Humming in the garden

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a humble hummingbird hawk-moth...

I don't have any valerian in my small garden so I'm waiting patiently for the buddleia to flower as this offers the best chance for me to spot a hummingbird hawk-moth at home. Seeing one of these incredible day-flying moths is always a treat - just to watch as one sups nectar whilst keeping its wings beating at 80 times a second almost defies belief.

As our temperature warms, these large moths are becoming more common in Worcestershire and we're asking people to snap photos and let us know about when and where hummingbird hawk-moths are being spotted. We're keen to find out whether, and how, climate change is affecting their habits and enabling them to survive our winter. They've already been seen in Worcestershire this month so keep your eyes open when you're in your garden or out for a walk.

Hummingbird hawk-moth at rest, with wings closed, on a stone by Wendy Carter — Hummingbird hawk-moth at rest by Wendy Carter

They have a wingspan of about two inches and hover at flowers just like the bird from which they take their name, using their proboscis (a straw-like tongue) to delve into the nectar. They're particularly fond of valerian, viper's-bugloss and buddleia but you might find them on lavender, phlox, jasmine, honeysuckle or similar flowers. They’ve been shown to learn and memorise colours and locations so they’ll often return to the same patch of flowers at the same time of day. In flight, they're unmistakeable with their grey-brown bodies and wings that are brightened by orange underwings and tail of black and white. At rest, they transform into 'just' a grey moth, albeit one of some size.

You might not have been lucky enough to spot one at home but if you holiday in the Mediterranean, you may be familiar with them. As we head south for the sun, however, thousands of them head north; what a remarkable journey for something as small and delicate as a moth. There is evidence that many migrate south again come autumn but some are starting to overwinter and each year we're getting a few more records of them being seen in Worcestershire gardens in spring; something that could only happen if they're spending the winter here.

Hummingbird hawk-moth drinking nectar from a pink buddleia flower by Wendy Carter — Hummingbird hawk-moth by Wendy Carter

The peak months for sightings of these beautiful creatures fall in late summer when the migrating moths are joined by a locally-raised generation. Like many other moths and butterflies, their caterpillars are quite fussy - their favourite food is bedstraw but they have been seen laying eggs on valerian so whilst you're looking for the adults, keep an eye out for large (6cm), colourful, striped caterpillars with a 'horn' at the rear end. If you're lucky enough to spot one, we'd love to hear from you - take a picture and fill in our short form.

If you'd like to attract some of these wonderful moths, and others besides, to your garden have a think about how to include some of their favourite plants in your borders and pots. It's not all about the food, though. Instead of chopping down the ivy on your wall or fence, give it a trim in spring and then leave it to provide food in autumn, shelter and warmth for over-wintering insects and berries for the birds in winter.