A pair of Garganey on the Severals.

Saturday 2nd April 2022.

The pair of Garganey on the Severals this morning and eventually showing very well. 

Another very cold start to the day as I scraped ice off my windscreen before making my way north to pick Andy up. As expected, his moth box failed to pick up a single moth as I checked his egg trays thoroughly, but it drew a blank. I had made my decision to head east into West Sussex and try our luck first at Chichester Gravel Pits for there had been some nice birds of late reported this week there.  

Above, there were quite a few Chiffchaffs singing along the path by Ivy Lake. Below, Pochard were in good numbers too, with this lovely drake preening in the morning sunshine.

We were hoping for a few migrants along the footpath, for example some Hirundines, but we found none over the lakes, despite a good search. Andy managed to grab his first Blackcap of the year, with a bird flying out of a bush and flying away from us; so not really the greatest view for your first of the year. Chiffchaffs were in good voice with at least four birds seen singing along the footpath and a few Cetti’s Warblers put in an appearance also. An early Willow Warbler or Sedge Warbler would have been nice, but no sign of either this morning.

Above, a Great Crested Grebe also preening in the sunshine on Deep Lake. Below, a pair of Egyptian Geese swimming across East Lake. 

There is a pair of Red-crested Pochards that have been seen on either Ivy Lake on Copse Lake and apparently, one of the ‘Lazee Birders’ found them this morning on the latter site, though both Andy and myself never saw the birds. However, there were a good number of Pochard around today as well as Tufted Duck, Mallard and Great Crested Grebes and in this bright sunshine, they really stood out nicely. Other notable sightings here included a pair of Egyptian Geese on one of the Lakes and also a fine looking Black Swan, that surely will be on the British List soon? Both Grey-lag and Canada Geese were in good numbers still, with a pair of the former being quite approachable on the main path.

Above, so when will the Black Swans make it onto the British list? This bird was on Copse Lake this morning. Below, a Great Spotted Woodpecker perched up high on a tree above us and began drumming!

On Runcton Lake, off Peckham's Copse Lane, the Cormorants were nest building there in the bushes and trees, but apart from a few Little Grebes on the water, all was quiet here. However, the trees held a fine Great Spotted Woodpecker just above us and both Chiffchaff and Blackcap were present too. The walk back did not produce anything new on our way back, though we had a quick chat with Jay Bee (one of the Lazee Birders) and then got back into the car and headed to Sidlesham Ferry Pool.

Above, a Buff-tailed Bumble bee enjoying the Blackthorn flowers by Sidlesham Ferry Pool and below, does this look like Andy is enjoying sitting in the Hide overlooking the Ferry Pool, enjoying a cup of coffee and going for 3 'year ticks' today?

Even the Ferry Pool was quiet, with just four Black-tailed Godwit present among the Shelduck, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall and Mallard resting on the edge of the pool. The water level was high on the Ferry Pool, so that ruled out any exciting waders. Out in the fields, a Common Buzzard was seen perched on the radio mast and a distant male Kestrel flew around the field behind the Ferry Pool.

Above, Wigeon, Shoveler, a Black-headed Gull and a couple of Black-tailed Godwit resting beside the Ferry Pool and below, my first Marsh Marigolds in bloom on the large pool behind the Hide.  

Church Norton was our next destination however, the churchyard was very quiet with only a few Robins to look at. We sat on the old bench overlooking the churchyard, the same bench I sat on with old friends some 40 years ago and had my sandwiches on. God, it brought back memories. Where has all that time gone? We made our way to the harbour and the tide was slowly on the rise. The Tern Island held both Mediterranean Gulls and Black-headed Gulls, although I think the latter was the dominant species. A good number of Sandwich Terns were also present among them. There was a flock of around a dozen Black-tailed Godwits close in on the mudflats and good numbers of both Curlew and Redshank, but no other waders could be found. I really needed my scope to check the birds further out and although I did not have it, I got the phone call this morning from Cley Spy to say it is on its way back to me next Tuesday. Huzzah!

Above, Curlews were dotted around on the foreshore in Pagham Harbour. Below, good numbers of Black-tailed Godwits were in the harbour too. 

