Osprey in Langstone Harbour.

Tuesday 23rd August 2022.

The distant Osprey on North Binness Island, Langstone Harbour, this morning.

Before making my way up to QA Hospital again this morning, I thought I would take a detour and take a look if the Osprey was perched on the dead tree on North Binness Island. Thankfully, it was and constituted my first of the Autumn. I was lucky enough to see one in the Spring, flying over the M275 of all places and so seeing this individual brought back brief memories of the Spring bird. It has been an exceptional year for this species with it locally breeding in Poole Harbour and regular sightings since Spring around Fishlake Meadows, Romsey. Today's bird was mostly preening itself on top of the dead tree, though it mostly had its back to me during the time I was there.

Above, another photo of the Osprey which was flanked by a large flock of Starlings on North Binness Island. Below, one of the many Great Crested Grebes in the harbour.

 

Sadly, the photos were not top notch due to the very overcast and dreary conditions and eventually, after 40 minutes or so, the drizzle returned. During my time at Broadmarsh Car Park, looking south into the harbour on a rising tide. Other notable birds included a male Kestrel also perched quite close to the Osprey with a large flock of Starlings in attendance. There were plenty of waders resting on the edge of the islands and a few flocks flew past as well, noticeably Redshank, Turnstone and a few Black-tailed Godwit. Good numbers of Grey Plover, Curlew and the odd Whimbrel were seen through the telescope and at least a dozen Little Egrets roosted on the islands.

Above, both Turnstone and Herring Gull resting on one of the moored boats in the harbour. Below, a gathering of Great Crested Grebes near the islands.

I counted at least 20+ Great Crested Grebes in the harbour and a few Sandwich and Common Terns were seen fishing or resting on the small buoys. I spent a good 40 minutes here as mentioned and around me, at least two Robins were in full song and I could also hear a few Common Whitethroat ‘clicking’ in the brambles behind me and the soft ‘hooeet’ of a Willowchiff nearby. Looking at my watch, I called it time and made my way to the Hospital, but always nice to see the Osprey in the Autumn at one of its most regular sites at this time of year.

Above, the same flock of Great Crested Grebes by the islands within Langstone Harbour. Below, a small flock of both Redshank and Grey Plover by the islands.  

Earlier today, a Square-spot Rustic moth was in my bathroom (below) and I promptly caught it and it flew out of the window! They obviously know I am the Moth man! 

A good showing of moths in the drizzle.

Monday 22nd August 2022.

My first ever Carnation Tortrix resting on the side of the moth box.

It was a bit of a battle early this morning as a wave of drizzle came in and made checking the moth box a tad difficult. Yes, I lost a few due to being exposed to the weather, but the majority played ball. I even brought the moth box into the kitchen a couple of times, but the weather occasionally got a little better and so I went outside.

Another Bordered Straw moth (a very good year for me personally for this species) was in one of the outside egg trays this morning.

There were at least 70 moths of 23 species recorded this morning and among them was my first ever Carnation Tortrix perched on the side of the moth box. Apparently, they are reasonably common and extremely variable in colour, but I have been moth-ing for well over 15 years and I have probably overlooked them as Light Brown Apple Moths in the past! Migrant moths were on show with Bordered Straw, Dark Sword-grass and a Rush Veneer and more than likely, a lot of the Pale Mottled Willows were probably migrant moths too. I hope to get a Clancy’s Rustic among them soon. 

This smart Flounced Rustic was most welcome today.

After not putting the moth box out for several days, I was more than happy with the haul I had this morning. I even woke up to a Setaceous Hebrew Character and a Box Tree Moth in my bedroom!! No Garden Tigers in or around the box, but 15 Pale Mottled Willow and 11 Vines Rustic made up the bulk of the moths. Rain is forecast this morning, but it will get drier in the afternoon. 

Right, the Dark Sword-grass next to a Pale Mottled Willow. Probably both are immigrants. 

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 Bordered Straw
• 1 Dark Sword-grass
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 5 Lime-speck Pug
• 1 Cabbage Moth
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 2 Willow Beauty
• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 15 Pale Mottled Willow
• 11 Vines Rustic
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 4 Small Dusty Wave
• 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 3 Square-spot Rustic 
• 1 Heart & Dart
• 1 Flounced Rustic
• 1 White Ermine
• 4 Box Tree Moth
• 7 Common Plume
• 3 Tachystola acroxantha
• 2 Apple Leaf Miner
• 1 Cyclamen Tortrix
• 1 Blastobasis rebeli
• 1 Rush Veneer.

Cabbage Moth.

