Another two moths new for the year.

Friday 2nd May 2025.

My second Swallow Prominent moth of the year and a first for the garden.

The Moth Box was again switched on overnight as I made the most of this very warm weather. Another warm day ahead today with very little wind to speak of and wall to wall sunshine over Southsea. Yet again, another good haul of moths greeted me early this morning as I was in the garden at 5.40am, though I might have to get up earlier to catch some of the moths before they fly off for somewhere darker to rest. Then it was off to work at Pembroke Road for my first shift of the day. As mentioned yesterday, Pomarine Skua’s are coming through the Solent and another was seen off Hill Head by Mark Francis and consequently seen by another ‘Lazee Birder’, Gary Fennemore off Sandy Point flying high east bound for Selsey Bill. A couple of Swifts went high over my road this morning while I was walking the dogs early this morning, picked up on their familiar ‘screaming’. They truly are back. Brilliant. Emma Parkes had just the one moth in her Fareham Moth Box this morning, the micro moth Mallow Seed Moth.

The Moth Box: 

Again, a reasonable haul of moths this morning with the Puss Moth now on the white sheet behind my Moth Box and another great moth, my second Swallow Prominent moth of the year and a ‘1st’ for the garden too. There were just three moths that were new for the year, a Small Dusty Wave, Lime-speck Pug and a micro moth, Dark Moss-moth (Bryotropha affinis). A late Early Grey was unexpected as was a Common Quaker among the 38 moths of 21 species. Another Hoverfly species was in the Moth Box, a Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) and also a Common Wasp.

Above, Lime-speck Pug and below, Small Dusty Wave. Both moths were new for the year.

My Moth Box also attracted a Batman Hoverfly (above) and a Common Wasp (below).

The following moths were recorded this morning:

Macro Moths:

• Puss Moth x1
• Shuttle-shaped Dart x3
• Small Dusty Wave x1
• Brimstone Moth x6
• Swallow Prominent x1
• Garden Carpet x1
• Early Grey x1
• Double-striped Pug x6
• Oak-tree Pug x1
• Vine’s Rustic x2
• Bright-line Brown-eye x1
• Least Black Arches x3
• Angle Shades x1
• Lime-speck Pug x1
• Common Quaker x1

Micro Moths:

• Hourglass Mompha x1
• Ruddy Sreak x2
• Light Brown Apple Moth x2
• Rusty-dot Pearl x1
• Common Plume x1
• Dark Moss-moth x1

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

What I thought were four floating chimneys drifting past the Garrison Church was in fact a boat carrying four very tall tubes. What they were is anyone's guess?

Up to 16 species were recorded on my first shift in Old Portsmouth this morning and probably the best sighting was of a male Sparrowhawk flying low over Governor’s Green. The local Starlings had me scanning the area for a raptor and sure enough, I saw the Sparrowhawk heading towards the Garrison Church before disappearing westbound towards Gosport. A beautiful morning with a clear blue sky (save for a few puffy small white clouds!) in which to keep an eye out for anything interesting. It is going to get a bit warm this afternoon, but I shall be keeping watch over the area during my second shift.

When I got home, it was back up to the shops to grab a few bits for the weekend and a few more plants for the garden from Home Bargains. I decided to plant the plants as soon as possible and then water the garden, while above me, a flock of 7 Swifts were wheeling high in the sky chasing one another and I even managed to grab a few photos of the birds.

Then the news came in from Andy Friend that he had refound the Woodchat Shrike that was seen and photographed by a birder earlier in the day! It was down the Canal Path at Titchfield and fingers crossed, it might just hang around tomorrow. It has been years since I have seen one in Hampshire; a 1st winter bird down near Southmoor. My plans for tomorrow is to do another sea-watch from Gilkicker for possible Pomarine Skua’s. Two were seen today going through the Solent and what with a weather front moving in overnight, it could be quite interesting.

The Woodchat Shrike at Titchfield Canal Path tonight. Photo by Andy Friend.

The Moths did not like getting a watering tonight as I flushed quite a few and the Puss Moth remained faithful all day perched on the white sheet behind my Moth Box. I did also find my first White Ermine moth of the year, but sadly died within a spider's web by my back door. The Moth Box is on again overnight, so it could be another interesting morning.

My second ever Puss Moth among a great haul of Moths.

Thursday 1st May 2025.

This superb Puss Moth was found by my Moth Box this morning. 

This warm weather is most certainly bringing in the Moths to my garden and with it being quite mild overnight, I was in for a very nice haul of moths and many new for the year too. Another month has gone and a new one has begun and we all know that May can be good for rarities in the UK. Yesterday’s American Golden Plover on Farlington Marshes was proof of that and also the Pomarine Skua Spring movement has gathered pace here on the south coast with birds passing many local headlands. A wet weather front is coming in on Saturday morning and I hope to make full use of it with a possible trip to Gilkicker early in the morning. Lets hope the guys can get up early? Swifts have been recorded in various sites locally and I actually saw my first one over my road this morning while walking the dogs. At last.

