Hawthorn Moth added to year list.

Thursday 8th June 2023.

This micro moth, a Hawthorn Moth, was the only new moth for the year.

Another 4.30am start this morning to check the moth box and I was rewarded with just the one new moth for the year, the micro moth Scythropia crataegella or better known as Hawthorn Moth. Pretty little thing with its white body with two angled brown stripes. My second Diamond-back Moth of the year was also present; another micro moth that is a common immigrant from the Continent. I am led to believe that the wind is to be blowing from the south for the rest of the week and could bring a lot of immigrant moths into the UK. However, it was absolutely ‘Bill-Oddie’ freezing this morning with a swirling wind making the temperature around 8 degrees! It’s June for f*** sake!

Another Blair's Mocha turned up this morning within the box.

Yes, it should be getting a lot warmer later and well into the 20 degree’s centigrade, thankfully. Back to the moths and there was a reasonable haul that was mostly within the moth box with another Blair’s Mocha and Silver Y being probably the best of the other moths. A total of 23 moths of 13 species wasn't too bad, but still relatively low for this time of year. 

My second Diamond-back Moth of the year. Should the winds turn to southerly as expected, I will probably be getting a lot more of these in and around the moth box.

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 1 Common Marbled Carpet
• 1 Silver Y
• 2 White Ermine
• 1 Lime-speck Pug
• 1 Common Pug
• 1 Blair’s Mocha
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 3 Heart & Dart
• 4 Vine’s Rustic
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 5 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Diamond-back Moth
• 1 Hawthorn Moth (NFY)
• 1 Mompha subbistrigella

There was also another surprise within the moth box when I found my first Summer Chafer beetle of the year on one of the outside egg trays. Tricky little bugger in trying to pick it up for it liked to go upside down with feet splayed, but it eventually made its way to cover within one of my plants.

The moth box can attract a variety of other invertebrates that included this Summer Chafer beetle.

I am pleased to say that at least three of the House Sparrows nestlings fledged and were being fed by the parents in the back of my garden yesterday, as my wife and I watched them being fed by the parents, while they flapped their wings and showing off their yellow gapes around their bills. Cute. However, danger did lurk, as something flew into the big tree by my garden and flushed a lot of the birds out. I thought it was going to be a Sparrowhawk, but what eventually flew out was a Jay! After watching a Jay decimate several nests on Springwatch over the past week, I am not surprised that it was on a mission to look for eggs and young of birds; though I am getting a bit fed up with the ‘wet blankets’ out there who say it is too graphic to show on Springwatch. Nature is nature, whether with ‘rose-tinted glasses’ or not.

Above, a Hairy Dragonfly and below, a female Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly. Photos by Jim Walker who photographed these at Titchfield Haven recently.

I get to identify some moths and insects from fellow ‘Lazee’s’ and friends now and then and last night, fellow ‘Lazee’, Andy Dickety sent me a photo of a Silver-ground Carpet that he found at Bransbury Common, Winchester. Keep the photos coming in guys. Fishlake Meadows, over in Romsey, scored last night with an adult Night Heron being seen in the early evening and then right up to dusk. There was also a White Stork sailing over, 2 Hobbies and up to 3 Great White Egrets reported there yesterday.    

A 'lifer' moth and a Small Elephant!

Tuesday 6th June 2023.

My first ever Portland Ribbon Wave by my moth box this morning. Not only a Red Date Book species but also a rare immigrant moth from the Continent.

I put the moth box on overnight and I was rewarded not with quantity, but quality (which is rare in my garden!!). My first ever Portland Ribbon Wave moth was found just below the moth box of which I quickly potted to eventually take some better photos of this rare moth. Also, within the moth box, towards the bottom of the box to be exact, sat a beautiful Small Elephant Hawk-moth, my first here for many a year. I do get the much larger Elephant Hawk-moths most years, but the Small variety I could probably count on one hand that has been in my garden.

Above and below, the Small Elephant Hawk-moth with a White Ermine moth.

Along with these two superb moths, there were two micro moths that were new for the year; an Apple Leaf Miner and an Epinotia bilunana moth. In total, there were at least 17 moths of 13 species this morning.

I had two new micro moth species for the year this morning that included an Apple Leaf Miner (above) and Epinotia bilunana (below).