I was back up at Queen Elizabeth Hospital again this afternoon and while sitting with my wife, looking through the hospital window, I pointed out a Peregrine, a male by the size of it, soaring over the hospital until it flew off west, scattering the local Pigeons in doing so. I said to Becky, I wonder what list of birds you could see here from this viewpoint looking towards Portsdown Hill? She even spotted a Common Buzzard soaring over the Hill from her Hospital bed!! There is nothing wrong with my wife's eyesight for sure! Another Common Buzzard was seen in the usual place along the M275 as I made my way back up to the Hospital late this afternoon.

An Osprey was perched up on the dead trees on Binnes Island, Langstone Harbour, again and showed well most of the day for those who went to view the bird, although it seems a rather quiet day in Hampshire with a few Black Terns reported and a Gannet reported on the low tide just within Portsmouth Harbour. Is it a sick bird, perhaps? The four Glossy Ibis were on Titchfield Haven again and most likely the same birds we saw earlier this month at Hook-with-Warsash.

A poor photo of the Leaf Blotch Miner micro moth on the sheet this morning.

Tonight, I had to get a few moths out of the house, where in the downstairs loo, there was both a Flounced Rustic and Small Dusty Wave perched on the wall. So, quickly grabbing my pot, I managed to put both the moths safely out the back door. Then it was the back bedroom where a Setaceous Hebrew Character, Vines Rustic and a Box Tree Moth had taken up residence! I managed to grab the Vines, but I shall have to do the others tomorrow.  Finally, I had an unusual micro moth on the sheet this morning and though the photo I took on my mobile phone wasn't the sharpest, I thought I would give Obsidentify a go and it came up with 97% sure it was a Leaf Blotch Miner, Acrocercops brongniardella, which would be another addition to my moth life list! Apparently, a very local species in Southern England that prefers Oak trees.

Not the best of weekends.

Sunday 21st August 2022.

The Hummingbird Hawk-moth in my back garden tonight as the light was fading. 

Well, that was a weekend I do not want to have all that often. My poor wife was rushed into QA Hospital yesterday early morning in agony, which turned out to be a badly inflamed Gallbladder and with a kidney stone there, an operation looks likely. That's the horrible bad news. The good news is that I did see some notable sightings over this weekend, while going up and down the hospital from Southsea.

My first Carnation Tortrix of the year, found by the back door of my Grand-daughters house in Eastney. 

The usual Common Buzzards were perched on the street lamps on the M275 and while taking Becky to hospital at break-neck speed up the motorway, I saw a female Sparrowhawk soaring over the Paulsgrove area. Today, while I was visiting my wife by her hospital bed late this afternoon, I saw another female Sparrowhawk soaring over Portsdown Hill from the Hospital window and the bird launched into a stoop, scattering a flock of Wood Pigeons.

On Saturday, a juvenile White-winged Black Tern was spotted offshore, but lost to view over the Solent from Pennington Marshes. However, it or another bird (above) appeared at Rockford Lake, Blashford, during the day and remained till dusk for all those lucky enough to see it. However, the bird never appeared today. Photo by Andy Tew.

Better still was a Spotted Flycatcher perched on a dead tallest branch of a conifer near the hospital! Yes, it was a bit distant, but unless it was one of the extremely rare American flycatchers, it was looking very good for a Spotted Flycatcher. As I told the ‘Lazee Birders’, I never switch off!!

Top photo, a Pied Flycatcher and middle and bottom photo, Spotted Flycatcher; all seen and photographed at the Paddocks, Northney, Hayling Island by Pete Appleton. These birds have been present now most of the week and showed well for the ever appreciative birders.

When I got home tonight, I noticed a lot of the plants were flagging on my back garden, despite a small shower in Southsea and Portsmouth this morning. So, while watering the most needy plants, I saw a Hummingbird Hawk-moth nectaring on the Buddleia plant again. I have read that it has been arguably the best record for this species on record, with sightings reaching four-fold against the record year. Another Striped Hawk-moth was seen in Selsey again this morning in the same garden as previously seen there. Last Friday, I was over my Grand-daughter's house and spotted what I thought was a Light Brown Apple Moth, but on closer inspection, it was actually a Carnation Tortrix, my first of the year. I have not put my moth box on for a few days now, but I have fired it up tonight. Again, many thanks to the guys letting me use their superb photos. 

This cracking photo of a Wryneck was taken yesterday by birding pal, Dave Hutton who was at Spurn. 

Another good moth show.

Thursday 18th August 2022.

The micro moth Dichrorampha acuminatana was only my second ever.

