A moth 'lifer' in my moth box yesterday.

Thursday 19th May 2022.

My first ever Fox Moth, a male, that was in my moth box this morning.

The last two evenings have witnessed some interesting thunderstorms and consequently put on quite an amazing light show should one stay up to witness it. Frankly, I have been too tired to stay up having to get up early for work (and my moth box!) and consequently working a full day and then continuing to paint my fence panels in the evening. Yesterday, I was up at 5am to check the moth box and I got a really nice surprise when I discovered quite a few moths that were new for the year. However, I was in for a real surprise when I found out that one was a ‘lifer’ for me! 

More photos of my first ever Fox Moth.

Again, one has to get up very early to avoid the local breeding House Sparrows taking advantage of an easy breakfast on my moths and so bleary eyed, cup of coffee in hand, I then go about recording the moths in and around my moth box. The following moths were present this morning:

• 1 Fox Moth (male) (LIFER)
• 1 Common Marbled Carpet
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Small Dusty Wave (NFY)
• 2 Lime-speck Pug (NFY)
• 1 Common Pug
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Willow Beauty (NFY)
• 1 Silver Y (NFY)
• 1 Vestal (NFY)
• 1 Common Plume
• 1 Garden Pebble (NFY)
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 3 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Eudonia angustea
• 1 Platyedra subcinera (NFY)
• 1 Agonopterix arenella (NFY)

Silver Y.

One of two Lime-speck Pugs.

The immigrant micro moth Diamond-back Moth.

I have to say, despite some very heavy showers overnight, I was really happy with that haul of moths, especially when at least 7 of them were new for the year. However, I was in for a real surprise later in the evening when an expert eye noticed that I had originally put a moth photo of a Lackey. It was re-identified by moth expert Ben Dale as a male Fox Moth, a species I have never seen before! Apparently, it was too early for Lackey’s to arrive yet and Ben concluded I was very lucky to get one in my moth box as males rarely are attracted to light. 

Garden Pebble.

Agonopterix arenella.

Small Dusty Wave.

Off the subject of moths, the drive over Portsdown Hill on the way to Portchester Crematorium during my working hours produced a Peregrine flying south high over the Hill and also a male Kestrel hovering near the roadside. Today, a few Common Buzzards were noted, including a displaying bird high over Catherington Cemetery and a Blue Tit was using a very ornamental nest box within the Cemetery as well. The Kestrel was seen again as I drove over Portsdown Hill but very little else apart from a few Skylarks near the roadside by Skew Road.

Platyedra subsinera.

Vestal.

Rustic Shoulder-knot moth at Portchester Crematorium this morning.

Checking for moths around around Portchester Crematorium, I found my first Rustic Shoulder-knot of the year hiding away behind one of the doors by the South Chapel exit. I also found a Bloxworth Snout high up in the same area, but it would not play ball and remained too high up to get a decent photo of the moth. Sadly, apart from a Large White butterfly by the Flower Bay, there were no other moths present around the Flower Bay.

Large White butterfly at Portchester Crematorium this morning. 

Eupeodes species of Hoverfly on my moth box yesterday morning.

Very interesting bird news comes from the Romsey area where it has been confirmed that a pair of Dippers have nested on the River Test. Due to possible disturbance, it has been safe to say that the exact location is being kept secret at present, but hopefully will be disclosed at a later date so most Hampshire birders can get their ‘County tick’ no doubt……..including me! Cracking news though, nonetheless.

The Dipper on the River Test. Photo by Andy Tew.

A variety of nice sightings on the hottest day of the year.

Tuesday 17th May 2022.

The Pale Tussock at The Oaks Crematorium this morning.

There was a bit of activity today over The Oaks Crematorium which I thought was noteworthy. We were told by the weather ladies this morning that today was going to be the hottest day of the year so far and my vehicle temperature gauge said it was 80 degrees this afternoon over The Oaks! More thunderstorms were due late this afternoon, though it was still dry around 4pm this afternoon, despite it starting to cloud up and the wind getting up.

