Natural History Diary : September 2025
Sunday 28th September
The first moth trap run for over a week because of low overnight temperatures produced 101 moths from 12 species. Lunar Underwing was by far the most numerous, with 69 individuals. Firsts of the year were Barred Sallow, Beaded Chestnut, Black Rustic, Deep-brown Dart and Lesser Treble-bar. Also of note were an Angle Shades and two White-point. During the day I saw a couple of butterflies, a Red Admiral and a Small White. There was at least one Ivy Bee on the Ivy during the afternoon, and a White Ermine larva was sunning itself on an Ivy leaf. A Common Darter was in next door's garden.
Angle Shades, Aston, Oxon, 28th Sep
Barred Sallow, Aston, Oxon, 28th Sep
Beaded Chestnut, Aston, Oxon, 28th Sep
Angle Shades | Aston, Oxon Barred Sallow | Aston, Oxon Beaded Chestnut | Aston, Oxon
Black Rustic, Aston, Oxon, 28th Sep
Deep-brown Dart, Aston, Oxon, 28th Sep
Ivy Bee, Aston, Oxon, 28th Sep
Black Rustic | Aston, Oxon Deep-brown Dart | Aston, Oxon Ivy Bee | Aston, Oxon
Lesser Treble-bar ♂, Aston, Oxon, 28th Sep
White Ermine (larva), Aston, Oxon, 28th Sep
  
Lesser Treble-bar ♂ | Aston, Oxon White Ermine (larva) | Aston, Oxon  
Wednesday 24th September
A fairly cloudy day. When the sun was out there were two Red Admirals, a Peacock and two Hornets on the Ivy flowers. I saw a Holly Blue in the afternoon.
Tuesday 23rd September
There were only four Red Admirals on the Ivy today. A Peacock flew around the garden, but didn't stop on the Ivy. The Vapourer caterpillar that I found pupating earlier this month has emerged - a female. She had clearly been mated as there were lots of eggs. But they are on the lid of a plastic recycling bin, so I'll have to keep them safe until spring. Other things today were three Buzzards overhead, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker on the peanut feeder.
Peacock, Aston, Oxon, 23rd Sep
Vapourer ♀, Aston, Oxon, 23rd Sep
  
Peacock | Aston, Oxon Vapourer ♀ | Aston, Oxon  
Monday 22nd September
There were five Red Admirals on the garden Ivy this morning. I saw another one at the allotment in the afternoon, along with a late Brown Argus. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth was in the garden in the late afternoon, but with few nectar sources available it didn't stay long.
Sunday 21st September
At Standlake this morning there were several Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest along Shifford lane, and a Cetti's Warbler burst into song. Pit 60 was rather quite, at least until lots of Canada and Greylag Geese arrived. I also saw two Egyptian Geese. Lapwings were back in numbers; I counted at least 80. The only waders were two Common Sandpipers which stayed on the north shore. Shoveler was the most numerous duck. I also saw two Red Admirals and a Muntjac.
In the garden four Red Admirals were on Ivy flowers again (at 5.15pm). In the morning there were several Ivy Bees and a Hornet on the Ivy. I also saw a Peacock in the garden. At the allotment I saw another Red Admiral and another Peacock.
Red Admiral, Aston, Oxon, 21st Sep
Shoveler ♂, Standlake Common, Oxon, 21st Sep
  