Thankfully, another cooler night and that did not affect the moth numbers this morning with a total of at least 104 moths of 32 species. The only new moth for the year was the micro moth, Dichrorampha acuminatana, which was only my second ever; the last being 5 years ago! Nearly 25% of the total were made up of Lime-speck Pugs and Double-striped Pugs and there were probably more around the garden too.

The second generation of Vines Rustic are arriving now. 

Migrant moths included another Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing, Silver Y and a few Rusty-dot Pearl. Annoyingly, yesterday's rain showers managed to find its way into my moth box and most of the egg trays were a bit sodden, but it seemed it did not affect the moth numbers. Visible migration has gone quiet this week, with nothing but a flock of Starlings to report.  

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 8 Garden Tiger
• 5 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 9 Pale Mottled Willow
• 2 Garden Carpet
• 11 Double-striped Pug
• 20 Lime-speck Pug
• 4 Vines Rustic
• 4 Marbled Beauty
• 1 Willow Beauty
• 1 Yellow-barred Brindle
• 2 White Ermine
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 1 Langmaids Yellow Underwing
• 6 Small Dusty Wave
• 1 Silver Y
• 1 Turnip Moth
• 1 Cabbage Moth
• 8 Common Plume
• 2 Agriphila inquinatella
• 1 Agriphila geniculea
• 1 Garden Pebble
• 1 Pyrausta aurata
• 2 Box Tree Moth
• 2 White-shouldered House Moth
• 1 Celypha striana
• 1 Tachtstola acroxantha
• 1 Apple Leaf Miner
• 1 Dichrorampha acuminatana (NFY)
• 2 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 1 Anania coronata
• 1 Hawthorn Moth

Very quiet over the Cemy.

Wednesday 17th August 2022.

One of the paths leading to the Mausoleum. 

I took a stroll around Highland Road Cemetery again late this afternoon and to be honest, I probably would have seen more in my back garden! Earlier today, FOUR Pied Flycatchers were seen at the Paddocks area of Northney, Hayling Island, whetting my appetite and so surely there must be a Flycatcher species over the Cemy? Rain showers were predicted today and sure enough, we had a few light ones throughout the day, but not during my walk around my local patch.

Above, several Carrion Crows were within the Cemy this afternoon, with this individual searching for anything to eat within the short grass. Below, Common Knapweed growing on the south side of the Cemy. 

Sadly, there was hardly anything of note within the Cemy with just 9 species of birds either seen or heard (mostly heard) during my 45 minutes there that included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Feral Pigeon
• Wood Pigeon
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Robin
• Goldfinch
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow 

Mallow was abundant throughout the Cemy. This was growing over on the east side.

I saw a Pied Flycatcher this time two years ago here and Spotted Flycatchers last year, but there was no sign of any today, although I will put money on it that at least one will pass through. Even insects were not showing, with only a few Common Wasps seen. The Council have been carrying out grass cutting this week, although there wasn't really that much grass to cut! I did find a few Common Knapweed flowers over on the south side of the Cemy, but not too much of note among the plant life.    

The cones on this Monkey Puzzle Tree took my eye. 

A good variety of moths again.

Wednesday 17th August 2022.

The second generation of Yellow-barred Brindle are arriving in my garden now.

I don't think it rained last night though there are a few showers expected here on the south coast this morning. Much cooler last night although it was clear, but still produced 79 moths of 34 species. Though nothing new for the year, there was a very good selection of macro moths that included a Marbled Green, Yellow-barred Brindle, Cabbage Moth and up to 5 Marbled Beauty’s. My first Pyrausta despicata micro moth in my moth box for the year was a surprise, where I normally see a lot of these when I am walking Scruff around nearby Highland Road Cemetery. Two Garden Pebbles were also present and while putting the rubbish out this morning, I found a Rush Veneer perched on the outside wall! 

Above, a Cabbage Moth was on the white sheet. Below, the Pyrausta despicata micro moth was unexpected too.  

Outside of moths, yesterday produced a few more Pied Flycatcher sightings, notably over at the Paddocks at Northney, where some nice photos were taken by some of the ‘Lazee Birders’. Andy Fisher took a stroll over Catherington Downs in the afternoon and notched up a Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaffs, Nuthatch and a Green Woodpecker. Apart from the more common migrants, it was fairly quiet in Hampshire and in West Sussex, the Squacco Heron was still present at Pagham Harbour NR and the Temminck's Stint returned to the Ferry Pool. 

One of the Pied Flycatchers yesterday at the Paddocks on Hayling Island. Photo by Pete Appleton.