Above, a view of the small pond by the car park at The Oaks Crematorium. Sadly, no Dragonflies today. Below, Red Campion growing beside the Pond.

A male singing Chiffchaff was heartily singing its distinctive song from the edge of the wood on the west side of the car park and a probable female flew out of vegetation and back into the woodland. The Great Spotted Woodpecker flew onto the feeders in front of the main hall and overhead, a Common Buzzard soared low enough for me to get a good view of the bird, until it flew off into the woodland to the north.

This Brown House Moth was in my kitchen this morning. A quick couple of photos and then I let it go outside. 

I did check the Book of Remembrance building again and the Light Emerald moth was still present, although I must have flushed it as it flew down and landed deep within the vegetation below. Better still, from the exit of the main hall, the beams by the fountain held a superb Pale Tussock moth and I had to fetch a chair to stand on to grab a decent photo of the moth. My second of this species within the week. I was checking the Pond to the west of the car park and came  across my first Painted Lady butterfly of the year which was resting on the ploughed ground that has wildflower seeds sown into it. There were no Dragonflies or Damselflies on show here, but the Red Campion plants looked attractive.

The young Starlings within their nestbox opposite my house tonight.

I resumed painting the fences tonight and enjoyed a flock of around 10 Swifts flying so close together and so low too as they screamed by overhead. Twice they did this until flying off. Tonight, I also noticed the young Starlings poking their heads out of their nest box hole with the adult in attendance outside the box (see photo). Though I do expect a heavy shower or two tonight, I have my moth box on and hopefully, should attract a few more moths than Monday morning. So here’s to another very early start tomorrow morning. Below, some video footage of a family group of Stone Curlews filmed in the North-west of the County.

Moths are back in my garden.

Monday 16th May 2022.

One of four Brimstone Moths in my moth box this morning.

Last night, the south coast experienced a nice thunderstorm and though it put on a great light show, it wasn't till the early hours of the night that it went overhead. A deluge of rain resulted in my garden getting a good drenching (and about time too), but this didn't deter me in putting my moth box on for the first time in a few weeks. My garden is nearly completed, with just the painting of the fences to finish off and I hope to finish off this week. For those that are unfamiliar with my blog, summer is on its way and I have a real love for moths, hence the moth trap, so expect a lot of moth photos. 

One of two Common Marbled Carpet. 

I was up at 5am this morning, knowing full well that the local House Sparrows could devour my moths in no time and so I got dressed and got into the garden as soon as possible. There were 13 moths of 7 species present including a new for the year moth. These included the following:

• 4 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 2 Common Marbled Carpet
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 2 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Diamond-back Moth NFY 

Though nothing that unusual, the Diamond-back Moth would of been a migrant moth and hopefully, with a dry night, more moths are on their way. Overhead, I noticed at least 13 Swifts overhead, circling low over the rooftops while the local House Sparrows were busy searching for insects to feed the young under the eaves of my house.

Shuttle-shaped Dart.

Rusty-dot Pearl.

Eudonia angustea.

A visit to Portchester Crematorium revealed a few moths that included my first Light Emerald and Rusty-dot Pearl; the latter most likely also  to be a migrant moth. A few more Tachystola acroxantha were found by the South Chapel exit and best of all was my first Eudonia angustia. This afternoon, a visit over to The Oaks turned into a bit of an emergency. A large swarm of Honey Bees had gathered just by the flower bay, mostly congregating around a small tree behind the Flower Bay and after I heard that someone got stung, I put on my Health & Safety helmet and informed the staff that they should evacuate the remaining mourners from the Flower Bay before more got stung.

One of the Honey Bee's that took a liking to one of the benches in the Crematorium.

However, I did manage to check out the Book of Remembrance building for any moths and found another Light Emerald perched on one of the windows. The only birds of note seen here was a Chiffchaff flitting about some of the small trees including the one that the Bees were in! I might put my moth box on tonight although I do not want to get up at 5am every morning this week!

