Straw Underwing moth added to year total.

 Tuesday 1^st September 2026.

A bright start to the beginning of the month.

Weather and Seasonal Outlook

The first day of September began brightly, with very high, patchy cloud overhead. Autumn is now under way, and migrant birds and moths are arriving in increasing numbers, promising an exciting period ahead. There is speculation that another heatwave may develop later this month. For now, yesterday’s breezy conditions have eased, leaving barely a breath of wind this morning.

Bird Sightings

While checking the moths this morning, I heard at least two Yellow Wagtails flying overhead. Locating them high in the sky, however, was like searching for a needle in a haystack. A Willow Warbler in my neighbour’s tree at the back of the garden was much more cooperative, while a Robin was also heard ticking in nearby gardens.

Early-Morning Foxes

The noisiest visitors were the foxes, which woke me at around 4 a.m. I later saw two youngsters sitting on a shed roof near my garden.

 

My Moth Box:

My first Straw Underwing of the year. 

September’s Opening Catch
September began with a modest catch of 45 moths across 21 species. The highlight was my first Straw Underwing of the year. When I released this striking moth from its pot, it settled on the lavender, giving me a clear view of its straw-coloured underwing.

Flounced Rustic.

Rustics and Portland Ribbon Wave

My second Flounced Rustic of the year shared an egg tray with two Square-spot Rustics, while a Clancy’s Rustic perched on the edge of the moth box. Nearby, another Portland Ribbon Wave rested on the fence panel, adding to what is probably my best-ever year for this species.

Above, Square-spot Rustic and below, Clancy's Rustic.

Micro-moth Highlights
Notable micro-moths included an Olive-tree Pearl and up to seven Rusty-dot Pearls. August ended with a grand total of 113 moth species seen. 

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Straw Underwing * x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x7
Portland Ribbon Wave x1	Ruddy Streak x1
Lime-speck Pug x1	Common Plume x2
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x1	Apple Leaf Miner x9
L-album Wainscot x4	Light Brown Apple Moth x3
Small Dusty Wave x1	Chevron Grass-moth x2
Pale Mottled Willow x1	Olive-tree Pearl x1
Square-spot Rustic x1	Dark Moss-moth x2
Flounced Rustic x1	Blushed Knot-horn x1
Clancy’s Rustic x1
Bright-line Bright-eye x2
Willow Beauty x1

 

Yesterday, birding pal Geoff Farwell was also at Farlington Marshes and I must have just missed him arriving by minutes. He had a good day here with sightings of 9 Curlew Sandpipers, Ruff, 25 Knot, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Wheatear, 2 Whinchats, 7+ Yellow Wagtail, 2 singing Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Whitethroat, Swift and a Spotted Flycatcher.

Matt & Emma connected with at least 3 Black-winged Kites on the trip to France. Photo by Emma Parkes.

Meanwhile Emma and Matt Parkes are in France, staying with Matt’s parents in the La Selle Craionnaise area and already recorded the following sightings that included 3 Black-winged Kites, Cirl Bunting, Black Kites, Cattle Egret, Red-backed Shrike and 2 male Hen-harriers!

They also found this Red-backed Shrike today near where they are staying. Photo by Emma Parkes. Below, the migrant micro moth Rush Veneer was by the Moth Box this afternoon.