Another large haul of Moths & now a week in Devon.

Saturday 24th May 2025.

My first Treble Brown Spot moth of the year. I never expected it to be inside my house!

The Moth Box:

A grey overcast morning with a bit of overnight rain evident on the patio today. It was much milder this morning with a blustery westerly wind blowing; but dry enough to check a good haul of moths with 79 moths of 35 species present. Six more moth species were added to my year total (up to 99 species for the year now) including the macro moths Treble Brown Spot, Straw Dot and L-abum Wainscot and the micro moths Common Groundling, Apple Leaf Miner and Narrow-winged Grey. 

Above, the micro moth Pale-backed Detritus Moth next to the Garden Carpet moth. Below, one of two Large Yellow Underwings.

Above, the micro moth Common Groundling and below, a Straw Dot. Both new for the year.

I took the dogs for their walk shortly afterwards and even found a Common Marbled Carpet sitting on a shop window! Little else to be honest, but a nice walk nonetheless with several Swifts swooping down over the road I live in.

Above, a Narrow-winged Grey and below, an L-album Wainscot; again, both new for the year.

The Moths present in my garden this morning included the following:

Macro moths:

• Yellow-barred Brindle x1
• Treble Brown Spot x1
• Straw Dot x1
• Buff Ermine x2
• Vine’s Rustic x9
• White Ermine x2
• Pale Mottled Willow x6
• Common Marbled Carpet x1
• Bright-line Brown-eye x3
• Dark Spectacle x1
• Heart & Dart x5
• Common Pug x1
• Double-striped Pug x1
• Lime-speck Pug x1
• Shuttle-shaped Dart x8
• Large Yellow Underwing x2
• Angle Shades x1
• Lychnis x1
• Garden Carpet x1
• Willow Beauty x7
• Silver Y x1
• Cabbage Moth x1
• L-album Wainscot x1

Macro moths:

• Common Plume x2
• Common Groundling x1
• Diamond-back Moth x1
• Ruddy Streak x4
• Dark Moss-moth x1
• Garden Mompha x4
• Light Brown Apple Moth x3
• Pale-backed Detritus Moth x2
• Bronze Alder Moth x1
• Apple Leaf Miner x1
• Black Cloak x1
• Narrow-winged Grey x1

Chittlehampton, North Devon:

Our accommodation for the week, Greenacres in Chittlehampton.

Becky, myself and the dogs are now spending the next week in the quaint little country village of Chittlehampton in North Devon. We booked this Cottage last August and had a great time and the accommodation is terrific. Hence, we rebooked it for this year and finally, the time has come to have a totally chilled out holiday and yes, I have brought along a Moth Box too! There were some good birds here last time and hopefully, there should be some decent stuff around.

The back of Greenacres Bungalow with Buddy in the background.

We arrived here around 1.30pm and to be honest, the journey was pretty good including the Sat Nav taking us through some gorgeous little villages and there were sightings of a few Common Buzzards, Red Kites, Swallows, Swifts and House Martins and I was damn sure that a pair of Hawfinches flew over, judging by the shape and the way they flew.

The large garden at the back of the accommodation. The dogs love it!

Here in Chittlehampton, after packing our stuff away and chilling out over a coffee, I have already notched up 14 species just sitting looking out over the veranda into the garden and neighbouring countryside. The Moth Box is already set up and I shall in no doubt be up around 5 ish for hopefully a good selection of Moths. Lovely to hear the Chaffinch singing nearby, but the Corvids are extremely vocal here.

Dark Spectacle moth added to year list.

Friday 23rd May 2025.

My first Dark Spectacle moth of the year.

Another bright, sunny start to the morning although it is supposed to be cloudier this afternoon. Temperatures overnight remain very cold still and in single figures, but I still got a fairly nice array of moths this morning in and around my Moth Box. It was pleasant again, though a little cold in the shade, within Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth; with the usual variety of birds seen and heard this morning. Dave Wheatley, from Waterlooville, has joined up to send his moth photos to me, should he get anything interesting. Thank you Dave.

The Moth Box:

A Diamond-back Moth was found on my second visit to the garden.

There were fewer moths on show this morning, despite getting up at 5am to check the Box, but 41 moths of 22 species is nothing to be scoffed at. Among them, was my first Dark Spectacle of the year and a real smart chap too. After breakfast, I had another quick look in case I missed something and found a Diamond-back Moth perched on one of the plant leaves nearby and also the micro moth, Garden Mompha.

