No change with the moths today.

Wednesday 27th September 2023.

A mixture of Large Yellow Underwing, Feathered Rananculus, Clancy's Rustic and Lunar Underwing moths this morning.

A breezier and overcast morning today, with a south-easterly wind (good for sea-watching!). I got out to check the moth box this morning around 7am as it's getting darker in the mornings now and as expected, there weren't too many about this morning. I know I have said that I will not put the moth box on consecutive nights, but I am getting fewer moths now and the chance of getting something new for the year is always a possibility (like yesterday), though this morning, it was the same regular moths.

There were 28 moths of 14 species this morning and probably the pick of the bunch would be the Clancy’s Rustics  in what has been a very good Autumn for them in my garden and I believe nationally as well.

The moths present this morning included the following:

• 3 Double-striped Pug
• 2 Willow Beauty
• 3 Lunar Underwing
• 4 Pale Mottled Willow
• 2 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 3 Feathered Ranunculus
• 1 Clancy’s Rustic
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Small Dusty Wave
• 1 Common Plume
• 1 Ruddy Streak 
• 4 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Box Tree Moth
• 1 Blastobasis vittata

While checking the moths, a Yellow Wagtail was heard to fly over, but I failed to see the bird despite it being overcast. But I was more successful with a flyover Meadow Pipit flying south. On my first shift today, while driving to work, I saw a female Peregrine flying low overhead when I was on Eastney Esplanade and upsetting the local Gulls. The female Sparrowhawk was seen again, briefly flying over Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth. Several flocks of Meadow Pipits were seen flying south and a single Swallow was seen flying east in line with the roadside trees.

Above, the immature Surf Scoter was still present today off Pennington Marshes. Photo by Steve Copsey. Below, there were two Red Admiral butterflies perched on my garden fence this afternoon, but one flew off when I took a photo of the remaining butterfly.

Moth 'lifer' this morning.

Tuesday 26th September 2023.

This micro moth, Saltmarsh Bell, is normally a coastal moth, but I am pleased that this 'lifer' was found in my moth box this morning. 

With all these extremely rare American passerines turning up in the UK due to those strong westerly winds last week, surely something unusual would turn up in Southsea, perhaps? OK, it wasn't a bird I discovered this morning, but a ‘lifer’ micro moth in the form of a Saltmarsh Bell (Eucosma tripoliana). This tiny moth was sitting on one of the egg trays within the moth box, but when I went to pot it, it quickly took flight, hence my dodgy photos of the moth before it flew. Bugger! Nevertheless, a great start to the day, the only other noteworthy moth was a Clancy’s Rustic, but no other surprises among the moths present this morning. A total of at least 32 moths of 16 species this morning.

A selection of moths that were in my moth box today including: Lunar Underwing, L-album Wainscot and a Feathered Ranunculus.

The following were recorded today:

• 2 Willow Beauty
• 1 Clancy’s Rustic
• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 2 Feathered Ranunculus
• 5 Pale Mottled Willow
• 5 L-album Wainscot
• 4 Lunar Underwing
• 2 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 3 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Ruddy Streak
• 1 Common Plume
• 1 London Dowd
• 2 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 2 Box Tree Moth
• 4 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 SALTMARSH BELL

Two common Autumn moths, Lunar Underwing & Feathered Ranunculus.

Overhead, while checking the moths, there was a small passage of both Meadow Pipit and Siskin going over.

Above, there have been some amazing American passerines found in Wales including this stunning Bay-breasted Warbler on Ramsey Island. Photo by Ashley Howe. Below, this Canada Warbler was found at the same place as the Magnolia Warbler at St. Govans Head, Pembrokeshire! Photo by Nick Bristow. 