The Moth Box:

Common Carpet.

The Moth Box was full of surprises this morning with 9 more species added to my year list! Pick of the bunch easily was my second ever Puss Moth that was resting on the brick wall by my kitchen. I carefully placed it in one of the pots to grab some decent photos and then returned it to one of my outside egg trays for safe keeping. What a moth!

Above, Yellow-barred Brindle and below, a Turnip Moth.

Above, a Garden Carpet and below, the gorgeous Puss Moth.

Other new moths for the year included a Turnip Moth, Wormwood Pug, Garden Carpet, Common Carpet, Yellow-barred Brindle, Pale Mottled Willow and the micro moths,  Garden Pebble and an Ash Bud Moth. My Moth Box also attracted a Hoverfly, a Spring Smoothtail (Epistrophe eligans).

Above, an Ash Bud Moth and below, a Wormwood Pug.

Pale Mottled Willow.

The total moths recorded this morning included the following:

Micro Moths:

• Puss Moth x1
• Garden Carpet x2
• Common Carpet x1
• Yellow-barred Brindle x2
• Pale Mottled Willow x1
• Turnip Moth x1
• Bloxworth Snout x1
• Double-striped Pug x5
• Wormwood Pug x1
• Bright-line Brown-eye x2
• Vine’s Rustic x1
• Least Black Arches x2

Micro Moths:

• Ruddy Streak x7
• Light Brown Apple Moth x4
• White-shouldered House Moth x2
• Garden Pebble x1
• Ash Bud Moth x1
• 
  

 Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

This Hoverfly, a Spring Smoothtail was within my Moth Box today.

As mentioned, another bright sunny morning here in Old Portsmouth and during my hour here on my first shift, a total of 14 species were recorded. Four Collared Doves flying together heading east over the road stole the headlines; for they are rare in this part of Portsmouth. Again, all the usual birds were seen or heard and hopefully, a few more will be seen later today.

Yesterday's American Golden Plover with the Curlew Sandpiper on Farlington Marshes. Photo by Jason Crook.

A fellow Lazee took some photos while birding off Hurst yesterday and on inspection later in the evening, one of the waders that was photographed with Dunlin was a female Kentish Plover! Just goes to show that you really have to check your photos in case something unusual. Four Pomarine Skua’s were reported this morning from Cut Bridge, Milford-on-sea; this morning and headed off eastbound and another three reported heading east off Selsey Bill and a Black Tern over a flat calm sea.

Forty Acres, Bedhampton.

A ropey photo of the Red-legged Partridge at Forty Acres from my mobile phone.

It was back over to Forty Acre in Bedhampton late this afternoon to take my stepdaughters dog, Margot, for another walk. By now, it was very warm with the temperatures getting up to the mid-seventies as we made our way down to the fields near the Railway Line. A Swallow was singing overhead as we rounded the fields and again, by the Railway Line, I could hear the songs of Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Cetti’s Warbler and Common Whitethroats and the icing on the cake, my first Lesser Whitethroat ‘rattling’ in nearby brambles. Another unexpected bird was a lone Red-legged Partridge walking by the brambles, but always running away from us as I tried to get a better look.

Margot thoroughly (she is a large Labradoodle) enjoyed her walk and I enjoyed the birds and picked up a ‘year-tick’ into the bargain. Happy days. Having earlier seen a Swift over my road this morning, while waiting at the traffic lights at Devonshire Avenue, I saw a small flock of four  Swifts sailing high over the rooftops heading west. They truly are back now and I cannot wait when they start checking out the 14 nest-boxes in my road later this month.

Excellent haul of moths this morning.

Wednesday 30th April 2025.

This superb Cabbage Moth was found in the back bedroom of my house and quickly potted and let free in the back garden.

As this week goes on, it is getting warmer and warmer and that means a good number of Moths are turning up in and around my Moth Trap and my highest number for the year, 40 moths of 14 species, were recorded. This included a topping of 8 new moths for the year. I passed the seafront when I was making my way to Pembroke Road this morning and the sea was flat calm again, though it is Pomarine Skua season and already Selsey Bill had 3 gone past already! An Arctic Skua passed Sandy Point this morning (plus 3 Greenshank); so don't read on flat calm conditions in not getting a Skua or two!

The Moth Boxes:

One of two Oak-tree Pugs this morning.

Not only did I have my Moth Box on last night, but also Emma & Matt Parkes did and was rewarded with just the one moth, a Double-striped Pug. One is always better than nothing. Eight ‘year-ticks’ were added to my year list this morning that included the ‘macro’ moths: Nutmeg, Least Black Arches, Vine’s Rustic, Oak-tree Pug and a Cabbage Moth and the ‘micro’ moths: Mallow Seed Moth, Pale-backed Detritus Moth and Common Daisy Moth. 

Above, one of two Least Black Arches and below, Nutmeg moth.

Vines Rustic. A very common moth throughout the year.

The total moths recorded this morning are as follows:

• Nutmeg x1
• Oak-tree Pug x2
• Double-striped Pug x3
• Brimstone Moth x4
• Vine’s Rustic x1
• Least Black Arches x2
• Cabbage Moth x1
• Rusty-dot Pearl x2
• Ruddy Streak x10
• White-shouldered House Moth x2
• Light Brown Apple Moth x9
• Pale-backed Detritus Moth x1
• Mallow Seed Moth x1
• Common Daisy Moth x1

Above, Pale-backed Detritus Moth (Monopis crocicapitella) and below, Common Daisy Moth (Dichrorampha acuminatana)

Above, my first Mallow Seed Moth (Platyedra subcinerea) of the year. Below, I found this deceased Hoverfly, a male Long-winged Duskyface (Melanostoma scalare).

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Up to 13 species were recorded on my first shift in Pembroke Road this morning, though nothing out of the ordinary I'm afraid. It was good to watch the Starlings fly over the road and search for grubs and worms on Governor’s Green. This species is in decline in the UK, but they seem to be in good numbers here.

An incredible FOUR Wood Sandpipers were seen this morning on the Deeps at Farlington Marshes. I am very busy today and stand no chance in going down to see them. What other exciting birds will be discovered today? A late evening update and it really kicked off down Farlington Marshes where not only were the Wood Sandpipers a good draw for any birder, but local birder Jason Crook found an American Golden Plover at the back of the Deeps and though it flew off into the harbour, it did return to settle on the Stream area. And if that isnt enough, a Curlew Sandpiper was on the Lake too!

The American Golden Plover on the Stream at Farlington Marshes. Photos by Doug Yelland.

 

Two new Moths & first Swift of the year in Portsmouth.

Tuesday 29th April 2025.

One of two Bright-line Brown-eye moths this morning. This is a common moth I get every year and in good numbers too throughout the year, but always good to get my first one.

Wall to wall sunshine all day and though a little cold first thing at 6.15am this morning while checking the Moth Box, it certainly warmed up to a high temperature of around 23 degrees centigrade and with very little wind too. Yes, the Moth Box was on overnight and returned a couple of new moths for the year and my usual visit to Pembroke Road in Old Portsmouth. I also paid a visit to Drayton to walk my step-daughter's dog and took her for a walk around the fields to the south where there were a few birds of note to look at.

The Moth Box:

The micro moth Garden Apple Slender.

There were 15 moths found in and around the Moth Box early this morning that included two more that were new for the year: the macro moth Bright-line Brown-eye and the micro moth Black Cloak (Notocelia cynosbatella). My second Garden Apple Slender of the year was also found at the bottom of the Moth Box. The Hoverfly, Hummer Syrphus (Syrphus ribesii) was also on the Moth Box. 

The micro moth, Black Cloak; my first one this year.

The Moths present this morning included the following:

• Double-striped Pug x3
• Bright-line Brown-eye x2
• Shuttle-shaped Dart x2
• Angle Shades x1
• Common Plume x1
• Light Brown Apple Moth x2
• Garden Apple Slender x1
• Black Cloak x1
• Ruddy Streak x2

Not only Moths are attracted to my Moth Box. This female hoverfly, Humming Syrphus was unexpected.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

As expected, it was quite cool at first thing this morning, but that didn't stop me from wearing Shorts for the first time this year because I knew it was going to get a lot warmer this afternoon. I notched up 16 species today with the best birds going to the Swift and a female Sparrowhawk. The Swift flew in strongly northbound low over the houses and the alarm call of a Blackbird and Starlings alerted me that a raptor was around and sure enough, a low flying female Sparrowhawk flew over the road and back over the houses; the Blackbird narrowly avoiding in being breakfast for the raptor!

Forty Acres Estate, Drayton:

The edge of this field at Forty Acres held up to four species of Warbler.

I made my way north to walk my Step-daughters dog, Margot, late this morning and took her around the Forty Acres site where she behaved impeccably. It was now getting quite warm and so I gave it around 45 minutes around the fields and by the Horse Paddocks where I saw a Common Whitethroat singing and heard Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Cetti’s Warbler in the scrubby area south of the fields. Med Gulls were calling overhead as most of the birds were heading north and probably on their way to the fields to feed on earthworms and then back into the harbour’s islands for their hungry chicks. I was hoping for a raptor or two overhead, but it was when I was making my way down the Eastern Road back into Portsmouth where I saw a male Kestrel perched on a street light by Milton Lakes. 

