More superb moths & Birding with Geoff.

Saturday 10th September 2023.

My first Dusky Thorn moth of the year. 

There was another bumper haul of moths at dawn this morning in and around my moth trap and after another uncomfortable nights sleep in humid conditions overnight, I kind of staggered out of bed, put the dogs out in the garden for ten minutes and consumed a grateful cup of coffee, ready to get cracking on the moths. Could there be a real goody among them like yesterday?

Two cracking moths this morning with above, Clancy's Rustic and below, my second Dewick's Plusia of the year.

There were a staggering 167+ moths of 41 species recorded this morning and among them were another two more species new for the year, a Dusky Thorn and the micro moth Southern Bell (Crocidosema plebejana). Pleased with the Dusky Thorn that was perched on the wall opposite the moth box, I found a Canary-shouldered Thorn close by, my second of the year. Other notable moths included my second Dewicks Plusia of the year, a Clancy’s Rustic (not a common moth here) and another gorgeous Olive-tree Pearl. Later in the morning.

Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing. Only my second of the year.

I was putting out some rubbish in one of the bins at the front of my house when I discovered a dark moth fluttering around. I did manage to pot it and it turned out to be a Bloxworth Snout! I never expected that. There were double figures on a few species this morning that included a whopping 27 Willow Beauties, 10 Pale Mottled Willow, 17 Box Tree Moths and 10 Ruddy Streaks. Among the micro moths, my second Sycamore-seed Pygmy moth was present (such a tiny yet striking moth).

The tiny Sycamore-seed Pygmy micro moth.

I did have a laugh when I rescued a Large Yellow Underwing from a False Black Widow spider web. The Spider was about to come out and grab the moth, but I intervened and pulled the moth away from the web. However, the spider wasn't going to give up and as the moth flew off, a bit of web was stuck to both the moth and spider and the poor spiders suddenly took flight with the moth, going round and around until it released its grip and scurried back to safety. Moth 1 Spider 0!

The moths present this morning included the following:

• 27 Willow Beauty
• 1 Dusky Thorn (NFY)
• 1 Canary-shouldered Thorn
• 8 Large Yellow Underwing
• 1 Angle Shades
• 10 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Silver Y
• 1 Dewick’s Plusea
• 1 Riband Wave
• 7 Double-striped Pug
• 5 Marbled Beauty
• 1 Old Lady
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 5 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 2 Vines Rustic
• 7 Small Dusty Wave
• 4 Lime-speck Pug
• 9 Square-spot Rustic
• 1 Bloxworth Snout
• 1 White-point
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 6 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
• 1 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
• 1 Clancy’s Rustic
• 5 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 1 Olive-tree Pearl
• 1 Beautiful Plume
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 10 Ruddy Streak
• 1 Pellitory Cosmet
• 17 Box Tree Moth
• 1 Long-horned Flat-body
• 1 London Dowd
• 6 Narrow-winged Grey
• 1 Dark Neb
• 1 Southern Bell (NFY)
• 4 Apple Leaf Miner
• 7 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Common Plume
• 1 Sycamore-seed Pygmy

While checking the moths, again there was a bit of visible migration going on (or should I say invisible, as I couldn't see anything overhead while looking up into a clear blue bright sky!). Both Yellow and Grey Wagtails were both heard going over and also a couple of Siskins too. A Willow Warbler was seen flitting about in a tree behind my garden, calling continuously. 

Above, a Little Egret, Grey Heron and the Great White Egret on Posbrook Floods. Below, a Common Darter dragonfly along the Canal Path.

Andy Fisher was a little worse for wear this morning and he texted me to say he was out on the lash with his working companions and will not be attending this morning's birding. However, Geoff Farwell was more than up for it as we made our way first to Posbrook Floods to see if any migrants had dropped in there. Yesterday’s news of a Wryneck in Hampshire proved fruitless and sadly, turned out to be a single observer sighting.

Above, a Tapered Drone Fly on Water Mint.  Below, a distant photo of this morning's Whinchat along the Canal Path.

