Best summer ever for Hummingbird Hawk-moths?

18 Jul 2017 | No. 2017-21

We’re on track for a record summer for Hummingbird Hawk-moth sightings in Britain, with more recorded in gardens this June than in previous years, as found by British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) Garden BirdWatch survey.

Reports of Hummingbird Hawk-moths in gardens are at a record high for this stage in the season (seen in 2.3% gardens in June compared to an average of 0.5%) according to the thousands of citizen scientists that take part in the BTO’s Garden BirdWatch survey. The moths have been seen across the UK, but there are particularly high reporting rates in the south and the east of England.

These distinctive day-flying moths migrate to the UK from southern Europe and North Africa. They push northward during the summer and are mainly recorded in gardens between June and September, where they are seen hovering like a small hummingbird over flowering plants such as Red Valerian, Buddleia, and Viper’s-bugloss to feed on nectar.

Why are we seeing so many this year? The numbers of Hummingbird Hawk-moths that make it to the UK can vary considerably from year to year, influenced by over-wintering success and population size, as well as temperature and wind direction. It has been particularly warm this June in eastern parts of the country – more than 2.5°C above average according to the Met Office – and warm air drawn up from the south in mid-June may have helped to carry them to our shores.

This species does not normally over-winter here, and the population is replenished each year by new migrants. However, if winters become milder in future, we may see them over-wintering more frequently. Garden BirdWatch allows us to gather information that will help us to monitor the long-term changes in the wildlife using our gardens.

The warm spring means that Hummingbird Hawk-moths are not the only invertebrate to be more abundant than usual this year, and the survey shows that the east and southeast have been treated to an early surge in Ringlet butterflies, a species recorded most regularly in July. Azure Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly are also among the species seen in high numbers this summer.

Claire Boothby, Garden BirdWatch Development Officer at the British Trust for Ornithology, said;
 

Invertebrates can be great to see in the garden, from the striking blue of the Azure Damselfly to the beautiful orange flashes of the Hummingbird Hawk-moth. Invertebrates are also an important food resource for our birdlife. By recording not just birds, but other wildlife too, BTO Garden BirdWatch aims to get a good overall picture of what is happening in gardens.”

Will this be the best year for Hummingbird Hawk-moths to date? We need your help to find out. Why not help us learn more by contributing to the Garden BirdWatch survey? To take part please visit www.bto.org/gbw, or get in touch by emailing gbw [at] bto.org, telephoning 01842 750050 (Mon-Fri 9am-5:00pm).

Notes for editors

  1. Garden BirdWatch is a survey run by the BTO and is carried out by around 12,000 volunteer birdwatchers throughout the UK, who report sightings of birds and other wildlife on a weekly basis throughout the year. We are indebted to them for their support. To take part in the survey: www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw
  2. Garden BirdWatch results are freely accessible to view on our website: www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/results
  3. The BTO is the UK's leading bird research charity. A growing membership and up to 60,000 volunteer birdwatchers contribute to the BTO's surveys, collecting information that underpins conservation action in the UK. The BTO maintains a staff of 100 at its offices in Thetford, Stirling, Bangor (Wales) and Bangor (Northern Ireland), who analyse and publicise the results of surveys and projects. The BTO's work is funded by BTO supporters, government, trusts, industry and conservation organisationswww.bto.org

Contact Details

Claire Boothby
(Garden BirdWatch Development Officer)
Office: 01842 750050
(9am to 5pm)
Email: claire.boothby [at] bto.org ()
 
Kate Risely 
(Garden BirdWatch Organiser)
Office: 01842 750050
9am to 5pm
Email: kate.risely [at] bto.org ()
 
Paul Stancliffe
(BTO Media Manager)
Office: 01842 750050
(9am to 5:30pm)
Mobile: 07585440910
Email: press [at] bto.org ()

Images are available for use alongside this News Release. Please contact images [at] bto.org quoting reference July 2017 - 21

The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews. Please contact us to book an interview. Office:01842 750050


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