A bit blurry this pic, but Cuckoo flowers were abundant here in the grass. But it certainly looks like a large drop of rain is needed to 'green' the place up a bit.

This Garden Warbler showed well at Fishlake Meadows last Saturday. Photo by Emma Parkes.

A walk to Curtain Moat.

Monday 28th April 2025.

I walked the dogs around 6.30am today and a low mist covered the ground within Highland Road Cemetery.

The weather is getting a lot warmer this week and today was no exception either as the temperature got up to around 23 degrees. It was back to Pembroke Road again today and also a bit of driving around Southsea and Eastney but there was nothing out of the ordinary today. Geoff had a good day down Farlington Marshes yesterday and a surprise from Woolmer Pond last night was an adult Whooper Swan on the water. Sadly, I had too much to do and had to give the Swan a miss and of course, there was no sign of the bird today. Amazingly, the Least Sandpiper was on the Stilt Pool again today at Medmerry RSPB Reserve!

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A lovely bright start to the day as I took an early walk down the alleyway to Curtain Moat. This is a view of the Garrison Church and Governor's Green.

I took a walk before my 8am start in Pembroke Road and made my way through the alleyway and over to Curtain Moat. The Solent was flat calm again under a clear blue sky and the only birds of note were a pair of Cormorants heading towards Gosport and a lot of Gulls loafing on the sea in the distance. Both Starlings and Feral Pigeons were seen taking in nesting material within the walls of the Moat.

Above, Curtain Moat and below,White Dead-nettle in flower.

Above, Cow Parsley growing near the Moat and below, Red Valerian growing on the alley wall.

Red Valerian.

A total of 17 species were recorded in Pembroke Road today from both my shifts there, but nothing out of the ordinary again. A male Pied Wagtail was on the Bowling Green and was joined by a small flock of Starlings. With Andy Fisher having seen 3 Med Gulls, a Common Buzzard, a Red Kite and a probable Hobby during his tea break at work, I kept a good eye out for any passing raptors, of which I saw bugger all!

Emma & Matt's Moth Box only had this insect, a Cockchafer Beetle.

I never had my Moth Box on overnight, but Matt and Emma did, but the best they could muster was a Cockchafer Beetle! Yesterday, Geoff Farwell went to Farlington Marshes and had the following sightings: 15 Avocets, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, 10 Whimbrel, Cuckoo, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Common Whitethroat, Bearded Tits, 3 Wheatears, 7 Little Tern and a Sparrowhawk.

This beautiful male Orange-tip butterfly was photographed by Emma Parkes at Testwood Lakes last Saturday.

Another quiet Southsea sea-watch!

Sunday 27th April 2025.

Myself, Andy and Matt kind of enjoying a rather quiet sea-watch.

Crazy as it may seem, I went to bed at midnight last night and was up at 5am for a 6 till 9am sea-watch with Matt Parkes. Yesterday's Pomarine Skua’s passing through the Solent had my mouth watering and I was hoping for a repeat performance this morning. I have to admit, I did not look at the wind direction or the state of the weather for today and was a bit disappointed to find it was a cloudless sky, no wind and a dead flat sea at 5.50am this morning. I knew then it was going to be a very slow three hours, but hey, not only Matt turned up this morning, but also Andy Fisher!

Dawn at the seafront with Gulls and a few Sandwich Terns on the foreshore.

Andy even amazed himself getting up so early for this sea-watch, but although he had no ‘year-ticks’ to put a smile on his face and his Hampshire year list, it was an enjoyable three hours nonetheless. The following birds were seen this morning:

• Sandwich Terns: There were at least 8 birds fishing throughout the morning and several pairs were much further out heading either east or west.

• Mediterranean Gull: Only a handful were seen flying over the Solent and one particular individual flew past us at close range over the beach.

• Oystercatcher: A flock of 5 birds flew west and another flock of 13 went eastbound and just one single bird also went east.

• Shag: An adult bird flew low west heading towards Southsea Castle.

Above, a line of 14 Brent Geese heading east and below, 9 Shelduck going in the same direction.

Above and below, the Sandwich Terns were always active along the shoreline.

Above, an adult Shag heading towards Southsea Castle. Below, a flock of 13 Whimbrel heading east.

• Whimbrel: A big flock of 13 birds flew east together and a single bird also flew east. A pair of birds also headed west.

• Brent Geese: A flock of 14 birds headed east in a straight line and a single bird also headed east. Surely the last of them for the Spring?

• Shelduck: A flock of 9 birds flew high east over the Solent.

• Black Swan: Yet another sighting of the Black Swan flying distantly south-east. Was this the same bird as last week?

• Peregrine: Andy saw a male bird flying out to sea as we watched it flying towards the posts on the horizon about a mile out. It or another bird was seen again flying over the sea and landed on the distant post. 

Sandwich Tern calling loudly as it flew past.