Pied & Spotted Flycatchers plus large numbers of Moths.

Saturday 15th August 2026.

While walking back to my house with my dogs, I caught sight of this male Sparrowhawk perched on a TV aerial opposite my house.

It was supposed to be a bit cooler today, but once again, the Met Office got that wrong down this end of the UK! OK, it was cooler first thing this morning and a nice northerly breeze was blowing, this afternoon changed all that and though there was some high cloud around, once that sun came out the temperature climbed back into the 80’s again!

Another busy Saturday with two Moth Boxes to check and this morning, I decided to try my luck with one of the Pied Flycatchers that was seen yesterday. As luck would have it, two were reported over Crofton Cemetery before our arrival at this site. Sadly, Andy Fisher had to ‘go and sit with the fat wheezy boys with a note from Matron’ and decided to stay home to rest after a strenuous day at work yesterday.

Andy drops out of birding today.

After successfully seeing the Pied Flycatcher among many other ‘Lazee Birders’, Geoff and I then decided to try our luck for Whinchat at Titchfield Haven Canal Path and then round this fruitful day off with a trip to Catherington Downs, near Clanfield, for possible Flycatchers and Warblers.

Today turned out to be a good day for Pied Flycatcher sightings here on the south coast with at least five birds seen in various parts of the county.

 

My Moth Box:

My first Treble-bar moth for at least a decade!

This morning, this was my largest Moth haul of the week with a respectable 143 moths of 45 species and only the one new species for the year among them. However, for me personally, it was a good one – my first Treble-bar for at least a decade! When I first started getting into Moths, the first couple of years this species was relatively common, but since then, no sign whatsoever of this species, hence why I was a bit excited to see one in one of my outside egg trays this morning. On the negative side, it is quite possible that this moth could be a Lesser Treble-bar, but the only way to be certain is dissection of which I do not do. So, I am going to stick to Treble-bar.

Above, this Vestal was my second one of the year and below, another pale Moth, the White Ermine, was my first for a few months.

There was a plethora of migrant Moths this morning that included up to EIGHT Golden Twin-spots, Vestal (second one of the year), Clancy’s Rustic, Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing, Angle Shades, Silver Y, 6 Small Mottled Willow (highest total of this species so far this year), Turnip Moth and 3 Portland Ribbon Wave’s. Migrant micro moths included 14 Rusty-dot Pearls (Udea ferrugalis) (again, the highest total of this species so far this year), 3 Olive-tree Pearl’s (Palpita vitrealis) and 3 Rush Veneer’s (Nomophila noctuella).

Above, a Nutmeg moth dwarfs this Rusty-dot Pearl and below, a Clancy's Rustic was also a good moth to see.

Other notable Moths included a Nutmeg, my first White Ermine for a few months, Tree-lichen Beauty, Blair’s Mocha and the micro moths Chevron Grass-moth (Agriphila geniculea) and my second ever Fig-leaf Skeletonizer (Choreutis nemorana). The following Moths were present this morning:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Golden Twin-spot x8	Ruddy Streak x1
Treble-bar * x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x14
Vestal x1	Blushed Knot-horn x1
Clancy’s Rusticx1	Apple Leaf Miner x14
Nutmeg x1	Horse-chestnut Leafminer x1
White Ermine x1	Tree-mallow Tortrix x1
Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing x1	Brown House Moth x1
Angle Shades x1	Chevron Grass-moth x1
Garden Tiger x3	Light Brown Apple Moth x8
Silver Y x1	Rush Veneer x3
Common Rustic x2	Codling Moth x1
Setaceous Hebrew Character x2	Common Masoner x1
Tree-lichen Beauty x1	Box Tree Moth x6
Shuttle-shaped Dart x7	Pale-streaked Grass-moth x1
Small Mottled Willow x6	Fig-leaf Skeletonizer x1
Blair’s Mocha x1	Olive-tree Pearl x3
Double-striped Pug x5	Broom Shoot Moth x1
Turnip Moth x1	Chestnut Tortrix x3
Portland Ribbon Wave x3	Mother of Pearl x1
Pale Mottled Willow x7
L-album Wainscot x1
Small Dusty Wave x4
Marbled Beauty x4
Large Yellow Underwing x4
Vine’s Rustic x1
Lime-speck Pug x3

 

One of two Red-legged Shieldbugs seen this morning.