Moths recorded this morning included the following:

• 5 Garden Tiger
• 4 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 6 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 1 Yellow-barred Brindle
• 12 Lime-speck Pug
• 6 Double-striped Pug
• 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 1 Small Dusty Wave
• 1 Cabbage Moth
• 1 Marbled Green
• 5 Marbled Beauty
• 2 Square-spot Rustic
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 2 Willow Beauty
• 1 Common Rustic
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Vines Rustic
• 1 White Ermine
• 1 Straw Dot
• 10 Common Plume
• 1 Rush Veneer
• 1 Box Tree Moth
• 2 Garden Pebble
• 2 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 1 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Bryotropha affinis
• 1 Pyrausta despicata
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 2 Beautiful Plume
• 1 Hawthorn Moth
• 1 Ephestia woodiella

Above, two Setaceous Hebrew Character were in the moth box.

Another micro moth added to the year list.

Tuesday 16th August 2022.

This Agriphila inquinatella was my first for the year.

There was no rain last night, despite covering the garden furniture over, so are the thunderstorms due today? It was still really mild this morning, but dark because of the overhead cloud, but did it bring in the moths overnight. There were 78 moths this morning of 27 species and the only new moth for the year was one of the Grass moths, Agriphila inquinatella; a species I normally get annually within my moth box. This individual was sitting on the outside of the box. A few migrant moth species included 3 Rush Veneer and 3 Diamond-back Moth and a worn Lychnis was unexpected.

This Lychnis was my third for the year.

There was no visible migration going on overhead this morning, though a Robin, first heard ‘ticking’, started singing in the back of my garden.    

At least three Rush Veneer were in the box. This is a relatively common immigrant moth to my garden, though numbers of this species do fluctuate year on year. However, with the southerly airflow, it has been a good year so far.

The following moths were present this morning:

• 1 Lychnis
• 4 Willow Beauty
• 13 Lime-speck Pug
• 6 Double-striped Pug
• 2 Garden Tiger
• 1 Straw Dot
• 6 Marbled Beauty
• 4 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 7 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 1 White Ermine
• 1 Vines Rustic
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 2 L-album Wainscot
• 3 Garden Carpet
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Small Dusty Wave
• 1 Common Rustic
• 3 Rush Veneer
• 6 Common Plume
• 3 Apple Leaf Miner
• 3 Diamond-back Moth
• 2 Bryotropha affinis
• 2 Mother of Pearl
• 1 Agriphila inquinatella (NFY)
• 1 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Blastobasis rebeli

An evening walk around the Cemy.

Monday 15th August 2022.

The cloud was rolling in this afternoon and only briefly offering a few drops of rain. Will thunderstorms actually arrive here in Southsea?

I took our Scruff for an early evening walk around Highland Road Cemetery this evening hoping for an outside chance of a Flycatcher or Warbler, but despite a good search, there were none seen. In fact, there was very little of note within the Cemy this evening regarding the bird life with only 10 species seen or heard. The cloud has finally come and with the threat of thunderstorms and heavy rain issued for the UK, there was the briefest of showers when I was walking round.

This old Chestnut tree was cut down a few years ago and is now providing a home for some new fungi. I am no expert on this area, but could it be Beefcake fungus (below)? 

Above, this Dryads Saddle fungi has been growing here at this spot for many years.

Sadly, my dog Scruff is well over 15 years old now and he really struggled walking round, his back legs not helping him at all and at times, I thought I was dragging him. However, he made the journey there and walked round and then back home without any whining, which was good news. 

Above, two juvenile Magpies were exploring the ground between the gravestones. Below, a pair of Wood Pigeons resting on one of the graves.

The ten species of bird either heard or seen included the following:

• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• House Sparrow
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Robin

True, not an awe-inspiring list, but there is always other things to look at including a good array of wild flowers poking through the dried grass that included Yarrow, Mallow, Hawkbit, Ragwort, Birds-foot Trefoil and several carpets of Lady Bedstraw. 

The micro moth, Pyrausta despicata were seen in the dried grass.

Insects were even far and few between, though there was a Buff-tailed Bumble bee on one of the Buddleia plants and at least three Pyrausta despicata micro moths flying around over the dried grass. Thankfully, there was a nice breeze blowing across the Cemetery and although a bit dark overhead, it was kind of pleasant. There were not many dog walkers tonight, so it was quite peaceful.

There wasn't many insects about this evening so this Buff-tailed Bumble bee was one of the highlights.

In Hampshire today, fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ Andy Friend was birding over Catherington Downs this afternoon and notched up both a Pied and Spotted Flycatcher along with a Clouded Yellow butterfly. Pied Flycatchers were also seen at Old Winchester Hill, Northney (Hayling Island), Bramley and Southampton and a dark-phased Arctic Skua was seen off Warsash this afternoon; a species I have not seen yet this year.