On my first shift this morning in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, there was a near constant stream of Meadow Pipits going over in various size flocks plus several small flocks of Siskins. As the traffic got heavier from 8.15am onwards, it then becomes difficult to pick up the bird's calls and so I have to rely on sightings only. Thankfully, it was a bit overcast this morning and the birds are much easier to pick up. On the way back home, a male Sparrowhawk was seen flying high over Clarence Parade, being escorted by a flock of Starlings! 

A friend of mine in South Africa sent me this superb photo of a Measly Hawk-moth. Amazing colours.

Early reports in Hampshire this morning included a juvenile Purple Sandpiper at Hill Head with the Turnstones and Emma Parkes has texted me to say that a lot of Swallows are flying over the motorway this morning. Both the Red-necked Phalarope (Keyhaven Marshes) and the Grey Phalarope (now at Titchfield Haven in front of the Meonshore Hide) were present today and this morning, an immature Surf Scoter was found off Keyhaven Marshes!

Fellow 'Lazee' John Manley went on a 'twitch' around the UK and managed to add to his life list with (above) a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Blacktoft Sands, nr Goole, East Yorkshire. Then he went off to Marshside RSPB Reserve, Southport, Lancashire for the juvenile American Golden Plover. Below, the AGP (left) with a Golden Plover.  

Above, the juvenile Purple Sandpiper that was found this morning at Hill Head with the Turnstone. Photo by Pete Appleton. Below, a couple more excellent photos of the juvenile Grey Phalarope at Hill Head last weekend. The bird is still present and now on the actual Reserve itself. Photos by Daz Gorman.

Flocks of Siskins over the Cemy.

Monday 25th September 2023.

One of the Siskins seen this morning over the Cemetery heading west. Not easy to take a flight shot with a Bridge Camera.

Another glorious day here in Southsea with wall to wall blue sky and reasonably warm too (18 degrees). My first shift this morning was fairly quiet, but I did see a small flock of 8 Siskins flying low overhead heading west and a single Meadow Pipit also flying in the same direction. When I got back home, after a few chores, I was off again with the dogs around Highland Road Cemetery for another ramble around my local patch. The dogs now (they are rescue dogs we took on) are behaving quite well on the lead and so I shall probably take them further afield soon.

Above, this Red Admiral butterfly allowed me a close approach while taking this photo. Below, a pair of Collared Doves on the main footpath.

Up to 18 species of birds were noted on my walk around the Cemetery this morning, between 9.15 to 10.15am and there was a good movement of Siskins today. Most were actually seen too and I even grabbed a few ‘ropey’ photos of them flying away from me. I would say that at least 6 different flocks flew over, though it does help in picking up their distinctive call first. Several flocks of Meadow Pipits also flew over, but in much smaller numbers than of late. The Goldcrest was seen briefly over on the east side having spent some time in one of the Conifers. No sign of any Woodpeckers this morning. A dog-walker asked me if I had seen any today because she had not seen them for some time. I am hoping the Yellow-browed Warbler might turn up again this Autumn. I have had them 3 times in the Cemetery over the years I have been coming here. Fingers crossed.

Above, there were several singing Robins about this morning and also a few 'ticking' individuals heard too. Below, the Comma butterfly seen on the 'Butterfly Bush' along with a partially hidden Red Admiral.

Birds seen in the Cemetery this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull (still scarce here at this time of year)
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Goldcrest (heard calling)
• Chiffchaff (2 or possibly 3 birds)
• Goldfinch
• Siskin (6 different flocks)
• Blue Tit
• Dunnock (2 heard)
• Robin
• Blackbird
• Starling
• House Sparrow
• Meadow Pipit
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow

Another photo of the Siskins flying away from me heading west.

The Ivy bush that I saw 25 Red Admiral butterflies on actually held more than that today. In fact, there were close to 50 individuals on that very bush and not counting the many I saw on other Ivy bushes and also resting on gravestones, I would assume that there were probably triple figures of them here today! Incredible! On the same big Ivy bush, I found a Comma butterfly with them as well as the Hornet-mimic Hoverfly. Drone Flies, Batman Hoverflies and Ivy Mason Bees were also abundant on the same plants as expected. 

