Some unexpected Moths today.

Thursday 22nd May 2025.

The micro moth Sulphur Tubic on my kitchen wall.

Though I have been birding for what seems a very long time, I have seen and heard some very daft things over the years, but to read that you cannot put a photo out on social media of a bird, that though uncommon and no location given to exactly where it was seen or photographed; ladies and gentlemen, I give you Turtlegate!!!! Rather in getting into a heated dispute over the issue, all I can say is what a crock of s***!!! I shall put out a photo of a House Sparrow later and say it was seen somewhere in the UK, but, sorry, it's a secret!

The Small Dusty Wave moth in my garden this afternoon.

Back to earth and reality, I did not put the Moth Box on overnight as I did not want to retrap yesterday's moths, but I still got some moths in my garden and kitchen, nonetheless! The weather was nice this morning with a clear blue sky and mild temperatures, but this afternoon, a large rain cloud came in from the north over Portsmouth and so it rained on my second shift in Pembroke Road.

My House: 

There were three Moths on show in and around my house today and it kicked off when I found the micro moth Sulphur Tubic perched on a kitchen wall. I have seen a few earlier this year, but to get a showy one is always a treat. On a fence within the garden, I found a Small Dusty Wave moth and in our bathroom, I had to pot and release a Ruddy Streak micro moth that was in the basin!

A stunning male Redstart. Photo by Rob Porter.

Meanwhile, back out in the garden, at least four Holly Blue butterflies were seen around the vegetation and one actually perched for a while on the Ivy plants.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

It was cool at first in Pembroke Road this morning, but it was sunny as I notched up a total of 16 species seen in and around this site. A small flock of 3 Mute Swans were seen flying low east over the Curtain Moat and I suppose, the biggest surprise was a Grey Heron flying very low over my head and over the houses and beyond this afternoon. Little Egret yesterday and Grey Heron today; perhaps a Little Bittern tomorrow? Four species of Gull were seen here today including a ‘heard’ Mediterranean Gull while I was sitting in my car before my second shift. It is always good to see Swifts here and they mostly fly low over the Holm Oak trees in search of aerial insects.  

An Oystercatcher (at a secret site, well not really, but I could be in trouble in revealing where it is!) photographed at Slimbridge WWT (oops!) by Emma Parkes. 

In Hampshire today, the Hudsonian Godwit has now been at Titchfield Haven for a week and still showing very well in front of the Meonshore Hide. Another good bird to be found today was a singing Blyth’s Reed Warbler at Luccombe Farm on the Isle of Wight. I was lucky enough to see one on the Scilly Isles many years ago, but I would love to see one again. Over in West Sussex, a Caspian Gull was off Church Norton and nearby, a Common Quail was heard singing at Medmerry RSPB Reserve this morning.

Above, a gorgeous Spotted Flycatcher was photographed by Rob Porter and below, a cracking photo of a Common Whitethroat taken recently.

I would also like to thank Emma Parkes and Rob Porter for allowing me to put some of their superb photos on my blog again. Cheers guys.