We took a walk south to the beach and I was very angry with a couple of dog walkers who let their dogs off their leads and duly ran out onto the mudflats to chase the birds. I think my language towards them had them hastily keeping their distance from me, but I shall be reporting this to the RSPB later. There is a petition going on to ban all dogs off leads on RSPB reserves and I for one, being a dog owner myself, will sign it post haste. We got to the comfy bench and chilled out for a bit overlooking the harbour, enjoying a pair of Linnets by the hedge. I did pick up what looked like a pair of Glossy Ibis some distance away flying high over the harbour, but too distant to be certain.

Med and Black-headed Gulls, Oystercatchers and Sandwich Terns in front of Tern Island within the harbour. Below, the drake Garganey on the Severals pool. 

There were no Wheatears on the beach, which was disappointing, but when we got to the second ‘Several’ pool, where there had been a pair of Garganey all week here, we checked out the pool thoroughly but only found a few Little Grebes and a pair of Mallard. However, a little while later, Andy gave the shout that the Garganeys were on show and sure enough, out popped a beautiful pair of our first Garganeys of the year, right out in the centre of the pool. Sure was a cracking sight. Earlier, a female Sparrowhawk flew low over the reedbed, heading towards the Priory. 

Above, a Roe Deer in fields from Grange Lane. A couple of late Redwing among a variety of Thrushes was a surprise in a garden along Rectory Lane. 

We then took a walk behind the reedbeds to Greenlease Farm, hoping for a Black Redstart lurking about by the building work, but despite a lengthy search, we could not find any (3 were reported earlier in the week here), but we did have a pair of Green Woodpeckers in the adjacent field and another Great Spotted Woodpecker. Walking back down Rectory Lane to the car park, the owner of a very large lawned garden held a variety of Thrushes that included 4 Blackbirds, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrush and even 2 Redwing! Just a shame a Ring Ouzel wasn't among them, but that's just being greedy! 

This Mistle Thrush was also on the same lawn as the Redwing. We found three Foxes in total in the same garden on Selsey Bill, all enjoying the sunshine.

For lunch, Andy and I made our way to a Fish & Chip shop in Selsey village and taking our lunch to the seafront, we enjoyed very close views of a Turnstone walking just a few feet away from my car! Over the very calm sea, an adult Gannet flew past, but our quest here was the Black Redstart that was in the gardens earlier this morning. Andy spotted it first, a flash of red tail that disappeared behind a hedge. We waited patiently for the bird to reappear and around 15 minutes later, it duly obliged, a fine female individual that showed very nicely for us. Other sightings here included another Chiffchaff and a possible Willow Warbler. I didn't see the leg colouring of the bird, but it was a very bright individual as it flitted around the gardens and then flew off north. Back over the sea, another adult Gannet drifted east low over the water, but little else and so homeward bound it was, but not before treating ourselves to a delicious ice-cream from the nearby van. Happy days. The Black Redstart was Andy’s third ‘year-tick’ of the year while it was just the one for me today; 161 species for the year.   

Above, the female Black Redstart finally gave herself up and posed nicely for us. Below, one of two Gannets that flew past the Bill heading east in the afternoon.

     

Freezing cold day again in the South.

Friday 1st April 2022.

The track has been made to plant the wildflower mix at The Oaks Crematorium.

More like 1st December at the moment! Maybe God is playing an April Fool’s joke on us or the bloody Russians? On Sunday, I was actually getting a little bit sunburnt in the warm weather however, the jet stream decided to take a lunge south and threw our weather into Winter mode again! Snow and sleet showers have been falling from dark skies although there was a lot of bright sunshine in between and damn, it's very cold, with temperatures hardly reaching double figures! I shouldn't moan, because this happens around this time every year although, thankfully, the snow never laid.

I have not been putting the moth box out overnight due to the freezing temperatures overnight and so I had to rely on some bird sightings to fill my blog over the past few days. Yesterday, I had the job of going up to Swindon to retrieve some stuff for my employers and and the way there and back, I had a total of 5 Common Buzzards and 5 Red Kites seen from my vehicle. I also saw a Red-legged Partridge about to run across the A34, but quickly turned back and up onto the grass verge for safety. The amount of roadkill along that stretch of road is quite staggering: Deer, Badgers, Foxes and an enormous number of Pheasants too.  