The Light Emerald moth at Portchester Crematorium this morning.

No Redstart sightings at Woolmer Pond again!

Saturday 14th May

The water level has dropped considerably from the last time we were here at Woolmer Pond.

After a successful evening last night at Creech Wood, we came down to earth with a bump and saw nothing new for the year at Woolmer Pond. I paid a visit to my Father first of all before arriving at Andy’s house around 9.30am and then getting stuck into the moths around his trap. It was a bright sunny morning and it looked as though it was going to be a very warm day.

Above, this stunning Pale Tussock moth was a nice addition to my year list and below, this Garden Carpet was my second one this week having found one at our Fareham Branch this week.   

There were a few nice moths around his moth box that included my first Pale Tussock and Common Marbled Carpet of the year; two very attractive moths and also present included 2 Common Pugs and a Garden Carpet, but I could not find anything else. I have asked Andy if he could clear his shelves as the local Spiders seem to be having a good feast on the moths!

Above, the 'teneral' form of the Common Blue Damselfly at Woolmer Pond. Below, the adult form of the same species.

Above, this Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly showed well in the Cottage garden. 

Arriving at the near deserted car park near Woolmer Pond around 10am, we made our way carefully across the road to walk through the woodland to the Pond. A pair of Blackcaps were seen flitting about in the woodland, as were several Chaffinches, Great Tits and a pair of Mistle Thrushes. Exiting the woodland, we noticed that the red flags were up and therefore the Army were using the Firing Range nearby. Grumble! A large number of Long-tailed Tits were flitting about in the trees on the edge of the woodland and both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were in song in the woods. It is just a shame that the traffic noise by the Pond can be so distracting.

Above, a Common Blue butterfly enjoying the Lesser Trefoil plants north of the Cottage. Below, my first Cinnabar Moth of the year. Not an easy individual to photograph.

I took my sunglasses as I wanted to check the sky for Raptors and Hirundines and I was glad I did. Though nothing much of note, bar one distant Red Kite, was at the southern end of the Pond and looking north, we noticed how low the water level was on the Pond. Not a great deal on the Pond except for Canada Geese, Moorhen and a few Coot. There were no waders except for the resident Lapwings at the northern end, so no nice surprises with a Common or Wood Sandpiper lurking about along the water's edge.

Above, this Common Buzzard drifted low and close as we left the Cottage garden. Below, a Red Kite also came in fairly close.  

As we neared the Cottage, Redstart was our target bird, but unbelievably, none were seen whatsoever. Frustratingly, I heard one singing distantly by the woodland to the east, but because the flags were up, there was no chance of going to view the birds. To make up for the lack of Redstarts, we got lucky with a superb female Goshawk soaring high overhead and then we watched it close her wings and stoop down at a fantastic speed to the woods below. That was only the second time I have seen this species at this location. Other Raptors seen here included a couple of Common Buzzards and another Red Kite, but no Hobbies.

The Star of Bethlehem plant showed nicely near the Pond.

A Red Admiral butterfly sunning itself on a nettle. Butterflies seemed to be at a premium today. 

Some Army Cadets were camping in the grounds of the Cottage, but they were no bother as we chilled out by the fallen large Oak and had a drink and a bite to eat. I could just about hear a male Redstart singing in the distance but there were none whatsoever in the garden this morning which was very disappointing. I really counted on them being here today too. The garden was somewhat very quiet with just a few Blue, Great and Coal Tits and the occasional Chaffinch seen. I did find my first Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly nearby and managed to grab a few nice photos of the insect. On the subject of dragonflies, there were good numbers of Common Blue Damselflies along the main path and I even found the ‘Teneral’ form of this species as we were making our way back.

Above, the delightful and underrated Goldfinch. Below, a Long-tailed Tit also by the Pond. 

The beautiful woodland at the southern end of the Pond. I found a male Pied Flycatcher one spring here many years ago and today, a few Blackcaps and other small passerines were flitting about in the treetops. The bracken below on the ground was up to three feet tall.

Nightjar & Woodcock at Creech Wood.

Friday 13th May 2022.

The clearing at Creech Wood that holds all the action.

After some of the ‘Lazee Birders’ got successful with a trip to Creech Wood, Denmead; I decided to try my luck with seeing the Nightjars and hopefully a Woodcock at the same location and so after arranging a trip there the day before with birding colleague Andy Fisher, we made our way to this superb location. Last year, Andy went on his own and successfully saw a Nightjar, but on his own and without a near full moon like tonight, he said it was very dark and scary on the way back to his car. I brought along a torch!

This Song Thrush was in full song this evening.

We arrived just off the main road beside the car park around 8.30pm and made our way to the large clearing with the dead tree proudly at the western end. There was a bench to sit on at the site, but it was facing towards the woodland and so standing up looking south was the only but best option. Overlooking a large plantation of small pines, the area looked like a perfect habitat for Nightjars, but it took till 9.15pm for the show to begin!   

A near full moon lit up the area and we even had a moonlight shadow as we made our way back to the car.

Before all the action, we had sightings of a pair of Mistle Thrushes taking off from the ground, a pair of Med Gulls flying over and a Great Spotted Woodpecker passing overhead. With a background of both Robin and Song Thrush late evening song, all was set for a good night. There wasn't a cloud in sight and the moon was near, but there were a lot of midges and a few mosquitoes around judging by the buzzing by my ears and even a few small moths passed overhead. It was relatively mild too, without a drop of wind and so the scene was set. Then as 9.15pm approached, the first ‘churring’ Nightjar was heard.

Though a bird was heard several times to ‘churr’, it would not reveal itself and eventually, we think this bird flew off over the woodland to the west and disappeared over there to begin singing again. A few minutes later, we had our first Woodcock of the year flying over our heads and quickly putting Andy onto the bird, we watched the bird fly away from us and head off back over the woodland. Later, on the way back home through the woodland, it or a different bird was also heard flying over, but this time there was no sighting. 

Above, turn the sound up to hear the 'churring' male Nightjar and you can just make the bird out flying out of the trees a few times. Truly, a magical moment. 

Literally a few minutes later, our first Nightjar of the year (a female, we believe) flew over the clearing and flew into the nearby woodland and out of view. Then a male bird flew up and landed  in trees in front of us and began to ‘churr’ (see video), where it flew out several times and landed in the same trees to begin singing again. We gave it a few more minutes and as it was now getting very dark, we made our way back through the woodland. During our time there, I also heard some Tawny Owls calling, but no sighting. Nearing where our car was parked, Andy spotted a large bat above us and I was sure it was a Noctule Bat judging by the size of it, which was a nice ending for our successful trip here. 

Hobby over The Oaks and Swifts arrive.

Thursday 12th May 2022.

A Speckled Wood butterfly at Portchester Crematorium this week. There has been a distinct lack of moths at Portchester Crematorium this week and most likely due to the cold nights we are currently experiencing.

Finally coming to the end of another working week and there have been a few interesting sightings along the way. The weather has been mostly indifferent this week, starting off mild and slowly warming up and there is supposed to be a heatwave on the way as well! However, the evenings and overnight have been quite cold (down to 4 degrees tonight), so whether that is going to be good for ‘Moth-ing’ is anyone’s guess. Fine if you're near woodland, but potentially crap if you live near the sea like I do!

I don't think Spring has lived up to its rarity status yet, but as I write this, a male Blue Rock Thrush has turned up at The Naze, Essex this morning and the Black-browed Albatross is still present at Bempton Cliffs, East Yorkshire. Sorry, I am not driving all the way up there. Maybe it might pass Selsey Bill or Gillkicker one day? Hampshire and West Sussex have had the usual migrants coming through with a few Roseate Terns being found and although both Arctic and Great Skua have been passing Selsey Bill, the Pomarine Skua activity has all but dried up for now.