The small car park was full when we arrived by the Canal Path, but luckily for us, a dog walker was just leaving and so after parking up, we made our way south to view the Bridge Street Floods. Yesterday, and early this morning, a juvenile Turtle Dove had been reported on wires just north of the Ark Dog Rescue building, but all we could see were a large gathering of Feral Pigeons on the wires. On the Floods themselves, there was a flock of around a dozen Black-tailed Godwit feeding on the shallow water, but apart from an Egyptian Goose and a few Teal, not a great deal else could be seen on here. I found a Raven perched up on the bare branches of a tree over on the far side, accompanied by a Carrion Crow and several Jackdaws for size comparison. Both Geoff and I could hear it ‘cronking’ and was later seen again flying west over the reserve. A few Cetti’s Warblers could be heard calling deep within vegetation and overhead, good numbers of both Swallow and House Martins were hawking high up. A few Yellow Wagtails flew over, but like this morning in my garden, they were high up, bar one individual which I saw well.

Above, a Grey Heron flew over our heads and below, the Great White Egret, Little Egrets and Grey Herons on Posbrook Floods.

When we reached the area overlooking Posbrook Floods, we were welcomed with a wealth of Heron species. A Great White Egret graced the main pool along with at least four Little Egrets and four Grey Herons. A sight like this, way back in the 1980’s would have been unimaginable then, but seems to be commonplace now. Incredible how things are working out in the birding world. The Canal Path held a few warblers flitting about, but proved a little difficult to pin down as they were busy feeding. This included a few Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, but nothing more interesting than that; but a Wryneck or a Shrike could be lurking anywhere. A pair of Goldcrests were flitting about in the small Oaks overhead along with several Great and Blue Tits.

Above, several Speckled Wood butterflies were seen along the Canal Path and below, the view overlooking the Bridge Street Floods, from the same street. Despite a good search, we could not locate the Turtle Dove seen earlier this morning.

We took a walk east along a footpath overlooking the large reedbeds by the River Meon. From here, we enjoyed a couple of Stonechats searching for food by the perimeter fence and nearby scrub and Geoff thought he had a third bird, but soon recognised it as a Whinchat. Nice. Overhead, we heard the distinctive call of a Snipe and sure enough, a pair flew high northbound over the reserve. I decided to make our way back to the car and though not a great deal else was seen on the way back, it was an enjoyable walk despite the strengthening heat of the sun. Though a glorious day, it certainly was going to be a very hot day with temperatures climbing up to the 90’s!

Up to three Spotted Flycatchers could be seen chasing insects around the Paddock hedgerows.

Our next stop was to be Northney Paddocks for possibly more migrants, but getting onto Hayling Island proved difficult due to immense traffic going in the same direction. Eventually, we got to the Garage car park at Langstone and met up with both Pete Gammage and Keith Turner, who were just leaving the area. After picking up some lunch from the garage and a good chat with the guys, we made our way down the footpath to the Paddocks. From here, we came across at least 3 Spotted Flycatchers hawking for insects and they performed superbly for us in the bright sunshine.

Above, a Common Carpet moth posing nicely within a hedgerow and below, a Migrant Hawker dragonfly also seen around the Paddocks area.

A few Chiffchaffs were also seen and 3 female / juvenile Sparrowhawks were flying together around the tall Poplar trees, upsetting the local bird life below them. A Common Buzzard could be seen distantly high up above the Sparrowhawks and a male Kestrel flew low over one of the paddocks to land in one of the Poplar Trees. A few Yellow Wagtails could be heard flying overhead, though none were actually seen. A little later, after watching several Migrant Hawker dragonflies going up and down the footpaths in search of prey, we bumped into John Cronin, who was out for a walk with his binoculars and so we had a good chat with him before we departed for home. Again, I had a few household chores to do at home and so I dropped Geoff off and made my way back to Southsea.

Up to three Sparrowhawks were seen soaring together around the Paddocks.

