Yet another 'Lifer' in the Moth Box.

Friday 11th July 2025.

My first Sharp-angled Peacock moth in many a year.

The high pressure over the south coast continues with a clear blue sky at 5am and light winds. Another reasonable number of Moths were present with four new species, including another ‘Lifer’ added to my year list. Pembroke Road in Old Portsmouth was quiet again this morning with all the usual birds present and yet another hot day beckoned.

My Moth Box:

My first ever BEECH MAST PIERCER micro moth.

Up to 71 moths were present this morning of 35 species and among them, was my very first BEECH MAST PIERCER (Cydia fagiglandana) micro moth sat on the white sheet. Another micro moth, an Acorn Piercer (Pammene fasciana) was new for the year and two macro moths I have been hoping to get finally arrived, a gorgeous Ruby Tiger and a Sharp-angled Peacock. The former is normally annual to my garden, but the latter is much scarcer to my garden. My second September Thorn of the year was present and TWO Mother of Pearls was most welcome. Four Coleophora species were present, but they would have needed dissection to ascertain their ID of which I don't do.

Above, this Acorn Piercer was new for the year and below, another photo of the Sharp-angled Peacock with its wings closed.

Above, my second September Thorn of the year and below, my first Ruby Tiger of the year.

Other interesting insects present in and around my Moth Box included a Harlequin Beetle, a Birch Shieldbug and a Two-spined Grass Bug (Stenodema calcarata).

Above, a Birch Shieldbug and below, the Two-spined Grass Bug. You just never know what the Moth Box can attract overnight.

The Moths present this morning included the following:

Macro moths:                                             Macro moths:

Common Rustic x1                                     Common Plume x9

Sharp-angled Peacock x1 *                        Beautiful Plume x1

September Thorn x1                                   Mother of Pearl x2

Double-striped Pug x5                         BEECH MAST PIERCER x1 *

Common Pug x2                                         Grey Knot-horn x1

Small Dusty Wave x1                                 Bird-cherry Ermine x1

Riband Wave x1                                         Common Masoner x3

Heart & Dart x1                                       Black-banded Masoner x5

Buff Ermine x1                                            Rusty-dot Pearl x4

Willow Beauty x1                                       Garden Grass-veneer x3  

Plumed Fan-foot x1                                 Light Brown Apple Moth x4

Ruby Tiger x1 *                                 White-shouldered House Moth x1

Lesser Yellow Underwing x1                       Acorn Piercer x1 *

Large Yellow Underwing x2                         Garden Grey x3

Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1         Brown Bark Moth x2

Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1

Marbled Minor x1

                                                                             Rosy Tabby x2

                                                                             Ruddy Streak x1

                                                                             Coleophora sp. X4

Matt & Emma’s Moth Box:

I never had a list sent to me of their moths this morning, but some of the moths they did catch included a Phoenix, Jersey Tiger, Brussels Lace and a Chinese Character.

Above, the Jersey Tiger and below, the Chinese Character that were attracted to their Moth Box last night.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A beautiful sunny morning in Pembroke Road.

It was already around 20 degrees when I got to Pembroke Road this morning to start my first shift. As mentioned, all the usual birds were present as I notched up 12 species this morning and there were plenty of Hoverflies and Bumblebees enjoying the Hibiscus Bushes again with all the usual species present. The only butterflies seen were a few Large Whites.

Unfortunately, I could not do my second shift this afternoon due to the fact I had an accident and had to make my way to the Walk-in Centre at St. Mary’s Hospital to be patched up! Bugger!

In Hampshire today, a few waders were seen around the coastal sites, but nothing out of the ordinary today. Up to two Quail were calling at Martin Down and one individual was actually seen in flight. I saw a Swallow late this morning over by Fort Cumberland flying and chasing aerial insects while I was driving along Ferry Road.

Sand Dart added to Moth Life List.

Thursday 10th July 2025.

My first ever SAND DART moth. Though very worn, I put it out there on the Facebook site UK Moths Flying Tonight and they came up with this ID.

