Saturday 26th July 2025.
A bright blue sky overhead this morning when I went about checking my Moth Box at 5.15am. A very light westerly this morning with temperatures around 17 degrees centigrade to start the day off. The Moth Box was first on the list today and then off to Martin Down after checking Andy’s Moth Box.
My Moth Box:
The Moth numbers were virtually halved in total from what I had on Thursday morning but there were three more Moths that were new for the year. A total of 54 moths of 27 species were recorded that included a very early Square-spot Rustic which was new for the year and also two micro moths, a Common Fern Moth and a Bordered Carl, which were both very small species of which I nearly missed them! A Jersey Tiger moth literally flew away as soon as I got near the Box and headed off into nearby trees. There was just the one Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing and other migrant Moths included a Diamond-back Moth. The Bramble Shoot Moth was the first one for the month.
The Moths recorded this morning were as follows:
MACRO MOTHS | MICRO MOTHS |
|
|
Jersey Tiger x1 | Common Fern Moth x1 * |
Brimstone Moth x3 | Bordered Carl x1 * |
Cabbage Moth x1 | Light Brown Apple Moth x7 |
Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing x1 | Common Plume x2 |
Common Rustic x7 | White-shouldered House Moth x1 |
Square-spot Rustic x1 * | Brown House Moth x1 |
Bright-line Brown-eye x3 | Bramble Shoot Moth x1 |
Marbled Beauty x1 | Privet Tortrix x2 |
Double-striped Pug x6 | Common Masoner x2 |
Riband Wave x1 | Black-banded Masoner x3 |
Willow Beauty x1 | Mint Moth x1 |
Lime-speck Pug x1 | Barred Marble x1 |
| Diamond-back Moth x1 |
| Willow Ermine x1 |
| Ruddy Streak x2 |
Andy’s Moth Box, Cowplain Marsh:
There were just 21 moths of 12 species in and around Andy’s Moth Box this morning, which was a little disappointing, but there were a few nice moths among the more common ones including another Square-spot Rustic, Scalloped Oak, Fulvous Pearl and a Jersey Tiger. The Jersey Tiger was, I think, the first I have recorded in his garden.
The following Moths were recorded here this morning:
MACRO MOTHS | MICRO MOTHS |
|
|
Square-spot Rustic x1 | Garden Grass-veneer x1 |
Dun-bar x1 | Common Plume x2 |
Willow Beauty x6 | Bud Moth x2 |
Scalloped Oak x1 | Fulvous Pearl x1 |
Common Rustic x2 |
|
Uncertain x1 |
|
Double-striped Pug x2 |
|
Jersey Tiger |
|
Other interesting insects were attracted to his Moth Box that included a Red-legged Shieldbug and a Lacewing. While having a quick look at his Pond over a cup of coffee, the Southern Hawker he found earlier in the week, flew in again and gave a couple of laps over the Pond and then flew off strongly away. That was a ‘year-tick’ for me and Geoff.
Emma & Matt’s Moth Box, Fareham:
Meanwhile, over in Fareham, new for the year in their garden were two Garden Tigers, a Satin Wave and a Common Carpet. The Moth Box also attracted a Sexton Beetle.
Martin Down, Hampshire / Wiltshire border:
Andy and Geoff by the Car Park at Sillens Lane.
It was going to be another attempt to add Quail to our year list this morning and I am safe to say, I was successful and so was Geoff, but poor old Andy ‘dipped out’! If it wasn't for the fact he was yapping away about something, he might have heard the Quail calling way in the distance, but alas, the bird never called again despite waiting patiently for nearly an hour for the bird to start up again.
Above, one of the many Chalk-hill Blue butterflies on Martin Down and below, a Large White nectaring on a Field Scabious.
Above, a buck Roe Deer in the Quail field. Below, one of several Common Whitethroats seen along the track.
Driving through the pretty village of Martin, we got to Sillens Lane and headed straight for the car park down the single carriage road. Along here, we caught sight of a young Hare in the road and slowed accordingly to let the Hare walk along the edge of the road as we safely passed it. A nice start to the trip here. Sadly, the weather was going to be very indifferent throughout the morning and into the early afternoon here. Occasional sunshine, lots of clouds and the occasional downpour is what we experienced during our time here, but yet again, the wildlife here was amazing.
Above, a female Chalk-hill Blue butterfly on Small Scabious and below, our first Clouded Yellow butterfly of the year.
Above, Dark Mullein plants growing alongside the main track near Sillens Lane Car Park and below, Geoff and Andy enjoying a cup of coffee.