While checking the moths, a Greenfinch flew over calling and at least 5 Swifts were ‘screaming’ overhead. A pair of calling adult Mediterranean Gulls flew high over heading south while I was walking my dogs afterwards.

Above, three species of moths I have never seen before. From top to bottom: Banded Pine Carpet (very rare in Hampshire, Pretty Chalk Carpet and Scarce Merveille du Jour. All were seen in Dave Wheatley's moth trap this week.

The Moths present this morning included the following:

Macro moths:

• Dark Spectacle x1
• Vine’s Rustic x5
• Buff Ermine x2
• White Ermine x2
• Pale Mottled Willow x2
• Heart & Dart x2
• Shuttle-shaped Dart x3
• Angle Shades x1
• Double-striped Pug x2
• Lime-speck Pug x1
• Bright-line Brown-eye x1
• Large Yellow Underwing x1
• Marbled Minor agg. X1
• Cabbage Moth x1
• Willow Beauty x5
• Brimstone Moth x2

Micro moths:

• Diamond-back Moth x1
• Garden Mompha x1
• Ruddy Streak x1
• Garden Pebble x1
• Light Brown Apple Moth x3
• Brown House Moth x2

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Though a tad cold in the shade, it was pleasant enough this morning with Swifts gliding about low over the trees in Pembroke Road this morning. Up to 14 species were recorded this morning on my first shift as both Robin and a Wren were in full song throughout the time I was there.

I shall be keeping an eye out for Bee-eaters as there seems to be a mini invasion of them around the south coast. One was present all day at Durlston Head near the Lighthouse and another is showing well this morning at Dungeness.

Some unexpected Moths today.

Thursday 22nd May 2025.

The micro moth Sulphur Tubic on my kitchen wall.

Though I have been birding for what seems a very long time, I have seen and heard some very daft things over the years, but to read that you cannot put a photo out on social media of a bird, that though uncommon and no location given to exactly where it was seen or photographed; ladies and gentlemen, I give you Turtlegate!!!! Rather in getting into a heated dispute over the issue, all I can say is what a crock of s***!!! I shall put out a photo of a House Sparrow later and say it was seen somewhere in the UK, but, sorry, it's a secret!

The Small Dusty Wave moth in my garden this afternoon.

Back to earth and reality, I did not put the Moth Box on overnight as I did not want to retrap yesterday's moths, but I still got some moths in my garden and kitchen, nonetheless! The weather was nice this morning with a clear blue sky and mild temperatures, but this afternoon, a large rain cloud came in from the north over Portsmouth and so it rained on my second shift in Pembroke Road.

My House: 

There were three Moths on show in and around my house today and it kicked off when I found the micro moth Sulphur Tubic perched on a kitchen wall. I have seen a few earlier this year, but to get a showy one is always a treat. On a fence within the garden, I found a Small Dusty Wave moth and in our bathroom, I had to pot and release a Ruddy Streak micro moth that was in the basin!

A stunning male Redstart. Photo by Rob Porter.

Meanwhile, back out in the garden, at least four Holly Blue butterflies were seen around the vegetation and one actually perched for a while on the Ivy plants.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

It was cool at first in Pembroke Road this morning, but it was sunny as I notched up a total of 16 species seen in and around this site. A small flock of 3 Mute Swans were seen flying low east over the Curtain Moat and I suppose, the biggest surprise was a Grey Heron flying very low over my head and over the houses and beyond this afternoon. Little Egret yesterday and Grey Heron today; perhaps a Little Bittern tomorrow? Four species of Gull were seen here today including a ‘heard’ Mediterranean Gull while I was sitting in my car before my second shift. It is always good to see Swifts here and they mostly fly low over the Holm Oak trees in search of aerial insects.  

An Oystercatcher (at a secret site, well not really, but I could be in trouble in revealing where it is!) photographed at Slimbridge WWT (oops!) by Emma Parkes. 

In Hampshire today, the Hudsonian Godwit has now been at Titchfield Haven for a week and still showing very well in front of the Meonshore Hide. Another good bird to be found today was a singing Blyth’s Reed Warbler at Luccombe Farm on the Isle of Wight. I was lucky enough to see one on the Scilly Isles many years ago, but I would love to see one again. Over in West Sussex, a Caspian Gull was off Church Norton and nearby, a Common Quail was heard singing at Medmerry RSPB Reserve this morning.

Above, a gorgeous Spotted Flycatcher was photographed by Rob Porter and below, a cracking photo of a Common Whitethroat taken recently.

I would also like to thank Emma Parkes and Rob Porter for allowing me to put some of their superb photos on my blog again. Cheers guys.