Above, three Glossy Ibis graced Posbrook Floods recently. Photo by Pete Appleton. Below, two male Bearded Tits showing well on the Lake area on Farlington Marshes this morning. Photo by Chris Geary.

My first Lesser Redpoll this Autumn.

Friday 22nd September 2023.

Southsea seafront early this morning. Could there be more Grey Phalarope's lingering out there?

I have a busy day today with work and so getting down to Hill Head to see the Grey Phalarope will have to be shelved for now. However, I did manage to see a few birds on my first shift on Pembroke Road this morning and then a walk around Highland Road Cemetery with the dogs afterwards. It was a gorgeous morning, a bit cold at first, but a cloudless sky with bright sunshine and it was simply a pleasure to be out in it after the grim weather earlier this week.

Above, a view of a very calm Solent this morning. Below, one of many Chiffchaffs in the Cemetery.

With the news of the Grey Phalarope still off Hill Head, before my first shift, I had a quick look on the sea near the Pyramids and though the sea was dead calm, there were no birds on the shoreline or offshore, bar a Cormorant heading east low over the Solent. However, overhead, there was a steady stream of Meadow Pipits and one Grey Wagtail over. More Meadow Pipits flew over Pembroke Road during my first shift this morning and even a couple of Chiffchaffs were seen and a Swallow over. However, the drone of the traffic going past most of the time drowned out any bird calls overhead. Fume!

Above and below, a few Starlings were singing in the sunshine.

When I got home, I quickly got the dogs and made my way over to Highland Road Cemetery where I had a good total of species seen this morning. At least 19 species were recorded today, that included my first Lesser Redpoll of the Autumn. I heard the bird first and thankfully, it flew overhead as I watched it head off east. More and more flocks of Meadow Pipits flew over, some high up and others fairly low down, but kept me busy checking on them. You never know when something a little more unusual might fly over. There must have been a fall of Chiffchaffs overnight for there were at least 15+ seen and probably a lot more around all areas of the Cemetery.

This Chiffchaff was over on the south-east side of the Cemetery.

Other notable birds included two Swallows heading fast west and a Pied Wagtail flying north over the rooftops. The Jay was heard this morning and not seen, but I was more lucky with the Dunnock; a species that is very elusive in the Cemetery.

One of many Meadow Pipits flying over the Cemetery.

The birds seen this morning included the following:

• Chiffchaff
• Swallow
• Siskin
• Lesser Redpoll
• Goldfinch
• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Starling
• Dunnock
• House Sparrow
• Blackbird
• Blue Tit
• Meadow Pipit
• Pied Wagtail
• Jay
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow

Butterflies this morning included good numbers of Red Admiral, which mostly were seen enjoying the flowering Ivy. Several Large White’s were noted and on one large clump of Ivy, a Speckled Wood was also nectaring with the Red Admirals. This particular clump of Ivy held all the usual Bees and Hoverflies, plus at least two Hornet-mimic Hoverflies.

Above, both Speckled Wood butterfly and Red Admiral feeding on the flowering Ivy and also a Batman Hoverfly about to arrive to join them. Below, a Drone Fly and Hornet-mimic Hoverfly on the same bush.

Above, a Speckled Wood butterfly.

When I got home, after having a cup of coffee, the Ivy in my back garden also hosted good numbers of Bees and Hoverflies that included a Hornet-mimic Hoverfly and up to 6 Red Admiral butterflies! Even a Small White butterfly also popped in to join in the feast and yes, there was a Chiffchaff calling in the gardens near mine. They seemed to be everywhere today.

The following photos were all taken in my garden. Above, a Small White butterfly dropped in near the Ivy plants. Below, a Tapered Drone Fly on the Ivy.

Above, two of the five Red Admiral butterflies in my garden.

