Out in the beautiful Hampshire countryside.

Saturday 28th June 2025.

The beautiful countryside we visited in the north of the County.

Today, with Andy and Geoff, we made our way into some seriously beautiful countryside in the north of the County in search for Quail. Geoff had earlier this week heard two birds calling within a field while checking out the local Corn Buntings and so we made the trip to hopefully hear the birds for ourselves. The Moth Boxes this morning threw up more moths that were new for the year and even Matt & Emma Parkes had a nice variety too. Finally, we finished the day off with a good hour at Cowplain Marsh (Andy’s back garden) to check out the Damselflies and Butterflies around his pond and yes, his Goldfish are doing well!

My Moth Box:

My first Old Lady moth of the year.

Despite getting up at 4.30am (what the hell!!!), there was a disappointing low number of moths this morning in and around the Moth Box. The overcast sky gave way to a bit of drizzle and that damn Herring Gull came down again to make a nuisance of itself of which I quickly flushed! At least it wasn't in my coffee cup again! I was hoping for a big count of moths but there were just 54 moths of 30 species present. I shouldn’t complain, but when you are averaging at least 80+, you tend to get used to it at this time of year. However, three more moths were new for the year that included my first Old Lady of the year and two micro moths: Black-banded Masoner (Blastobasis rebeli) and Red-barred Tortrix (Ditula angustiorana).

Above, my first Red-barred Tortrix of the year and below, the Black-banded Masoner micro moth.

My second Dark Spectacle of the year was present although it would not settle long and soon flew off strongly. Up to 7 Common Emerald’s were present and even my neighbour said she had one in her kitchen today and showed me a photo on her mobile phone! I have noticed that micro moths are most certainly increasing in numbers and always a challenge the smaller they are. Another smart Oak Knot-horn (Phycita roborella) was again present this morning and three migrant Diamond-back Moths were also in attendance.

The Moths present in and around my Moth Box this morning included the following:

Macro moths:

• Dark Spectacle x1
• Riband Wave x4
• Bright-line Brown-eye x2
• Heart & Dart x2
• L-album Wainscot x3
• Common Emerald x7
• Old Lady x1 *
• Common Rustic x1
• Large Yellow Underwing x1
• Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1
• Double-striped Pug x3
• Common Pug x1
• Lackey x1
• White Ermine x1
• Cabbage Moth x1
• Willow Beauty x1

Micro moths:

• Black-banded Masoner x1*
• Rusty-dot Pearl x3
• Garden Grey x1
• Garden Grass-veneer x3
• Red-barred Tortrix x1*
• Garden Mompha x1
• Rosy Tabby x1
• Common Plume x1
• Bee Moth x2
• Blushed Knot-horn x3
• Diamond-back Moth x3
• Brown House Moth x1
• Oak Knot-horn x1
• Light Brown Apple Moth x1

Andy Fisher’s Moth Box:

One of two Festoon moths by Andy's Moth Box.

This morning, Andy’s Box produced up to 29 moths of 22 species of which among them were three more Moths that were new for the year and a couple of Hawk-moths! Geoff and I quickly got about checking the conservatory by the back door and then the egg trays which produced our first Early Thorn and Festoon moth for the year. In fact, there were TWO Festoon moths present and we also found two Elephant Hawk-moths and the large micro moth, Mother-of-Pearl, which was added to my year list. My second Heart & Club for the year was on one of the egg trays and both Swallow-tailed Moth and Varied Coronet were notable.

Two more 'year-ticks' from Andy's Moth Box: above, Mother of Pearl moth and below, an Early Thorn moth.

The Moths present at ‘Cowplain Marsh’ included the following:

Macro moths:

• Early Thorn x1 *
• Small Dusty Wave x1
• Varied Coronet x1
• Shuttle-shaped Dart x1
• Garden Carpet x1
• L-album Wainscot x1
• Festoon x2 *
• Heart & Dart x1
• Riband Wave x4
• Willow Beauty x2
• Uncertain x1
• Elephant Hawk-moth x2
• Pale Mottled Willow x1
• Swallow-tailed Moth x1
• Heart & Club x1

Micro moths:

• Common Plume x1
• Rosy Tabby x3
• Mother of Pearl x1 *
• White-banded Grass-veneer x1
• Brown House Moth x1
• Codling Moth x1
• Garden Grass-veneer x1

Emma & Matt’s Moth Box:

Pine Hawk-moth.

Over at Fareham, Emma & Matt had yet another excellent haul of Moths this morning that included THREE species of Hawk-moth. They kindly sent me a list of what they recorded:

Macro moths:

• Pine Hawk-moth 
• Privet Hawk-moth
• Poplar Hawk-moth
• Peppered Moth
• Brown-tail
• Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
• L-album Wainscot
• Nut-tree Tussock
• Heart & Dart
• Heart & Club
• Dark Arches
• Riband Wave
• Double-striped Pug
• Flame
• Treble Brown Spot

Micro moths:

• Bee Moth
• Small Magpie

North  Hampshire:

We had our lunch here while enjoying the panoramic views over the countryside. Butterflies were abundant along the hedgerows and passing us over the field. Amazing.

As mentioned, we drove north into the stunning countryside of Hampshire to hopefully hear a Quail this morning after Geoff had heard a couple earlier this week. Parking up in a lay-by, we made our way along the bridle path leading down to a very large Oat field which was dissected by a large area of set aside by a very caring local Farmer. It was overcast when we arrived but around an hour later, the clouds finally broke and a very warm sun beamed down upon us, lighting up the surrounding countryside. All you could hear were singing Skylarks, but sadly, no Quails were heard during the three hours we were there.

Above, a Small Skipper butterfly and below, a Satin Grass-moth (Crambus perlella). I always take a moth pot with me just in case. These were everywhere in one of the fields.

Above, a Thick-legged Flower Beetle on a Hogweed plant and below, Red Soldier Beetles on another Hogweed plant.

Never mind, for we were surrounded by a host of butterflies, insects, flowers and of course, a lot of birds. Overhead, flocks of both Swallows and Swifts chased aerial insects low over the fields and it didn't take too long for us to pick up a calling Corn Bunting sitting on the edge of the Oat field within the set-aside scrub. In fact, the set-aside was full of wild flowers that included Ox-eye Daisies, Knapweed and a variety of other species that included the pretty Sainfoin flowers. Butterflies were everywhere that included Marbled White, Ringlet, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Brimstone and both Large and Small White’s. An Emperor Dragonfly was seen zooming across one of the fields on the way back to the car.

Above, one of many Ringlet butterflies around the site and below, the attractive plant Sainfoin.

Above, one of many Skylarks over the Oat fields and below, the bridlepath between the two Oat fields.

In the distance, both Common Buzzard and several Red Kites soared over the distant woodland. A few Ramblers walked past and told us to enjoy the Skylarks which were literally everywhere. About an hour went past and still no sign of any Quail calling and so we carried on along the path that cut through the field and made our way further north to the edge of the field. From here, there was another large set-aside that was full of various flowering plants. Most notable were the Fennel plants, with some about 8 feet high! But their yellow flowering tops attracted a host of insects which was good news for the birds in the area that included at least three Common Whitethroats and now up to four Corn Buntings!

Above, a Long Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta) and below, a Fennel plant.

Above, an ascending singing Skylark over the Oat fields and below, a Common Whitethroat belting out its song from an overhead wire.

Above, the Oat field segregated by the set-aside strip that was full of different plants, most notably the tall Fennel. Below, Chicory was also growing here.

Above, a small flock of six Goldfinches, including this one, were briefly on the overhead wires and below, a Roe Deer in the distance by the edge of the field.

Above, Geoff and Andy chilling out by the edge of the field and below, another Common Whitethroat on the overhead wire.

Above and below, Corn Buntings put on a good show for us.

Above, another Corn Bunting on the edge of the field and below, a Meadow Brown butterfly on a Knapweed flower head.

Above, a Meadow Grasshopper and below, the Common Whitethroat.

Also among the many flowering plants was the light blue flowering Chicory plants which attracted a variety of Hoverflies. Both Common Green Grasshopper and Meadow Grasshoppers were heard and some seen, while hidden Roesel’s Bush-crickets could be heard deep within the vegetation. They can be a bugger to see at times! Three Linnets and up to 6 Goldfinches were seen on the wires; sometimes with the Corn Buntings too, though we think we might be a little too close to a Corn Bunting nest as one of the Buntings had food in its bill ready to offload to its offspring. Andy picked out a pair of Ravens flying high overhead and maybe the same birds were seen a little later on. At least two, possibly three  Roe Deer were seen here as well, with one individual bounding along through the Oat field. Though we ‘dipped’ on the Quail, there was always a chance Geoff might come back here soon to check it out again.   

Cowplain Marsh (Andy’s back garden).

One of two Comma butterflies in Andy's garden this afternoon.

I suggested going back to Andy’s house now that the sun was out and a clear blue sky overhead would bring out the Damselflies and possibly some Dragonflies to his garden. So, after stopping off at a local shop nearby for a packet of Dark Chocolate Biscuits, it was coffee and biscuits by the Pond for a good hour here in the very warm sunshine. The sun most certainly brought out the insects as we watched the Goldfish going about their business within the pond. 

Above, a Common Tiger Hoverfly and below, Andy's pond in all its glory.

Above, the Speckled Wood butterfly and below, both Large Red Damselfly and Azure Damselfly.

Above, both Elephant Hawk-moths still present in the afternoon and below, Geoff and Andy.

Both Azure and Large Red Damselflies were abundant around the Pond and even a Common Tiger Hoverfly was sunning itself on one of the plants by the Pond. Up to SEVEN species of butterfly were present in his garden this afternoon that included a Speckled Wood, a pair of Comma’s, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Meadow Brown and both Large and Small White and even possibly a Holly Blue, but it flew off too quick to get a correct ID. Andy is going to get more plants and fish tomorrow and indeed, good times ahead for Cowplain Marsh.