Geoff, later in the afternoon, went to Pigeon House Farm Lane where he recorded the following sightings: 75+ Yellow Wagtail, 6 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk.      

Above, the male Kestrel seen this morning and below, another shot of one of the Spotted Flycatchers. I actually saw my first one of the year in the Spring here at the same location.

A few more migrants in the Cemy.

Friday 8th September 2023.

Looking very Autumnal in the Cemy with these Horse Chestnut leaves and fruit on show.

I don't think it is as hot as yesterday, but still quite warm with hardly any wind this morning as I took my dogs around Highland Road Cemetery around 9am this morning. Earlier today, I could hear a few Yellow Wagtails flying high overhead, but I could not pick them up visually. I did not have the moth box on overnight for I did not want to trap the same moths again and so it will be going on tonight instead.

Above, a Hornet-mimic Hoverfly nectaring on the Ivy and below, one of many Drone Flies also enjoying the Ivy.

Migration is now fully underway and I was hoping a few migrants would be in the Cemetery and this morning, I was rewarded with both a couple of Chiffchaffs and the first Blackcap of the Autumn at this site. However, the Blackcap was heard only and as I did not have my binoculars with me, I recognised the bird by call alone. I am pretty sure I saw the said bird as a warbler species flew east over the Cemy and landed in a bush further to the south east.

Above, the familiar sight of Magpies and below, Starlings going into their spotty Autumn plumage.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker was again seen briefly, flying up into trees north of the Cemy and then heard calling later during my walk. Jays have been missing for a while now and so seeing one high up in a tree preening was a welcome bonus and later, two birds were seen flying from tree to tree. Most of the regular birds were present and correct, but no sign of the Sparrowhawk this morning.

Above, the Collared Doves are being seen often now. They seemed to have disappeared in the summer, but are now making a welcome return. Below, flowering Ribwort Plantain within the Cemy over on the east side.

Regarding insects, I found a Hornet-mimic Hoverfly nectaring on a large Ivy Plant along with many smaller Drone Flies. I regularly see this species here on these plants that are now flowering and giving off a heady scent to attract the Bees etc. Butterflies this morning included the usual Red Admiral, Small White and Holly Blue. A Vapourer Moth was seen spiralling across the Cemetery at the northern end. I am always noting down any unusual plants and I would take a photo and put it on the UK Wild Flowers Facebook page for the experts to have a go identifying it and now I am also using Geoff Farwell to ID my plants as well. However, one species I found growing along one of the footpaths I think I have identified correctly as Common Chickweed, a relatively common plant sporting the tiniest white flowers.

Above, Chickweed growing by one of the footpaths and below, Perennial Sow-thistle, both growing in the Cemy.

On a negative note, my Nikon P900 that I put into the London Camera Exchange a few weeks back is no more. I got a quote to fix not just the motor but also the lens (?????), which came back as £380 to repair. I only paid £499 for it, so I’ll just have to stick with my Panasonic Lumix Bridge Camera instead. Hurrumph!! 

  

This Chiffchaff was one of two this morning in the Cemy.

The following bird species were present this morning within the Cemetery:

• Herring Gull
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay (2)
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Blackbird
• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Blackcap 
• Chiffchaff (2)
• Dunnock
• Wren
• Starling
• Robin

This Jay was preening high up in one of the trees. 

Above and below, a Hummingbird Hawk-moth was seen again feeding on these plants where I was working on my second shift this afternoon. Second time this week I have seen it. Both photos were taken from my mobile camera, so apologies for poor quality.

Superb haul of moths this morning & a bit of overhead bird passage.

Thursday 7th September 2023.

My first Canary-shouldered Thorn moth of the year. 

It was humid overnight again and not the best sleep I had. However, the moth this morning made up for that with an excellent variety and also some nice new species for my year list. There were at least 146+ moths of 38 species recorded today with two that were new for the year: the gorgeous Canary-shouldered Thorn (annual in my garden) and the micro moth, Marsh Grey (Eudonia pallida). 

