hummingbirds

[dove]

have there been any sightings of these on the south coast rcently, an if so where?
I live in bognor regis an think I saw one last week.

[whyme]

Maybe it was a hawk hummingbird moth, i think thats it name? Anywho, saw one a couple of weeks ago at a buddlia bush!!

[Cetti]

There have been quite a lot of sightings this summer dove, because the Hummingbird Hawk Moth loves hot humid conditions. It is a moth, not a bird and more common on the continent, but the warms winds have carried them over. Hopefully, here's a picture.

http://i5.tinypic.com/2ut5lp5.jpg

[heathfield]

They've even been seen this summer just north of Dundee, Scotland!

[PEATBOG]

I saw one Monday evening in Little Hadham - Hertfordshire

[hammerman]

They are becoming a much more common sight in southern England these days due to the warm summers and milder winters.

I first saw one of these delightful little moths over 20 years ago and since then, there has always been a steady flow of the visitors to my garden.

They seem more common around August time and adore plants with "tubular" flowers. Petunias, verbena and abelia are favourites.

They are native to central europe but the caterpillas/pupae are over wintering more and more in the UK due to mild conditions.

They are much smaller than most proper hummingbirds and can be distinguished by the black and white striped abdomen.

I'll see if i can find a pic on google

[hammerman]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfile s/3063.shtml

Cetti's pic is a better example of the moth though

[dove]

thanks everyone, yes it is a moth, but I honestly thought it was a hummingbird! I was really excited! DOH!