Two moth 'Lifers' and a pair of Honey Buzzards.

Saturday 10th May 2025.

Though the Moth numbers were low this morning in my Moth Box, Andy Fisher’s Moth Box attracted not only a very nice ‘year-tick’, but also a micro moth ‘Lifer’ and on that note, we had a good time within the New Forest again today, with an excellent trip to Acres Down. Though we were hoping for Wood Warbler; a species that is getting harder to find now, we came up trumps (after photo evidence) of a pair of Honey-buzzards from the raptor viewing area and also a host of other New Forest specialities.

My Moth Box: 

Another cold clear night produced a poor showing of just 10 moths of 5 species this morning, despite getting up at 5am to check I got all the moths attracted to my Moth Box. I suppose the pick of a very small number of moths was a Buff Ermine moth, the third one of the year. The Moths present this morning included the following:

Macro moths:

• Buff Ermine x1
• Bright-line Brown-eye x1

Micro moths:

• Light Brown Apple Moth x6
• Hourglass Mompha x1
• Brown House Moth x1

Andy's Moth Box: 

Over at Andy’s Moth Box, moth numbers were also low, with just 13 moths of 8 species, but among them, was my first ever Large Longhorn (Nematopogon swammerdamella) micro moth. It was perched high up on a window, but luckily for me, I had brought along my Moth Pots and so quickly potted the moth and after it had settled nicely, I managed to grab a few decent photos. The antennae of these beauties are so long, hence the name Longhorn and close up, it was quite an attractive delicate little moth.

Above, the Large Longhorn micro moth. A new moth for my UK life list. Below, a Pale Tussock that was added to my year list.

We were just getting used to the fact that there was not much else of note, when I pulled back the back door and revealed our first Pale Tussock moth of the year perched on Andy’s hung up jacket. Also present on the egg trays was a species of Caddis Fly, called Mottled Sedge and a Cockchafer Beetle.

Above, the Caddis Fly, Mottled Sedge and below, another Cockchafer Beetle for Andy's Moth Box.

The Moths present here this morning included the following:

Macro moths:

• Garden Carpet x2
• Heart & Dart x3
• Bright-line Brown-eye x2 
• Treble-lines x1
• Pale Tussock x1

Micro moths:

• Ruddy Streak x3
• Large Longhorn x1

Acres Down, New Forest:

Our search for the elusive Wood Warbler begins.

After parking up in the car park within Acres Down, we took the footpath passing the 'Lesser Spotted Woodpecker' tree (which was now densely covered with leaves) and then took the bridle-path north to make our way to where we saw the Wood Warblers at Puckpits Enclosure. On our way there, we kicked off with a pair of Mistle Thrushes in the trees and a singing Firecrest seen high up in one of the tall trees by the main footpath. Shortly afterwards, our first Goshawk of the day flew low overhead and headed off being chased by a Carrion Crow! Not a bad start to our walk.

Above, Tormentil flowers were abundant by the footpaths along with native Bluebells. Below, a large number of trees had been strategically cut down in the woodland here.

Above, a male Stonechat out on the heath.

We came across the footpath to the left and took this route as a male Redstart was heard singing. Eventually, we found the bird, a gorgeous male perched on an outward growing branch; Andy’s first one of the year. Shortly before the Redstart, we heard both the ‘bubbling’ call of a female Cuckoo and also a singing male Cuckoo of which that latter was chasing the former through the woodland! In the same woodland, some Crossbills were heard calling and I managed to get a very brief sighting of a bird flying away from where I found it. The big clearing on the opposite side of the wood held up to three singing male Tree Pipits and also a male Stonechat.

Above, the underside of the Common Heath moth and below, the upperside.

Above, I potted my first ever Pale Water-veneer moth and below, a male Brimstone butterfly on a Bluebell.

Eventually, we came out to the edge of the woodland and had a rest overlooking the heath to the north-west. We could see the A31 way in the distance while over a refreshing cup of coffee, we saw a couple more Stonechats on the heath and a few Meadow Pipits flying low over the heath. I was fascinated by all the day-flying moths over the heath of which most were Common Heath moths. However, a small pale micro caught my attention and so I quickly potted it and had a closer examination. I knew it was one of the Veneer micro moths, but which one? It certainly wasn't one I have ever encountered and tonight, I managed to track down its identity and I am very pleased to say it was yet another ‘Lifer’, a Pale Water-veneer ( Donacaula forficella). 

Above, we came across many Green Tiger Beetles and below, a Common Buzzard over the woodland.

Four Swallows were seen flying over the woodland, but there was no sight or sound of any Wood Warblers, unfortunately, but we did hear at least three more Redstarts singing in the woodland. We took a long walk back to the car park and with a bit of luck, we managed to find the car park about 30 minutes later. On our way back, we encountered a Woodlark, Marsh Tit, and my first Rose Chafer Beetle of the year, flying low over the heath, but sadly, it didn't settle.

A Meadow Pipit alighting on a conifer after displaying. What a beautiful sight.

After a nice bit of lunch, we decided to make our way to the Raptor viewing area overlooking the woods to the south, west and north. However, while just about to leave, a Spotted Flycatcher popped into a tree right in front of us and then I realised what it was and quickly got the guys onto the bird. The bird did not linger long and flew off strongly into the woodland beyond. Andy had grabbed yet another ‘year-tick’ for his Hampshire year list. Could we get anymore? There was a bit of a wind blowing over the area and for a while, we thought we were actually wasting our time here and then a pair of Common Buzzards took off in front of us low over the woodland.

The stunning view overlooking the woods at Acres Down.

Things got a bit better when a Hobby flew north and a Goshawk was also seen a little later flying low over the woodland. While checking out a distant raptor, something caught my eye and it turned out to be a Hawfinch flying south over the woodland and then disappeared into the woodland. A Meadow Pipit was displaying in front of us and behind us, another male Stonechat could be heard and eventually seen on the heath. A small flock of three Stock Doves flew north and a Raven was seen behind us and then I saw a pair of raptors that really grabbed my attention. They were slimmer winged than Buzzards and longer tailed and though distant, I grabbed my camera and took a few photos. It wasn't till I got home and checked my photos on my laptop when I realised they were in fact Honey-buzzards! We had met a fellow birder on our way back to the car who told us that we were 10 days too early for Honey-buzzard; though Selsey Bill had one a few days ago and others had been reported in the UK already. So a great end to a great day.