A new micro moth for my Life List & a walk around Eastney Point.

Monday 21st April 2025.

One of two Brimstone Moths were present today.

As it was an overcast evening yesterday, I put my Moth Box on overnight and there were a good number of moths present this morning. A total of 22 moths of 12 species were recorded this morning including my first ever Apple Nymph. New for the garden this year included Brimstone Moths and a Twenty-plume Moth and also my second Brindled Pug  and Silver Y for my garden this year.

Above, the Twenty-plume Moth and below, a Silver Y.

The Moths present this morning included the following:

• Brimstone Moth x2
• Double-striped Pug x4
• Brindled Pug x1
• Shuttle-shaped Dart x2
• Silver Y x1
• Beautiful Plume x1
• Common Plume x2
• Twenty-plume Moth x1
• Ruddy Dart x3
• Apple Nymph x1 (New for year)
• Hourglass Mompha x3
• Light Brown Apple Moth x1

Above, the Hourglass Mompha and below, the Apple Nymph micro moth, which was new for the year.

While checking the moths, a Pied Wagtail flew overhead heading south and it was good to hear a lot of House Sparrows squabbling in a nearby neighbour's garden. They have been so scarce this year around the gardens. I shall be putting out some bird pellets this morning to encourage them.

Eastney Point:

Med Gulls on Eastney Beach.

This afternoon, I had the opportunity to take my dogs for a pleasant walk around the harbour entrance in Eastney and also taking in Eastney Point. The weather was overcast, but hardly any wind whatsoever and not too many people about either, especially around the Point area. Arriving around 1pm, I first parked up on the spit adjacent to the Hayling Ferry and checked out both Lock Lake and the southern end of Langstone Harbour, but all I could find were Herring and Black-headed Gulls on the mudflats and the odd Oystercatcher passing low over the water.

Above, an Oystercatcher flying over Langstone Harbour and below, a pair of Med Gulls quietly watching the world go by near the Hayling Ferry.

However, a pair of adult Mediterranean Gulls were quietly sitting on the beach by the Car Park and showing very nicely close to the small road. Med Gulls are very vocal and have that very distinctive call and could be heard out in Lock Lake. After a 10 minute walk around here, we got back into the car and took the short drive to the Ferry Road Car Park where I passed a lot of Oxford Ragwort in bloom along the side of the road.

Above and below, more Mediterraanean Gulls were near Eastney Pier.

Above, a female and below, a male Linnet on the perimeter fence.

Parking up, we took a look at the field adjacent to Fort Cumberland where there were four more Mediterranean Gulls on the field and a pair of Linnets showed well on the perimeter fence. A pair of Collared Doves sat on the wires and I could hear a distant Common Whitethroat calling in the distance as was a singing Dunnock. A male Greenfinch briefly was doing its display flight (the first time I have seen this so far this year) and then returned to the same flowering tree it came from. A Skylark suddenly rose from the beach area and began singing and then eventually settled in the field by the perimeter fence.

Above, Sea Radish and below, Hoary Cress growing abundantly near Eastney Pier.

Above, Oxford Ragwort also growing abundantly here at Eastney and below, Buddy and Ted enjoying the walk on the beach.

Above, a pair of Sandwich Terns flying westbound out into the Solent and below, yet another Med Gull showing very well near the Pier.

Above, top four photos of the Skylark seen by the Pier and then flying into the adjacent field. Below, a pair of Collared Doves were seen perched on the perimeter fence.

As we moved on south to Eastney Pier, there were many more Mediterranean Gulls on the beach and they looked stunning in the summer plumage. A pair of Sandwich Terns flew south and then west along the beach as I let my dogs run free for around 15 minutes or so and had a quick paddle in the water. I was sure I heard a Whimbrel flying over, but failed to see the bird as the sky looking south was getting darker due to incoming rain. So we made our way back slowly to the car and took in some of the flowering plants on the beach and footpath that included Sea Radish, Oxford Ragwort, Mallow and Hoary Cress. A pleasant walk was had of which I must bring the dogs back here again for there are not many places where I live they can be off their lead.

An evening walk around Farlington Marshes.

Sunday 20th April 2025.

The Lake area on Farlington Marshes. Will the reedbeds grow back to its former glory? The years I spent here since I was a teeneger and it only took a few weeks to nearly destroy an act of stupidity. Lets hope all goes well for the restoration of this wonderful place in the future.

