I have never seen so many in all the years I have been studying moths. Notable Autumn moths included Feathered Ranunculus, Lunar Underwing, Clancy’s Rustic, Diamond-back Moth and an odd looking White-point. A Canary-shouldered Thorn added a splash of colour, perched on the wall opposite the Moth Box.
Above, a Feathered Ranunculus and below, the odd looking White-point moth.
The moths present this morning included the following:
MACRO MOTHS:
Lesser Yellow Underwing 9
Large Yellow Underwing 6
Feathered Ranunculus
Lunar Underwing 3
L-album Wainscot 22
Blair’s Mocha
Clancy’s Rustic
Pale Mottled Willow 6
Willow Beauty 8
Canary-shouldered Thorn
Garden Carpet 3
Double-striped Pug 7
White-point
MICRO MOTHS:
Light Brown Apple Moth 6
Diamond-back Moth
Rusty-dot Pearl 3
Beautiful Plume
Common Plume
Brown House Moth
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Governor's Green with the Royal Garrison Church in the background. You can even see the Isle of Wight Ferry passing between the Church and the houses!
Just as I arrived at Pembroke Road, the heavens opened and a deluge of rain came down for the next ten minutes! However, I quickly got into the swing of things and recorded up to 15 species of birds during my hour here that included at least 3 Jays and a couple of Chiffchaffs. Robins were singing, despite the rain and a few Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails flew west over Governor’s Green. I was about to rescue a young Wood Pigeon that had flown into a glass window nearby and looked stunned as it wondered what the hell happened on the edge of the road. But as I approached the bird to save it from being squished by a passing car, it thankfully flew up and away over to the nearby trees! Over on Governor’s Green, a large flock of around 40+ Starlings were circling over the field and occasionally settled for a feed among the Black-headed and Herring Gulls.
Earlier this morning, while checking the moths, a Chiffchaff was again in the back gardens, frequently calling and a few Meadow Pipits passed overhead. I remember many years ago when wave after wave of ‘Mipits’ flew high over my house and then I heard a call that could only have been a Red-throated Pipit and I actually saw the bird, though it was only a silhouette. However, these days, without photographic proof, the ‘Rarity Boffs' would probably not accept it!
A change of leaf colour on its way here in the Cemetery.
The weather is still playing its part this week with some very heavy showers all over the UK and overnight, there was a prolonged spell of rain, though it still remains to be quite mild. The winds have switched to north-westerly and with a temperature of around 16 degrees, it is sure to down some migrant birds along the south coast? This month sure seems to be producing a large fall of Chiffchaffs around the Portsmouth area. Good numbers were seen this morning around both Pembroke Road and Highland Road Cemetery, with the latter site easily hosting well into double-figures! There was no Moth Box overnight as the rain was falling quite heavily late evening, but I will be putting it on tonight whatever the weather.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Honey Fungus was growing at the base of this old tree stump and Bracket fungus growing on the tree itself still.
It was overcast at 8am this morning when I started work this morning in Pembroke Road; but it was dry and a breezy wind blew down the road. I logged up to 13 species of birds this morning here that included up to 5 Chiffchaffs flitting about around the roadside trees. There were probably more around and if I had time, I would have liked to take a stroll down the footpath leading to the Curtain Moat. Overhead, small flocks of Meadow Pipits headed west and a single Pied Wagtail heading the same direction was noted. The Jay popped in briefly and alighted on one of the smaller trees before heading off west and at least two Robins briefly showed themselves, with one in full song.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
Above, one of many Chiffchaffs seen in the Cemetery and below, this singing Coal Tit took me by surprise. A rarity on this site.
After listening to yet another Chiffchaff near my garden calling continuously, this spurred me on to take a trip over to Highland Road Cemetery again with the dogs and so grabbing their lead, we made our way over there. Again, it was very quiet for dog-walkers (always a bonus!) as we slowly made our way along our usual route. Along the west side footpath, there was a lot of activity that included easily around a dozen Chiffchaffs around. Most were heard, but I bet a lot more were in that particular area that were not calling? In fact, throughout my walk, I could hear Chiffchaffs calling from many bushes and trees and I estimated at least 25+ must have been at this site today.