Above, Grey Dagger. Though it is very difficult to distinguish between this species and Dark Dagger, I have gone for the former. Below, the beautiful Burnished Brass moth.

Also present was my second ever (after seeing one in June earlier this year) Portland Ribbon Wave, a rare migrant moth along with my second Burnished Brass of the year, my first also in June this year. Two stunning moths indeed. Other excellent moths included a Grey Dagger and a Clancy’s Rustic and amongst the micro moths, a Marsh Grey (Eudonia pallida) was new for the year and three Gold Triangles was most certainly noteworthy. There were double figures of Willow Beauty, Pale Mottled Willow, Double-striped Pug and Small Dusty Wave and easily my best haul of moths for quite a few months. This heatwave is set for the rest of the week, so who knows what could turn up among them.

Above, Clancy's Rustic and below, Portland Ribbon Wave; both immigrant moths.

Above, my first Marsh Grey of the year.

The moths recorded this morning included the following:

• 2 Old Lady
• 4 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Grey Dagger
• 14 Willow Beauty
• 9 Marbled Beauty
• 1 Burnished Brass
• 6 Lime-speck Pug
• 3 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 10 Pale Mottled Willow
• 2 Riband Wave
• 18 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Angle Shades
• 2 Vines Rustic
• 1 Canary-shouldered Thorn (NFY)
• 12 Small Dusty Wave
• 7 Large Yellow Underwing
• 3 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 5 Garden Carpet
• 3 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
• 1 Silver Y
• 1 Clancy’s Rustic
• 1 Portland Ribbon Wave
• 1 Square-spot Rustic
• 8 Box Tree Moth
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 1 Brown House Moth
• 2 Narrow-winged Grey
• 1 Marsh Dowd
• 3 House Neb
• 2 Dark Neb
• 1 Marsh Grey (NFY)
• 1 Beautiful Plume
• 3 Gold Triangle
• 2 Elbow-striped Grass-veneer
• 4 Apple Leaf Miner
• 7 Ruddy Streak
• 3 Light Brown Apple Moth

While checking the moth box, there was a bit of bird activity going on above me with two Tree Pipits flying over along with a Grey Wagtail, several Yellow Wagtails and a Swallow. A Chiffchaff was calling in the gardens behind mine. On my first shift this morning, I heard several Yellow Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail over, but not easy to hear because of the traffic passing by.

Above, a Wheatear and below, a Yellow Wagtail. Both birds photographed at Farlington Marshes yesterday by Ollie Crabbe.

This afternoon, while not enjoying temperatures of 85 degrees, I was doing my second shift this afternoon, when I noticed a Hummingbird Hawk-moth flitting about one of the garden plants by the roadside here in Old Portsmouth. It returned a couple of minutes later after belting off somewhere, but this was my first individual for September. With this heatwave, I hope there is a lot more to come.

Grey Wagtails and Siskins over the Cemy.

Wednesday 6th September 2023.

This Willow tree is what I call the 'Flycatcher' tree as most years, the Spotted Flycatchers are seen here, but I have not seen them yet. 

We are now officially into a little heatwave where the temperature are being recorded around 90 degrees Fahrenheit and so I took my dogs for an early morning (well, 9ish as I had my first shift this morning after the School Summer break) walk around the Cemetery. There were a few more species logged this morning including both Grey Wagtail and Siskin flying overhead and a pair of Sparrowhawks soaring together in the clear blue sky.

Above, one Sparrowhawk was joined by a second bird high over the Cemetery.

The Grey Wagtails included a pair flying south and then another bird seen a little later flying south and finally another was heard only. The pair of Siskins were picked up by their call first and then, amazingly, seen flying eastbound low over the Chestnut trees. Normally, they are very high up and near impossible to see against a blue sky. All the usual birds were noted including a few singing Robins. I read this week that it is the females that sing now due to holding their territory from migrant Robins. Whether that is true or not, I am not sure because that's a new one for me. But hey, scientists are discovering new things everyday.  