When news reached me on the ‘Lazee Birder’s Whatsapp site that a Short-eared Owl was found on Farlington Marshes and photographed, I simply had to go down there and hopefully see the bird. I never saw one last year and with one so late for this time of year, it certainly would have been a good species to see for my year list. I arrived at the site around 6pm and on a receding tide, I slowly made my way around to the Point Field where it was last seen flying too. 

The Short-eared Owl on Farlington Marshes late this afternoon. Photo by Pete Gammage. Below, this male Kestrel posed nicely near the Lake area as I passed by.

I had met Pete Gammage within the Car Park who told me where the Owl had flown too and also Jason Crook by the Viewing Platform who said the same thing. But, despite a lengthy search for the bird, there was no sign of it, which was very disappointing, but being here with so many different birds on show certainly made up for that. In fact, there were a lot of species here that actually made the trip here worth the effort.

Above, one of many Redshank seen tonight. This one was on the small pool by the harbour wall and below, this male Wheatear had flown from the footpath to the neighbouring field.

Walking along the footpath while passing the Bushes area, I could hear Chiffchaff, Song Thrush and distant Reed Warblers singing. Med Gulls were ‘mewing’ everywhere and I wasn't quite prepared on how many of this species were on the reserve this evening. Simply hundreds!! The Lake area looks so different from years past, with stunted reedbeds due to the Sluice Gate fiasco from last year. Will the reedbeds here ever grow back to their former glory? At least the waders are returning onto the Lake as I passed a few Redshank feeding along the muddy fringes.

Above, a Shelduck near the Point Field and below, a Little Egret searching for a tasty fish.

As I briefly chatted to Jason and then made my way to the Point Field, a pair of Sandwich Terns noisily flew past and then I came across a superb male Wheatear that flew from the harbour wall and onto the edge of the field below. Meadow Pipits were displaying over the fields and the sound of the nesting Gulls on the islands out in Langstone Harbour was amazing. Like a cloud of white floating over the islands, the Gulls suddenly all got up as one as I checked for a passing raptor overhead. Could the Owl be out there or a passing Osprey?

Above and below, a noisy flock of Oystercatchers flew by from the Point.

Above, a pair of Dunlin near the Oyster Island and below, a pair of Little Terns flew past from the sea wall.

When I got up to the Point Field, there were Sedge Warblers, Cetti’s Warblers and Common Whitethroats all in song, though they were very difficult to see, hiding in the brambles, though I did see a few Whitethroats further near the Deeps area. A few Linnets were around and a pair of Gadwall that seemed a little out of place here; but no sign of the Short-eared Owl. I then made my way to the Deeps and found the near resident Spoonbill feeding in the shallow pools and showed superbly wafting its long bill through the water and then eventually the bird rested on the edge and began preening. There is something special about this species that one cannot fail to admire such a beautiful bird.

Above, the Spoonbill fishing on one of the pools upon the Deeps and below, a cloud of both Med and Black-headed Gulls on the islands.

Above, the number of Med Gulls among the Black-headed Gulls on the reserve was amazing. Below, the Tern Rafts were full of nesting Gulls.

It was the Mediterranean Gulls that really caught my eye for not only were they noisy but they were in such large numbers out over the Deeps and beyond in the fields, it really beggared belief. I can remember when they were such rare birds and way back in the early 1980’s, rushing to the Lake from the old Warden’s Hut (Where the Info Centre is now at) and finding one sitting there in fine summer plumage. Now they are all over the place 45 years later!!! Other birds picked up here on the Deeps included Tufted Ducks, Oystercatcher and Grey Heron, while Reed Warblers were singing deep within the reeds and with all the noise going on from the Gulls on the newly created islands on the Deeps along with the Tern Rafts, it was an amazing spectacle to behold.

Above, the newly created islands proved favourable to the Gulls on the Deeps and below, a found my first Cowslips of the year growing by the harbour wall.

A few waders were also seen over the reserve and the harbour that included a pair of Dunlin off Oyster Island, a few Ringed Plover darting about over the water and a small mixed flock of Turnstone and Redshank that I had flushed while walking close to the perimeter wall. I even watched a Whimbrel try to settle on what it had thought was shallow water then realised that it was deeper than expected and eventually flew back to the Saltmarsh nearby.

Above, a large number of Avocet were on the Stream area and below, the feeding Spoonbill on the Deeps tonight.

I constantly checked the reedbed by the Stream area just in case the Owl was there, but again there was no sign of the bird and while walking to the Lake, I found at least 26 Avocets feeding in the shallow water along with good numbers of Gulls and Mallard. It was now getting towards dusk and as I passed the Bushes back to the Car Park once more, I could hear the last sounds of a singing Chiffchaff somewhere deep within the Bushes to round off a lovely evening. Shame about the Owl, but what an excellent backing support.

