Moths are increasing in numbers again.

Thursday 16th October  2025.

A couple of Turnip Moths, Lesser Yellow Underwing (centre) and a Light Brown Apple Moth.

It did start off overcast when I took the dogs for a walk this morning before my first shift and by the afternoon, the cloud had gone and bright sunshine took its place, as temperatures climbed up to around 15 degrees. As the morning wore on, by the time I got to Pembroke Road, the cloud had gone and bright sunshine took its place. I have recently received the spreadsheet to load on my Moth Sightings for 2024 and it is taking a long time to go through my records day by day and add them to the spreadsheet. 

My Moth Box:

Yet another Golden Twin-spot was in the Moth Box this morning.

A good total of 49 moths of 15 species were recorded today with double figures of both Turnip Moth and Light Brown Apple Moth. A Golden Twin-spot was present again and today, two Black Rustics were in the egg trays. Other immigrant moths included a White-point, Rusty-dot Pearl and a Rush Veneer.

Above, one of 11 Turnip Moths this morning, which I think is a record for me and below, several Lacewings were present including this brown individual.

My order of more egg trays was delivered to me this morning. Sadly, the Farm Shop where I normally get them for free are now using plastic trays instead. OK, they were not too expensive, but when they get wet, they do get distorted when they are drying in the sunshine.

One of two Black Rustics today.

The Moths present this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Garden Carpet x2	Rush Veneer x1
Double-striped Pug x8	Light Brown Apple Moth x10
Lesser Yellow Underwing x3	Rusty-dot Pearl x1
Large Yellow Underwing x2	Pale-backed Detritus Moth x1
White-point x1
Vine’s Rustic x2
Turnip Moth x11
Black Rustic x2
L-album Wainscot x1
Feathered Ranunculus x3
Golden Twin-spot x1

Overhead, the only birds I noticed going over were ‘alba’ Wagtails when at least three small flocks went over, all heading northbound.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The clouds were parting and the blue sky finally showed itself over Pembroke Road and the Royal Garrison Church.

Up to 17 bird species were recorded here at Pembroke Road today that included a small flock of Siskin heading south and a flock of 7 Linnets heading east. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over Pembroke Road in the afternoon, heading south and both Chiffchaff and Goldcrest were heard calling in the nearby Holm Oaks. 

Above, a Garden Spider tucking into a Ladybird and below, one of the many Harlequin Ladybirds present this afternoon.

There was a bit of a Harlequin Ladybird infestation going on around the houses where I was working this afternoon, with at least 30+ counted at one stage. Though birds do not like Ladybirds to eat all that much, the local Garden Spiders were filling their boots!

In Hampshire today:

The White-tailed Eagle at Fishlake Meadows. Photo by Rob Porter.

Yesterday, Farlington Marshes birder, Jason Crook, found a Velvet Scoter in Langstone Harbour and it was still present today. The Black-throated Diver was still off Hill Head and at least four Glossy Ibis were at Hook-with-Warsash. Four Little Stints were on Keyhaven Marshes and a good spell of visible migration over St Catherines Hill, Winchester included a Ring Ouzel, Fieldfare, Brambling and Redpoll. Also yesterday, some superb photos were taken of the White-tailed Eagle perched up in one of the trees at Fishlake Meadows and also the Yellow-browed Warbler was calling again, but proving very elusive.