06/09/2026
On Friday evening we were joined by members of the intrepid Fareham Moth Group, to survey moths on the nature reserve. Mercury Vapour bulbs and actinic lamps were set on white sheets at various places along the boardwalk. Things started off fairly quietly, with not many moths on the wing... however the excitement began when a large moth was spotted on an oak tree near one of the lamps. After netting it and getting it into a plastic pot for a closer look, it turned out to be a Dark Crimson Underwing! This moth is a Red Data Book* species and was formerly only known from the New Forest, but it seems to have spread in recent years. This is the first record of this species at Titchfield Haven.
As if this wasn't exciting enough, a little later another large moth was seen flying around in the same area... we managed to catch it using a butterfly net. After a tense moment of trying to get the moth out of the net and into a pot, it was identified as a Rosy Underwing, an even rarer moth! There are very few records (we think just 6 or 7) of this species in Hampshire, the first was in 2022, and this is the first to be recorded in East Hampshire.
Both of these moths are fairly large (for moths) with wingspans of around 7-8cm. Quite amazing that two new species can be added to the nature reserve's species list in one evening!
*The Red Data Book is a document listing very rare or endangered species in the UK.