Quiet again over the Cemy.

Sunday 20th April 2025.

The footpath led to the southern half of the Cemy.

The weather seemed a bit chilly this morning and there was patchy cloud drifting over on an easterly wind as I took the dogs for their early morning walk around Highland Road Cemetery. There were not many dog-walkers this morning, but it was fairly quiet within the Cemy with not many birds actually singing either. I couldn't find any migrant birds here, but a few of the usual birds kept me entertained and now plants are emerging, there were a few that were seen for the first time flowering this morning.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

One of a pair of Med Gulls flying over the Cemy.

I only managed 13 species of bird this morning while walking the dogs around the Cemetery, which was rather low for this time of year, but I did get to see the male Great Spotted Woodpecker again. He was quite vocal this morning, calling in various parts of the Cemetery, but I came across him over on the east side having landed in an old Horse Chestnut tree until flying off into the neighbouring trees.

Above, the Lords & Ladies plants in the southern half of the Cemy are nearly in full bloom. Below, Robins were busy looking for worms and insects throughout the Cemy.

Above, the Horse Chestnut trees are in full leaf now by the Mausoleum.

Above, the top four photos are of the male Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Above, a male Blackbird in search of a juicy worm.

Several Mediterranean Gulls flew high over the Cemetery, but only the two birds were actually seen along with the usual Herring and Black-headed Gulls. A few Wrens sang and occasionally, a Robin, but nothing else of note. There were several showy Blackbirds near the footpath, searching for worms etc. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them had young in the nest here.

Above, Thyme-leaved Speedwell and below, Ribwort Plantain that was now flowering.

Above, Herb Bennet also now in flower.

Hardly any insects were seen, but some new flowering plants were showing that included Herb Bennet, the tiny Thyme-leaved Speedwell and Ribwort Plantain were also flowering. I regularly kept an eye out in the sky for my first Swift of the year as it should not be long now.

One superb 'sea-watch' from Gilkicker.

Saturday 19th April 2025.

A flock of Bar-tailed Godwits with two Black-tailed Godwits heading east over the Solent this morning. This was seen early when we first arrived and a superb prelude on what was to come.

I knew the weather was going to be showery all morning and that some of the ‘Lazee Birders’ were going to watch from Sandy Point on Hayling Island. I most certainly did not want to get a good soaking from there and so took both Geoff Farwell and Andy Fisher to Gilkicker instead and boy, didn't it pay off! As Geoff said, it was arguably one of or even the best Spring seawatches we have ever had in Hampshire. The amount of birds and also the variety of birds was superb and kept us busy from 8.30am onwards although it went very quiet by 2pm. A strong easterly was blowing through the Solent and the overcast and showery conditions produced some amazing numbers of birds today, but once the clouds disappeared, the waders still came through en force.

Even the moths this morning at our respective Moth Traps (mine and Andy’s) produced some excellent moths and a nice variety there too!

The Moth Boxes:

Only my second ever Lunar Marbled Brown moth, which was found in Andy's garden.

I only had a quick look at my Moth Box early this morning before making my way to Geoff's house due to the fact it was both blowing a gale and raining. However, there was an Angle Shades present on the wall beside the Moth Box, but no others I could see; so I made my way to Geoffs.

This Grey Dagger moth was my first of the year and within my Moth Box late this afternoon.

On reaching Andy’s Moth Box, I soon discovered almost immediately a Lunar Marbled Brown moth just outside of his Conservatory. This, I believe, is only the second of this species I have ever seen; the last was seen over The Oaks Crematorium many years ago. Other moths present included my first Brimstone Moth of the year of which there were at least three present. The moths recorded here in Andy’s garden included the following:

• Lunar Marbled Brown x1
• Brimstone Moth x3
• Light Brown Apple Moth x1
• Shuttle-shaped Dart x1

When I got home from Gilkicker this afternoon, I had the inside of the Moth Box to check and thankfully, there were a few more moths to be discovered that included my first Grey Dagger of the year. The following moths were present in my garden today included:

• Angle Shades x1
• Shuttle-shaped Dart x1
• Grey Dagger x1
• Early Grey x1
• Light Brown Apple Moth x1
• Common Plume x2 

This Brimstone Moth was one of three and my first of the year.

The Solent, Gilkicker, Gosport:

A mixture of Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwit heading east.