There are still a few Grey Phalaropes present here on the Hampshire coast and although there was a big scare when a Peregrine nearly took the Hill Head bird, it looks as though it is still present there late this afternoon. Phew! Possibly two birds are still at Keyhaven Marshes and one was seen at Hook-with-Warsash this morning. How many more are out there that have not been seen yet. Let's hope one hangs around for me and the guys tomorrow.   

The superb Magnolia Warbler at St. Govan's Head, Pembrokeshire. Thanks goes to Simon Craft for allowing me to put his photo on my blog.

Two more moth 'year-ticks' & an explosion of Red Admirals.

Sunday 24th September 2023.

Black Rustic, Delicate, 2 Feathered Ranunculus and a Lunar Underwing were all in and around my moth box this morning.

After a cracking day yesterday, I thought it was going to be a quiet day, but it started with another couple of moth ‘year-ticks’ within my moth box. Well, not quite, as the egg tray resting outside on my moth box held both a superb Black Rustic (one of my favourite moths) and two Feathered Ranunculus; two very familiar Autumn species to my garden. The Delicate moth from yesterday was still present (or possibly another one?) along with 3 Lunar Underwing. The numbers of moths are now dwindling, but I am looking forward to getting some interesting Autumn moths over the coming weeks.

• 1 Black Rustic
• 2 Feathered Ranunculus
• 4 Pale Mottled Willow
• 3 Lunar Underwing
• 3 L-album Wainscot
• 3 Large Yellow Underwing
• 2 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 1 Narrow-winged Grey
• 5 Ruddy Streak
• 6 Box Tree Moth
• 3 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Common Plume 

Black Rustic moth.

After a delicious breakfast at the Garage Lounge, Albert Road, Southsea this morning (saw a flock of Swallows heading west from there!), when we got back home, I took the dogs out for a walk around the Cemetery again. Though there wasn’t anything really out of the ordinary again regarding the birds, it was nice to see two flocks of Swallows belting over the Cemetery heading west. Surprisingly, there were no Meadow Pipits going over and only the one Chiffchaff was recorded. Still no ‘Yank’ Warblers in the Cemy (wishful thinking!), as they are all in Wales at the moment!!!

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Goldfinch
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Robin
• Starling
• Pied Wagtail
• Chiffchaff 
• Swallow (flocks of 5 + 4)
• Magpie
• Jay
• Carrion Crow 

Above, the Jay showed itself briefly again, this time near the main entrance. Below, this Collared Dove was trying to chase away Magpies from the Conifer in the south-west corner.

Above, a pair of 'Squab' Wood Pigeons trying to get food off a parent bird. Below, the Hornet-mimic Hoverfly seen on the east side of the Cemetery.

Above, the same Hornet-mimic Hoverfly and below, at least four Red Admiral butterflies in this photo.

Above, can you count how many Red Admiral butterflies are in this photo I took this morning? Below, the very bush the above butterflies were in, with at least 25 individuals counted!!!

There is a tall flowering Ivy Bush in the centre of the Cemetery that regularly attracts the Bees and Hoverflies, but it also attracts the butterflies and so I was amazed to count at least 25+ Red Admiral butterflies upon it, gorging themselves on the Ivy nectar. More were seen throughout the Cemetery, but the only other butterflies noted were a couple of Small White’s and one Large White. Another Hornet-mimic Hoverfly was encountered, but this time over on a gravestone in the south-east corner of the perimeter path. 

Knot-grass. I discovered this low lying plant on one of the graves. I cannot say I have ever seen it in the Cemetery before. Thanks to Geoff Farwell for the ID of the plant. Plus Ted and Buddy having a good sniff!

This morning, it seems Selsey Bill is having a good 'sea watch' with both a juvenile Long-tailed Skua and eight Sooty and one Balearic Shearwater through early morning; all heading west. The Red-necked Phalarope and Curlew Sandpiper are still on Keyhaven Marshes and a Storm Petrel was reported in the Solent.