Today, despite the freezing wind, The Oaks Crematorium produced another sighting of the male Blackcap by the edge of the woodland and the Green Woodpecker finally gave itself up, seen near the entrance of The Oaks as I was leaving late this afternoon.  Both Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch were heard calling in the woods again and overhead, a large flock of 30+ Med Gulls headed north. Just the one Common Buzzard sighting seen today and that was a single bird flying over the field behind The Oaks. A few White-tailed and Red-tailed Bumble bees braved the cold weather around the flower bay here, but no moths by the Book of Remembrance building this time. 

Midweek update.

Wednesday 30th March 2022.

My first Brindled Pug of the year, which I found at The Oaks Crematorium yesterday.

Tuesday was a lot cooler than of late with occasional showers, but it remained overcast most of the day. I did not put the moth box on overnight due to the fact there was rain predicted and so I played safe. I have bought a new rain guard for my box which I shall christen tonight as more rain is on the cards.

Also found at The Oaks was this 'Grass Moth' Ypsolopha mucronella.

My first job today took me over to The Oaks Crematorium where on entry to the grounds, the diggers were busy getting on with building the new housing estate by the main entrance. Yes, unbelievable that they could build a brand new load of unaffordable houses to the many, next to a modern ‘state of the art’ Crematorium. It’s a case of f*** the wildlife and the serene beauty of the place and shove a load of ugly buildings on it. But hey ho, that's what this lunatic Government wants to do with our green spaces.

This Bee Fly was found in a moribund state covered in spiders web at Portchester Crem yesterday.

On a positive note, the woodland beside The Oaks held singing Nuthatch, Chiffchaff and Blackcap; the latter was seen very well high up in some trees as I pointed it out to one of my work colleagues before it flew off north and deeper into the woodland. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over the car park and into the west side of the woods, while earlier on the bird feeders, at least two Coal Tits were showing well among the many Blue and Great Tits present. I did check out the Book of Remembrance building for any moths and came up with two micro moths, a single Common Plume and even better, my first Ypsolopha mucronella of the year. 

Sadly, for such a lovely Streamer moth, this photo was the best I could get using my mobile phone camera. I was hoping it might of moved lower down on the wall it sat on, but it remained in exactly the same place as yesterday! 

In the afternoon, a visit to Portchester Crematorium produced a few more moths, all seen around the exit of the South Chapel: 3 Common Plume, a single Beautiful Plume and best of all, my first Streamer of the year. Just a shame that the photo of this stunning little moth was so poor, but it was high up and taken using my mobile phone camera. I checked the windows on the flower bay, but could not find any more moths but I did find a Bee Fly of which I rescued from some spider web, though I think it had passed away. There were virtually no other bird sightings here of note, but a singing Skylark somewhere high up in the sky remained elusive. An Alpine Swift was found late this afternoon at Chilling Cliffs, but though a few record photo shots were taken, the bird did not linger and headed off fast northbound.  

Above, a view of the edge of the woodland on the west side of The Oaks Crematorium where the Blackcap was singing from. Below, a dead Minotaur Beetle I found in the grounds at this location.  

I was a bit shocked to find next to no moths in and around my moth box early this morning, with only one Light Brown Apple Moth to justify using my electric all night! When I got home this evening, I did find two Common Plume moths in the garden; scant consolation for last night. It was overcast all morning but in the afternoon, the sun tried desperately to shine through the gloom as I donned my new sunglasses for work for the first time. Annoyingly, my back is playing up again as I think I have a trapped nerve somewhere below my shoulder blade. I really do not want to take any more time off work seeing as I have the Dentist tomorrow morning, which I am NOT looking forward to!

The Hoverfly species, Melanostoma scalare, a male, in my garden tonight.

My first job today was around midday and that was at Portchester Crematorium. A check around the South Chapel exit produced yesterday’s Streamer moth which looked as though it had not moved since yesterday either! There were also two Common Plume moths, but I could not find any other moths around the area or the flower bay. On my travels today, a male Kestrel was seen perched on a lamp post near Farlington Marshes by the A3M and a Common Buzzard was seen distantly soaring over Portsdown Hill. There was a bit of activity over The Oaks Crematorium as the singing male Blackcap put in another good appearance. A couple of Common Buzzards lazily drifted over the back of the Crem and a Coal Tit perched in a small tree and sang, while deep within the woodland, both Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch were calling. 