Among the many Lacewing present within the Moth Box, I found my first Red-legged Shieldbug of the year sat by the lightbulb where I gently released it back into the garden.

 

Geoff’s MV Moth Box, Cowplain Marsh:

One of two Oak Hook-tip moths by Geoff's Moth Box.

I believe it was the highest moth total I have ever recorded at Cowplain Marsh today (Andy Fisher’s garden) with a staggering 99+ moths of 39 species. Some flew out of the Moth Box before I could ID them too. Another two more species were added to my year list that included two Fern Moths. Once again, there is the possibility of them being the species Cryptic Fern and again, the only way of telling them apart was by dissection. I am more than happy to call them Ferns.

Above, one of two Fern moths seen at Cowplain Marsh today. Below, a Box Tree Moth next to a Jersey Tiger underneath the light bulb of Geoff's Moth Box.

Another excellent Moth that was new for the year was the Oak Hook-tip and this morning; there were two of the moth’s present (one in the Box and the other on one of the egg trays. Migrant moths this morning at Cowplain Marsh included a White-point, European Corn-borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), 6 Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis) and a staggering 14 Rush-veneer’s (Nomophila noctuella).

Above, a Square-spot Rustic and below, a European Corn-borer.

Notable moths here today included a Poplar Hawk-moth, 2 Small Blood-vein, Square-spot Rustic, Dusky Thorn, Jersey Tiger, the first Garden Tiger for Cowplain Marsh, Dark-bordered Pearl (Evergestis limbata) and a Large Fruit-tree Tortrix (Archips podana) which was only my second of the year after one seen in Devon earlier this year. The following Moths were recorded at Cowplain Marsh this morning:

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Fern * x2	Common Plume x3
Poplar Hawk-moth x1	Box Tree Moth x9
Small Blood-vein x2	Mint Moth x2
Yellow-barred Brindle x1	Grey Knot-horn x1
Small Dusty Wave x15	Pale-streaked Grass-moth x3
White-point x1	Copper-fringed Drab x1
Square-spot Rustic x1	Dark-bordered Pearl x1
Willow Beauty x2	Light Brown Apple Moth x7
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1	Dark Strawberry Tortrix x2
Large Yellow Underwing x2	Tree-mallow Tortrix x1
Pale Mottled Willow x1	Apple Leaf Miner x1
Heart & Dart x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x6
Dusky Thorn x1	Rush Veneer x14
Blair’s Mocha x1	Common Masoner x2
Shuttle-shaped Dart x2	Ruddy Streak x2
Bright-line Brown-eye x1	Chestnut Tortrix x1
Jersey Tiger x1	European Corn-borer x1
Garden Tiger x1	Large Fruit-tree Tortrix x1
Double-striped Pug x1
Common Rustic x1
Oak Hook-tip * x1

 

Just like my Moth Box this morning, a Red-legged Shieldbug was among the Lacewing here this morning. Enjoying a couple of coffees and recording the Moths here in Cowplain Marsh, there were a few notable birds seen or heard and that included a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Linnet and a distant ‘Willowchiff’ that was calling in nearby gardens.

Crofton Cemetery, Fareham:

The Lime Trees that proved popular for the Pied Flycatcher this morning here in the Cemetery, though it remained mostly at the top of the trees, but did give good views occasionally.

It was just Geoff and I that made our way to Crofton Cemetery in search for the Pied Flycatchers and having not been here at this site, the SatNav proved most useful. It took us first to the new Cemetery where we parked up and then we made our way to a likely area to the south of the Cemetery where there seemed to be a lot of mature trees and bushes. Having never been here before, we were lucky to find the Old Cemetery and thankfully, saw another birder also in search for the birds.

