Saturday 16th August 2025.
It had been raining Spotted Flycatchers on the south coast!
The weekend is here at last and what a superb Saturday we had today. Sadly, Geoff could not be with us today due to other commitments and so it was just Andy I took up to Old Winchester Hill this morning for possible migrants, but not before checking his Moth Box. We met up with both Matt and Emma Parkes at Old Winchester Hill and though the day was mostly overcast, it was still bright and at times, quite warm. Andy and I then finished the day off at Northney Paddocks in search of this morning sighting of the Pied Flycatcher.
My Moth Box:
The Large Thorn was still present this morning.
Though bright, but overcast, it was also a bit breezy for a change, but that didn't stop my Moth Box getting 120+ moths of 39 species this morning! Though there were no new moths for the year, that was my highest total for the month so far and a good variety too. Immigrant moths included Golden Twin-spot with an amazing SEVEN individuals present, plus a Jasmine Moth. My first Riband Waves for the month were also here, though I am sure a lot of the moths present were from yesterday and so I shall leave the Moth Box off for tonight only.
Above, the very tiny Pellitory Beauty (Cosmopterix pulchrimella) and below, one of two Riband Waves today.
The Moths recorded this morning included the following:
While checking the Moth Box, I am always keeping an ear and eye open for birds and insects and again, the low ‘hoo-eeet’ of a Willowchiff could be heard in the garden behind mine, though there was no sighting of the bird this time around. However, a Wren was kicking off with its sweet song in the Holly Tree in my neighbours garden. Within one of the outside cardboard trays, I found a Red-legged Shieldbug crawling along; a really lovely specimen too.
Red-legged Shieldbug was by the Moth Box.
Andy’s Moth Box, Cowplain Marsh:
This was my first Fern moth of the year and only my 3rd ever.
Andy was making me a cup of coffee when I set about going through his back porch (sounds rude!) for Moths and then onto the egg trays outside his Moth Box. This morning was somewhat exceptional for he had an incredible 70 moths of 35 species this morning! Last Saturday, he only had 15 moths of 7 species, so what on earth happened. It's probably all due to the weather conditions overnight.
Above, my second Portland Ribbon Wave of the year and below, one of four Light Emerald moths.
Not only did his Moth Box attract a large number of moths, but also an amazing variety that included the only ‘year-tick’ for me today, a superb Fern moth. I have only ever seen two of these ever since I started getting into Moths and this was sitting on the wall near the Moth Box right next to a Maiden’s Blush! Immigrant moths included my second Portland Ribbon Wave of the year; a White-point and a Rusty-dot Pearl. My second Small Blood-vein of the year was resting on the Box near the light bulb and close by was Blair's Mocha. A Flame Shoulder was also, I think, my 3rd of the year as well as a Yellow Shell. Of the micro moths, both Dark Strawberry Tortrix and Chestnut Tortrix were good records here too.
Andy checking out the Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing that landed on his shirt.
Of interest, I was sure I heard both Yellow Wagtail and Common Crossbill flying high over Andy's garden, but failed to see the birds. Hurrumph!
The Moths recorded from his Moth Box and garden included the following:
After the Moths, we sat down by the Pond and over a lovely coffee, we watched the now regular female Southern Hawker dragonfly come in and dance around over the Pond. I thought the insect was going to land on me a few times as it got so close to where we sat. Amazing stuff.
Matt & Emma’s Moth Box, Fareham:
This Nut-tree Tussock was by their Moth Box today.
There were a few notable Moths the guys recorded this morning and that included a Small Blood-vein, Small Ranunculus, Garden Pebble, Rusty-dot Pearl, European Corn-borer and a worn Nut-tree Tussock. Other insects here included a couple of Hornets and a Tansy Beetle.
Old Winchester Hill, Meon Valley:
A view of the Hill from the Fort entrance looking north.
As we made our way to the viewpoint looking to the west of Old Winchester Hill, we quickly encountered a few Chiffchaffs, Common Whitethroats and a couple of Robins within the brambles on the slope, while overhead, small flocks of House Martins and Swallows passed by. A gorgeous Red Kite sailed over the countryside and being so high up, the plumage details were clear to see. Earlier, I was lucky enough to see my first Stoat of the year, albeit a silhouette of one, cross the footpath very briefly and quickly disappear in vegetation.
Above, a Red Kite sailing high over the countryside and below, a Common Field Grasshopper by the footpath.
Within the Car Park ,when we arrived, I could hear a variety of birds calling within the trees that included a Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Goldcrest. Ravens could be heard calling in the distance too. While overlooking the countryside from the viewpoint, fellow birder Pete Appleton came over and he told us that he had a very quiet couple of hours here having gone round the Fort area earlier in the day. We then made our way to the Car Park to meet up with both Emma and Matt, who were already by the small Info Centre and then said cheerio to Pete.
Flowers on the Hill were still abundant including the Yarrow, Ragwort, Wild Parsnip and Wild Marjoram. Below, we found a few Small Heath butterflies on the Hill.