Red Admiral | Aston, Oxon Shoveler ♂ | Standlake Common, Oxon  
Friday 19th September
There were 83 moths from 13 species in the trap this morning. Rusty-dot Pearl was a first of the year. Three Rush Veneer were noteworthy. The most numerous species was Large Yellow Underwing with 29 individuals, followed by Lunar Underwing with 23.
I visited Radley Lakes between 14:30 and 15:30, in warm conditions. There were a few butterflies about: I saw two Red Admirals, two Peacocks and five Speckled Wood. I was mainly looking for dragonflies, and I found three male Western Willow Spreadwings, five Migrant Hawkers (including a pair in cop), five Common Darters and two Common Blue Damselflies.
Back at home there were two Red Admirals on Ivy flowers.
Lunar Underwing, Aston, Oxon, 19th Sep
Rush Veneer, Aston, Oxon, 19th Sep
Rusty-dot Pearl, Aston, Oxon, 19th Sep
Lunar Underwing | Aston, Oxon Rush Veneer | Aston, Oxon Rusty-dot Pearl | Aston, Oxon
Common Darter ♀, Radley Lakes, Oxon, 19th Sep
Migrant Hawker (cop), Radley Lakes, Oxon, 19th Sep
Western Willow Spreadwing ♂, Radley Lakes, Oxon, 19th Sep
Common Darter ♀ | Radley Lakes, Oxon Migrant Hawker (cop) | Radley Lakes, Oxon Western Willow Spreadwing ♂ | Radley Lakes, Oxon
Thursday 18th September
A warm but mostly cloudy day. There were just three butterflies in the garden: a Speckled Wood, a Red Admiral and a Small White.
Tuesday 16th September
I went to Farmoor this morning, hoping that something would have been blown in by yesterday's strong winds. But first there were lots of House and Sand Martins over both reservoirs (but only 1 Swallow). A Hobby flew over F1. Then I was told that a Manx Shearwater was out on F2. So something had arrived! I saw it flying before losing it as it landed. So I walked round F2 (seeing four Common Sandpipers on the way) before returning to the sailing club, where the shearwater was visible although still distant. It was flushed a couple of times by boats, but it didn't come any closer.
There were two fresh Red Admirals on the garden ivy at lunchtime.
Common Tern (juv), Farmoor, Oxon, 16th Sep
Manx Shearwater, Farmoor, Oxon, 16th Sep
Sand Martin (juv), Farmoor, Oxon, 16th Sep
Common Tern (juv) | Farmoor, Oxon Manx Shearwater | Farmoor, Oxon Sand Martin (juv) | Farmoor, Oxon
Sunday 14th September
Although it was dull this morning I went over to Standlake. I heard a Chiffchaff singing along Shifford Lane, and saw a couple more. At Pit 60 almost all the vegetation along the north and east banks had been removed, which meant that (finally!) there was a shoreline in front of the Langley Lane hide again. But initially the main interest was the dozens of hirundines over the water: mostly Swallows and House Martins, but also some Sand Martins. A juvenile Common Sandpiper then walked along the shore in front of the hide. Two Grey Wagtails were briefly present. There were hardly any ducks, and no Lapwings. A Marsh Harrier flew across the lake just as I was leaving.
Common Sandpiper (juv), Standlake Common, Oxon, 14th Sep
Grey Wagtail, Standlake Common, Oxon, 14th Sep
Shoveler ♀, Standlake Common, Oxon, 14th Sep
Common Sandpiper (juv) | Standlake Common, Oxon Grey Wagtail | Standlake Common, Oxon Shoveler ♀ | Standlake Common, Oxon
Saturday 13th September
A very small catch in the moth trap this morning - just 16 moths from 7 species. A Lunar Underwing was first of the year. A late Willow Beauty was of note. Just a couple of butterflies in the garden, a Speckled Wood and a Small White. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth appeared in the afternoon but didn't hang around. At least two Ivy Bees were feeding on Ivy flowers, along with lots of Common Wasps.
Lunar Underwing, Aston, Oxon, 13th Sep
Willow Beauty ♂, Aston, Oxon, 13th Sep
  
Lunar Underwing | Aston, Oxon Willow Beauty ♂ | Aston, Oxon  
Friday 12th September
Just a solitary Small White in the garden this morning before the rain arrived.
Thursday 11th September
Before the rain started this morning a female Large White was flying about in the garden.
Wednesday 10th September
I went to Farmoor this morning. There were two juvenile Ringed Plover and a juvenile Dunlin on the causeway. At least 300 Cormorants were fishing on F2. I saw a Common Sandpiper on the west side of F2. The feral flock of Snow Geese took off and headed north. There were again seven Egyptian Geese at the east end of the causeway. As I was leaving a flock of around ten Common Terns flew in from the east, but I couldn't find any Black Terns.
Dunlin (juv), Farmoor, Oxon, 10th Sep
Egyptian Goose (juv), Farmoor, Oxon, 10th Sep
Grey Wagtail, Farmoor, Oxon, 10th Sep
Dunlin (juv) | Farmoor, Oxon Egyptian Goose (juv) | Farmoor, Oxon Grey Wagtail | Farmoor, Oxon
Little Egret, Farmoor, Oxon, 10th Sep
Ringed Plover (juv), Farmoor, Oxon, 10th Sep
Yellow-legged Gull, Farmoor, Oxon, 10th Sep
Little Egret | Farmoor, Oxon Ringed Plover (juv) | Farmoor, Oxon Yellow-legged Gull | Farmoor, Oxon
Tuesday 9th September
I made an early afternoon trip to Otmoor today, mainly to look for dragonflies. I only managed to find two Western Willow Spreadwings (one male, one female) along the roman road. Common Darters were reasonably numerous, mostly males landing on the paths. I only saw one pair in cop. I saw just five Migrant Hawkers. Butterflies were quite numerous, especially Speckled Woods (28 seen). Also Small Heath (5), Common Blue (5), Peacock (3), Red Admiral (2), Brown Argus (1) and Small Copper (1). There wasn't much in the way of birds. Although there was lots of mud at the first screen the only waders were about 30 Lapwing and seven Snipe. There were lots of Canada Geese here and at the second screen.
Brown Argus ♂, Otmoor, Oxon, 9th Sep
Common Blue ♂, Otmoor, Oxon, 9th Sep
Common Darter ♂, Otmoor, Oxon, 9th Sep
Brown Argus ♂ | Otmoor, Oxon Common Blue ♂ | Otmoor, Oxon Common Darter ♂ | Otmoor, Oxon
Small Copper ♂, Otmoor, Oxon, 9th Sep
Western Willow Spreadwing ♂, Otmoor, Oxon, 9th Sep
Western Willow Spreadwing ♀, Otmoor, Oxon, 9th Sep
Small Copper ♂ | Otmoor, Oxon Western Willow Spreadwing ♂ | Otmoor, Oxon Western Willow Spreadwing ♀ | Otmoor, Oxon
Monday 8th September
Although it was mostly sunny there wasn't a lot about in the garden today. Another Hummingbird Hawk-moth was present briefly. A female Common Blue and a Small Tortoiseshell (and the usual whites) was about it.
Sunday 7th September
A pretty thin catch in the moth trap this morning, just 53 moths from 13 species. Small Blood-vein was an addition to the year list. Large Yellow Underwing was most numerous species with 16 individuals, followed by Square-spot Rustic with 15. I found a Box-tree Moth in the garden during the day.
Brindled Buff, Aston, Oxon, 7th Sep
Frosted Orange, Aston, Oxon, 7th Sep
Lesser Yellow Underwing, Aston, Oxon, 7th Sep
Brindled Buff | Aston, Oxon Frosted Orange | Aston, Oxon Lesser Yellow Underwing | Aston, Oxon
Small Blood-vein, Aston, Oxon, 7th Sep
Wax Moth, Aston, Oxon, 7th Sep
  
Small Blood-vein | Aston, Oxon Wax Moth | Aston, Oxon  
Friday 5th September
Lots of birds at Farmoor again this morning. Most were Tufted Ducks, various geese, and Coot. I saw three waders: a juvenile Dunlin, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper. There were lots of dragonflies about. I saw at least 50 Common Darters (quite a few were ovipositing, and more were in cop). I found a pair of Western Willow Spreadwings in tandem, and a female on its own. Migrant Hawkers were also quite numerous, with 11 seen. There were some butterflies as well: two Small Coppers, a Brown Argus, seven Speckled Wood, a Red Admiral, a Comma and the usual whites.
At home a female Meadow Brown was in the garden, and I saw a Painted Lady in the village.
Common Darter ♀, Farmoor, Oxon, 5th Sep
Common Darter (cop), Farmoor, Oxon, 5th Sep
Dunlin (juv), Farmoor, Oxon, 5th Sep
Common Darter ♀ | Farmoor, Oxon Common Darter (cop) | Farmoor, Oxon Dunlin (juv) | Farmoor, Oxon
Little Ringed Plover (juv), Farmoor, Oxon, 5th Sep
Migrant Hawker ♂, Farmoor, Oxon, 5th Sep
Small Copper ♀, Farmoor, Oxon, 5th Sep
Little Ringed Plover (juv) | Farmoor, Oxon Migrant Hawker ♂ | Farmoor, Oxon Small Copper ♀ | Farmoor, Oxon
Thursday 4th September
Although it was sunnier today, there wasn't much in the way of garden butterflies - just a few Large and Small Whites, and a Green-veined White. In the afternoon I found a Painted Lady on the Buddleja I planted at the allotment.
Wednesday 3rd September
A day of heavy showers and sunny intervals. Before the rain started I saw another Hummingbird Hawk-moth on what's left of the garden Buddleja, but it didn't stay long. At lunchtime three Small Whites and a Large White were in the garden. A female Blackcap was feeding on elderberries again.
Tuesday 2nd September
A rather showery day. A mixed flock of tits, warblers and finches was around the garden today. In particular there were four Blackcaps (two male, two female) feeding on elderberries, and also at least two Chiffchaffs. A flock of around 20 Goldfinches was mainly in the horse paddock, feeding on thistle seeds. There was also a singing Robin (which I think was the first of the autumn).
Blackcap ♀, Aston, Oxon, 2nd Sep
Robin ♂, Aston, Oxon, 2nd Sep
  
Blackcap ♀ | Aston, Oxon Robin ♂ | Aston, Oxon