Purple Hairstreaks in Pembroke Road!

Friday 19th June 2026.

A Buff-tailed Bumblebee enjoying a Field Poppy in Pembroke Road.

I decided last night that it was a good idea to not have the Moth Box on overnight due to the fact it would give the Moths a chance to disperse properly. However, it will most definitely be on tonight. The heatwave is on its way and today's temperatures proved that (I even wore shorts today!!!) with near wall to wall sunshine throughout the day and it got up to around 23 degrees centigrade. On my second shift in Pembroke Road, there was a welcome south-westerly breeze blowing down the road, which really helped my shift there to be more comfortable.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The clump of Field Poppies and Hebe are growing on the opposite side of the road. Below, another Buff-tailed Bumblebee just about to explore another Field Poppy.

It wasn't the birds that got the headlines today from Pembroke Road (although it came a close second!), for I arrived early for my first shift and decided to take a walk to Curtain Moat. However, some small butterflies got my attention and on closer inspection, I am sure they were Hairstreaks; but which one? So I rushed back to my car and grabbed a pair of binoculars and made my way back to the same location. Sure enough, they were Purple Hairstreak butterflies! Sadly, I only wished I had my camera with me. Last year, I was convinced that I saw Hairstreak butterflies at the top of the trees by the entrance between the Bowling Green and the Bungalow and this goes to prove that they were colonising here.

Well pleased in finding my first Purple Hairstreaks of the year, there were also a few other butterflies seen in the area on such a sunny morning, that included a Painted Lady, Large White and a Red Admiral.

Regarding the birds today, I recorded 15 species here today, though most were all the usual birds again. A Goldfinch was heard flying over, which was most probably the rarest bird here today and I also noted that a Wren was nest building in the Palm Tree close to where I stood. A pair of Swifts flew over and the Pied Wagtails were on the Bowling Green again this morning.

My Garden:

There were not many clouds overhead at the time I sat down in my garden, but this one grabbed my attention!

When I finished my second shift, it was time to relax in the back garden with my dogs and with a nice cold drink to hand, I watched the Buddleia plants for any butterflies that should come into my garden. Holly Blues were everywhere again and a Red Admiral was flushed by a passing Magpie. As quick as a flash, a Hummingbird Hawk-moth flew in and studied one of my pot plants and then flew off north into neighbouring gardens and was not subsequently seen again.

Above, I found this micro moth Dark Moss-moth in my kitchen and below, several Batman Hoverflies were at the back of my garden.

Above, our Buddy enjoying the sunshine this afternoon.

Overhead, I was watching the Swifts going about their business and noticed one individual having an enormous amount of white around the head area. It turned out to be a piece of fluff or feather for the Swift dropped it and then swooped round to pick it up again with its bill. It then flew down low over the house and I can only assume that it was using it for nesting material. As I write this, it is currently 16 degrees centigrade and most certainly looks good for another large haul of Moths tomorrow.