Excellent haul of moths this morning.

Wednesday 30th April 2025.

This superb Cabbage Moth was found in the back bedroom of my house and quickly potted and let free in the back garden.

As this week goes on, it is getting warmer and warmer and that means a good number of Moths are turning up in and around my Moth Trap and my highest number for the year, 40 moths of 14 species, were recorded. This included a topping of 8 new moths for the year. I passed the seafront when I was making my way to Pembroke Road this morning and the sea was flat calm again, though it is Pomarine Skua season and already Selsey Bill had 3 gone past already! An Arctic Skua passed Sandy Point this morning (plus 3 Greenshank); so don't read on flat calm conditions in not getting a Skua or two!

The Moth Boxes:

One of two Oak-tree Pugs this morning.

Not only did I have my Moth Box on last night, but also Emma & Matt Parkes did and was rewarded with just the one moth, a Double-striped Pug. One is always better than nothing. Eight ‘year-ticks’ were added to my year list this morning that included the ‘macro’ moths: Nutmeg, Least Black Arches, Vine’s Rustic, Oak-tree Pug and a Cabbage Moth and the ‘micro’ moths: Mallow Seed Moth, Pale-backed Detritus Moth and Common Daisy Moth. 

Above, one of two Least Black Arches and below, Nutmeg moth.

Vines Rustic. A very common moth throughout the year.

The total moths recorded this morning are as follows:

• Nutmeg x1
• Oak-tree Pug x2
• Double-striped Pug x3
• Brimstone Moth x4
• Vine’s Rustic x1
• Least Black Arches x2
• Cabbage Moth x1
• Rusty-dot Pearl x2
• Ruddy Streak x10
• White-shouldered House Moth x2
• Light Brown Apple Moth x9
• Pale-backed Detritus Moth x1
• Mallow Seed Moth x1
• Common Daisy Moth x1

Above, Pale-backed Detritus Moth (Monopis crocicapitella) and below, Common Daisy Moth (Dichrorampha acuminatana)

Above, my first Mallow Seed Moth (Platyedra subcinerea) of the year. Below, I found this deceased Hoverfly, a male Long-winged Duskyface (Melanostoma scalare).

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Up to 13 species were recorded on my first shift in Pembroke Road this morning, though nothing out of the ordinary I'm afraid. It was good to watch the Starlings fly over the road and search for grubs and worms on Governor’s Green. This species is in decline in the UK, but they seem to be in good numbers here.

An incredible FOUR Wood Sandpipers were seen this morning on the Deeps at Farlington Marshes. I am very busy today and stand no chance in going down to see them. What other exciting birds will be discovered today? A late evening update and it really kicked off down Farlington Marshes where not only were the Wood Sandpipers a good draw for any birder, but local birder Jason Crook found an American Golden Plover at the back of the Deeps and though it flew off into the harbour, it did return to settle on the Stream area. And if that isnt enough, a Curlew Sandpiper was on the Lake too!

The American Golden Plover on the Stream at Farlington Marshes. Photos by Doug Yelland.