Above, several 'Lazee Birders' were among other birders searching for the Pied Flycatcher and below, the bird eventually showed for us all.

This chap (sorry, don’t know your name) had not seen the birds yet and then Geoff saw another guy he did recognize and after a brief chat, we went our separate ways in search of the bird. After twenty minutes or so, we had seen several ‘Willowchiffs’ high up in the Lime Trees and a female Chaffinch that had birders scrambling for their optics! Fellow ‘Lazee Birders’ were now arriving including Andy Tew, Steve Laycock and Dolly. It was Dolly who first saw the Pied Flycatcher fly into some brambles high up in a tree and although it was only around for minute or so, we had the Pied Flycatcher on my year list.

Above, the Pied Flycatcher in Crofton Cemetery this morning.

Sadly, it didn’t linger, but during our time waiting for the bird to show again, a Stock Dove was seen and a Green Woodpecker briefly flew past. After about another 20-minute wait, I saw a passerine fly into a nearby small tree and on closer inspection, it was the Pied Flycatcher again. I quickly got the crowd onto the bird, but it soon flew off high up into a tree behind us, giving us fleeting glimpses and then flew back into the Lime Trees opposite where it gave some brief but excellent views.

There was other wildlife within the Cemetery too with this male Common Darter (above) and a Rabbit (below).

Happy with our sighting, we left the guys to carry on watching this lovely bird and so headed off back to the car to then make our way to the small car park at the Titchfield Haven Canal Path near the village of Titchfield.

 

Titchfield Haven Canal Path, Titchfield:

My first 'Hampshire' Whinchat this year. Though I was struggling with the heat haze, this was arguably the best photo I got of the bird that was perched in the fields opposite Hammond's Bridge.

My goal here was to hopefully find a Whinchat and on arrival in the Car Park, which, incidentally, was near empty (happy days!), we grabbed our gear and headed south down the path. The heat now was building and some shade along the way was most welcome. As well as the grass along the footpath and out in the fields looking very parched and dry, there was a severe lack of insects too with hardly any Butterflies seen.

One of two Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies below Hammond's Bridge.

It was when we neared Hammonds Bridge that I noticed a small bird perched on the wire fence out in the fields. Though I never had my scope with me, I could clearly through my camera that it was my first ‘Hampshire’ Whinchat of the year. I had already seen this species last month at the Long-tailed Shrike site in Gloucestershire, but to get my first bird in Hampshire was a bonus. The bird remained faithful to the wire fence for some time as we reached the Bridge and had our lunch.

Above, a flock of Swallows were preening on some dead trees before a Sparrowhawk flew over and all took off. Below, another distant photo of the Whinchat in the heat haze.

From the Bridge, a large gathering of Swallows was in the area and obviously found a suitable supply of flying insects over the fields. Below the Bridge, two Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies were fluttering about over the leaf stems, and one settled nicely for me to grab a few snaps. The sound of a young Common Buzzard calling nearby had me searching the skies to the east and sure enough, out popped a pair of birds circling over the fields.

Several Chub fish swam in the Canal.

We slowly walked further south down the Canal Path, but apart from coming across a flock of Long-tailed Tits flying away from us, bird sightings were far and few. The adjacent Canal still had water running through, though it was looking rather shallow, but deep enough for some fish to be seen including several Chub and a good number of Minnows. On reaching the end of the wooded area, I really didn’t fancy walking further south into the hot sunshine and so Geoff agreed to make our way back to the car.

A Clouded Yellow butterfly nectaring on a Fleabane plant.

I was glad we did as something grabbed my attention flying around in the top of a tree. Another Pied Flycatcher! I managed to get a good look of the bird and Geoff agreed with my deduction as we waited for the bird to show again. It was very active at the top of the trees, but now an again, it did afford to give us some nice views and photos too. It is always nice to find a good bird and so I quickly reported it to our friends and also on the ‘Lazee Birders’ Whatsapp site.