Above, the Black-browed Albatross off Flamborough Head last year. Photo by Andy Tew and below, the same bird on the rocks with Gannets. Photo by John Manley. Both from the Lazee gang!

News broke today of the return of the Black-browed Albatross off Bempton Cliffs in East Yorkshire and made several fly passes over the cliffs! There is a possible chance that a ‘twitch’ might be on with the ‘Lazee’s’ should the bird remain in the area again. The Bonaparte's Gull is still on Chichester Gravel Pits again this afternoon and a Ring Ouzel was reported by one observer at Chilling Cliffs.   

Moth total climbs to new heights.

Monday 28th March 2022.

One of four Double-striped Pugs this morning, with this being the most well marked individual.

There was nothing new within or around the moth box early this morning, but a healthy number of moths were present, although this was mostly dominated by the Common Plume’s once more. It is going to get a lot colder this week with some areas predicting snow by the end of the week! This morning, at 6.30am, it was still dark due to the ridiculous ritual of putting the clocks forward by an hour. Honestly, with what is going on in the world and also political correctness, we still live in the dark ages when it comes to this hour forward in the Spring nonsense. Grrrr!

This very small caterpillar (being held by our Isabelle) was found crawling down our kitchen door! I have no idea what species it is and I have had no reply on the Facebook UK Caterpillar group yet either!

This morning, there was a huge total of 46 moths present including the following: 

• 1 Common Quaker
• 1 Angle Shades
• 4 Early Grey
• 4 Double-striped Pug
• 32 Common Plume
• 3 Beautiful Plume
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth

I found another Nursery Spider in our garden yesterday, quite close to our kitchen door, so I gently ushered it along before a big foot finished it off!

Though I had a quiet day with the birds with hardly anything of note to be seen, there was a trickle of migrants noted on the south coast in Hampshire including a singing Willow Warbler at Sandy Point, Hayling Island (plus a juvenile Spoonbill circling high over the same site); a Swallow in off the sea at Southsea and several Wheatears dotted around. Selsey Bill recorded a lone Common Tern passing east over the sea and the pair of Garganey were still on the Severals at Church Norton. The Bonaparte’s Gull remained faithful to the West Trout Lake, Chichester Gravel Pits, today.  

Birding pal, Andy Fisher, connected with the Spoonbill on Farlington Marshes yesterday, while another birding pal of mine, Geoff Farwell, took a stroll over Old Winchester Hill and notched up the following: 2 singing Firecrest, Marsh Tit, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Red Kite and 2 Common Buzzards. Last Saturday, Geoff done some birding in Matley Wood, New Forest, and recorded the following: 2 Hawfinches, Brambling, Siskins, Crossbill, 4 singing Firecrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat, 3 Woodlark, 4 Marsh Tits, Common Buzzard and a Lapwing.

Common Quaker moth added to year list.

Sunday 27th March 2022.

Common Quaker moth and my first for the year.

It was nice to have a lay in this morning as the sun shone brilliantly through the bedroom curtains. Eventually, at 8.30am, I dragged my sorry soul downstairs and put the kettle on and grabbed a few moth pots to see what bounty lay before me on such a glorious sunny morning. There were actually more moths present this morning than yesterday and with a bonus of my first Common Quaker of the year too.

The Buff Ermine moth was still present from yesterday. 

There was a grand total of 37 moths present that included the following:

• 1 Common Quaker
• 1 Angle Shades
• 1 Buff Ermine
• 4 Early Grey
• 6 Double-striped Pug
• 22 Common Plume
• 2 Beautiful Plume

One of 4 Early Grey Moths today.

There were probably a few more Common Plume’s around in the garden, but for now, that is one healthy number. Apparently, their larvae feed on the likes of Bindweed, Knotgrass and Heather of which are quite common in the gardens around the area, hence the strong numbers of this species.  

Superb Stone-Curlews in the north of the County.

Saturday 26th March 2022.

One of the 6 Stone-Curlews seen this morning at this undisclosed location. 

