Radford’s Flame Shoulder macro moth at Brownwich Cliffs, Hampshire

The mothing location on Friday for the Fareham Mothing Group was on the coast at Browndown Cliffs. Despite the mild and calm conditions, it was relatively slow going throughout the two-and-a-half-hour session. However, the overall species list, that included several immigrant species, from the six lamps turned out to be quite respectable. The moth of the evening was a single Radford’s Flame Shoulder which was a ‘lifer’ for a few members of the group. Previously a rare immigrant from southern Europe it has occurred in far larger numbers in recent years.

Radford’s Flame Shoulder, Brownwich – 25 Oct 24

Radford’s Flame Shoulder, Brownwich – 25 Oct 24

Other immigrant species were as follows:

• Delicate
• Rusty-dot Pearl
• Scarce Bordered Straw
•  Palpita vitrealis (Jasmine Moth)

Good mothing,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) GeoSci (Open)

White-speck Macro Moth New for Fareham Garden

I first operated a moth trap in my Fareham back garden in September 2009, and I have operated it whenever I’ve been at home during suitable weather. Every year my garden list has grown, and 2024 has proved to be a particularly good year now fifteen years on, with nine additional macro species to date. The last, earlier in the month was White-speck that I almost discarded as a Clay.

White-speck, Fareham Garden – 12 Oct 24

The other NFGs are as follows:

• Pale Oak Beauty
• Poplar Kitten
• Crescent
• Four-spotted Footman
• Small Wainscot
• Southern Wainscot
• Bloxworth Snout
• Plumed Fan-foot (flew off before I managed to take a record photograph)

Pale Oak Beauty, Fareham Garden – 9 May 24

Poplar Kitten, Fareham Garden – 30 May 24

Crescent, Fareham Garden - 10 Aug 24

Four-spotted Footman (male), Fareham Garden - 13 Aug 24

Small Wainscot, Fareham Garden – 14 Aug 24

Southern Wainscot, Fareham Garden – 14 Aug 24

Bloxworth Snout, Fareham Garden – 28 Aug 24

Good mothing,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) GeoSci (Open)

Wild Turkey on Boston Common, Massachusetts

During our first full day in Boston we completed the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail, and after dinner at the Quincy Market headed back to the hotel. Whilst walking through the eastern side of Boston Common in the fading light I noticed a large bird on the ground ahead and was surprised to realise that it was a Wild Turkey. I assumed it must be a domesticated bird, but its wings didn’t appear to be clipped, and it had no leg rings. Consequently, I concluded it was a wild bird. It was totally unexpected and the last species to be added to the Trip List.

Wild Turkey, Boston – 3 Aug 24

Double-crested Cormorant, Boston – 3 Aug 24

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) GeoSci (Open)