Sadly, the Pied Flycatcher on the Canal Path was very active and I was lucky to grab this photo of the bird before it flew off again into the tops of the trees.

On reaching Hammond’s Bridge again, there was no sign of the Whinchat seen earlier on the wire fence, but a male Stonechat was seen in a bramble just south of the wire fence. A female Sparrowhawk flew west over the fields, scattering all the Swallows I was taking photos of in the small dead trees by the side of the footpath; but little else of note was seen by the time we got back to the car.

 

Catherington Downs, nr Clanfield:

Looking down from the top of Catherington Downs over the countryside. Most certainly a good place for migrant birds to stop off and feed.

Around this time of year, previous years have proved that Catherington Downs was a good spot for passing migrants and as Geoff mentioned, the Downs form part of a funnel for migrants to fly through or land on the scrubby area. Lovedean Lane heads north into Clanfield and at the base of the site, Oak trees skirt the edge of the road and likened by the Spotted Flycatchers that arrive here in the Autumn. Possibly they could breed here and mostly go unnoticed perhaps?

A Small Copper butterfly near the main entrance at the site.

The bottom end of the Downs was rather overgrown with plenty of brambles; good cover for passing migrant birds, but it was looking very brown and dry. Geoff pointed out some very hardy plants growing in the dry soil including Harebell and Ragwort. This in turn attracted a good variety of Butterflies seen today here that included Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Brimstone, Small Copper, Gatekeeper, Painted Lady and many Common Blue’s. At least three Clouded Yellows were seen in different parts of the site, but the best of all was a brief sighting of a Brown Hairstreak, my first of the year, flying low over a footpath at the top of the site!

Up to four Spotted Flycatchers were seen here. The one below sat on that perch for about ten minutes before it eventually flew off.

As we walked north along the base of the Downs, it didn’t take long for us to come across our first Spotted Flycatcher of the day. In fact, up to four birds were seen on our trip here, all busy in search of insects around the Oak trees and Bushes. While checking the Flycatchers, I caught sight of a Lesser Whitethroat in one of the trees, but it was a brief view and too quick for a photo and even Geoff ‘dipped out’ on seeing the bird. He soon found a Common Whitethroat in one of the bushes and showed well. Though there was a lot of Blackcaps heard ‘chacking’ deep within the vegetation, we saw none whatsoever! Both Nuthatch and Bullfinch were heard calling nearby, but no sightings of the birds.

Above, this graceful Red Kite soared overhead and below, we found another Hornet Robberfly after our first one recently on Old Winchester Hill.

A beautiful Red Kite sailed low overhead while we were watching the Flycatchers and then it drifted off west over the countryside. A little later, from the top of the Downs, we heard a juvenile Common Buzzard calling some distance away from trees in the distance and then out flew an adult bird that flew down to the trees below. Though it was very hot at times when the sun broke through the patchy cloud, we made our way to the top of the Downs and walking along the top, we had a brief sighting of a Green Woodpecker flying over the footpath. From here, a small bird looked a bit Wryneck-like but it disappeared into vegetation and not seen again.

Disappointed, we carried on along the footpath and that was where I had my Brown Hairstreak sighting as it glided briefly in front of me and then flew back into the Bushes and out of view. I had a good view of the upperwings through my binoculars and clearly saw the pale brown patch on each wing. This was only my second ever sighting of this species since my first with Andy Fisher in the Chairmakers Pub garden several years ago.

Geoff believed this to be an adult Spotted Flycatcher due to the fact of its worn plumage. Adult birds are not at their best after raising a brood due to the constant searching for food and feeding their young, hence the scruffy appearance of this bird.

This rounded off a superb day’s birding, despite the heat and now can reflect on not only the birds we saw, but a good array of Moths from earlier this morning. Apparently, Pied Flycatchers were seen in a variety of areas here in Hampshire that included the two at Crofton Cemetery, the bird we saw on the Canal Path, 2 birds at the Southampton Old Cemetery and another found at Northney Paddocks, Hayling Island.