I had already made up my mind last night that I was going for the Stone-Curlews in the north of the County of Hampshire and meet up with a lot of the ‘Lazee Birders’ gang there. Though the Bonaparte’s Gull over at Chichester Gravel Pits (still present today, sob!) was a very close second. If it wasn't for the fact that I have not seen a Stone-Curlew for many years, the last being the solitary bird at Martin Down, I would have easily gone into West Sussex today; but our journey to the beautiful countryside of Stockbridge most certainly paid off.

Above, my first Buff Ermine moth of the year by my moth box. Below, my first Hebrew Character of the year, seen by Andy's moth trap. 

Yet again, it was cold overnight, but I put my moth box on nonetheless and was rewarded with a total of 30 moths! Most of which (21) were Common Plume moths, but there was my first Buff Ermine of the year perched nicely on the box and also, an Early Grey, an Angle Shades, two Double-striped Pugs and 3 Beautiful Plume moths. When I got to Andy’s house, his moth box had attracted my first Hebrew Characters and a Small Quaker of the year plus 4 Early Grey and 1 Common Plume.

Above, my first Small Quaker of the year, a species I do not encounter very often and photographed at Andy's house. Below, two Early Grey's in Andy's back garden. 

The drive from Andy’s house in Cowplain to our destination took just a little over an hour (we did pick up some supplies from a nearby garage) and eventually parked up along with a few cars already present. I checked in with Andy House if we were walking in the right direction and then he rang me to say he could see us and so waved out to us. Along this muddy track, we had sightings of Yellowhammer, a pair of Bullfinch, several Long-tailed Tits and at least 2 singing Chiffchaffs. I could hear the distinctive ‘chacking’ of Fieldfares and I think some were in a nearby tree that soon flew out before we could get a proper view. Overhead, both Common Buzzard and Red Kite were abundant in the clear blue sky. The drive up to this neck of the woods produced sightings of Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and a Red-legged Partridge and also a Yellowhammer, which was Andy’s first of the year (Dude!).

Above, a male Yellowhammer in full song and below, our first Corn Bunting of the year seen along the muddy track.

The walk along the dirt track also produced a lot of butterflies which included a Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshells and a few Peacocks, the latter my first of the year and all looking beautiful in the bright sunshine. On the way back to the car, I also saw my first Bee Fly of the year and plants along this path included carpets of Lesser Celandine. Out in the fields, good numbers of Skylarks were fluttering over the fields and I then heard the ‘jangling’ of a singing Corn Bunting somewhere in the distance and I was pretty sure we found the bird perched on a wooden fence over the far side of the field. We needn't be worried as we saw at least two more birds this morning, perching nicely in the sunshine on top of brambles.

Photos of the Stone-Curlews this morning.

We eventually joined all the ‘Lazee’s’ who kindly got us on to the Stone Curlews immediately. Looking through Andy House’s amazing telescope, I could clearly see the bird sat down behind some dark looking scrub roughly about half a mile away, but as the morning wore on, another 5 more birds appeared as if from nowhere and through Andy’s scope, the birds plumage could clearly be seen and even the yellow eye was visible. During our stay here, the birds called occasionally (another first for Andy), though I have heard them call the last time I was in the area many years ago one evening with Mike Wearing and Doug Yelland. We stayed in the same place to view the birds, always keeping a good distance away from the birds so as not to disturb this Schedule 1 species, but we all got good views of the birds while enjoying lots of Kites, Buzzards, Skylarks and Corn Buntings in the area.  

A couple of photos of the 'Lazee's at the site.

While checking the Stone Curlews, Andy House picked up a pair of Grey Partridge that had just flown in and landed in the scrubby area. He quickly got onto the birds through his scope and Andy Fisher had grabbed his fourth ‘year-tick’ of the year! Time was now against me as I had to be home before 2pm and therefore we said our Goodbye’s, however, all the ‘Lazee’s’ decided to call it a day too and so followed us back to the car. As we got back to the muddy path, we checked the field to the north and unbelievably, we found another Stone Curlew sitting on the opposite side of the field! Our sixth bird of the morning. Also in the same field, a Hare was also sat in the field and a single Grey Partridge briefly was walking along the edge of the field before disappearing into the vegetation.