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 3 Willow Beauty
• 1 Green Pug
• 1 Portland Ribbon Wave (LIFER)
• 1 Common Marbled Carpet
• 2 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Vine’s Rustic
• 1 Heart & Dart
• 1 Small Elephant Hawk-moth (NFY)
• 1 White Ermine
• 1 Epinotia bilunana (NFY)
• 1 Apple Leaf Miner (NFY)
• 2 Mompha subbistrigella
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth

Overhead, at least 6 Swifts were hawking low over the rooftops and when I left to do my first shift, one flew into the nestbox opposite my house. I am hoping to get a few photos soon of these entering their respective boxes to feed their young. The weather looks good for the rest of the week although there is supposed to be thunderstorms coming in towards Friday and the winds to change to southerly and warming the UK considerably. We shall see. 

I placed the Small Elephant Hawk-moth on my hand and as it whirred its wings for about 2 minutes or so, it eventually took off like a rocket and as Bob Mortimer would say 'and awayyyyy'!

The Cemy becomes a Meadow!

Monday 5th June 2023.

I have never in all the years I have been coming here seen the grass so high and the amount of wild flowers here was incredible. It reminded me of one of the unspoilt meadows that could only benefit the wildlife here. 

Though the weather was a tad warm this afternoon, I nonetheless took a stroll around my local patch, Highland Road Cemetery and I was taken aback when I noticed that the Council has not cut the grass for a number of weeks by the look of it. In fact, I have never seen grass this high within this Cemetery and better still, there were wild flowers everywhere, including a few new for the year as well. So, I took my time as I walked round slowly the Cemetery, taking in the many colourful plants and also keeping an eye on both the birds and insects.

Above, a male Blackbird was in full song high up in one of the Lime Trees. Below, Mallow is now out in bloom with a few areas holding this plant within the Cemy.

Above, Scarlet Pimpernel is now in bloom also and below, the Cemy looks like one of those old country Cemeteries. Personally, I think it looks great. 

Firstly the birds where I notched up 14 species of birds during my walk round. Though nothing out of the ordinary, it really felt like Summer here with Blackbirds singing, chattering fledgelings of Blue Tits high up in the trees and parties of Swifts scything across the blue sky. Birds seen in the Cemetery included the following:

•  Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• House Sparrow
• Dunnock
• Robin
• Blue Tit
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Goldfinch
• Wren
• Swift

However, it was the plants that really stood out and probably the most notable were the swathes of Ox-eye Daisies that lit up the place. Vast clumps of them were dotted throughout the Cemetery and joined by Field Poppies, very tall Smooth Sow-thistle and the colourful Birds-foot Trefoil. Other abundant plants included Common Cat's-ear, Field Speedwell, Daisy, Bulbous Buttercup and Scarlet Pimpernel (the latter being my first sighting of this plant this year). I even found a clump of Green Alkanet growing close to the Mausoleum, which was a surprise.

Above, the photo really does not do these Ox-eye Daisies justice for they were shimmering in the bright sunshine all over the Cemetery. Below, Herb Bennett growing by the wall at the southern end of the Cemetery. My first sighting of this plant this year.

Above, this Carrion Crow was holding territory on top of this ornamental Pine. Below, standing out like a sore thumb, this Blackthorn Bush was completely in flower. Good news for the insects, I believe.

Surprisingly, insects were a little hard to come by though there were plenty of Marmalade Hoverflies on the wing where there were sunny glades around the trees. A Lasioglossum species was found feeding on a Cats-ear plant and was most likely the species Common Furrow-bee, of which I saw quite a few of these. There was also a Bumble Bee species that I though looked interesting that was enjoying nectaring on the Dog Rose bushes and Bramble flowers that was identified as Bombus vestalis, Southern Cuckoo Bumble-bee, which I think is a ‘lifer’ for me. The only butterflies seen were a few Holly Blue’s still lingering around.

Above, this male House Sparrow was 'chirruping' on a rooftop at the south end of the Cemetery. Below, Field Poppies grew abundantly.

Above, a probable Common Furrow-bee on a Cats-ear plant. Below, a male Southern Cuckoo Flower Bee was one of several around this Bramble within the Cemy.

Again, I have to reiterate how tall the grass and flowers have taken over the Cemetery and now looks quite overgrown, but so attractive. The grass species, which were easily over 3ft tall, included Wall Barley, Yorkshire Fog, Cultivated Oat and Upright Brome. True, we have not had any rain now for at least a couple of weeks and had wall to wall sunshine instead. Rain is forecast for a while towards the end of the week, which will save me watering the garden again! Back in my garden, I saw my first House Sparrow fledgling being fed by its father on my patio late this afternoon. Superb. 

