Natural History Diary : August 2026
Sunday 30th August
I had a trip over to Standlake Common this morning. There was quite a bit of activity at pit 60. A juvenile Black Tern was the bird of the day, but it was very hard to photograph. There were at least 80 Lapwing, three Common Sandpipers, three Green Sandpipers and a Snipe. Herons seen were one Great White Egret, four Grey Herons and a Cattle Egret. Water birds of note were three juvenile Shelduck and four Little Grebes (two adults and two juveniles, so it must be breeding here). Also a Marsh Harrier flew over and flushed all the gulls. There were a few butterflies about; two Clouded Yellows were noteworthy.
There were only a few butterflies in the garden today. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth was on the Buddleja again.
Black Tern (juv), Standlake Common, Oxon, 30th Aug
Common Sandpiper (juv), Standlake Common, Oxon, 30th Aug
Little Grebe, Standlake Common, Oxon, 30th Aug
Black Tern (juv) | Standlake Common, Oxon Common Sandpiper (juv) | Standlake Common, Oxon Little Grebe | Standlake Common, Oxon
Shelduck (juv), Standlake Common, Oxon, 30th Aug
Snipe, Standlake Common, Oxon, 30th Aug
  
Shelduck (juv) | Standlake Common, Oxon Snipe | Standlake Common, Oxon  
Saturday 29th August
The moth trap catch was fairly small this morning - only 81 moths from 20 species. But there were some good ones. I finally had a Delicate (actually two of them), and a Pale Eggar was first of the year. Other notables were Ringed China-mark, Rush Veneer, Small Mottled Willow and Vestal. The most numerous species was Flounced Rustic, with 32. Remarkably there were no Large Yellow Underwings - late August is usually sees the peak emergence of this species.
Delicate, Aston, Oxon, 29th Aug
Pale Eggar ♂, Aston, Oxon, 29th Aug
Ringed China-mark ♂, Aston, Oxon, 29th Aug
Delicate | Aston, Oxon Pale Eggar ♂ | Aston, Oxon Ringed China-mark ♂ | Aston, Oxon
Rush Veneer, Aston, Oxon, 29th Aug
Small Mottled Willow, Aston, Oxon, 29th Aug
Vestal, Aston, Oxon, 29th Aug
Rush Veneer | Aston, Oxon Small Mottled Willow | Aston, Oxon Vestal | Aston, Oxon
Friday 28th August
Little about in the garden today, just one Hummingbird Hawk-moth, a Red Admiral and a Small White.
Thursday 27th August
Despite the rain this morning a Hummingbird Hawk-moth was feeding on lavender flowers in the garden. After the afternoon thunderstorm a Brown Argus and two Small Whites ventured out.
Wednesday 26th August
Not too much about today, but I found a Brimstone resting on a tomato plant in the greenhouse in the afternoon, then at dusk I found a Hummingbird Hawk-moth in the greenhouse!
Tuesday 25th August
There were 136 moths from 33 species in the moth trap this morning. A possible new species for me was a Saltmarsh Knot-horn, but this requires confirmation. Species of note were a melanistic Box-tree Moth, two Early Thorn, a Frosted Orange, a Gold Triangle and an Oak Hook-tip. The most numerous species was Straw Underwing, with 26.
There were seven species of butterfly in the garden today, of which Small White was the most numerous with 7. There was also a Hummingbird Hawk-moth, a Migrant Hawker and a Common Darter.
Box-tree Moth, Aston, Oxon, 25th Aug
Chevron Grass-moth, Aston, Oxon, 25th Aug
Early Thorn, Aston, Oxon, 25th Aug
Box-tree Moth | Aston, Oxon Chevron Grass-moth | Aston, Oxon Early Thorn | Aston, Oxon
Frosted Orange, Aston, Oxon, 25th Aug
Gold Triangle, Aston, Oxon, 25th Aug
Oak Hook-tip, Aston, Oxon, 25th Aug
Frosted Orange | Aston, Oxon Gold Triangle | Aston, Oxon Oak Hook-tip | Aston, Oxon
Saltmarsh Knot-horn, Aston, Oxon, 25th Aug
Square-spot Rustic, Aston, Oxon, 25th Aug
Wax Moth, Aston, Oxon, 25th Aug
Saltmarsh Knot-horn | Aston, Oxon Square-spot Rustic | Aston, Oxon Wax Moth | Aston, Oxon
Sunday 23rd August
The MV trap run at Alvescot last night produced 189 moths from 42 species, which given a minimum temperature of around 7°C wasn't too bad. There were three new species for me: Hedge Rustic, Meadow Hook-wing and Pine Knot-horn. Centre-barred Sallow was a first of the year. Notable species were Dusky Thorn, Frosted Orange, Red Underwing, Small Mottled Willow and Six-striped Rustic. Also at Alvescot there were three Clouded Yellows in the garden, including a helice female, and a Migrant Hawker.
In the afternoon at a very dry Hackpen Hill I saw at least three fresh Clouded Yellows, at least 65 Small Heath, 7 Brown Argus, 7 Common Blue, 5 Meadow Brown, one Small White, one Green-veined White, a Hummingbird Hawk-moth and two Hornet Robberflies. There were a few birds of note: three Wheatear and at least 8 Red-legged Partridges.
In the garden in the late afternoon I saw a Small Tortoiseshell and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth, both on Buddleja, and a female Holly Blue on Verbena bonariensis.
Centre-barred Sallow, Alvescot, Oxon, 23rd Aug
Hedge Rustic ♂, Alvescot, Oxon, 23rd Aug
Meadow Hook-wing, Alvescot, Oxon, 23rd Aug
Centre-barred Sallow | Alvescot, Oxon Hedge Rustic ♂ | Alvescot, Oxon Meadow Hook-wing | Alvescot, Oxon
Pine Knot-horn, Alvescot, Oxon, 23rd Aug
Small Tortoiseshell, Aston, Oxon, 23rd Aug
Clouded Yellow, Hackpen Hill, Oxon, 23rd Aug
Pine Knot-horn | Alvescot, Oxon Small Tortoiseshell | Aston, Oxon Clouded Yellow | Hackpen Hill, Oxon
Hornet Robberfly, Hackpen Hill, Oxon, 23rd Aug
    
Hornet Robberfly | Hackpen Hill, Oxon    
Saturday 22nd August
A chilly start, but as it warmed up some butterflies emerged.Small White was the most mumerous, with 4 seen. A Burnished Brass was feeding on Hyssop flowers, and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth was feeding on geraniums again. In the afternoon I went to Aston Pottery, and there were at least three Hummingbird Hawk-moths there, feeding on salvia flowers.
Friday 21st August
I went over to Farmoor this morning. There were a few birds of interest along the causeway: Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, three Egyptian Geese and a 1st-winter Caspian Gull. I was also looking for dragonflies, and I saw nine Common Darters and five Migrant Hawkers along the river. A Buzzard was using the Osprey perch at Pinkhill.
In the garden a Hummingbird Hawk-moth was roosting on my outbuilding, and I saw it feeding on geraniums when I got back from Farmoor. It was a pretty cool day so butterfly activity was limited. A Peacock on the Buddleja was unexpected, but I was most surprised to find a Hornet Robberfly, a species I'd only previously seen on calcareous grassland (Lardon Chase and Hackpen Hill).
Hornet Robberfly, Aston, Oxon, 21st Aug
Little Egret, Farmoor, Oxon, 21st Aug
Little Ringed Plover (juv), Farmoor, Oxon, 21st Aug
Hornet Robberfly | Aston, Oxon Little Egret | Farmoor, Oxon Little Ringed Plover (juv) | Farmoor, Oxon
Migrant Hawker ♂, Farmoor, Oxon, 21st Aug
Yellow-legged Gull, Farmoor, Oxon, 21st Aug
  
