Three more moths added to year list.

Monday 12th May 2025.

The rain finally came here on the south coast and thankfully, will help water the plants and grass around the area. I still put my Moth Box on last night and was rewarded with three more moths that were new for the year. Pembroke Road in Old Portsmouth had all its usual birds, though the number of juvenile Starlings seemed to have increased, which is excellent news. I am pleased to say that one of my neighbours Swift Boxes is now occupied, for I could hear one of the Swifts within it while I was walking my dogs early this morning. Yesterday’s MEGA rarity down Farlington Marshes, the Collared Pratincole, looks as though it has departed. Sadly, it didn't hang around for the oncoming crowds, but a few guys managed to get some decent photos of the bird.

The Collared Pratincole on Farlington Marshes yesterday. Photo by Andy Friend.

The Moth Box: 

At least 26 moths (some flew off before I could get a look at them) of 17 species were present around 6.45am this morning that included three more added to my year list: a Large Yellow Underwing and two very small micro moths, Bronze Alder Moth (Argyresthia goedartella) and a Triple-barred Tip Moth (Argyresthia trifasciata). Two Blair’s Mocha’s were very nice and very different in appearance too. My first Currant Pug in my garden for the year was nice as was my second Lime-speck Pug of the year.

Above, a Large Yellow Underwing and below, one of two Blair's Mocha moths.

The Moths present this morning included the following:

Macro moths:

• Currant Pug x1
• Double-striped Pug x4
• Lime-speck Pug x1
• Pale Mottled Willow x2
• Blair’s Mocha x2
• Bright-line Brown-eye x1
• Buff Ermine x2
• Brimstone Moth x2
• Small Dusty Wave x1
• Garden Carpet x1
• Treble-lines x1

Micro Moths:

• Triple-barred Tip Moth x1
• Bronze Alder Moth x2
• Ruddy Dart x3
• Common Plume x1

Above, the Triple-barred Tip Moth and below, yet another tiny micro moth, Bronze Alder Moth.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Up to 14 species were recorded this morning at Pembroke Road of which a small group of 3 Cormorants and a flock of 4 Swifts were probably the highlights within a damp overcast early morning vigil here. In the afternoon shift, the only bird of note was a female Sparrowhawk flying south high over the road.

In Hampshire today, a Black Tern was offshore at Sandy Point, Hayling Island while at Cut Bridge, a Pomarine Skua and two Arctic Skua were seen. Up to 4 Curlew Sandpipers and the Roseate Tern were on Normandy Marshes early this morning. 

Above, an Arctic Skua passing Cut Bridge. Photo by Andy Tew. Below, a Pomarine Skua also passes the same location. Photo by Andy Friend.