An unexpected Hawk-moth this afternoon.

Wednesday 11th March 2026.

A bright day today with a cool breeze on my first shift at Pembroke Road this morning. Temperatures improved in the afternoon as it climbed up to around 15 degrees, but the strong westerly wind kept things a little cooler. Insects were noteworthy today and included my first Hummingbird Hawk-moth of the year. I know March seems a bit early for this species, but I saw one roughly the same time, same place last year. I believe one was seen in a garden earlier this month.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Though nothing outstanding was seen today regarding the bird life within Pembroke Road, 15 species noted wasn't too bad a total. As per usual, all the usual species were seen and even the singing Dunnock was seen today opposite where I stand, perched on a bit of hedgerow beside the Bowling Green. Overhead, the usual three species of Gull were seen (Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gull); but no sign of any Hirundines passing over yet.

As mentioned, the sun brought out the insects and pride of place was my first Hummingbird Hawk-moth of the year. I only caught sight of it briefly as it checked out some of the garden plants growing in the front of the houses and then quickly disappeared over the rooftops and far too quick for me to grab a photo. A queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee dropped in briefly too in the afternoon and also checked out the few flowering plants before flying off across the road.

The Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) in my garden early afternoon.

While having lunch back in my garden, the sunshine attracted several Hairy-footed Bumblebees to the fence panel and also, my first Batman Hoverfly of the year was seen basking in the sunshine (see photo).

In Hampshire today:

There was a lot of migrant activity in Hampshire today where a Wheatear was found on Farlington Marshes and 3 Spoonbills were seen in Langstone Harbour by the same observer. There was an early report of a Little Ringed Plover at Eastleigh Railway Yard this morning and  Sand Martins were reported at Posbrook Floods, Lower Test Marshes and Ibsley Water (Blashford Lakes). A Common Whitethroat was reported at Cosham; a very early bird. More wintry and local stuff involved a Black-throated Diver seen flying into Chichester Harbour from Sandy Point and also a Ring-necked Parakeet flying high over the reserve. The Ruddy Shelduck was still present at Ranvilles Lane area and nearby, the Little Owl was showing well again at Newlands Farm. Back at Titchfield Haven, the 6 Glossy Ibis were once again along the Canal Path and three immature Spoonbills were seen flying over the Reserve. The Great Grey Shrike was showing well again at Pig Bush in the New Forest.

This adult White-tailed Eagle was being mobbed by a Raven over the New Forest recently. Photo by Steve Laycock.

Birding pal, Andy Fisher, managed to grab his first Bearded Tit sighting of the year.