Above, the Hoverfly, Syritta pipiens, enjoying the Cats-ear plants. Below, an adult Blue Tit searching for food for its hungry young that was high up in one of the trees.

Above, Birds-foot Trefoil now growing along the footpaths and below, my first Nipplewort plant seen this year.

A dawn visit to see the Turtle Dove.

Sunday 4 June 2023.

There was a short wait, but the Turtle Dove eventually appeared and began 'purring' . Fantastic. 

After birding pal, Andy Fisher had seen the Turtle Dove yesterday at Charlton, I decided that after checking the moth box (details to follow later) at 4.30am this morning, I would take a drive back up to Charlton village to see if I could see the Dove for myself. I guess that it disappears during the middle of the day, but both dawn and evening times could be best to see the bird where we normally see it.

The Turtle Dove remained faithful to just the one tree.

I arrived around 5.45am at the site and after safely parking the car, I walked to the usual spot and waited. For ten long minutes, no sight or sound of the Turtle Dove and then eventually, I saw it fly into a tall tree and immediately began ‘purring’. I quickly grabbed a few photos of the bird and though distant, my Bridge Camera has a superb zoom and I got some reasonably decent photos of the bird even though it was some distance away. This was my 186th species of bird in the UK this year and so pleased to catch up on this bird on my 4th attempt! I left the bird ‘purring’ in the distance with a big smile on my face and a nice quiet drive home to update my blog.

What a gorgeous sight and sound to be around.

Turtle Doves are now very hard to locate in the UK, especially in Hampshire where in the past, I used to see them at a variety of locations; but so difficult now and so this bird (saw at least two here last year) at this location is a real bonus. They have been so badly persecuted in mainland Europe for years and thankfully, some European countries, including France, have banned the hunting of these gorgeous birds and hopefully, numbers might recover over the following years? 

The Turtle Dove that was seen early this morning. You can just about hear the bird 'purring' in the distance.

Other sightings during my short stay there included a Common Buzzard drifting over the Hill to the south and both Blackcap and Common Whitethroat flicking about in the nearby bushes. A few Stock Doves were seen flying over (nearly ran one over near the Clanfield turn off!) and a several Mediterranean Gulls drifted over heading northbound. Another very sunny day beckons and noticing the sun rising early this morning on my drive up the A3 was simply stunning.

A doe Roe Deer was grazing in a nearby meadow on the hill near the Village.

There weren't many moths this morning which was disappointing and what with that persistent north-easterly wind still gusting across the garden, I wonder if it is really putting off the moths from venturing too far? However, there were two new moths for the year that included a Green Pug, which was resting right next to a Common Pug on my back wall of the kitchen. Also, a relatively common micro moth to my garden, Ephestia woodiella, was also new for the year. My first Carnation Tortrix for the garden this year was re-identified when I checked the photo.

My first Green Pug of the year near my moth box this morning.

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 White Ermine
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Green Pug (NFY)
• 1 Common Pug
• 2 Vine’s Rustic
• 1 Willow Beauty
• 2 Heart & Dart
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 1 Lychnis
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 2 Mompha subbistrigella
• 1 Ephestia woodiella (NFY)
• 2 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Carnation Tortrix  

The micro moth, Ephestia woodiella, was also new for the year.

Black Terns off Hill Head.

Saturday 3rd June 2023.

From left to right: Graeme Loader, John Manley, Andy Friend, Geoff Farwell and Andy Fisher watching the Black Terns out in the Solent.

Today was kind of special as Andy and myself got to go birding with one of our old birding pals, Geoff Farwell. Geoff used to go birding or should I say, ‘twitching’ with us for many years and then eventually went his own way, yet always kept in touch. But today, we picked him up around 8.20am and headed first down to the beach at Fort Cumberland after there was a report of two Black Terns seen among a large Gull flock on the sea. It was just like old times as Fly, Pye and Baldy Be (our nicknames) went birding together for the first time in many a year.

Above, Geoff, Andy Fisher, Andy Friend and John at Hill Head this morning. Below, the flock of Common Scoter going through the Solent.