There were a few carpets of Lady Bedstraw growing between the graves.

Earlier today, I was sitting on one of the back chairs in my back garden, when a loud humming noise alerted me and looking up, a Hummingbird Hawk-moth had settled on the wall behind me! I only had my mobile phone with me, but I was too slow to grab a photo of it as the insect flew off over the rooftop of the house and was not seen again! It certainly is a good year for this species so far. 

 

Yet another new micro and a Tree Pipit over.

Monday 15th August 2022.

This small micro moth, Epiblema foenella, was my first ever. 

There was hardly a breath of wind this morning and after another balmy night, it was still relatively warm at first this morning, though a little overcast. Another nice showing of moths this morning that included 71 moths of 34 species and three more yet to be ID’d. Among them was yet another ‘lifer’ micro moth, Epiblema foenella. Though common around the UK, it was my first ever and increases my ever expanding micro moth life list. Other notable moths included my second Vestal of the year, a smart individual perched on the outside of my moth box. Two Jersey Tigers were present again (a very good year for them and believed to be breeding in the UK now), though Garden Tigers were down to just three individuals.

My second Vestal moth of the year.

Other migrant moths included another Bordered Straw and a Diamond-back Moth, while my third fresh-looking Blood-vein was perched on the fence behind the white sheet. Two Tree-lichen Beauties were also pleasing.

My third Blood-vein moth of the year.

While checking the moths, a Tree Pipit was heard and then seen flying over the rooftops heading north-east and a Greenfinch was seen heading north. Visible migration is now starting! Yesterday, while entertaining the family in the back garden, I pointed out to everyone a superb Hummingbird Hawk-moth feeding around the flowers.

One of two Tree-lichen Beauties seen this morning.

Moths present this morning include the following:

• 1 Vestal 
• 2 Jersey Tiger
• 3 Garden Tiger
• 6 Brimstone Moth
• 5 Willow Beauty
• 2 Tree-lichen Beauty
• 3 Lime-speck Pug
• 6 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Bordered Straw
• 1 Blood-vein
• 3 Marbled Beauty
• 2 Small Dusty Wave
• 1 Pale Mottled Willow
• 3 Square-spot Rustic
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Cabbage Moth
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Yellow-barred Brindle
• 2 Bryotropha  basaltinella
• 1 Clepsis consimilana
• 3 Bryotropha affinis
• 3 Apple Leaf Miner
• 1 Epiblema foenella (NFY + LIFER)
• 5 Common Plume
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 1 White-shouldered House Moth
• 3 Tachystola acroxantha
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Hawthorn Moth
• 1 Codling moth
• 1 Cherrybark Moth
• 1 Diamond-back Moth
• 1 Blastobasis rebeli
• 1 Brown House Moth

Another micro 'lifer'.

Sunday 14th August 2022.

My first ever Oak Carl moth, Tischeria ekebladella.  A very small moth woodland moth.

After a very balmy night, this morning was very still and calm as I went about checking the moth box. I awoke well before my 5.30am alarm went off and so got up and made a coffee before venturing outside in the dark! I could already see at least one Bright-line Brown-eye and Box Tree Moth on the sheet behind the box and a good number of micros buzzing around the moth box. Once it got a bit lighter, I then went out to check what I had caught overnight.

My first Agriphila geniculea of the year. This is a regular moth that I get in good numbers over the coming months.

There were 80 moths of 35 species this morning, which included my first ever Oak Carl moth, a very small beige coloured micro and also my first Agriphila geniculea of the year. The Currant Pug was present again, but not a great deal of excitement among the macro moths this time.

The following moths were present this morning:

• 6 Garden Tiger
• 2 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 2 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Straw Dot
• 4 Lime-speck Pug
• 9 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Currant Pug
• 2 Marbled Beauty
• 3 Vines Rustic
• 6 Small Dusty Wave 
• 4 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 1 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Willow Beauty
• 1 Buff Ermine
• 1 Box Tree Moth
• 10 Common Plume
• 2 Beautiful Plume
• 1 Broom Shoot Moth
• 1 Coleophora salicorniae
• 1 White-shouldered House Moth
• 1 Mompha crocicapitella
• 1 Agriphila geniculea (NFY)
• 3 Diamond-back Moth
• 4 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Yponomeuta sp.
• 1 Acleris laterana/comariana
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 2 Pyrausta aurata
• 1 Ephestia woodiella
• 1 Blastobasis adustella
• 1 Clepsis consimilana
• 1 Bryotropha affinis
• 1 Oak Carl moth (NFY + LIFER)
• 1 Celypha striana
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl