Wednesday 12th November 2025.
One of two Golden Twin-spot Moths this morning.
These incredible mild temperatures continued this week where around midday today, it climbed up to 17 degrees centigrade! Last night was a bit stormy with strong winds and plenty of showers; but they died out by dawn, leaving behind a grey start but becoming brighter with a fresh Southerly wind.
I had the Moth Box overnight, which was a bit of a gamble really, but a gamble that paid off with a good total of moths present, including one of the rarer species.
My Moth Box:
One of three Jasmine Moths.
There was just enough light this morning to thoroughly check out the Moth Box and now that the White Sheet is up, I was hoping it just might attract more moths and it looked as though it paid off. Last night, both Jasmine Moth and a Rush Veneer were present on the sheet and so I potted those two so I could take some photos the next day.
Above, an Angle Shades and below, a Rush Veneer. Both probably migrant moths.
When I opened the Box, two Golden Twin-spots were resting on one of the egg trays, which was a nice surprise. Another two more Jasmine Moths were present along with Angle Shades and a Large Yellow Underwing were the two only other macro moths. Eight Rusty-dot Pearls was a good count for this species and a Tree-mallow Tortrix was my first for the month.
The moths present this morning included the following:
MACRO MOTHS | MICRO MOTHS |
|
|
Golden Twin-spot x2 | Jasmine Moth x3 |
Large Yellow Underwing x1 | Light Brown Apple Moth x4 |
Angle Shades x1 | Rusty-dot Pearl x8 |
| Rush Veneer x1 |
| Tree-mallow Tortrix x1 |
Other insects attracted to the Box included a Marmalade Hoverfly that was resting on top of the rainguard. A good friend of mine found a moth in her house and it was identified as a Mottled Umber and where I found the Common Marbled Carpet yesterday in Milton, Portsmouth; that particular moth had flown, but a Rusty-dot Pearl took its place.
Above, the Marmalade Hoverfly on my Moth Box and below, my friend Jackie had a Mottled Umber moth in her house last night.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Near where I stood is Pembroke Close. The large garden sometimes holds a few notable birds. I have seen a couple of Ringed-necked Parakeets in the trees here and the local Jays are regular in this garden and the gardens behind this house.
Similar to yesterday, just 13 bird species were recorded this morning in Pembroke Road of which it was the Jays that were entertaining this morning, with numerous sightings of the species throughout the hour I was there. Both Governor’s Green and the Bowling Green were rather quiet and the only other notable bird seen was a single Goldfinch flying north. There were at least three large flocks of Wood Pigeons that flew over and headed westbound; a familiar occurrence that has been happening daily.
This afternoon, two more bird species were also added to my day total: a Wren that was heard ‘churring’ somewhere by the Bowling Green and a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls flying high over the houses at Penny Street.
In Hampshire today:
One of the Penduline Tits at Titchfield Haven today. Photo by Mark Francis.
It seems that the Boat-tailed Grackle has reappeared in someone's garden at Holbury, Southampton, but better than that, up to three Penduline Tits had been found from the Spurgin Hide at Titchfield Haven. It seems that they have been calling over the past few days near the Hide, but finally, one showed itself today. A Ruddy Shelduck was with Egyptian Geese over the same Reserve, but did not settle and flew off west.
This male Green Woodpecker was taken 5 years ago today in Highland Road Cemetery. I have a job to see one there now!
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