Above, there were two Large White butterflies using this Buddliea bush and below, a singing Starling on top of the rooftops of the neigbouring houses.
A real rarity here is the Coal Tit and this morning, I heard one calling high up in the Pine tree in the south-west corner. I did manage to see the bird clearly and even managed a few record shots, but this is a species that I have only seen on only a handful of occasions. The Jay showed well, but proved very difficult to grab a photo of as it flew higher and higher up a tree and then was heard later further to the north. Meadow Pipits continued to fly high overhead, heading westbound
Above, I just love the way the trees are turning colour and below, a female Blackbird over in the south-east corner.
The birds seen in the Cemy this morning included the following:
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Chiffchaff
Goldfinch
Meadow Pipit
Carrion Crow
Jay
Magpie
Starling
Wren
Above, brightly coloured Virginia Creeper shrouds this Conifer over in the northern section of the Cemetery and below, more Honey Fungus surrounds the base of this Beech tree.
Above, a Speckled Wood butterfly and below, an Ivy Bee.
There were a few butterfly species seen this morning that included an unexpected Peacock; but the more familiar butterflies here included Large & Small White, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood. I was sure I saw a ‘Blue’ butterfly, which was most likely a Common Blue, over in the south-east corner flying low over the grass. At least two Vapourer Moths were seen flying around the Cemetery, but none gave me the pleasure of settling down to be photographed!
Above, a Tapered Drone Fly and below, this Chiffchaff was one of two by the Mausoleum.
Above, a male Blackbird hunting for worms.
In Hampshire this morning, up to 3 Glossy Ibis were on the Bridge Street Floods, Titchfield, this morning and a good selection of Warblers seen at Hayling Oyster Beds along with a Spotted Redshank there.
The heavy rain in the early hours of the morning woke me up a few times and the thought of getting a good soaking this morning on my first shift in Pembroke Road, was not what I wanted first thing this morning. A clap of distant thunder and the early morning news saying there was a 'Yellow-weather' warning for most of the south of England had me clambering for my waterproofs, though I really needed to as the worst of the rain passed by before I started work. Phew! All the photos on this entry to my blog were taken yesterday in Highland Road Cemetery.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
ARed Admiral in the Cemetery yesterday.
Thankfully, the worst of the weather had left Old Portsmouth and I quickly got onto the local birds here. I managed to get up to 13 species here that included a Jay and a Chiffchaff. OK, they will not set the world alight in the birding world, but when you get the same old birds over and over again, they are a nice bonus to the morning; the latter bird was seen several times flying up into a roadside tree and then back into a small garden opposite where I stood. What I also liked was a Robin ‘ticking’ away and then bursting into song for a while.
Above, a Small White nectaring on the Buddleia and below, a Speckled Wood sunning itself on a Bramble leaf.
Above, a male Blackbird keeping an eye on me and below, a Batman Hoverfly nectaring on Ivy.
Apart from a few Bumblebees on the flower beds beside me, the insect life here was rather quiet, though I did save a Crane Fly from certain death from a small spider! Again, no rain during my second shift and when I got home and made a coffee, I checked out my Ivy growing in my back garden which held a variety of insect life that included a Small White butterfly, Drone Fly, Tapered Drone Fly, Batman Hoverfly, Honey Bee, Ivy Bee and a few smaller Hoverflies that escaped an ID. That's the beauty of nature, you just never know what will grab your attention next and a good proportion of the UK population simply take this for granted.
Above, an Ivy Bee and below, at least one bird posed for me yesterday afternoon. A Collared Dove.
Above, a Garden Spider with its prey.
Yesterday, I took my dogs for an afternoon walk around Highland Road Cemetery and the weather wasn't too bad either. We are now in the throes of Autumn and therefore I was keeping an eye out for any migrant birds, but all I could find were Chiffchaffs. Not one, not two, but there must have been at least a dozen within the Cemetery, calling from all sorts of places, but none actually posed long enough for their photo to be taken!! Buggers! Instead, just a friendly Collared Dove posed for me instead! At least the insects here played ball and showed well! The only other bird of note was a Goldcrest that called frequently, but only showed just once.
The large rain cloud was heading our way while we were on the Fort. My new waterproof coat done the business kept me dry, though my jeans took a good soaking.
There was no sign of yesterday’s Pectoral Sandpiper early morning down Farlington Marshes and so as there seemed to be a lot of visible migration overhead and as the weather was overcast and a north-easterly blowing, I suggested we all go to Old Winchester Hill. There is always a chance of a good migrant or two and should anything turn up in southern Hampshire, we could always make our way there afterwards. One thing we didn't count on was a heavy shower over the Hill, but I had brought my wet weather gear and so didn't get a soaking like I did last time it hammered down here.
The Moth Boxes:
My first Buff Footmanof the year.
A fair selection in and around my Moth Box this morning that included a Footman species that had me scratching my head. After carefully going through my ID guide, I actually got a better look of it later when I got back home from birding with the guys and I am now convinced it was actually a Buff Footman; my first one of the year. There were some other nice moths too that have been scarce this year in my garden that included yesterday’s Scarce Bordered Straw, Clancy’s Rustic and a Maiden’s Blush. My first Common Marbled Carpet of the Autumn finally arrived among the moths too. A total of 46 moths of 22 species were recorded today.
Just the one Old Lady moth present this morning.
The Moths present in and around my Moth Box included the following:
MACRO MOTHS:
Old Lady
Buff Footman (New for Year)
Double-striped Pug 4
Scarce Bordered Straw
Clancy’s Rustic
Maiden’s Blush
Willow Beauty 4
Pale Mottled Willow
Square-spot Rustic
Garden Carpet 2
L-album Wainscot 6
Common Marbled Carpet
Lesser Yellow Underwing 3
Angle Shades
MICRO MOTHS:
Box-tree Moth 4
Rusty-dot Pearl 2
Light Brown Apple Moth 2
Ruddy Streak 4
Narrow-winged Grey
Common Plume 3
Tree-mallow Tortrix
Pale-backed Detritus Moth
Meanwhile, over at Andy’s Moth trap, there was less variety, though that was to be expected. A few notable moths here this morning included a Straw Dot, Blair’s Mocha, Lunar Underwing and my second Common Marbled Carpet among the 27 moths of 15 species. Overhead, a Grey Wagtail put in an appearance as it flew over the rooftops and a Chiffchaff was calling nearby.
Above, a mixture of both Large and Lesser Yellow Underwings, L-album Wainscot and Lunar Underwing. Below, a Common Marbled Carpet.
The moths present in his garden this morning included the following:
MACRO MOTHS:
L-album Wainscot 4
Straw Dot
Blair’s Mocha
Willow Beauty
Lesser Yellow Underwing 4
Large Yellow Underwing 4
Square-spot Rustic 3
Lunar Underwing
Common Marbled Carpet
Garden Carpet
MACRO MOTHS:
Narrow-winged Grey
Box-tree Moth 2
Ruddy Streak
Light Brown Apple Moth
Rusty-dot Pearl
Old Winchester Hill, Meon Valley:
This Dock Bug was found while we took a rest on one of the benches near the Fort entrance. I saw one earlier this year in Andy's back garden.
This morning here can best be remembered for the large number of House Martins flying through. There were easily at least 500+ seen throughout the morning, coming through in waves with smaller numbers of Swallows among them. I remember a few years back, roughly the same time, when exactly the same thing happened when there was a constant flow of House Martins passing through this site and it's incredible to note, they are hardly seen during the Summer months and then a huge number pours through. It really was amazing to watch.
Above, Parasol Toadstools growing on the top of the Fort area and below, Andy making his way up the south slope on the Fort.
Above, Andy finally gets to the top of the south slope and below, a passing Red Kite passes overhead.
As expected, there were good numbers of both Chiffchaff and Blackcap on the Hill, but no other species of Warbler were seen on our walk here today. Where are all the Whitethroats gone? Of the Corvids seen, at least two Jays were seen flying over the valley below and a few Ravens were seen too, albeit distantly. Raptors seen here included at least three Red Kites and a few distant Common Buzzards. A lone Kestrel was seen hovering around the Fort area, until flying off north over the countryside. A couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen and a Green Woodpecker was heard only. Will we ever find a Wryneck here one day? The track leading to the Fort produced sightings of Bullfinch, Coal Tit and a flock of 14 Yellowhammers; the latter all flying into the adjacent field. Meadow Pipits also were abundant, with many flocks flying overhead. There was just the one Tree Pipit seen this morning that was flying north from the Fort area shortly after that weather front had pushed through. This was Geoff's first one for the Autumn.
Above, a juvenile Bullfinch and a Greenfinch down at the bottom of the south slope and below, the male Redstart on the slope itself.
Above, another view of the Redstart and below, a male Yellowhammer with a Greenfinch down at the bottom of the south slope.
Other notable sightings included a brief sighting of a Firecrest also along the footpath leading to the Fort and a nice male Redstart was seen on the south slope of the Fort; perched in a small bush, picking off insects that flew close by. Down at the bottom of the slope, there were good numbers of Greenfinch in the trees and these were joined by a few Chiffchaff and Blackcaps flitting about among them.
Above, a Carline Thistle growing on the South Slope and below, a pair of Meadow Brown butterflies in the same area.
Above and below, at least two Adonis Bluebutterflies were also in the same area.
The south slope, which is famous for its rare chalkland plants, also held a few butterflies on the wing that included good numbers of Meadow Brown, a few Red Admirals and best of all, at least two Adonis Blue’s. A variety of insects were noted during our walk here today and that included the Toothed Tiger Ichneumon Wasp, Plantain Leaf Beetle, a Dock Bug and a Common Green Shieldbug. Roesel’s Bush Crickets could be heard in good numbers, but too hidden to find in the undergrowth. I found a few Parasol Toadstools growing at the top of the Fort, though I did think they were Horse Mushrooms, but on closer inspection with the photos, they were most definitely Parasols.
A Plantain Leaf Beetle and below, a Toothed Tiger Ichneumon Wasp.
Above, several Black Slugswere seen in the damp grass. Below, the view of the countryside from the bottom of the South Slope.
Above, Geoff overlooking the South Slope and the sheep in the background. Sadly, I had to remind a few dog walkers in keeping their dogs on a lead. Obviously, some people just choose to ignore the big signs put up for the dog walkers. Below, Geoff pointed out this Dogwood growing on the Hill.
One of the Adonis Blue butterflies on the South Slope on Old Winchester Hill.
Coombe village:
The Barns that held a number of interesting birds.
Near Old Winchester Hill is the small hamlet of Coombe and seeing we had some time on our hands, I suggested going down into the valley here at Coombe and check out the birdlife here from the side of the road, overlooking the farm to the north. Geoff occasionally does bird recording here in the Winter and as we were in the full throes of migration, I fancied checking out the area for an hour or so. There were plenty of sheep grazing in the fields in the distance which attracted a lot of Corvids. Good numbers of Stock Doves were seen flying over and at least 5 Red Kites and a couple of Common Buzzards were seen soaring over the top of the slopes. We found at least 5 Chiffchaffs around the Barn area, easily picking off the many insects here along with a pair of Pied Wagtails. It really is a lovely location and as I said to Geoff, I wonder how many species would be seen if I started at first light here?
The countryside near the Barns. Geoff had a gathering of over 30 birds here last winter and today, both Red Kite and Common Buzzard were all over the place.