The clear skies overnight put paid to a large haul of moths this morning, but there were plenty to look at and also a ‘Lifer’ among them too. Even Matt & Emma experienced a low turn out of Moths this morning. Another very warm day beckons with a clear blue sky and warming temperatures and it could get up to 25 or 26 degree centigrade today. The local Swifts were in good numbers this morning and with at least one of the Boxes by my house raising another brood (I can hear the youngsters calling inside the nest box), there easily must have been a dozen birds around this morning (see photos below).

My Moth Box:

My second Cloaked Minor of the year.

Up to 58 Moths of 28 species were recorded this morning, of which one I had to retain as I could not be certain on what species it was. Yes, it was a bit worn and tatty, but some of the markings on the forewing looked quite interesting. In the end, I put it on the Facebook site Moths UK Flying Tonight and it looked good for my first ever SAND DART, which is a localised coastal species. 

My first Brimstone Moth for July was present and a smart looking Cloaked Minor was quickly potted and photographed. For a change, micro moths easily outnumbered macro moths this morning.

Brimstone Moth.

The Moths recorded this morning included the following:

Macro Moths:                                           Micro Moths:

Lackey x1                                                 Common Masoner x2
Cloaked Minor x1                                     Dotted Masoner x1 
SAND DART x1                                        Large Pale Masoner x2
Elephant Hawk-moth                                Black-banded Masoner x5
August Thorn x1                                       Light Brown Apple Moth x1
Single-dotted Wave x1                             Mint Moth x1
Large Yellow Underwing x1                      Bird-cherry Ermine x8
Brimstone Moth x1                                   Garden Grey x1
Double-striped Pug x1                              Rusty-dot Pearl x4
Common Pug x2                                      Satin Grass-moth x1 
Willow Beauty x1                                     Garden Grass-veneer x4
                                                                 Common Plume x7
                                                                 Beautiful Plume x1 
                                                                 Elderberry Pearl x1
                                                                 Apple Leaf Miner x3
                                                                 Brown Bark Moth x1
                                                                 Blushed Knot-horn x1

Emma & Matt’s Moth Box:     

A Sharp-angled Peacock moth (right) with a Riband Wave.                

In Fareham this morning, it was quieter in Matt & Emma’s garden, though they did have a smart Sharp-angled Peacock moth, a species I have not seen for several years now.

They recorded the following moths:

Macro Moths:                              Micro Moths:

Common Rustic                             Bud Moth

Shuttle-shaped Dart

Sharp-angled Peacock

Cypress Carpet

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Yet another sunny morning with a clear blue sky overhead and getting warmer every day. Just 11 species were seen this morning on my first shift and nothing spectacular among them either, though a Pied Wagtail had returned to the Bowling Green for the first time this week. Of interest, a Vapourer Moth flew around clear to where I stood in Pembroke Road; my first of the year and most certainly not my last. But this is a day flying species often seen, but rarely in my Moth Trap back at home. Both Migrant and Marmalade Hoverflies were seen on the Hibiscus Bushes again along with the Buff-tailed Bumblebees. Meadow Brown and Red Admiral butterflies were seen along with many Small & Large White butterflies. 

The view from the Coffee Cup cafe at Eastney looking west. In the coming Winter, Portsmouth City Council are going to pour tons of new shingle on the beach here to protect it from coastal erosion. 

This afternoon got very warm and standing there in Pembroke Road in 82 degree heat was not fun; but I had a job to do and time went quite quickly. A Blue Tit was added to this morning's bird species, but little else of note than from what I saw this morning. In Hampshire today, just the one Quail was heard calling at Martin Down and one was calling briefly again at Old Winchester Hill.

Above, the Swifts were 'screaming' in small flocks up and down my road I live in and one in particular flew into one of my nestboxes. 

Just one Moth that was new for the year today.

Wednesday 9th July 2025.

Buff-tailed Bumblebee in Pembroke Road this morning.

Another blue sky overhead early this morning with a temperature around 16 degrees already and the promise of the temperature rising to around 25 degrees with a light wind. The Moth Box attracted a few more Moths than yesterday and Matt & Emma’s also attracted a good variety again. Pembroke Road was fairly quiet this morning, but at least the insects kept me entertained. 