On the subject of Swifts, this superb photo of one today over Romsey by Andy Tew.

This week, Monday bird sightings kicked off with 2 Red Kites over Portsdown Hill in separate locations and a hovering Kestrel by the roadside. I finally saw my 3rd Swift of the year flying over the Hill heading north and this was after a birding friend of mine, John Goodall, had texted me to say he had just seen one over Albert Road, Southsea, earlier this morning! On Tuesday, I saw my first Hobby of the year; a very brief, but stonking view of a bird flying north very low over the car park at The Oaks Crematorium. That was a nice surprise. Also at The Oaks, a Green Woodpecker flew over the road there and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was ‘drumming’ consistently within the woodland adjacent to the main car park. Swift numbers are now on the rise and I saw quite a few today including over The Oaks along with a singing Chiffchaff.

Wednesday produced another Red Kite sighting while driving over Portsdown Hill and also a Common Buzzard, a Kestrel and a pair of Skylarks were seen near Skew Road. A few Swallows were noted and again, good numbers of Swifts were present in various locations during my working day. Today, it was virtually the same as yesterday, with Red Kite, 2 Buzzards and 2 Skylarks were noted over Portsdown Hill and at least two Buzzards were noted over the A27 while driving to Chichester. Swifts are well and truly in now and I enjoyed tonight watching them zoom over my house.

I am hoping to pay a visit to Martin Down shortly, hoping to see the elusive Turtle Dove. I dipped last year when Andy and I visited this superb site, but we did get a good variety of birds and insects there. This bird was photographed by Pete Appleton on the 8th May.

My birding pal, John Goodall, had a sea-watch from our old Shelter on Southsea seafront this morning between the hours of 6 and 7.45am and notched up a Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Cormorant and a Shag all going west, while a pair of Oystercatchers were going east!    

A Swift and Pom day!

Monday 9th May 2022.

A Carrion Crow among the Starlings on the rooftop of a nearby house by the Cemetery yesterday.

It was back to work today and an early start meant I was making my way to our Rose Green branch around 7.15am this morning and hitting the horrible Chichester traffic en route. Not only do I hate early starts, but also getting through that damn Chichester traffic is a bloody nightmare. Sadly, the lovely town of Chichester has virtually become a car park and it can only get worse it seems. Anyway, enough ranting about the roads, I did keep an eye out for anything interesting, but my previous rant brings me to the huge queue I joined trying to get to the roundabout at the end of the A27. While traveling at approximately 5mph, one can see all the road kill on the side of the road and my heart dropped when I saw a male Kestrel in pristine condition, laying dead on the edge of the road. Foxes, Deer, Badgers and countless numbers of birds lay dead along the A27 and it is only going to get worse as mentioned before.

A Robin in full song within the Cemy.

Starlings searching for food with a Blackbird.

Yesterday, I took Isabelle for an afternoon stroll around Highland Road Cemetery and although she was riding her bike again, I did keep an eye out for anything interesting. There was nothing that spectacular to raise the pulse within the Cemy, with about 11 species being seen or heard during my walk round. I think the insects and plants were more interesting with both Small White and Holly Blue butterflies on the wing and good numbers of the Batman Hoverfly, Myathropa florea which were sunbathing either on some leaves or on the sunlit bough of a tree. Another cracking little Hoverfly, Epistrophe eligans, showed well too in the bright sunshine and one nearly landed on our Isabelle’s hand!

A male Epistrophe eligans Hoverfly.

The Batman Hoverfly, most certainly a name that stands out, but the experts would rather say Myathropa florea. 