Making our way to the Fort area, a pair of Ravens soared high overhead and a Kestrel was picked up flying close to them. A lot of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs were in the brambles and bushes along with a few Common Whitethroats and Blackcaps, although the latter were very hard to see. A Song Thrush was perched up in one of the dead trees while hundreds of House Martins were seen picking off aerial insects over the gully below and overhead. A single Common Buzzard drifted high over and as we walked the footpath adjacent to the fields to the Fort, we caught sight briefly of a Spotted Flycatcher, but it quickly disappeared behind the conifers and never seen again.
Above, the first Wheatear we came across on the Hill Fort and below, one of several Chalk-hill Blue Butterflies on the South Slope.
Above, spot the Redstart? Below, another photo of the Redstart. Photo taken by Emma Parkes.
Above, a pair of Tree Pipits on the South Slope. Below, Yellow Wort was growing abundantly on the Slope.
Above and below, Wheatears on the South Slope.
This Tree Pipit was on the South Slope. Photo by Emma Parkes.
Once we got to the Fort area, we decided to try our luck down the ‘South Slope’ for Silver-spotted Skipper butterflies; but despite our lengthy search for them, none were to be seen, though we did see a few Chalk-hill Blue’s on the wing and a couple of Small Heaths. I also found several Straw-barred Pearl moths fluttering around on the short grass. Though we had the dreaded climb to come back up the Slope, we were rewarded for our efforts with a variety of migrant birds. Pick of the bunch was a Whinchat among a group of at least four Wheatears. This was Andy and myself first Whinchat of the year and also among the Chats, were at least two Redstarts that showed very well at times on the Slope. Both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen and a Hare was sitting right in the middle of a field next to the Farm to the west.
Above, a Wheatear by the Fort footpath and below, looking down from the Fort, we could see this Redstart.
Above, juvenile Swallows waiting to be fed by the adults. Below, a male Common Blue butterfly on Ragwort.
On the way back, we sat down on the bench where my parents' ashes were spread a few months ago and watched the House Martin display around and below us, which I have to say, was quite spectacular. I think my Mum and Dad would've enjoyed that. As we made our way to the Car Park, the trip here was rounded off with a Marsh Tit calling deep within roadside trees as we then said our goodbye’s to Emma and Matt after a superb trip here this morning.
Northney Paddocks, Hayling Island:
The footpath by the Horse Paddocks. If you follow this footpath to the end, it takes you to Northney Road as we found out later!
Our birding day wasn't quite done yet and Andy agreed that we should try our luck for the Pied Flycatcher at Northney Paddocks. I sent a message to fellow birder Graeme Loader (who had seen and photographed the bird earlier today) on the exact location of the bird. I wished I had picked my mobile up earlier, but I missed the phone call.
In one lovely garden, we found at least two Spotted Flycatchers (above) and plenty of Willow Warblers (below).
After grabbing a bit of lunch from the nearby Garage, we made our way along the track leading to where the Flycatchers normally hang out. However, it didn't take long to pick up a couple of Spotted Flycatchers on a large Willow Tree in someone's beautiful garden along with at least 6+ Willow Warblers! After taking a few photos, we came across another much closer bird along the track and then took a right turn to view the hedgerows along the track. From here, there were easily another 6 more Spotted Flycatchers on the hedgerow and another four or so more to the east perched on the wire fence! I have heard that it has been very good for Flycatchers here all week, but I never expected this sort of number here!
OK, not the greatest of photos, but I was staring into the bright clouds while trying to photograph this close Spotted Flycatcher along the footpath.
Among the many Spotted Flycatchers, we also found a large group of juvenile Swallows perched in the hedgerow along with Blackcaps, Common Whitethroats and Willow Warblers; so there was plenty to keep us busy searching. Sadly, there was no sign of the Pied Flycatcher, so we headed off further west to check out the Northney end of the footpath. It was more of the same, though I thought I had a Pied Flycatcher flying over the field, but it quickly disappeared and never to be seen again. Bugger! A juvenile Green Woodpecker showed well on a fence post and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew high over our heads calling.
Above, the juvenile Green Woodpecker in the Horse Paddocks and below, juvenile Swallows resting in the hedgerow.
Andy got a phone call from fellow birder, Andy Friend, who told us that we were looking in the wrong area for the Pied Flycatcher and so it was about turn and back to the track and then walk towards Northney Road. We could see him in the distance with another chap and a large Farmhouse with some tall trees overhead, he told us that this was the area where the Pied had been seen earlier. We waited for a while, but there was no sign and so we took a walk to check out the nearby dried Pond. Then, from here, I caught sight of a Flycatcher species flying over our heads and following the bird through my binoculars, I could clearly pick out the white underparts, soft light brown upperparts and white wing bars. I was in no doubt looking at our first Pied Flycatcher of the year and told the guys to get onto the bird asap! Sadly, the bird flew off to a nearby stretch of tall trees and as the wind had picked up, I felt we had very little chance of relocating the bird and that was to be the case as we spent the next 10 minutes walking around behind those trees in a more secluded area. So there ended a superb day's birding where we picked up two more ‘year-ticks’, which most certainly put a big smile on Andy’s face.
The Pied Flycatcher that was seen in the morning and photographed by Graeme Loader.
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