My Moth Box:

Unfortunately, the Long-legged Tabby flew off before I could get a decent photo of it. A good 'year-tick' though.

Up to 56 Moths of 31 species were recorded this morning, which was a bit better than yesterday and finally, another new species for the year, the Micro Moth Long-legged Tabby (Synathe punctalis). This particular species, which is relatively common on shingle beaches, was very common when I first started ‘Mothing’ but over the years, has really declined in numbers and some years, I do not see it all in my garden. So this individual is most welcome. Another Plumed Fan-foot was present again and another Clay was present on one of the outside egg trays. 

Above, the Plumed Fan-foot in one of my pots and below, the Langmaid's Yellow Underwing in another pot.

The Moths recorded this morning included the following:

Macro Moths:                                           Micro Moths:

Single-dotted Wave x2                            Garden Grey x1 

Riband Wave x4                                      Satin Grass-moth x1

Bright-line Brown-eye x2                         Common Plume x4

Plumed Fan-foot x1                                 Beautiful Plume x2

Common Emerald x1                              Rusty-dot Pearl x2 

Lackey x2                  3                              Garden Grass-veneer x2

Pale Mottled Willow x1                          Light Brown Apple Moth x3

L-album Wainscot x1                             Black-banded Masoner x2

Common Pug x3                                   Brown House Moth x1

Double-striped Pug x2                             Rosy Tabby x2

Lime-speck Pug x1                                 Bird-cherry Ermine x4

Clay x1                                                     Apple Leaf Miner x1

Lesser Yellow Underwing x2                    Long-legged Tabby x1 *

Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing x1             Ruddy Streak x1

Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1

                                                                  Dotted Masoner x1

                                                                  Common Masoner x1

Emma & Matt’s Moth Box:

Small China-mark.

Meanwhile, over in Fareham, Matt & Emma seemed to have fared a bit better than myself, but I pleased they still have the bug for ‘Mothing’ and continue to send me what Moths they have recorded and photos.

Lunar-spotted Pinion.

They recorded the following moths:

Macro Moths:                              Micro Moths:

White-spotted Pug                      Black-fronted Straw

Lime-speck Pug                          Garden Grass-veneer

Coronet                                       Bee Moth

Grey / Dark Dagger                    Black-banded Masoner

Peppered Moth                            Box Tree Moth

September Thorn                        Common Grey 

Knot Grass                                  Rosy Tabby

Blood-vein                                   Hemp Agrimony Plume

Dark Sword-grass                       Common Plume 

Small Fan-footed Wave              Garden Grey

Common Emerald                       Meal Moth

Lesser Yellow Underwing            Small China-mark

Heart & Dart

Nut-tree Tussock

Common Footman

Dingy Footman

Lunar Spotted Pinion

Black Arches

Ruby Tiger

Riband Wave

Least Carpet

Dun-bar

Uncertain

Elephant Hawk-moth

Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The Hibiscus Bushes that attract a host of insects. As well as the Bumblebees, both Marmalade and Migrant Hoverflies were attracted to the flowers.

A lovely start to the morning here with a cloudless blue sky although a bit chilly after a while in the shade, hence I stood out in the sunshine as much as I could. Twelve species of birds were noted during my hour here in Pembroke Road, though nothing out of the ordinary this morning. Three Great Black-backed Gulls were calling to one another in flight over the rooftops by Penny Lane and a couple of Blackbirds were on Governor’s Green.

There were a lot of Buff-tailed Bumblebees enjoying nectaring on both the Hibiscus Bushes and the Lavender as well as two species of Hoverflies; Marmalade Hoverfly and at least two Migrant Hoverflies. The only butterflies seen were two Large White’s this morning. Both Large and Small White butterflies were still abundant in the afternoon and a brief sighting of a Red Admiral over on the opposite side of the road.

In Hampshire today, the Quails were still calling near Martin Down and even fellow birder James Cutting took full advantage and made the long trip over there to hear the birds, but apart from that, it was fairly quiet today.

Much quieter for Moths this morning.

Tuesday 8th July 2025.

A couple of Elephant Hawk-moths were the highlight this morning.

A clear blue sky was overhead when I got into the garden to check the Moth Box this morning. I decided not to put it on the night before due to the fact I was catching some of the same moths as the previous night and so started afresh last night instead. Back to the usual Pembroke Road again this morning with four Gull species seen again two days in a row and a surprise couple of Dragonflies to kick the day off here with.

My Moth Box:

Sadly, the numbers of Moths had dropped considerably and most likely to have been the cooler and windier conditions overnight. Just 33 Moths of 23 species were counted with no new moths for the year either. Two Elephant Hawk-moths were present just inside the Box, but very little on the white sheet behind the Box, bar a Common Emerald and a Lackey and a few micro Moths. The rest was on the egg trays inside the Box. The Single-dotted Wave was actually in my Kitchen which I dutifully caught and released later. 

The Moths recorded this morning included the following:

Macro Moths:                                 Micro Moths:

Riband Wave x3                             Garden Grass-veneer x2

August Thorn x1                             Barred Yellowneck x1

Single-dotted Wave x1                   Light Brown Apple Moth x1

Shuttle-shaped Dart x1                  Rosy Tabby x1

Elephant Hawk-moth x2                 Common Masoner x2

Lackey x4                                       Blushed Knot-horn x1

Common Emerald x1                     Oak Knot-horn x1

Dark Arches x1                              Ruddy Streak x2

Lime-speck Pug x1

Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1

                                                       Black-banded Masoner x1

                                                       Narrow-winged Grey x1

                                                       Garden Grey x1

                                                       Box Tree Moth x2

                                                       Common Plume x1

Emma & Matt’s Moth Box:

Matt & Emma scored again with another Light Crimson Underwing.

Meanwhile, over in Fareham, Matt & Emma seemed to have fared a bit better and also had their SECOND Light Crimson Underwing for the year (I am well jealous!). 

They recorded the following moths:

Macro Moths:                              Micro Moths:

Light Crimson Underwing           Mint Moth

Riband Wave                              Italian Bark Moth

Maiden’s Blush                           Barred Marble 

Dingy Footman                           Red-barred Marble

Brimstone Moth                          Garden Mompha

Common Carpet                         Bird-cherry Ermine

White-spotted Pug                      Beautiful Plume

Single-dotted Wave                    Four-spotted Yellowneck 

Dark Sword-grass                       Diamond-back Moth  

Willow Beauty                             Garden Grass-veneer

Nut-tree Tussock                         Fulvous Pearl

September Thorn                        Rosy Tabby

Dun-bar                                       Common Purple & Gold

Buff Ermine

Heart & Dart

Uncertain

Elephant Hawk-moth

Scalloped Oak

Peppered Moth

Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Thirteen species of birds were recorded on my first shift here at Pembroke Road this morning with four species of Gull seen again, same as yesterday, with Black-headed, Mediterranean, Herring and Great Black-backed Gull all seen. A pair of Swifts were seen around 8.20am and then a large flock of 7 birds drifted off south. 

I couldn't get a decent photo of this morning's Dragonflies in Pembroke Road, but I did get a decent photo of this Common Wool Carder Bee when I was hanging out the washing this morning.

When I got out of the car after parking in Pembroke Close, a pair of Dragonflies caught my eye and on closer inspection, one of them was most certainly a Southern Hawker as it perched fairly high up in an ornamental tree by the house. The second Dragonfly looked identical, but it flew off strongly over to the other side of the road. Just goes to show that anything could turn up when least expected.

Reed Warbler in front of the Ivy North Hide, Blashford Lakes last Saturday. Photo by Emma Parkes. It was fantastic getting up close to these birds as they searched underneath the leaves for insects and picking them off.

This afternoon, a couple more Mediterranean Gulls passed overhead within a clear blue sky and the first Kestrel for a very long time at this site, was chased off by a Crow and headed south over the Curtain Moat. Both Large and Small White butterflies were seen in good numbers during the hour I was there this afternoon along with a single Red Admiral briefly.

