Two Moth Boxes & a day trip to Farlington Marshes.

 Saturday 8^th August 2026.

Swallows on Farlington Marshes today.

With the dry, warm weather continuing into the weekend, I had several options for where to go with Geoff Farwell and Andy Fisher joining me. The plan was to begin with both moth boxes, my garden trap and Geoff’s at Cowplain Marsh, before heading on to Farlington Marshes for a good walk around the reserve.

Low tide was due just after midday, so I also fancied trying my luck along the Hill Head foreshore for Black Tern. If time allowed, I hoped to round off the day with a visit to Portsdown Hill, where Long-tailed Blue butterflies had returned after a three-year absence. In the end, the day did not quite follow that itinerary, but it was still an excellent day’s birding in glorious weather. There were some good birds around, and I managed to add a couple of bird year-ticks too.

 

My Moth Box:

My first Shark moth for many a year. In fact, this was my second ever and a superb moth to add to my year list.

Two quality Moth species joined my Moth year list this morning with only my second ever Shark moth present on the garden fence and a Copper Underwing sat under one of my outside egg trays. There was absolutely no doubt about the ID of the Shark moth, but the Copper Underwing is a different matter. They are easily confused with the Svensson’s Copper Underwing and though the palps on the latter moth species are dark with pale spots and the Copper Underwing is pale throughout the palps, the only true way of identification is dissection to check the genitalia. So, for arguments sake, I will claim this individual as a Copper Underwing.

Above, my first putative Copper Underwing of the year and below, the migrant moth Bordered Straw.

Above, my first Angle Shades for about a month and below, the micro moth Spindle Knot-horn.

There were other excellent Moths present too. The migrant Moths included a Bordered Straw, Golden Twin-spot, Small Mottled Willow, Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing, White-point and 6 Rusty-dot Pearl’s (Udea ferrugalis). Other notable Moths included 3 Garden Tiger’s, 2 Blair’s Mocha (I believe they were the same individuals as yesterday) and the micro moths Pale-streaked Grass-moth (Agriphila selasella), Tawny-fronted Straw (Neocochylis molliculana) and my second Spindle Knot-horn (Nephopterix angustella) of the year. In total, there were 86 moths of 39 species recorded which included the following:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Shark * x1	Common Plume x7
Golden Twin-spot x1	Apple Leaf Miner x13
Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing x1	Pale-streaked Grass-moth x1
Angle Shades x1	Broom Shoot Moth x2
Lime-speck Pug x1	Dark Moss-moth x1
Small Mottled Willow x1	Rufous Tortrix x1
Double-striped Pug x3	Meal Moth x1
Pale Mottled Willow x6	Light Brown Apple Moth x4
Bright-line Brown-eye x2	Spindle Knot-horn x1
Heart & Dart x1	Coleophora species x2
Willow Beauty x1	Mother of Pearl x1
Garden Tiger x3	Rusty-dot Pearl x6
Copper Underwing * x1	Ruddy Streak x1
Garden Carpet x1	Common Masoner x2
Shuttle-shaped Dart x5	Tawny-fronted Straw x1
Blair’s Mocha x2	Garden Pebble x1
White-point x1	Horse-chestnut Leafminer x1
Common Rustic x3	Brown House Moth x1
L-album Wainscot x1
Bordered Straw x1
Large Yellow Underwing x2

As per usual, there is always something of note to be seen or heard while checking the Moth Box and I could hear something crunching leaves while walking along at the back of my neighbour’s garden. It was a young Fox that eventually climbed the shed nearby and poked his head up to give me a good stare!

 

Cowplain Marsh, Geoff Farwell’s Moth Box:

My first Common Grass-veneer moth of the year by Geoff's Moth Box.

There wasn’t so many Moths in Geoff’s MV Moth Box this morning here at Cowplain Marsh, despite the fact it had recently been repaired though 32 moths of 19 species was nothing to be sniffed at. There was even a new moth species for the year, the micro moth Common Grass-veneer (Agriphila tristella) and although a very common moth during late summer and early Autumn, I was happy to get my first one for the year.

Above, one of two Dusky Thorns and below, one of four Rush Veneer micro moths.

There were a few migrant Moths among the number too that included two Small Mottled Willows, 4 Rush Veneers (Nomophila noctuella) and two Rusty-dot Pearl’s (Udea ferrugalis). Other notable Moths included two Dusky Thorns and two Square-spot Rustics. The latter Moth species has still yet to appear in my garden, but they are annual towards the middle of Autumn.

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Brimstone Moth x1	Common Grass-veneer * x1
Dusky Thorn x2	Rusty-dot Pearl x2
Willow Beauty x3	Garden Pebble x1
Bright-line Brown-eye x1	Rush Veneer x4
Common Rustic x1	Codling Moth x1
Square-spot Rustic x2	Barred Marble x1
Double-striped Pug x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x2
Small Mottled Willow x2	Garden Mompha x1
Heart & Dart x3	Ruddy Streak x1
Small Dusty Wave x2

 

While checking the Moth Box and over a cup of coffee, a juvenile Robin came down to Andy’s makeshift (a stool and an upside-down bin lid!) bird bath and even a pair of Goldfinches came down for a good drink. Both Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker were heard calling nearby but not seen today.

 

Farlington Marshes & Langstone Harbour:

 

Redshank coming off the Reserve and going into Langstone Harbour.

It had been many months since I had last visited Farlington Marshes, and with autumn now just around the corner, the chances of picking up a year-tick felt promising. On arrival in the car park, Geoff was quick to point out the Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea growing nearby. This plant is favoured by the Long-tailed Blue butterfly, although none were on show,  it would have been quite something if they had been. Out in the harbour, the tide was ebbing and the small islands were beginning to appear, offering places for gulls and waders to roost.

Above, this Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea plants were growing by the main entrance Car Park and below, one of many Clouded Yellow butterflies seen on the Reserve.

Walking along the footpath through the Bushes area, we saw a few Common Whitethroats flitting among the brambles, with one bird singing from deep cover. Geoff thought a Kestrel had landed on one of the brambles, but closer inspection revealed something much better: a juvenile Cuckoo. It was our second juvenile Cuckoo of the year, following one seen earlier in the New Forest. The bird did not linger for long and soon flew off over the harbour, but it made for an excellent start to our visit.

A Little Egret searching for food by the seawall close to the main entrance and below, the sad sight of a Lake with no reedbed due to the Sluice breaking earlier this year. It will take years for the reedbed to grow back again.

Butterflies were abundant, with Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Small Whites and Common Blues all on the wing over the grass and bushes. It did not take long before we found our first of many Clouded Yellows too.

Above, the sea wall looking north from the Lake. Note the Samphire growing along the edge of the sea wall. Below, waders had gathered before flying off on the ebb tide.

Above, Redshank flying out into the harbour.

From the viewing platform overlooking the lake, there were a couple of wader clusters at the far end, mostly made up of Redshank. Through the scope, I picked out three Grey Plover, two Black-tailed Godwits and two Dunlin. As the birds began moving out into the harbour on the dropping tide, at least five Dunlin were among the Redshank. A few Curlew could be both seen and heard out in the harbour, although there was little else of note there at that stage.

Above, a Kestrel soaring about a male Peregrine and below, the female Kestrel soaring over the Lake area.

The Swifts have disappeared over my Southsea house, so when Andy picked out a small flock of three birds flying over the fields, it quickly grabbed my attention as I watched the birds sailing effortlessly by. A flock of ten Oystercatchers noisily took off from the Reserve and into the harbour and then everything decided to take off from the Lake briefly as a pair of Kestrels circled overhead. More birds flew off from the Stream area behind the Lake as a male Peregrine was then seen circling high overhead just south of the Bushes area. One of the Kestrels took a disliking to it and briefly chased it before pulling away. Probably not the best thing to hassle a Peregrine!

Above, a Redshank walking along the waters edge on the Lake and below, a Small Copper butterfly nectaring on the Samphire plants.

Geoff was pointing out how dry the ditches were as we walked east along the seawall. We have had no significant rain now for at least a month and therefore, the ditches were simply damp at best. A Small Copper butterfly was found sat on some Rock Samphire growing on the seawall as we neared the Point Fields, but it was very quiet out in the fields for birdlife. It wasn’t till we got to the Point Field that we found some notable sightings that included a distant male Stonechat and a Cetti’s Warbler briefly on show. Geoff and I heard a distant Yellow Wagtail calling, but it wasn’t till around 30 minutes later that we saw some.

Above, Geoff and Andy walking around the perimeter wall by the Point Field.

Geoff pointed out the basking Common Seals out on the mudflats distantly south of the Point Field, with at least a dozen of these huge mammals counted. The adults were huge compared to the younger animals, but seriously impressive. Geoff told us that he found a sickly animal near the harbour entrance earlier this year and quickly told the Harbour Master who knew of this Seal. Sadly, the animal had died shortly afterwards.

Above, a very dry Deeps area and below, one of four Grey Herons looking a bit hot in the late morning sunshine.

I soon found my first bird ‘year-tick’ of the day when Geoff found something interesting on top of a distant bush within the Point Field. There were a lot of Goldfinches and Linnets around and so ruling these out, I used my scope to ID the bird and finally, it was my first Wheatear of the year! Yes, I have not seen a single Wheatear this year and dipped out on seeing any in the Spring; so, this individual, a female/immature type, was most welcome on my year list. The bird didn’t linger and eventually flew off over the fields and beyond the perimeter bushes and out of view.

Above, a pair of Meadow Pipits flew in onto the Deeps and below, this Starling was coming into its spotty Autumn plumage.

On reaching a near bone-dry Deeps area, we spent about 15 minutes or so checking out the birds and butterflies here. A Common Sandpiper briefly flew off over one of the ditches and never to be seen again, while at least four Grey Herons roosted in the area. A pair of Meadow Pipits dropped in, while several family flocks of both Goldfinch and Linnet made the most of the many Thistle heads that were now in seed. I checked out the islands behind me within the harbour where I found a small raft of 6 Great Crested Grebes swimming in the channel and a fishing adult Common Tern. There were no raptors perched on the islands nor was there any Ospreys sat on the dead trees out there. Maybe soon they will return to Langstone Harbour.

Above, I found this Jersey Tiger moth fluttering around the brambles as we made our way to the Building and below, a small gathering of Starlings in the nearby Bushes.

Above, Geoff pointed out this rare Corn Parsley growing along the footpath.

Passing the Blockhouse, we caught up with the Cattle grazing on the very little nutritious grass present and here is where Andy finally caught up with his first Yellow Wagtails for the year. A pair of birds flew north over the Cattle and settled among them within the tall grass; but that was all we saw of the birds as they completely disappeared. A couple of Small Heath butterflies flew low along the footpath by the seawall and as we made our way towards the main Building, Geoff pointed out a rare UK plant called Corn Parsley. This was new species for me and most certainly I would have missed it if it wasn’t for Geoff pointing it out. 

Above, juvenile Swallows being fed by their parents.

On reaching the top of the Stream area, we parked ourselves on the bench overlooking the Stream and reedbed and checked out the birdlife here. There were a good number of waders present, notably a couple of Black-tailed Godwit, about a dozen Lapwing, a Common Sandpiper and at least 10 Redshank. A skein of Canada Geese was also by the Stream and among them, an adult Cattle Egret was preening itself. We had seen many Little Egrets today around the reserve, but this was our first Cattle Egret of the day and more were to come later this afternoon. I soon heard my first Bearded Tits of the year calling over the reedbed, but I didn’t manage to see any this time, but I am happy to add them to my year list. No doubt, I will see them as the year progresses on the reserve.

Above, a Black-tailed Godwit and a stretching Lapwing on the Stream. Below, a Yellow Wagtail, Starling and Lapwing on the Stream from the benches.

As mentioned earlier, I was thinking of going to Hill Head in search of the Black Terns now that the tide was out, so while sitting on the bench further west along the Stream, we quickly checked out the waders and other birds on the Stream to the west. Here, we found up to three Little Ringed Plovers, three Avocets and the Common Sandpiper that we had seen earlier; as well as many Redshank present. The dead bushes beside us proved a good resting area for the many adult and juvenile Swallows present to perch and therefore gave me the opportunity to get some lovely images of the birds.

Above, an adult preening Cattle Egret in amongst the Redshank and Canada Geese on the Stream. Below, a Little Ringed Plover in the same area.

After 15 minutes or so, both Jason and Nigel Crook joined us as we spent the next couple of hours in long conversation about times past here and some of the Birders past and present. All good, humoured stuff and some very enlightening facts about some of the birds seen here in the past and some contentious stuff thrown in too. All in all, a very interesting couple of hours with these two very knowledgeable brothers. While enjoying the conversation, there were some very interesting sightings that including some raptors; notably a male Kestrel, a female Sparrowhawk and a big female Peregrine. I thought I had seen a very distant Osprey in the heat haze through my scope flying over the harbour, but Jason believed it to be a Marsh Harrier, which I was happy to accept.

Above, a couple of expectant juvenile Swallows waiting to be fed by this parent. Below, the juvenile Green Woodpecker by the Bushes area.

The Swallows were putting on a superb display in front of us and at least three Swifts were occasionally flying very low over our heads. A Raven also flew over and headed off west and among the Swallows over the reedbeds, we picked out a small flock of Sand Martins heading south-west. A vocal juvenile Green Woodpecker grabbed my attention, and I managed to eventually get a few photos of the stripy bird perched on the trunk of a small bush to round off a very enjoyable trip here to Farlington Marshes. Jason saw some distant white blobs sitting in a tree in the distance and through his scope, he concluded they were four Cattle Egrets! A few dragonflies were flying up and down the Stream and when one settled on the dried mud, through my scope, I could see it was a Black-tailed Skimmer.

Time was against me and so both the idea of going to Titchfield Haven (no Black Terns were reported, but a Wood Sandpiper was on the South Scrape) and Portsdown Hill (Emma and Matt Parkes successfully saw the Long-tailed Blue’s) were shelved and so we made our way back to Cowplain to drop the guys off.

Above and below, Long-tailed Blue butterflies from Portsdown Hill. Photos by Emma Parkes.

The Wood Sandpiper at Titchfield Haven today. Photo by Daz Gorman.