TWO Hummingbird Hawk-moths this morning!

Wednesday 25th June 2025.

This Hummingbird Hawk-moth was only the second ever by my Moth Box within my garden. I didn't expect to see another one at Pembroke Road this morning!

Another cracking morning with the moths and at least double in numbers compared to yesterday. It was overcast at first this morning but relatively mild (although I did have my fleece on!) with a very light westerly. After topping up the bird feeders with dried Mealworms, I set about checking the Moths; but when I had my back turned, I did hear some noise behind me and thinking it was one of the dogs snuffling about, it turned out to be that bloody Herring Gull again and this time, he was dunking its bill in my coffee!!! It promptly flew off when I chased it off the garden table.

It looks as though both Emma and Matt Parkes are now hooked on ‘Moth-ing’ as they had another nice haul of Moths in and around their trap this morning. I am pleased to say that Andy Fisher's Goldfish survived the night, but he has definitely put his foot down in having no Garden Gnomes on Cowplain Marsh! 

My Moth Box:

Plumed Fan-foot is a species that is annual in my garden.

A much better haul of Moths than yesterday with a total of 77 moths of 39 species that included a Plumed Fan-foot, Blood-vein and two Langmaids Yellow Underwings, which were all new for the year. Only my second ever Hummingbird Hawk-moth by my trap for the garden was present, though I had to pull off some spider web from the Moth and then gently release it on one of the Garden plants.

Above, my second Dun-bar moth of the year and below, my 3rd Comfrey Ermine of the year.

There was no doubt about the Langmaids Yellow Underwings as I had a good look at the underwing to confirm as they fluttered about after I potted them. The Plumed Fan-foot is always a very good record here on the south coast of which it was a real rarity, but now does breed in Hampshire. My third Comfrey Ermine was sitting on the white sheet and again, a good record for my garden.

Above, one of two Langmaids Yellow Underwings and below, a Blood-vein. Both were new for the year.

The Moths recorded this morning included the following:

Macro moths:

• Plumed Fan-foot x1 *
• Blood-vein x1 *
• White Ermine x1
• Double-striped Pug x4
• Common Pug x 1
• Lime-speck Pug x2
• Hummingbird Hawk-moth x1
• Silver Y x1
• Dark Arches x2
• Garden Carpet x3
• Snout x1
• Riband Wave x4
• Common Emerald x3
• L-album Wainscot x6
• Large Yellow Underwing x2
• Langmaids Yellow Underwing x2 *
• Lackey x2
• Willow Beauty x6
• Lychnis x1
• Dun-bar x1
• Grey Dagger agg. X1
• Heart & Dart x1
• Bright-line Brown-eye x2

Micro moths:

• Light Brown Apple Moth x1
• Bramble Shoot Moth x1
• Common Plume x4
• Beautiful Plume x1
• Bird-cherry Ermine x4
• Brown House Moth x1
• Apple Leaf Miner x1
• Bud Moth x1
• Blushed Knot-horn x1
• Oak Knot-horn x1
• Barred Marble x2
• Box Tree Moth x2
• Brown Bark Moth x1
• Garden Grass-veneer x4
• Meal Moth x1
• Comfrey Ermine x1

Matt & Emma’s Moth Box:

A Large Emerald moth in Emma & Matt's garden this morning.

Over in Fareham, Matt and Emma had another nice haul of moths that included a Large Emerald and three Hawk-moths: Poplar and 2 Elephant Hawk-moths. Also a Bee Moth!

Above, Matt & Emma also had a Poplar Hawk-moth (above) and an Elephant Hawk-moth this morning (below).

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Up to 14 bird species were recorded here on my first shift this morning, although nothing really exciting among them. In fact, it was another insect that stole the show again, with my second Hummingbird Hawk-moth of the day nectaring briefly on some nearby Lavender plants growing on the front porch of one of the houses in Pembroke Road. It was too quick for me to get any photos or film footage; but lovely to see one here anyway. The usual insects were enjoying the Bushes again with Harlequin Ladybirds and two Parasitic Wasp species flying around the Bushes. It is supposed to warm up this afternoon, so we shall see what turns up.