The weather was fine again with a clear blue sky, but the chilly easterly wind still persisted. Earlier, when picking up Andy, he had earlier told me that he put all his outside lights on to hopefully attract a moth or two; for I was returning his moth box I borrowed for last weekend's trip to Center Parcs. There was just the one moth present, a Willow Beauty, but one is always better than naff all!

Above, this Willow Beauty moth was the only moth in Andy's garden this morning and below, one of several Swallows at Charlton today. 

When Andy, Geoff and myself arrived down by the car park at Fort Cumberland and took the footpath to the beach. Thankfully, there were no Nudists present, so we didn't have to put up with those strange individuals and simply concentrated on the sea. Sadly, all we saw were a few Common and Sandwich Terns flying over the calm sea. There was a large flock of birds probably a good mile out to see, more over Hayling Island side, and with the poor light, there was no way in identifying a Black Tern among them. Fellow ‘Lazee’ Chris Geary joined up briefly and also dipped on the Black Terns. Geoff is very good with plant identification as we put names to the plants we came across on the way back to the car that included Sea Radish that was growing abundantly and clumps of Tall Rocket.

Above, a family group of Ravens flew overhead at Charlton as did large numbers of Mediterranean Gulls going through heading north.

Hill Head was our next destination in search for a Black Tern and despite a lot of searching over the Solent, we came up trumps with two individuals flying among a group of Gulls and Terns about half way across the Solent. We were earlier joined by fellow ‘Lazee’s’, Graeme Loader, Andy Friend, John Manley, Mark Francis and a few other birders as we also scored with several Gannets (another ‘year-tick’ for him) and a distant flock of around 20 Common Scoters flying low east over the sea (Andy’s third ‘year-tick’ in about five minutes!!!!). Yes, the Black Terns were my first for the year, though they were quite distant we were confident in their ID.

This Common Buzzard flew low over our heads heading north.

Behind us, over the Reserve behind us, a female Marsh Harrier was seen quartering over the reedbeds to the tune of both Reed and Sedge Warblers singing in the foreground. Swallows and Swifts were abundant around the reserve and I even spotted a Common Buzzard soaring over the reserve near the Canal. Common Terns flew overhead onto the reserve, showing superbly well in the bright sunshine, but too quick for me to get a good photo of them. Again, my Bridge Camera is not great in taking flight shots and has trouble focussing on a flying bird.

Above, Geoff and Andy overlooking the countryside at Charlton and below, a Thick-legged Flower Beetle (left) and an Orchid Beetle on Bulbous Buttercups.

We said our Goodbyes and headed off northbound for Charlton to hopefully get our Turtle Dove ‘year-tick’ and again, I will not disclose exactly where they are for their protection. Long story short, we did not see any of the Turtle Doves despite them being seen earlier this week, though I was sure I did hear one very briefly. But we did hear a Lesser Whitethroat 'rattling' nearby and so went after that instead. Again, we were not in luck as there was no further sight or sound of the Warbler, but we did have some nice sightings during our time here. A group of three Ravens flew low overhead as did a Common Buzzard and there was a constant stream of Mediterranean Gulls flying north over the countryside. Both Blackcap and Chiffchaff were seen singing and both Goldfinches and Linnets passed through. There were plenty of Swallows in the area and the occasional Swift went through as well. Other sightings included a male Kestrel hunting in the area and I caught my first sighting of a Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly near the railway line. A group of four Hares were seen distantly on a nearby hill.

Above, a Common Blue butterfly and below, a Dingy Skipper on the hill nearby.

On the nearby Downs, we took a stroll up the hill and came across a few butterflies that included Brimstone, Small White, Common Blue and a single Dingy Skipper, while Geoff with his far superior plant knowledge, was pointing out a variety of plants that were flowering including Horseshoe Vetch, a food plant for Chalkhill Blue butterflies. Also, Musk Thistle, Common Spotted Orchid, Common Milkwort, Salad-burnet and Cowslips were all seen within a swathe of Upright Brome grass. What a beautiful place and the view we got from the top of the hill was breathtaking. Later in the afternoon, Andy went back up to Charlton and saw the Turtle Dove almost immediately to notch up his 4th ‘year-tick’ of the day. Well done that man and now he is 7th in the Hampshire Year Listing league. 

Above, Horseshoe Vetch and below, Musk Thistle seen on the Hill nearby.

My first Common Spotted Orchid of the year also on the Hill.