Tuesday 3rd June 2025.

Small Square-spot and White-point were new for the year.

A big weather change this morning as overcast and windy conditions brought in the rain today. I am not complaining as it saves me watering the garden, but not too pleasant working in it. I had the Moth Box on overnight and there was a much lower number of moths this morning compared to Sunday. I had a cracking number of moths last month with a staggering 113 moth species recorded, though I very much doubt I will beat that this month. We shall see. I also was back at Pembroke Road this morning for my first shift.

The Moth Box:

This Cabbage Moth was new for the month.

There were just 18 moths this morning of 15 species, which was a bit disappointing, but among them were two more new moths for the year: a Small Square-spot and a White-point. The latter moth species I get regularly throughout the year in my Moth Box, but the former is much rarer. I was hoping for a Striped Hawk-moth this morning because there is a mass invasion of this species into the UK from the Continent (reminiscent of those crossing the Channel in small boats!......I couldn't resist that!) and several have turned up in Hampshire Moth Boxes. I have had just one of these amazing moths in my garden several years ago. I do hope I get another.

The first Garden Grass-veneer moth for the garden this year.

The Moths present this morning included the following:

Macro moths:

• Small Square-spot x1
• White-point x1
• Garden Carpet x1
• L-album Wainscot x1
• White Ermine x2
• Heart & Dart x1
• Marbled Minor x2
• Vine’s Rustic x1
• Cabbage Moth x1
• Lime-speck Pug x1

Micro moths:

• Common Plume x1
• Garden Grass-veneer x1
• Light Brown Apple Moth x2
• Garden Mompha x1
• Blushed Knot-horn x1

Yesterday, three Garganey (two drakes and a female) were found by Jason Crook on the Deeps at Farlington Marshes and, of course, Andy Fisher rushed down there in the early evening to view the birds and he also picked up his first sighting of a Lesser Whitethroat in the Bushes area. Yes, I was tempted to go down there for myself, but I was too tired to be honest.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The Mont St. Michel Passenger Ferry passing Royal Garrison Church in Old Portsmouth this morning.

Though the weather was a little unpleasant with a strong south-westerly wind blowing a lot of dead leaves from the trees and an overcast sky. To be honest, it looked good for a sea-watch today so I shall be interested in seeing what Selsey Bill had to offer later today. My first shift produced 15 species this morning at Pembroke Road that included up to three Pied Wagtails on the Bowling Green and overhead, a pair of Mediterranean Gulls were seen heading east; my fourth species of Gull this morning included Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gull.