Not many moths today, but glorious weather.

 Monday 27th April 2026.

Surely, one of the best songsters we have in the UK? This gorgeous Wood Warbler was seen and photographed in the New Forest last weekend by Emma Parkes.

The fine weather continued into the start of the week with unbroken sunshine with a very light southerly wind. Temperatures were fairly mild early this morning as I checked the Moth Box in my garden and it got warmer as the afternoon temperature reached 23 degrees centigrade when I was doing my second shift at Pembroke Road. There were a few nice birds around Hampshire today that kept the ‘Listers’ on their toes. On a negative note, whoever came up with the idea of Swift Boxes that have calling Swifts built into them needs absolute therapy. What an utter waste of time and money. Plus, I have been searching the skies due to the sound of Swifts only to find they come from those stupid speakers!

My Moth Box:

One of two Rusty-dot Pearls in the garden today.

My first Rusty-dot Pearl moths were in and around my Moth Box and quite early too for this time of year. Two were present with one in the Moth Box and the other sat by the Moth Box. There was only one other ‘macro’ moth, a Double-striped Pug while the rest were ‘micro’ moths. This included 2 Light Brown Apple Moths and a Common Plume.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The Passenger ship Guillaume de Normandie sailing out of Portsmouth Harbour with the Garrison Church in the foreground.

It was actually a mild first thing this morning on my first shift in Pembroke Road (which makes a lovely change) and I didn't get into my car at the end of my shift with freezing cold hands too. Happy days. This afternoon, it really did get warm and I have to think again about what attire I have to wear should it stay warm. A total of 13 bird species were recorded this morning and although nothing exceptional, it is still good to get into double figures. The Pied Wagtail (a male bird) was back on the Bowling Green again and even this afternoon when the Bowlers were out in force, the bird was running in between the Bowling Ball going down the green. Comical.

In Hampshire today:

This superb photo of a Tawny Owl was taken in the New Forest this weekend. Photo by Rob Porter.

The warm Spring weather brought out some nice birds and early this morning, a Wood Sandpiper was on the Bridge Street Floods and a huge flock of 32 Cattle Egrets flew north up the reserve. A Ruff and a Jack Snipe were seen at the Deeps on Farlington Marshes plus a Wheatear later in the day. Hook-with-Warsash hosted a Marsh Harrier, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Hobbies and 3 Wheatears. A possible Long-legged Buzzard was seen in the Alton area, but unconfirmed as yet. A pair of Black Redstarts were in the Winchester area and two Curlew Sandpipers were on Normandy Lagoon.

Another superb photo of the Wood Warbler in the New Forest yesterday. Photo by Emma Parkes.

Birding pal, Geoff Farwell, went birding at Beacon Hill yesterday and recorded the following sightings: 12 singing Blackcaps, 4 singing Common Whitethroats, 7 singing Chiffchaffs, 2 singing Firecrests, 2 Lapwings, Sparrowhawk, 2 Red Kites, 2 Common Buzzards and a Raven. He also found a Grizzled Skipper, Small Copper, several Orange-tips and Holly Blue butterflies.