Small Tortoiseshell butterfly enjoying the Dandelion.

Peacock butterfly.

A cracking morning again and with great company too. I am so looking forward to the rest of the year as my year list is now 160 species and we are still only in March! Chiffchaffs, nest-building Long-tailed Tits and plenty more butterflies were seen on the way back to the car as we made our way home. 

Blackcap and a few good moths.

Friday 25th March 2022.

From left to right, Double-striped Pug, Early Grey and Angle Shades on top of my moth box.

The fine weather continues to dominate with a very warm day and a cloudless sky to entice many a birder out in the field; though unless you are retired or on holiday, then its good old work for the likes of me, but I did have a good day while out doing my job, including some nice moths and my first Blackcap of the year.

The cold temperatures overnight continue and this morning, I was rudely awakened by a couple of Foxes screaming at each other in the back gardens, much to the annoyance of some of my neighbours who shouted at them to stop at some unearthly hour this morning! So, half an hour before my alarm went off, I made my way downstairs and put the kettle on. I then went outside to check the moth box and a grand total of 20 moths were counted, by far the most I have had this year!

One of two Double-striped Pugs this morning.

My first Angle Shades of the year was present, sitting on the white sheet and also TWO Early Greys were also by the sheet. Two Double-striped Pugs and three Light Brown Apple Moths rested on top of the box and a good count of 11 Common Plumes were near the box. Finally, a lone Beautiful Plume was hiding behind the sheet. I was well pleased with this total as a small herd of Mute Swans flew south low over the houses as I made my way back indoors for breakfast!

Light Brown Apple Moth.

On my travels today in the works car, I was making my way this morning to our Fareham branch and taking the back country roads through Denmead, I picked out a pair of Red Kites soaring high over the Chairmakers Pub. Back over The Oaks Crematorium, I had a quick check for moths around by the Book of Remembrance building and found only a Common Plume resting on one of the windows. However, in the distance in the wood behind me, I heard the distinctive song of a male Blackcap and so I hastily made my way to the edge of the woodland and waited patiently for the bird to fly out of cover and dive on board my year list, of which it duly obliged. Even without binoculars, there was no mistaking this gorgeous Warbler.

Other notable sightings here included a Grey Wagtail that took a liking for the roof  of the Crematorium (its covered in grass and plants as its an eco friendly building). A Nuthatch was singing deep within the woodland nearby and a lone Brimstone butterfly flew south along the edge of the woodland. My last job of the day was a drive across Portsdown Hill to get to our Fareham Branch once again for a job at Portchester Crematorium. While driving across the Hill, a Red Kite circled overhead and then flew south, while a pale headed Common Buzzard stood motionless on a fence post near the side of the road. A male Kestrel was seen hovering overhead near the main road as I made my west.  Earlier today, back at Portchester Crematorium, I checked the back of the Crem for moths and came up with just two moths. The first was a Common Plume, but the second was a superb Early Thorn moth, a species I have only encountered a few times, the last was many years ago too. So, I was pretty pleased in finding this moth.

The Early Thorn moth residing on the South Chapel exit of Portchester Crematorium.

Tomorrow should be exciting for I hope to take a trip to the north west corner of the County in search of Stone Curlews. I have the exact location and I understand, we should be meeting some of the 'Lazee Birders' there tomorrow morning. The weather is set to be fine once more and so fingers crossed, we just might get lucky. On Farlington Marshes today, a pair of Spoonbills took up residence on the pool behind the main reedbed while over at Chichester Gravel Pits, the Bonaparte’s Gull was still present this morning along with the pair of Red-crested Pochards. The pair of Garganey were on the Severals still by Pagham Harbour and a couple of Black Redstarts were on the rubble still around Greenlease Farm behind Church Norton. And as I write, a couple of the 'Lazee' gang are watching a Short-eared Owl on Farlington Marshes this evening.

A busy midweek update.

Wednesday 23rd March 2022.

I finally got my first Early Grey moth of the year by my moth box.

