A quiet but warm day at Pembroke Road.

 

Monday 13^th July 2026

One of many Buff-tailed Bumblebees attracted to the Salvia x jamensis plants which are also known as Hot Lips! This was close to where I stand in Pembroke Road.

A windy, but warm day here in Southsea and for once, I decided not to put the Moth Box on overnight and have a bit of a lay in instead. It was remarkably pleasant on my first shift in Pembroke Road this morning, but I had to work the afternoon shift, and it was so hot, despite the north-easterly breeze.  OK, no Moth Box this morning, but there was a variety of notable sightings I saw today.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Today was the lowest bird species total this month with just 9 species seen from both the morning and afternoon shifts, which was a bit disappointing. The Wren was constantly going back and forth to its nest close to where I stood and I could clearly hear the youngsters calling from within the nest. The House Sparrows were in good voice within the Bowling Green hedgerow, and a single Great Black-backed Gull could be seen sat on the roof of one of the houses in nearby Penny Lane.

As soon as I stepped out of the car this morning in Pembroke Close, I saw a Red Admiral butterfly sunning itself on the wall of the neighbouring house but closed its wings as I approached and eventually flew off. A Large White butterfly flew along Pembroke Road, though it did not step as it headed off west. Sadly, apart from the heat this afternoon, a quiet day here in Old Portsmouth.

Other news today:

While in Eastney during the middle of the day, I came across a Hummingbird Hawk-moth looking for suitable plants to feed on off Horse Sands Close. A fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ had one fly into his kitchen last week! I wonder if I’ll get one in my Moth Box like last year? Birding friend, Andy Fisher, found a Jersey Tiger Moth in his garden today; so, there must be a good arrival of these beautiful Moths into the southern half of the UK as many are getting reported.

                    

                     

The Jersey Tiger moth in Andy's garden today.

The Night Heron remained at Miller’s Pond, Southampton, where it is occasionally showing well for birders. There was also remarkable news of a Golden Oriole seen in a garden at Damerham, in the west of the county. Nationally, a Blue-cheeked Bee-eater was discovered on Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands. A Hudsonian Godwit was still present at Cattawade, Suffolk, today, while the long-staying Black-winged Kite remains at Hempstead Marshes in Norfolk, near Sea Palling.

 

Above and below, the Night Heron on Miller's Pond today. Photos by Andy Tew.