Even when we first arrived at the Car Park, a Wheatear flew over the road and into a neighbouring field and though it was raining, the sea looked perfect for a good start to our sea-watch from this site. Already, the guys over at Sandy Point had already scored early with sightings of Arctic Skua, a Black Tern and Fulmars; so the omens were most certainly looking good. There were just us three all morning and early afternoon here in the shelter, though reports were coming in from the Lazee Birders Whatsapp from Lepe, Hill-Head, Lee on Solent and Sandy Point to keep us fully informed on what was passing through around us on the south coast.

The following birds were seen today here from Gilkicker:

• Bar-tailed Godwit: As soon as we arrived and set up scope, the first Bar-tailed Godwits came through with a big flock of 35 birds and as Geoff rightly pointed out, there were two Black-tailed Godwits among them, which was most unusual. Other big flocks went through including flocks of 40, 30 and 20 birds and some with much smaller numbers in both summer and winter plumage all flying eastbound. A total of 130 birds had passed by during our stay here.

• Arctic Skua: A total of three birds passed through east that included a pair (a dark-phased bird and my first light-phased bird) and a single dark-phased bird; but unlike yesterday, they were half way out in the Solent.

• Whimbrel: Like the Barwits, this species also went through in good numbers and some of the flocks held a few Barwits among them. Up to 59 Whimbrels passed by eastbound with some quite close to the shoreline too.

• Gannet: Three very distant adult birds moved slowly east over on the Isle of Wight side of the Solent. This was Andy’s first sighting of this species for the year.

• Little Gull: We had heard that a flock of Little Gulls were actually seen from Hill-Head and were actually following a Great Skua! Sadly, we never saw the Great Skua, but a flock of 12 Little Gulls were seen flying very low over the waves heading east and later in the morning, another 4 more birds were flying together also heading east.

• Sandwich Tern: Though we had the usual birds going up and down the shoreline, though not in the same numbers as yesterday, there were a few flocks going purposely through the Solent that included a flock of 7 birds heading east.

• Common Tern: A flock of 4 birds flew low eastbound over the waves (Andy and Geoff’s first birds of the year) and a single bird was seen heading west about an hour later. I was hoping for some big flocks today, but that didn't happen.

• Yellow Wagtail: I heard a bird calling overhead and thankfully, a flock of three birds flew in off the sea and then flying north heading over the big field behind us. One could clearly see their yellow plumage as they flew off. It does make a nice change actually seeing the birds instead of hearing them.

Above, I was lucky to grab this photo of one of the Swallows that had just come off the sea. They really do fly so very quick. Below, a lone Whimbrel flying east.

Above, Geoff was all smiles with what we saw this morning and below, three more Whimbrels flying east close in.

Above, more waders heading east. They certainly were a magnificent sight to witness.

• Swallow: Swallows were coming in off the sea quite frequently that included a total of 11 birds in all; the most being 4 coming in together.

• Wheatear: As mentioned earlier, one was seen flying over the road to the Car Park and another, a female bird, was seen flying low over the beach and briefly perched on the shingle. Sadly, a lot of people were now out walking their dogs and the bird was soon flushed.

• Tufted Duck: After the strange sighting of a Black Swan seen earlier this week off Southsea Beach, the sighting of a drake Tufted Duck heading east low over the sea had us scratching our heads. Very odd.

• Oystercatcher: Only one bird seen all morning flying east low over the sea.

• Little Tern: I finally caught up with my first Little Tern of the year with a superb individual flying east close to the shoreline. It continued heading east as Geoff watched it actually dive for a fish.

• Sanderling: Geoff picked up a flock of 6 Sanderling flying west low over the sea and another individual was seen with a flock of Dunlin heading east.

• Dunlin: In total, 12 birds were seen including a flock of 6 birds and the rest in pairs. All the birds were in their lovely summer plumage.

• Auk species: a single very distant Auk was flying east low over the sea but was far too distant to get a confirmed ID; very much to Andy’s annoyance. Apparently, a Razorbill was seen flying east and a Guillemot flying west from Lepe this morning!

• Little Egret: A single bird flew west low over the beach.

• Great Crested Grebe: A summer plumaged bird flew west and then landed in front of us on the sea, but quickly disappeared due to nearby Sailborders.

• Peregrine: A male bird, which was virtually our notable sighting, was picked up high flying out to sea and occasionally flew low over the sea only to rise again and head towards the Isle of Wight.

I have to agree with Geoff, that this was one of the best ‘sea-watches’ in Hampshire I have ever had and with the right conditions, who knows what will turn up through the Solent over the coming months? Yes, we might have dipped out on the Black Tern and Great Skua seen by other birders this morning; but that was one good selection of birds seen today.

A pair of Spitfires on their way to Daedalus Airport nearby.