Not just the birds kept us entertained, but also the superb variety of insects and especially the butterflies. Kicking off with the birds, throughout the week, there were reports of at least one Quail singing opposite the Car Park here, but we noticed that two of the main fields opposite the Car Park had been mown by a Combine Harvester. That left one field to the south to try and hope for the Quail to be present and thankfully, for Geoff and myself at least, it paid off (sorry Andy).
The superb view of Martin Down when we arrived. I don't think this photo does the place justice, but the large open space that is full of wildlife is a superb place to be. Below, a Red Kite soaring high over our heads and drifted slowly off south.
One of several Dark-green Fritillary's out on the Downs and below, a male Common Blue nectaring on Creeping Thistle.
Overhead, there were plenty of Swallows flying around and a few singing Yellowhammers were seen in adjacent bushes. A Raven was seen flying to the south over the Downs and a calling Kestrel was hunting over the Downs to the south too. A Red Kite was seen flying high over our heads and another two more birds were seen later over distant fields. The bushes held several Common Whitethroats and both Blackcap and Willowchiffs were heard calling deep within the bushes. Another month and this place will be crawling with Warblers and suchlike.
Above, the Clouded Yellow butterfly in flight and below, Geoff has a wander around the area.
Above, a male Chalk-hill Blue butterfly and below, the Corn Bunting we came across by the hedgerow.
As the morning wore on, we had sightings of a female Stonechat perched on a small bush and the Barley field the Quail was heard calling in held at least a dozen or so Skylarks that were seen in various sized flocks while we waited for the Quail to sing again. On our way back to the car, a Corn Bunting showed very well on top of the hedgerow along the main track and the Common Whitethroats also put in a good appearance near the Bunting while overhead, a pair of Common Buzzards were soaring high over the countryside. A male Bullfinch was heard calling near the Bunting and I managed to grab a quick sighting before it flew off deeper into the hedgerow.
Above, we found this Kite-tailed Robberfly on a five bar gate while waiting for the Quail to call and below, a Roesel's Bush-cricket trying to hide from me.
Above, the Corn Bunting perched on the hedgerow and below, a Common Field Grasshopper in the vegetation.
An adult Hare was seen in the adjacent field next to the Barley field, but within the Barley Field itself, a couple of Roe Deer were seen and remained there throughout the morning.
Above, the track we followed to the Quail field. The wildlife here was amazing. Below, several Common Blue's sat it out in the open while it was cloudy.
Above, there was now a pair of Roe Deer in the Quail field when we arrived back there for a second time. Below, this Black-tipped Ermine moth was my first ever.
Above, in the foreground, Wild Parsnip was growing abundantly within the tall grass by the main track. Below, our first Small Blue butterfly of the year.
Above, a large clump of Common Toadflax growing by the main track.
Butterflies were abundant once the sun came out and the whole area seemed to be full of Chalk-hill Blue’s and at times, numbers of them would be flying around our feet! We picked up Butterfly ‘year-ticks’ today that included our first Small Blue’s of the year (we never saw one the last time we were here) and best of all, a superb Clouded Yellow along the main track as we were making our way back to the Car Park. This individual showed very well and gave us ample opportunities in taking some half decent photos of this migrant butterfly. Other Butterflies present here today included Common Blue’s, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Gatekeeper, both Large & Small White and also Green-veined White’s. There were plenty of Garden Grass-veneer moths in the short grass that flew up when we walked along, but Geoff caught sight of a small moth that looked like a small Ermine. On closer inspection, it was my first ever Black-tipped Ermine moth and luckily for me, it allowed me a very close approach to take a few photos of it. I was well pleased with that. What a cracking trip here and I am pleased that my target bird was successfully achieved.
Cowplain Marsh, Andy’s Garden:
This male Common Darter perched close to where we sat by Andy's pond.
We actually finished our day off with a quick cup of coffee in Andy’s garden overlooking the Pond again and another excellent 30 minutes here enjoying the wildlife his garden provides. In that short space of time, we were treated not only to a male Common Darter, but both the Azure and Blue-tailed Damselflies. The Butterflies came in thick and fast which included Large White, up to 3 Comma’s, a Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood and a few Mint Moths got in on the action too! It is always a pleasure to be here in Cowplain Marsh.
Above, the male Common Darter and below, a Gatekeeper butterfly with a Mint Moth sharing a Water Mint plant.
Above, a Gatekeeper butterfly and below, an Azure Damselfly.
.jpg)
.jpg)