My largest haul of moths this year.

Wednesday 21st May 2025.

This Sycamore moth was a nice surprise on a wet morning.

Well needed rain finally arrived on the south coast and although I was up early at 5am, I had to put my hat on as I went about checking the Moth Box and surrounding garden. Yes, we needed the rain badly and I think we got plenty of it today and I believe there is more to come. With another Bank Holiday coming up, I have heard that it is going to be a wet one. Nothing new there then!

So it was a wet morning at Old Portsmouth on my first shift, but a reasonable number of species were present, which included my second Little Egret seen there at this site.

The Moth Box:

Possibly my first Buttoned Snout in my garden.

It was easily the best total of moths I have had this year with a total of 85 moths of 31 species. This included a superb Sycamore moth and only my second ever Buttoned Snout, which I think was a garden first! Other new moths for the year included two Freyer’s Pugs and two micro moths: Blushed Knot-horn and Garden Grass-veneer; both very common moths to my garden during the summer months. Other notable moths included a Grey Dagger, Cabbage Moth, 3 Angle Shades and 2 Silver Y’s.

Above, Garden Grass-veneer and below, Blushed Knot-horn; both new for the year.

The Moths present included the following:

Macro moths:

• Buttoned Snout x1
• Sycamore x1
• Marbled Minor agg. X1
• Common Carpet x1
• Garden Carpet x1
• Grey/Dark Dagger x1
• Willow Beauty x9
• Shuttle-shaped Dart x6
• Heart & Dart x8
• Silver Y x2
• Bright-line Brown-eye x5
• Vine’s Rustic x4
• Brimstone Moth x6
• Cabbage Moth x1
• Common Marbled Carpet x2
• Angle Shades x3
• Small Dusty Wave x1
• Pale Mottled Willow x2
• White Ermine x1
• Flame Shoulder x1
• Freyer’s Pug x2
• Double-striped Pug x2
• Lime-speck Pug x1
• Yellow-barred Brindle x1

Macro moths:

• Black Cloak x1
• Light Brown Apple Moth x10
• Ruddy Streak x6
• Blushed Knot-horn x1
• Garden Grass-veneer x1
• Pale-backed Detritus Moth x2
• Codling Moth x1

One of two Freyer's Pugs today.

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

As already mentioned, the bird of the day here at Pembroke Road was my sighting of a Little Egret flying over Curtain Moat and then settled over on the east side of the Moat. Several Swifts were seen overhead and flying quite low down too. Up to 15 species in total were seen during the day and four species of Gull, that included Black-headed, Herring, Great Black-backed and a single Mediterranean Gull soaring high overhead. The Jay was seen again and in the afternoon, I saw it once more but was chased by an angry Blackbird.

Above, the Turtle Dove seen yesterday at a secret Hamphire location. Photo by Emma Parkes. Below, some film footage of the Turtle Dove by Matt Parkes.

In Hampshire today, the female Hudsonian Godwit was still present on the South Scrape on Titchfield Haven and on Farlington Marshes, a Ruff was present on the main lake there and a Cuckoo was seen in the Bushes area. Some good news today was that the Turtle Doves are back at a nearby site, though the location must remain a secret. My local Swifts have taken up residence in at least two of the nest boxes put up for them in my road and will keep an eye out for more using the nest boxes over the coming weeks.

Peppered Moth new for the year.

Monday 19th May 2025.

Yet another cold start again for the morning as I was out in the garden by 5am to check the Moth Box and surrounding area. The white sheet behind the Box was near empty, so thankfully, I had put out all the egg trays around the Moth Box and was rewarded with a fine new moth species for the year. It was still a relatively cool first thing in Pembroke Road, but it did warm up again in the afternoon and a good total of bird species today.

The Moth Box:

My first Peppered Moth of the year.

There were a lot less moths here than Saturday morning, with just 22 moths of 15 species. It was obviously quite cold overnight and at 5am this morning, it was only 8 degrees as I went about checking the surrounding area and the Moth Box itself. The only moth that was new for the year was the superb stunning Peppered Moth. I never got to see one last year, so I made the most of this beautiful moth and took several photos of the moth before letting it fly from the egg tray it was sitting on. Up to two Cabbage Moths were also present and a lot of the usual species present again.