Migrant Hawker ♂ | Farmoor, Oxon Yellow-legged Gull | Farmoor, Oxon  
Thursday 20th August
A partly sunny day, but the threatened rain showers didn't actually materialize. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth was feeding on geranium flowers early on, and it (or another one) landed on one of my dahlias, where it was perfectly camouflaged against the dead vegetation. There were a few butterflies today: Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small White (4), Large White (2) and Brown Argus (2). In the afternoon I saw a Burnished Brass feeding on Hyssop flowers. There were a few birds about: around eight Long-tailed Tits flew through, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker came for a drink.
Hummingbird Hawk-moth, Aston, Oxon, 20th Aug
    
Hummingbird Hawk-moth | Aston, Oxon    
Wednesday 19th August
After a couple of cloudy days there were a few butterflies in the garden today. I also saw a Hummingbird Hawk-moth in the village. In the afternoon I went to Dix Pit to look for a Ferruginous Duck (unsuccessful!), but there were a few dragonflies about: a Lesser Emperor, an Emperor Dragonfly and four Migrant Hawkers, plus over 20 Common Blue Damselflies and a Blue-tailed Damselfly. I saw a Red-crested Pochard on the lake.
Common Blue Damselfly ♂, Dix Pit, Oxon, 19th Aug
Migrant Hawker ♂, Dix Pit, Oxon, 19th Aug
  
Common Blue Damselfly ♂ | Dix Pit, Oxon Migrant Hawker ♂ | Dix Pit, Oxon  
Sunday 16th August
A cloudy morning - the first for a while. At Standlake pit 60 I saw one Great White Egret, four Cattle Egret, three Snipe, two Common Sandpiper, two Green Sandpiper, one Little Ringed Plover and one Water Rail.
I saw seven species of butterfly in the garden. Small Copper and Common Blue hadn't been seen recently. I found a Box-tree Moth in the house, and there were two Hummingbird Hawk-moths on Buddleja again.
Saturday 15th August
After a mild night there were over 300 moths from 53 species in the trap this morning. A new species for me was Thyme Knot-horn (identified by the Obsidentify app). New garden records for the year were Buff Mompha, Clover Case-bearer, Latticed Heath, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Oak Hook-tip, Rosy Rustic and Six-striped Rustic. The most numerous species was Common Wainscot with 65, closely followed by Common Grass-moth with 63. Notables were Common Wave, Copper Underwing (3), Flounced Rustic (25), Heart & Dart (3), Small Mottled Willow (9), Small Ranunculus, Straw Underwing (32), Vines' Rustic (37) and White-point (14).
I saw seven species of butterfly in the garden today. Large and Small Whites now out-number the rest. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth turned up after 8pm, feeding on Buddleja.
Chevron Grass-moth, Aston, Oxon, 15th Aug
Common Wave, Aston, Oxon, 15th Aug
Latticed Heath, Aston, Oxon, 15th Aug
Chevron Grass-moth | Aston, Oxon Common Wave | Aston, Oxon Latticed Heath | Aston, Oxon
Lesser Yellow Underwing, Aston, Oxon, 15th Aug
Oak Hook-tip, Aston, Oxon, 15th Aug
Rosy Rustic, Aston, Oxon, 15th Aug
Lesser Yellow Underwing | Aston, Oxon Oak Hook-tip | Aston, Oxon Rosy Rustic | Aston, Oxon
Six-striped Rustic, Aston, Oxon, 15th Aug
Small Ranunculus, Aston, Oxon, 15th Aug
Thyme Knot-horn, Aston, Oxon, 15th Aug
Six-striped Rustic | Aston, Oxon Small Ranunculus | Aston, Oxon Thyme Knot-horn | Aston, Oxon
Friday 14th August
Hummingbird Hawk-moths were back today - I saw two on garden Buddleja. Butterflies were about the same as yesterday. A Southern Hawker was flying around the garden very fast at around 7pm.
Thursday 13th August
My run of Hummingbird Hawk-moth sightings has ended after 17 days - I didn't see one today. I saw four Brown Argus in the garden; I wonder if they are breeding on cultivated geraniums. I found a Small Ranunculus roosting on a flowerpot, and a Migrant Hawker paid a brief visit in the late afternoon.
Wednesday 12th August
This morning a Jersey Tiger landed on the patio door - it had some wing damage so maybe not the same moth as last week. I only saw one Hummingbird Hawk-moth today, but that's still the 17th consecutive day I've seen at least one. Butterflies were similar to recent days. I found a Lesser Stag Beetle in the house.
In the late afternoon I returned to Eastleach Down to have another go at the Long-tailed Shrike. It showed well again, occasionally dropping down to catch an insect. As the sun became partially eclipsed it (and other birds) went to roost. When the sun started to return the bird re-appeared at the top of the hedge - in perfect light! Other birds seen were Red-legged Partridge, Whinchat, Redstart, Whitethroat, Kestrel and Peregrine. There were a few butterflies around before and after the eclipse, mainly Small Heath, with a couple of Common Blues and a Clouded Yellow.
Hummingbird Hawk-moth, Aston, Oxon, 12th Aug
Jersey Tiger, Aston, Oxon, 12th Aug
Lesser Stag Beetle ♂, Aston, Oxon, 12th Aug
Hummingbird Hawk-moth | Aston, Oxon Jersey Tiger | Aston, Oxon Lesser Stag Beetle ♂ | Aston, Oxon
Long-tailed Shrike, Eastleach Downs, Oxon, 12th Aug
    
Long-tailed Shrike | Eastleach Downs, Oxon    
Tuesday 11th August
The Hummingbird Hawk-moth bonanza continues! There were two on garden Buddleja again today. Butterflies were pretty similar to yesterday's. During the day I disturbed a Yellow Shell, and in the evening I found a fresh Broad-barred White on a water butt.
Broad-barred White, Aston, Oxon, 11th Aug
    
Broad-barred White | Aston, Oxon    
Monday 10th August
After a mild night there were 233 moths from 45 species in the trap this morning. Firsts of the year were Chrevron Grass-moth and Crescent Plume. The most numerous species was Common Wainscot with 60. Of note were European Corn-borer (3), Marbled Beauty, Miller, Poplar Hawk-moth, Rush Veneer (6), Scorched Carpet and Small Mottled Willow (6). There was also a very dark Common Grass-moth.
There were again at least two Hummingbird Hawk-moths in the garden. Rather fewer butterflies than recently but still two Red Admirals and a Painted Lady on the Buddleja.
Brimstone Moth, Aston, Oxon, 10th Aug
Chevron Grass-moth, Aston, Oxon, 10th Aug
Common Grass-moth, Aston, Oxon, 10th Aug
Brimstone Moth | Aston, Oxon Chevron Grass-moth | Aston, Oxon Common Grass-moth | Aston, Oxon
European Corn-borer ♀, Aston, Oxon, 10th Aug
Hummingbird Hawk-moth, Aston, Oxon, 10th Aug
Marbled Beauty, Aston, Oxon, 10th Aug
European Corn-borer ♀ | Aston, Oxon Hummingbird Hawk-moth | Aston, Oxon Marbled Beauty | Aston, Oxon
Miller, Aston, Oxon, 10th Aug
Painted Lady, Aston, Oxon, 10th Aug
  