After going through the photos I took of the Moths this morning, I double checked this worn individual and concluded it was my first Dog's Tooth moth of the year; only my second ever. Happy days.

In Hampshire today, at least 3 Quail were still calling by Martin Down from the Car Park and a White-tailed Eagle was seen over Portchester. Some lucky birder had a White Stork over Whiteley today. Another heat wave is on its way this weekend and that could bring in some rare birds and Moths over the following week.

Fellow 'Moth-er' James Cutting had a trio of Hawk-moths: Privet, Elephant Hawk and Poplar Hawk-moths today.

Dewick's Plusea & Scarce Footman added to year list.

Sunday 6th July 2025.

A Silver Y being accompanied by a much rarer Dewick's Plusea moth.

I was awoken this morning with the sound of light rain outside and thankfully, when I finally got out of bed at 5am, got dressed and had a coffee, the rain had stopped and left me to get on to check the Moth Box again. No Birding this afternoon as we took our Isabelle down to Moors Valley Country Park.

My Moth Box:

My first Scarce Footman moth for the year.

Another excellent haul of Moths awaited me as I slowly went through the outside of the Moth Box and the sodden egg trays outside the Box. A good total of 105 moths of 52 species were recorded and easily the pick of the bunch was a pristine Dewick’s Plusea moth of which I carefully potted for some photos later. This is a rare immigrant moth of which I have had a handful over the years, but my first for around three years I believe.

Above, Small Ranunculus moth and below, my second Turnip Moth of the year.

Above, the first Clay moth for the garden this year and below, an  Ash-bark Knot-horn moth.

The other Moth new for the year was a Scarce Footman that was perched on the Box close to the light bulb. Scalloped Oak, Turnip Moth, Black Arches and Marbled Green were all my second ones this year in my garden. Two Langmaid’s Yellow Underwings was notable. I had to rescue several Moths from the top of my rainguard, sadly sodden and upside down in the wet and I did manage to save some, but some simply could not be saved.  

Above, I managed to rescue this Small White butterfly from the puddle by my Moth Box this morning. Below, the wet weather brought out plenty of both Snails and Slugs including this huge probable Spanish Slug.

One thing I did save was a Small White butterfly that was laying on its side, but I carefully picked it up and placed it gently in one of our pot plants close by. 

The Moths recorded this morning included the following:

Macro Moths:                                          Micro Moths:

Dewick’s Plusea x1 *                             Large Pale Masoner x4 

Silver Y x4                                              Black-banded Masoner x4

Scalloped Oak x1                                   Apple Leaf Miner x2

Lime-speck Pug x3                                Ruddy Streak x3

Double-striped Pug x2                           Mother of Pearl x1

Heart & Dart x1                               White-shouldered House Moth x1

Grey / Dark Dagger x1                           Bird-cherry Ermine x8

Willow Beauty x3                                   Garden Grass-veneer x3

Turnip Moth x1                                       Blushed Knot-horn x1

Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing x2          Common Masoner x2

Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1

Knot Grass x1

Large Yellow Underwing x2                    Rosy Tabby x4

Lesser Yellow Underwing x1                Light Brown Apple Moth

L-album Wainscot                                   Brown Bark Moth x1

Riband Wave x4                                     Garden Grey x1 

Black Arches x1                                     Common Plume x4

Dark Arches x4                             White-banded Grass-moth x1

Dun-bar x1                                             Oak Knot-horn x1

Marbled Green x1                                  Rusty-dot Pearl x5

Marbled Beauty x2

Common Rustic x3

Scarce Footman x1*

Common Footman x1

Shuttle-shaped Dart x2

Single-dotted Wave x1

Dwarf Cream Wave x1

August Thorn x3

Elephant Hawk-moth x1

Bright-line Brown-eye x3

Clay x1

White Ermine x3

Small Ranunculus x1

In Hampshire today, there were up to 7 Quail reported singing around the Martin Down area this morning after reports of singing birds there yesterday. Three Spoonbills were on Titchfield Haven today along with 3 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers and a 3 Green Sandpipers on the reserve. A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was reported at Hill Head.