Wild flowers are starting to be more prolific with the likes of Common Vetch, Cinquefoil, Birds-foot Trefoil and Creeping Buttercup all showing well. The lovely blues of Common Speedwell stood out well against the rich greens of the grass and I had a job to keep my eyes off the sky rather than checking the ground for plants and insects. We came across a group of foraging Starlings in search of food for their voracious youngsters. One of the nest boxes opposite my house has a hungry brood within it as does my next door but one neighbour; so I am glad the Starlings are doing well. On the subject of my near neighbours Starlings, I heard the distinctive alarm call of a Starling as a female Sparrowhawk sped low over the houses in search of prey. Unfortunately, no Sparrowhawks were heard or seen within the Cemy.

Creeping Cinquefoil starting to bloom along the footpaths.

Common Vetch.

Herb Bennet

It is about time the Swifts returned to Southsea, but there were none seen at all during the afternoon here, however, that was about to change today. Though I was working, occasionally I had the chance to check my mobile phone and though superb for some, it was a nightmare for me. As early as 7am, Pomarine Skua’s were being reported all along the south coast and would you believe it, at least three went past Gilkicker Point! Absolutely bugger all yesterday and today, the Solent was to be awash with decent seabirds going through including both Roseate and Black Terns. I think Selsey Bill got the cream of the crop with at least 35+ going through though Cut Bridge (Millford-on-sea) had a staggering 53 reported (plus 12 Arctic Skua, 3 Little Gull and a Roseate Tern! There is some superb video footage of the birds passing Selsey Bill on their website. Jealousy doesn’t even cover it.

Birds-foot Trefoil.

Creeping Buttercup.

Mind you, on my travels today, I experienced a decent Swift invasion and finally, Southsea has its Swifts back with at least 5 seen over my house this evening. My birding pal, John Goodall, who is working near where I live text me this morning to say that he had seen one over Albert Road, Southsea and literally half an hour later, I saw a bird flying over Portsdown Hill along with 2 Red Kites and a hovering Kestrel! Two more Swifts were seen flying over Chichester and once back in Southsea, they seem to be abundant. My day did not end too well, when a bird (I never saw it happen) landed on top of the bird feeder and knocked off the feeder on the newly laid paving slabs and broke the feeder! Bugger!  

This Charming Man. Isabelle took this photo of me holding her bike.

Too quiet off Gilkicker Point.

Sunday 8th May 2022.

A very calm and quiet sea off Gilkicker Point this morning.

With a promise of a good seawatch this morning from Gilkicker Point, I got permission from my wife to make my way, nice and early, down to the site this morning and to put it bluntly, I should have stayed at home! Some twat on the M27 decided to play ‘silly buggers’ on the road and nearly went into the back of my car and on arrival, I got a phone call from Andy House that he would not be making the trip to Gillkicker due to a Temminck's Stint being found at Pennington Marshes this morning.

One of a few Starlings coming down looking for food on the beach. 

So, I was all on my lonesome this morning, up until another ‘Lazee Birder’, JB turned up though soon got back into this car and made his way to Pennington too. Half an hour later, Andy Tew arrived and he was disappointed that no-one else was here and doubly disappointed by the lack of birds going through. Yes, there were a lot of Gulls out in the Solent, hundreds in fact, but very little else of note passing through. Just one Sandwich Tern and 5 Common Terns all heading east, was the sum total of a very quiet sea-watch; plus 1 Little Egret heading west, 2 Ringed Plover flying east and a pair of Oystercatchers (both still in winter plumage?) and finally, a single Swallow heading north off the sea.

Sea Kale was abundant on the beach here at Gilkicker.

A Common Seal was seen about half a mile out, attracting the attention of a small number of Herring Gulls and apart from a few Cormorants fishing offshore and a Great Black-backed Gull eating something on the surface of the water (fish or a dead bird?), it was too quiet and by 8.30am, it was time to drive back to Southsea. A few Starlings and House Sparrows came down to search for food among the flowering Sea Kale growing on the beach and behind the shelter, a Common Whitethroat was heard singing somewhere on the brambles.