Above, almost meadow-like conditions in some part of the Cemetery, which is an oasis for insects. Below, a singing Robin. Is it a female bird?

17 species, the highest this week so far, were seen or heard this morning, which included the following:

• Sparrowhawk (2 females or immatures)
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Blackbird
• Herring Gull
• Blue Tit
• Robin
• Goldfinch
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Chiffchaff
• Grey Wagtail (3 seen & 1 heard)
• Dunnock
• Wren
• House Sparrow
• Starling 

Above, a Collared Dove on an aerial on a house at the southern end of the Cemetery. Below, Holly Blue's were abundant again today.

Nothing new of note regarding the insects within the Cemy this morning. Small White butterflies were abundant again and a few Holly Blue’s and Red Admirals were on the wing too. Moths this morning included a single Straw-barred Pearl and at least a couple of Vapourer Moths. If only the latter would settle. They really are a smart looking moth. Fellow 'Lazee' Andy Friend done some 'birding' over Catherington Downs (one of my old haunts when I lived in Lovedean / Horndean) and recorded the following: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, Redstart, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Blackcap, Willow Warbler and a Bullfinch.

Above, the Smooth Sow-thistle's are growing quite tall and below, a few Herring Gulls flapped high over the Cemy today. This individual is moulting its primary feathers.

Above, the regular sortie from this Spitfire over Southsea as it went about its spins and manoeuvres high over our City.

Olive-tree Pearl moth new for the year.

Tuesday 5th September 2023.

My first Olive-tree Pearl of the year.

Putting the moth box on overnight paid dividends this morning as I clocked up a very good haul of moths and added a new species for the year list. It was going to be a humid night and even by 10pm last night, the moths came in thick and fast, with a couple of Old Ladies fluttering around and lots of Box Tree Moths. In fact, they were easily the most numerous of species this morning with a total of 22 moths in all; easily surpassing the highest total of this species this year.

One of two Old Lady moths.

An Olive-tree Pearl (Palpita vitrealis) was new for the year and though classed as a micro moth, it is certainly a smart dainty looking species. Three species of Underwing were present, while all the familiar moths were present in reasonable numbers. The weather most certainly has an impact on moth numbers and the hot weather during the day is supposed to last till at least Thursday and get up into the 90’s! I shall no doubt put the moth box on possibly tonight. 

One of three Marbled Beauty moths. 

Also noteworthy was the two Great Green Bush-crickets calling in vegetation somewhere by the gardens last night. It was too dark to see the Crickets, but I could clearly hear ‘stridulate’ (the rubbing of wings to produce their stridulation) deep within the vegetation. Sadly, they are not making the same sound during the day, but I shall keep an ear out for them.

One of at least 22 Box Tree Moths today.

A total of 97 moths of 31 species were recorded:

• 2 Old Lady
• 4 Willow Beauty
• 3 Marbled Beauty
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Silver Y
• 3 Small Dusty Wave
• 4 Garden Carpet
• 3 Shuttle-shaped Dart 
• 2 White-point
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Riband Wave
• 8 Large Yellow Underwing
• 2 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 3 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 3 Square-spot Rustic
• 4 Vines Rustic
• 3 Pale Mottled Willow
• 3 Brimstone Moth
• 2 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Olive-tree Pearl (NFY)
• 22 Box Tree Moth
• 2 Elbow-striped Grass-veneer
• 6 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Hawthorn Moth
• 5 Ruddy Streak
• 1 Chestnut Tortrix
• 1 Broom Shoot Moth
• 1 House Neb
• 2 Brown House Moth
• 1 Pellitory Cosmet

I was watering the garden during the early part of the evening and a lot of moths flew out of the plants when dowsed with water including this splendid Small Blood-vein, which was completely unexpected. This was my first of the year of this well marked moth. As dusk fell, a Migrant Hawker Dragonfly was making sorties over mine and my neighbour's garden until disappearing.