We have reached midweek already and although I am back at work, it has been a bit tough with getting over Covid over the past ten days. I cannot believe how many people have actually got it and the chances of getting it again is pretty high as well. I am still feeling the effects of it and have what seems like a ‘head cold’, but I am putting up with it and hope to get much better soon. The southern half of the UK has been basking in a bit of sunshine of late with today's temperatures climbing up to around 18 degrees, though it is quite cold overnight. This has encouraged me to put on my moth box again and finally, I got my first ‘noctuid’ moth of the year!  

Above, a Beautiful Plume I found at Portchester Crematorium yesterday. Below, also by my moth box this morning were several Lacewings.

 

Kicking off with Mondays sightings, both male and female Sparrowhawks were seen while out on the road, both in different locations too: a female over the M275 as we were traveling northbound and a male bird over Portsdown Hill around 20 minutes later. Traveling along the Whichers Gate road (Rowlands Castle) leading to The Oaks, I spotted a Nuthatch flying adjacent to the vehicle we were in and then it landed in a tree. At the Oaks Crematorium, a flock of 8 Mediterranean Gulls flew over, all heading northbound and calling as they passed high overhead. I must have spotted at least a dozen Brimstone butterflies on the wing at various locations, including quite a few over Portsdown Hill. A spot of fine weather in March will bring this pretty butterfly out on the wing. Finally, up to four Common Buzzards were seen with two birds soaring over the woodland behind the Oaks Crematorium.

This drake Garganey was on Testwood Lakes today, one of several seen in the County. Photo by Andy Tew.

Monday also produced a phenomenal number of Garganey passing the south coast. Up to 30 in total passed Sandy Point at Hayling Island, with other sightings including 5 on Posbrook FLoods, 2 on Avington Lake plus a flock of 11 Ruff and 5 Little Gulls past Hil Head! 

This Water Pipit was on Pennington Marshes today. Photo by Andy Tew. 

Yesterday, the drive over Portsdown Hill produced up to 5 Kestrels hunting along the road and a single Common Buzzard that drifted south low over the road. Again, Brimstone butterflies seem to be everywhere with many seen along the top of Portsdown Hill, but also a few fluttering about around Portchester Crematorium. Also at this location, a Chiffchaff was heard singing in the trees down by the car park. The showy Fox put in an appearance down in the car park and only just avoided a moving car that did not notice the animal. This individual does not seem to bother with the humans passing by and walks past you sometimes within arms reach! I checked for moths at Portchester Crematorium and came across singles of Double-striped Pug, Beautiful Plume and Common Plume.

Ruff at Pennington Marshes. Photo by Andy Tew.

Today kicked off with a check of my moth box and at last, some decent to look at. There was an Early Grey moth sitting nicely on my white sheet behind the moth box first thing this morning, while nearby, up to 9 Common Plumes and a Light Brown Apple Moth were counted. I only worked the morning as I was to attend the funeral of my friend, John Langmaid at The Oaks Crematorium. There was a very good ‘turn out’ for his funeral and managing to get a seat, I listened to the kind words spoken about him by his friends and also enjoyed looking at the bird feeders outside the Crematorium through the window. I learnt a lot about John’s life, the vast majority of it, which was totally new to me and took me by surprise.

This Little Ringed Plover was photographed at Pennington Marshes. Photo by Andy Tew.

While listening to the service, a male Great Spotted Woodpecker flew down to feed on the fatballs, joining the many Great, Blue and Coal Tits also feeding on the bird food. Even a few Mediterranean Gulls flew past and nearby, a pair of Small Tortoiseshell butterflies danced about by the woodland edge. Even the Reverend who was taking the service, was a lifelong friend of John and got quite emotional talking about John's life, which brought a lump to my throat! I am glad I knew the man, who taught me so much about moths, but not only that, he was so kind with it and always welcomed me when I would bring round some micro moths for him to identify. 

This Common Quaker moth was found by Andy at the back of his house last week. 

Back over in West Sussex, Chichester Gravel Pits offered some really decent birds which included a Bonaparte's Gull (for its second day!), a pair of Red-crested Pochard and a drake Garganey, while a flock of 8 Garganey flew past Selsey Bill early in the morning. A singing Sedge Warbler was present at Titchfield Haven early this morning, the first of this species reported in Hampshire this year. I wonder when I shall see my first.  

The last word goes to this lovely man. You will be missed John.