The following moths were recorded this morning here in my garden:

Macro moths:

• Peppered Moth: x1
• Bright-line Brown-eye x2
• Pale Mottled Willow x4
• Cabbage Moth x2
• White Ermine x1
• Willow Beauty x1
• Heart & Dart x1
• Garden Carpet x1
• Brimstone Moth x1
• Double-striped Pug x1

Micro moths:

• Ruddy Dart x2
• Light Brown Apple Moth x1
• Rusty-dot Pearl x1
• Dark Moss-moth x1
• Triple-barred Tip Moth x1

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Up to 17 species were recorded here in Old Portsmouth today, with 13 species seen in the morning that included a large flock of 10 Swifts low overhead and a further 4 more species in the afternoon that included an adult Mediterrean Gull, House Sparrow, Great Tit and the regular Pied Wagtail on the Bowling Green.

A Hampshire first. The Garden Tortrix. Photo by Dave Wallace.

In Hampshire today, the female Hudsonian Godwit was still on the South Scrape at Titchfield Haven and a Little Gull was in the same area also. Fellow birder and Moth enthusiast, Dave Wallace, had a first for Hampshire moth today; a Garden Tortrix (Clepsis peritana). Well done mate.

The Hudsonian Godwit on Titchfield Haven today. Photo by Andy Friend.

A lovely walk over the Cemy & a BBQ on the beach.

Sunday 18th May 2025.

The male Great Spotted Woodpecker showed well again this morning.

There was no Moth Box overnight, for I had a nice lay-in this morning, but I did take the dogs for an early morning walk to Highland Road Cemetery. It was overcast this morning with the sky looking white rather than grey during the time I was over there, but the cloud eventually dispersed as the morning wore on. Later this morning, we were invited to a BBQ on Hayling Island beach as Becky’s cousin was now a proud owner of a Beach Hut. Sharing it with 3 other friends, she invited a nice crowd of people along to share a beautiful afternoon.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

A Brown House Moth was found fluttering by Highland Road and then it settled on a neighbouring wall of a house.

It was warm enough to wear shorts this morning, but I did wear a fleece over my t-shirt and therefore it was pleasant enough for a lovely stroll around my local patch. Just before we reached the Cemetery, I found a Brown House Moth fluttering around close to the front of a house and eventually, it settled on the front wall and so was able to get a quick photo of this common micro moth.

Above, only the graves themselves were spared being mowed down, thus supporting a wealth of plants to look at of which the insect life can prosper. Below, I found some Bittersweet plants growing on a few graves.

Within the Cemetery, I am sad to say that the Council did not go along with the ‘No mow May’ as the place looked sterile and frankly bloody awful. Obviously, they are not concerned about nature here and letting things grow naturally for just one month of the year. The only saving grace was that the graves were full of wild flowers and grasses; but I fear that even this will be sprayed with vile weedkillers. For what purpose I would like to know for most of the graves are nearly 100 years old and most of their relatives have moved on or died. I think anyone who wants to see the graves bare and the grass cut so it ends up yellow due the lack of rainfall, most definitely need therapy!! 

Above, several Robins were seen on my way round and overhead, a good number of Swifts were overhead.

Above, Birds-foot Trefoil adds a big splash of colour and below, a Blue Tit in full voice.

On a positive note, the overcast conditions had brought the Swifts much lower than normal and at least a dozen or more were hawking just over the trees and nearby houses. Though there were all the usual birds seen including juvenile Starlings following their parents, the Great Spotted Woodpecker showed well again, albeit distantly perched on one of the smaller trees over on the east side. I heard him first calling loudly from his favourite perch and then saw him flitting about the same tree and I even managed a few photos of this lovely bird. There were a few Robins around including a few singing birds and a single Goldfinch flew high overhead.

Above, Ox-eye Daisies growing on one of the graves and below, Blackbirds were busy in search for food for their offspring.

Above, a flowering Herb Bennett plant and below, a Carrion Crow sharing a tree with a male Blackbird. 

The plant life here was growing abundantly on the graves as mentioned and included my first sighting of Smooth Tare of the year. These delicate pink flowering plants were found on graves in the southern half of the Cemetery, while other graves were supporting Ox-eye Daisies, the yellow flowers of Herb Bennett and also the pinkish purple flowers of Herb Robert. Big swarfs of the yellow and red flowers of Birds-foot Trefoil were also seen. In fact, there was a splash of colour everywhere you looked throughout the Cemy. What's not to love?

Hayling Island Beach:

As mentioned, Becky, Russell and myself were invited by Becky’s cousin Jane and her husband over to their beach hut with her friends on Hayling Island Beach for a BBQ. So, there I was thoroughly enjoying myself with great company watching the Med Gulls, Sandwich and Common Terns flying past over the shoreline or further out to sea, with a pint of IPA and a Burger or two in hand. Wonderful.