Miller | Aston, Oxon Painted Lady | Aston, Oxon  
Sunday 9th August
I visited Pit 60 at Standlake this morning. There were plenty of birds about, including Common Sandpiper (2), Egyptian Goose (2), Common Tern, Lapwing (70+), Great White Egret, Stock Dove, Sedge Warbler, Water Rail (my first at Pit 60) and Cattle Egret (27). Butterflies: Painted Lady (2), Red Admiral (2), Small Copper and Clouded Yellow (the latter two were firsts for me at Pit 60). Dragonflies: Black-tailed Skimmer, Migrant Hawker, Southern Hawker, Brown Hawker.
At home there were at least three Hummingbird Hawk-moths on the Buddleja, but only two Red Admirals and one Painted Lady (this is the 14th day on the trot that I've seen at least one HBHM).
Common Sandpiper (juv), Standlake Common, Oxon, 9th Aug
Lapwing, Standlake Common, Oxon, 9th Aug
Pied Wagtail (juv), Standlake Common, Oxon, 9th Aug
Common Sandpiper (juv) | Standlake Common, Oxon Lapwing | Standlake Common, Oxon Pied Wagtail (juv) | Standlake Common, Oxon
Saturday 8th August
I spent a pretty good couple of hours at a very dry Aston Rowant NNR (north side) this morning. Despite the drought there were plenty of butterflies about. The most numerous species were Meadow Brown and Small White, each with at least 40. There were also good numbers of Chalk Hill Blue, Common Blue, Adonis Blue and Small Heath. It took a while to find Silver-spotted Skippers, but eventually I saw at least 13. They were very active, which made photography a bit of a challenge. I also saw a female Clouded Yellow of the helice form and at least five Small Copper. There were a few moths: the by now inevitable Hummingbird Hawk-moth, a Latticed Heath and a Rush Veneer.
Adonis Blue ♂, Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon, 8th Aug
Chalk Hill Blue ♂, Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon, 8th Aug
Common Blue ♂, Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon, 8th Aug
Adonis Blue ♂ | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon Chalk Hill Blue ♂ | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon Common Blue ♂ | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon
Silver-spotted Skipper ♂, Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon, 8th Aug
Small Copper ♂, Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon, 8th Aug
  
Silver-spotted Skipper ♂ | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon Small Copper ♂ | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon  
Friday 7th August
After a pretty chilly night there were only 45 moths from 24 species in the trap this morning. A Nutmeg was a new species for me. Firsts of the year were Copper Underwing and Square-spot Rustic. The most numerous species was Flounced Rustic with 11. Notables were Common Wave, Grey Dagger and Poplar Hawk-moth.
During the day the usual butterflies (10 species) were in the garden. At one point there were three Hummingbird Hawk-moths on the same Buddleja bush.
Common Wave, Aston, Oxon, 7th Aug
Copper Underwing, Aston, Oxon, 7th Aug
Elder Pearl, Aston, Oxon, 7th Aug
Common Wave | Aston, Oxon Copper Underwing | Aston, Oxon Elder Pearl | Aston, Oxon
Nutmeg, Aston, Oxon, 7th Aug
Poplar Hawk-moth, Aston, Oxon, 7th Aug
Square-spot Rustic, Aston, Oxon, 7th Aug
Nutmeg | Aston, Oxon Poplar Hawk-moth | Aston, Oxon Square-spot Rustic | Aston, Oxon
Thursday 6th August
A cooler and cloudier day than recently. I found a Hummingbird Hawk-moth roosting in the greenhouse, and managed to catch and evict it (this is the 11th day on the trot that I've seen at least one HBHM). Butterflies took a while to appear, but most of the usual species eventually did. I didn't see any Gatekeepers today, though. At one point there were seven Red Admirals on the same Buddleja. There were also two Painted Ladies, a Small Tortoiseshell and a Comma in the garden. Peacocks seem to have gone into hibernation pretty quickly.
Hummingbird Hawk-moth, Aston, Oxon, 6th Aug
    
Hummingbird Hawk-moth | Aston, Oxon    
Wednesday 5th August
Quite cloudy this morning so it took a while for butterflies to appear. Before any did there were two Hummingbird Hawk-moths on the same Buddleja. Butterflies were much the same as recently. A Small Tortoiseshell was good to see. Also four Red Admirals, two Painted Ladies, a Comma and a Gatekeeper.
Small Tortoiseshell, Aston, Oxon, 5th Aug
    
Small Tortoiseshell | Aston, Oxon    
Tuesday 4th August
After a mild, humid night there were at least 250 moths from 53 species in the trap this morning. New species for me were Chamomile Straw and Rusty Acorn Piercer. Firsts of the year were Frosted Orange (earliest record), Gypsy Moth, Magpie Moth (earliest), Straw Underwing, Thistle Marble, Tree-lichen Beauty and Wax Moth. Brimstone Moth was the first garden record of the year. The most numerous species by far was Common Wainscot with 67 individuals, followed by Small Mottled Willow with 19. Notables were Jersey Tiger and Vestal.
As the morning was cloudy there weren't many butterflies about, and I was out for most of the afternoon. I saw a Hummingbird Hawk-moth in Abingdon and there was another one in the garden when I got home.
Chamomile Straw, Aston, Oxon, 4th Aug
Frosted Orange, Aston, Oxon, 4th Aug
Gypsy Moth ♂, Aston, Oxon, 4th Aug
Chamomile Straw | Aston, Oxon Frosted Orange | Aston, Oxon Gypsy Moth ♂ | Aston, Oxon
Jersey Tiger, Aston, Oxon, 4th Aug
Magpie Moth, Aston, Oxon, 4th Aug
Rusty Acorn Piercer, Aston, Oxon, 4th Aug
Jersey Tiger | Aston, Oxon Magpie Moth | Aston, Oxon Rusty Acorn Piercer | Aston, Oxon
Straw Underwing, Aston, Oxon, 4th Aug
Tree-lichen Beauty, Aston, Oxon, 4th Aug
Wax Moth ♂, Aston, Oxon, 4th Aug
Straw Underwing | Aston, Oxon Tree-lichen Beauty | Aston, Oxon Wax Moth ♂ | Aston, Oxon
Monday 3rd August
This morning there were 10 Red Admirals on garden Buddlejas, and also two Hummingbird Hawk-moths. I saw at least two more HBHM during the day (including one rescued from the greenhouse).
Sunday 2nd August
There were twelve species of butterfly in the garden today. I only saw two Gatekeepers, which were out-numbered by Meadow Browns. There were still four Red Admirals, two Painted Ladies and a Comma. I rescued a Speckled Wood and a Holly Blue from the greenhouse. I saw four Hummingbird Hawk-moths today, including a female ovipositing on Hedge Bedstraw. A Rush Veneer was feeding on Hyssop flowers in the afternoon. A female Southern Hawker went inside the house, and was not easy to catch.
While looking for moths at dusk, I found a Vestal - my first UK sighting of this species. Also seen were at least six Silver Y, a Box-tree Moth, two Common Rustic and a Cloaked Minor.
Hummingbird Hawk-moth, Aston, Oxon, 2nd Aug
Rush Veneer, Aston, Oxon, 2nd Aug
Vestal, Aston, Oxon, 2nd Aug
Hummingbird Hawk-moth | Aston, Oxon Rush Veneer | Aston, Oxon Vestal | Aston, Oxon
Saturday 1st August
I went to Whitecross Green Wood this morning. There were two Small Coppers on the ride west of the car park, but not a great deal else in the way of butterflies. At the hidden pond I saw an Emperor Dragonfly, Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker, Ruddy Darter and Common Darter. At the main pond I saw Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, 2 Common Spreadwing (one with badly damaged wings), 2 Emperor Dragonfly, Southern Hawker, Brown Hawker, 2 Southern Migrant Hawker (one with a bent abdomen), Four-spotted Chaser, Common Darter and Ruddy Darter. There were also two Migrant Hawkers along the rides.
Butterfly numbers were down again in the garden; only 2 Gatekeepers seen. I saw two Hummingbird Hawk-moths, one in the village and the other in the garden.
Common Darter ♂, Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon, 1st Aug
Common Spreadwing ♂, Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon, 1st Aug
Four-spotted Chaser ♂, Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon, 1st Aug
Common Darter ♂ | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon Common Spreadwing ♂ | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon Four-spotted Chaser ♂ | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon
Small Copper ♂, Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon, 1st Aug
Southern Migrant Hawker ♂, Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon, 1st Aug
Southern Migrant Hawker ♂, Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon, 1st Aug
Small Copper ♂ | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon Southern Migrant Hawker ♂ | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon Southern Migrant Hawker ♂ | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon