I too saw this insect in my garden in the midlands, doing the same, hovering over the honeysuckle. I had never seen anything like this in my life,checked it out on the internet and came across this website.

We saw exactly the same thing today (Augst 1st) in South Petherton, near Yeovil - maybe it was your friend from Glastonbury !!!

I saw one of these too, on 27th July 03,at Cotehele, a National Trust property in Cornwall. I thought it was a humming bird perhaps escaped from an aviary somewhere.

I have one of these which visits my garden every few days an incredible little creature!

I have one of these which visits my garden in Kent UK every few days an incredible little creature! Off course the garden will be destroyed togwther with acres of protected habitat if the Cliffe airport proposals go ahead!!

I too watched and Photographed one of these today. At first I thought I was looking at a humming bird of some kind. But on closer inspection I realized it was a Insect. after about a 20 minute period the insect seteled down on the limb of a bush I moved some of the close Branches to get a better picture. Expecting the little fellow to fly at any second. It never moved, I then broke off the branch he still never moved. He had completly shut down in the matter of seconds. took him inside and put him in a gallon pickel jar till I could find out what he was. I live in Louisville Ky. I am 54 years old and have never seen one befor. They must be expanding their teritory.

I saw the same insect tonight in Columbia, Missouri; more than one, actually, three were working a large flower bed on the Missouri University campus.

Saw one today on my buddleia in my very small garden in Bristol, England. Definitely a Hummingbird Hawk moth, as a boy I was a keen entomologist though I guess that I would not be allowed today to go round with butterfly net and killing bottle! Also today on the buddleia are Peacocks, Painted Ladies, Small Tortoiseshells and a Red Admiral.

I spotted one yesterday and investigation led me to this site. I have seen one once before, I live in Ontario, Canada and I am surprised that they can survive the winters. The one I saw had an orange colored area above its tail, is this the same species? Amazing little creatures to see in flight and hovering.

I was amazed to spot one of these fantastic moths sipping nectar from the buddleia in the walled gardens of dunraven castle, near Southerndown on the south Wales coast. Having only seen them in the past around the Med' whilst on holidays, it was a real treat.

I watched in awe at the incredible agility of this 'moth'. I saw it outside my holiday house in Lahinch Co.Clare yesterday 7th July 2003 and was fortunate to get some very nice photos..they are great in front of the camera!!!

Saw on at 3.30 am (yes am) 11/Aug/2003 as I came home from work. I too was convinced it was a humming bird. It was feeding on Nicotinia in my Sussex garden, wasn't quick enough with the camera though.

Just been watching one for about 10 minutes outside my day-job's firm's canteen (Andover, Hampshire) - no more than 2 feet from me.

What was nice as well was that there was a wild Honey Buzzard floating overhead.

What a lunchtime. Couldn't get to a camer - drat!

Just been watching one for about 10 minutes outside my day-job's firm's canteen (Andover, Hampshire) - no more than 2 feet from me.

What was nice as well was that there was a wild Honey Buzzard floating overhead.

What a lunchtime. Couldn't get to a camera - drat!

I saw one in a friends parents garden on the Shropshire/Powys border about 3 weeks ago. It was incredible. He did a circuit of specific flowers and came back at very regular intervals throughout the day. We thought it was an escaped humming bird until corrected otherwise! You might be interested in this piece out of the 1958 Observers book of Common Insects. Note the fact that 45 years ago it was classed as a "common" insect in the British Isles!

"The Humming-bird Hawk Moth so closely resembles the exotic little bird after which it has been named that arguments take place every summer as to whether the creature poised before a flower on hardly perceptible wings is really a bird or an insect. It has the unusual habit of flying throughout the day as well as at dusk and after dark. In years when there is a big migration, the caterpillars of this Moth can often be found feeding on Yellow Bedstraw."

I've just seen two of these in my garden on the coast in West Sussex. Absolutely amazing creatures. We are getting a lot of immigrants nowadays - last week I saw an Eagle Owl (twice the size of Tawny!!!) and for the last two summers we have had an Ibis over here as well. We've also have increasing numbers of tropical jellyfish/ sharks and aquatic life in the sea.

Whilst visiting Powys Castle last Friday (8th August)I witnessed what I thought was a humming bird. At close up for about five minutes it was busy taking the nectar from the flowers. Thanks to the internet, I now realise that it was the humming bird hawk moth. An exiting experience nevertheless.

I had one drinking nectar from my geraniums at 7.30 a.m. today near Salisbury. I found it an incredible creature - so much like a miniture humming bird. I spoke about it at work only to find that a colleague had one in her conservatory 3/4 days ago. She was amazed at the sound of it's wings.

I must be the luckiest person alive. I recently moved to mallorca, and was lucky to inherit a large jasmine bush. This seems to be a magnet for these wonderful creatures. I have followed them for hours trying to work out what they are, and then tonight I found this site, after entering 'moths that look like humming birds' in a yahoo search engine. They might be moths, but to me, they'll always be mini humming birds!

We saw one yesterday august 12th at elford park staffordshire only other time in my life was about50 years ago. have they flown up from europe in the recent hot weather if so is this the furthest north siteing

I too saw one of these yesterday morning while we were breakfasting in the garden in Woodchurch in Kent. It was the first that I have seen in the UK - the first I saw anywhere was in Viareggio, Italy in 1978. I understand these are naturally inhabitants of Meditterranean countries and lower central France. No doubt the warmer summers, especially this year, have helped these float accross the channel.
John Cridge, Henden Place, Woodchurch, Kent

I have seen this little creature (in our Essex garden) on three occasions, twice in the evening and once in the daytime it was taking nectar from the Isotoma which is a summer bedding plant, my wife has yet to see it but can't wait. I am so pleased to have found out what it is as I too was confused!!

Glad to find this page. I saw one of these moths this morning going from flower to flower on my patio. My husband and I were fascinated as we'd never seen one before and wondered what it was. I live near Ashford, Kent

Hi, my name is Marc, and I haven't seen one of these.

Is there a twelve step program I can sign up for?

My name is Stephen, I haven't seen one either.

My name is also Stephen, I have seen one of these, so in your faces :) (No, honestly I have).

I didnt know what this creature was so just typed into Google what I saw and found this site.
I live in Weston, Herts and saw one taking nectar on Petunias yesterday morning and Busy Lizzies this morning.
What a treat to see such a different 'flying insect'. It must be the warmer weather that has brought them to the fore.

I've had a hummingbird hawk moth visiting my garden all this summer. It feeds mostly on my lavender. I live near Caernarfon in North Wales. Is this the furthest-north sighting?

Some of the more geographically aware people will be able to work out where from the above posts is farthest North, but the original sighting which prompted the post was in Belfast Northern Ireland.

I've just spotted a clearwing species for the first time. Didn't know what it was until I looked it up on the internet. It's been visiting our front lawn for days. Loves our butterfly bush. I live in Grimsby, Ontario and no one from this area has ever seen one.

We had two in our garden in West Sussex yesterday evening on the butterfly bush. We also thought they were humming birds until we did a search on Google. Amazing creatures.

Saw one in my garden in Surrey this afternoon sipping nectar from a large clump of flox - very exciting.

Saw similar insect couple days ago in evening in my wife's flowers and then again this morning, August 15.2003..called local bird feeding store and was informed it probably was a HAWK MOTH... Called another bird feeding store and informed it was probably a SPHYNX MOTH.. evidently quite common around here in August and September

Saw a hummingbird hawk-moth in St Ives, Cornwall in 1996. Never saw one in my life before and didn't know they existed until I looked it up at the library. Now have just seen one tonight (15th August 2003) in my back garden going from flower to flower (mostly petunias)in Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Devon. Fascinating creatures.

Whilst indulging a well earned cold drink at my Brother and Sister in Laws house in Filby, Nr Gt Yarmouth,(14/8/03) we noticed this incredibly beautiful and amazing insect with wings beating like a humming bird sipping nectar from the flowers very close to us all, it had a long probiscus and was oblivious to our presence we watched and photographed it from as close as two feet away, I was convinced at first it was a humming bird, after some debate, none of us present was too certain! But here`s the internet, and now I know, Amazing!

I have been searching the web to learn about this gorgeous creature that I was watching in my flower bed at dusk last evening. I found this website, and now I know..... a HUMMING-BIRD HAWK-MOTH! At first I thought it WAS a hummingbird. I was able to stand 2 feet away from it for several minutes and observe it. It was wonderful!
I live in the Midwestern US in Southeastern Iowa. (I know I'm rambling-but it was so fascinating to watch it maneuver it's "nose" in and out of the blossoms). Then I had the added enjoyment of discovering a 4" Praying Mantis in the flowers after the moth flew away!
Linda

My sister and I were sat in my small garden late evening this week (West Wellow Romsey Hants) and we also saw this beautiful moth! I have seen it severals evenings this week on the Red Bizzy Lizzes and Red petunias. My sister telephoned me when she got home after looking it up and said it was the Hummingbird Moth!!!! So today I was on the internet to find out more. Brilliant to see your website - and to discover other people had seen the same!!

Just seen one in our garden (Hertfordshire)and looked it up on Google and found this site. Nature never ceases to amaze me. I read somewhere that people rear them locally in the UK - anyone have any info ?

We spotted one at Chiddinstone Castle in Kent whilst at a wedding on 15th August. When we pointed it out to other guests two other people commented they had seen them in their garden. It seems its becoming quite commonplace.

I saw a humming bird hawk moth today in our garden in Plymouth! First time we have ever seen one, what a wonderful sight, will carry on looking today.

A Hummingbird hawk moth visited our garden in Swanage Dorset on the 10 aug what an incredible sight

I saw 2 of these fantastic little creatures yesterday (Saturday 16th August 2003). The first was hovering over flower tubs outside the Fox pub in the essex village of Matching Tye. Then, when i returned home i went into the garden after dinner and, lo and behold, one was feeding on my flower tubs. It stayed for about three or four minutes and we got to withing about 6 inches of it!Fantastic!!!!!!

Yesterday at 8.30pm two of these lovely moths came into our gareden in sunny swindon wilts we were totally amazed and photographed them straight away and disscused wether it was a moth or a humming bird.16.08.03

I saw one of these Hummingbird Hawk-Moths in my garden this afternoon (August 17, 2003) in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It looked just like the picture above and was sipping nectar from a variety of flowers.

Saw 3 flitting from flower to flower at dusk as we sat outside a bar in Igls, near Innsbuck last week. They came back every evening and attracted a lot of attention - bar owner was very grateful for increased sales!

Saw this creature flitting over the Petunias in my window box on the balcony of my apartment in Edmonton Alberta. It was almost dark and I thought it was a humming bird but yet it wasn't buzzing its wings and moved slowly. It flitted from flower to flower and seemed in control of its movements unlike a moth fluttering around a light. I have never seen this moth before and I am pleased to know that many other people have discovered them.

just seen one again the 5th times this weekend

mark romford

romford, essex

Wow I am amazed how many sitings there have been for these creatures.

It happened today at about 5:45pm Aug 17th in Harlow Essex. I am hoping this little creature will come back. He seemed to like the Geraniums but only stayed for 3/4 minutes.

Try typing in Humming Bird Hawk Moth on a search engine. There are plenty of photos available. The best are the ones on the wing!

18 Aug 2003. Sighting of hummimg bird hawk moth feeding on fuschia bush in back garden. Worthing West Sussex. Quite stunning especially as my wife and I are familiar with hummimg birds from visits to California.

18 Aug 2003. Sighting of hummimg bird hawk moth feeding on fuschia bush in back garden. Worthing West Sussex. Quite stunning especially as my wife and I are familiar with hummimg birds from visits to California.

Every year we holiday in Menorca where these moths are everywhere feeding on the exotic flowers.This morning my six year old daughter told me she had seen one of those'Menorcan humming things' in our garden .I told her it was probably a big bee but she was insistant .Later as I sat outside having my coffee it flew right onto the buzy lizzies I was sitting next to!How lovely to see these facinating creatures here in the UK. I could watch them for hours.If this is global warming long may it last!!
Heather Monks Nr Cambridge.

We had two of these beautiful moths in our garden on the 18th August. Hoping their will return so that we can hopfully video them.

we saw this amazing insect two days ago taking nectar from petunias in our front garden never seen one in our life so looked it up in w.h.smiths wonderful creature to see.

we saw this amazing insect two days ago taking nectar from petunias in our front garden never seen one in our life so looked it up in w.h.smiths wonderful creature to see.

As I type I am watching one on the Geraniums on my balcony in Munich. They are fairly common here and providing you don't move too quickly they will feed within inches of you. I believe the German name for them is Taubenschwaenzchen.

We first saw this beautiful little creature on Friday 15 August in our garden on the outskirts of Brighton, feeding on the geraniums, petunias and impatiens. It has appeared every day since giving us the chance to admire it again! It is very aptly named as at first glance we thought it was a humming bird - until common sense took over!
Barbara

We had one of these in our back garden on the 17th Aug feeding on the buzy lizzies (Abingdon nr Oxford). Never seen one before.It stayed long enough to take some video.

August 18 Winchester, Hampshire, UK

We just this evening sat in our garden and watched one on our Bizzy Lizzy's. These insects have been visiting our garden for the last 2 or 3 years.

saw another one tonight in our garden orpington kent they seem to like our flowers

We saw one this morning in Ringwood, Hampshire and also thought it was a Humming Bird. On speaking to someone today they suggested it could be a Humming Bird Moth. What a disappointment as I was hoping it was a Humming Bird but it was still a lovely sight. It certainly liked the Buzy Lizzies.

Denise and John Ridd

saw one of these strange creatures in great horksley colchester essex. i was so convinced that it was a humming bird that i phoned all my mates to tell them. now iv found this web site i'll have to tell them that i was wrong.
these insects must be increasing as i would have thought that i would av seen one by now?

We saw exactly the same today whilst sitting in the garden, early evening with family (Colchester, Essex) It appeared to be feeding on White Verbena and Red Geranium. We, like everyone else thought it was a hummingbird! Have never seen one before but will certainly be looking to see if it appears again.

We saw one of these in our garden in Wareham in Dorset over the weekend and were convinced it was some sort of humming bird. My friend works for the environment agency so she checked for us and correctly informed us what it was.

Saw my first hummingbird moth two days (17/08/03) ago in our garden near Ashford, Kent - what a spectacular sight. When I took some photos (not easy as they move so fast) yesterday a second one arrived!
I've lived in this area all my life (35 years) and have never seen them before, and no one locally knew what they were. But a chance conversation with someone gave me a possible name, and a quick search on google lead me to this page.

visiting my brother in wareham in dorset, we were visited by one of these fantastic insects. We too were convinced it was a humming bird! How pleased were to find this site to confirm the identity of this mystery visitor.

We saw one last night on our balcony pot plants in High Wycombe,Bucks!! It was about 8.00pm and we first thought it was a bat! Never seen anything like it before... it was very creepy!!

We saw one late Sunday afternoon/early evening (17/8/03) in our garden in Wadhurst, E Sussex, on some Bizzy Lizzies. It really was like a humming bird! Had not come across one before & were quite fascinated.

Just adding our sighting of one of these lovely moths. It was yesterday, feeding from Busy Lizzies in our garden in Denham, Bucks.

Hello
I saw what I thought was a humming bird in my garden in Ulcombe, Kent on Sunday 17th Aug. I assume it must have been a Humming Bird Hawk Moth.

Saw the moth taking nectar from bizzie lizzies in the morning of 18th Aug. Haselbury nr. Crewkerne. Also two of the catapillars, (brown kind) feeding on enchanters nightshade circaea lutiana. They had stripped one plant bare and I moved them to another near a shed hoping they might overwinter. Good pics in Garden Wildlife by Michael Chinery Collins.

Hi, just on the phone looking out of my upstairs window down onto the buddleia bush and saw two humming birds!! Obviously, they weren't, so have searched Google and come up with this website. Aren't they fantastic? I was jumping up and down and shouting to my friend on the phone!! Glad I'm not going barmy and to have found out what they were!!

Re above post, this is in Sudbury, Suffolk.

August 19th Mid Beds - saw a hummingbird hawk moth for the first time - amazing - albeit my neighbour, who's plant I saw it feeding on, tells me several visit each day to feed

I had a Humming Bird Hawk Moth visit us around 6pm this evening, high in the Chilterns in Bucks, it was hovering around my tub of petunias and carnations. Amazing creatures, they really do looking like the birds from a bit of a distance. This one stayed around for 2-3 mins so I had a geat look at it hovering and darting from flower to flower. I read that there are normally only around 50 sightings a year...but that was probably before the internet!! and this amazing summer.

i was in my garden today and something caught my eye i thought it was a humming bird until i took a closer look im 35 and never seen a humming bird hawk moth before what a sight

I've seen them on three occasions this summer. They sem to go for the ceratostignum willmottianium only and ignore anything else in my garden here in Maidstone, Kent. I tried to photograph one this morning but they keep darting from one bloom to another, just as you get the thing in focus!

I saw a Hummingbird moth at 9p.m yesterday. I thought it was a Hummingbird and after searching the internet I came across your site and there was the explanation! This is the farthest North I can see on the site - just south of Aberdeen,Scotland. We've had some very unusual insects in the garden this year - probably due to the high temperatures we've been experiencing. This is certainly the most exciting yet!

We saw a humming bird hawk moth for the first time today - 20 august 2003 during late afternoon. Thought how much it resembled a humming bird but thought moths only flew at night so it took a while to identify. Keen to see this amazing little creature again.
Hemel Hempstead, Herts. UK
Keith & Connie

we saw this amazing little creature too today about 11am 20/08/03 in our hockley, essex garden it was feeding on our potted fuchsia and went on to the other flowers but came back to the fuchsia, then flew into the house and out again. having seen humming birds in the wild in the u.s.a. feeding from containers filled with sugar water it is no wonder people think it is a bird. now we know what it is we hope it returns

A hummingbird hawk moth appeared in my garden in Abingdon Oxfordshire, yesterday, for the second day running, on Budleia, for the first time since the hot summer of 1976. I also observed one 3 weeks ago near Wantage. This summer has brought us very many small whites, plus small tortoiseshells, painted ladies, red admirals and so far just one comma.

I have seen this moth in my garden in Luton over the last week, and I realised it was something I hadn't seen before. It must be down to the hot weather.

Just phot0graphed one in my front garden in Horsham Sussex.
Amazing to watch.
Thought it was going to be a rare sighting, but obviously not !!!

Me too

They all laughed at me at the local when I drew pictures of this thing! the likes of which id never seen before, collecting nectar from my petunias. The very next morning there were three of them which I carefully looked at this time to try and identify them. It was only when I spoke to the gardener where I work, that he suggest this and I found this website. Now I know im not mad!!

My mum was calling me from outside and I wondered what she was yelling at....low and behold there was one of the wierdest moths?? humming birds?? I had ever seen! I grabbed my camera and it just flitted from flower to flower not caring if I was watching or not! What a treat to see something so beautiful at work!

we have one similar to the picture but it's body is burnished green and red. have a couple of pics.

A siting of a hawk moth feeding off a phlox, around 4:45 pm in Pampisford of Cambridgeshire!

Thank goodness for the internet! In my garden this afternoon saw this amazing creature hovering from flower to flower and pot to pot. Like many people my husband thought it really could be a humming bird. Your website, however, has quickly revealed the truth and satisfied our curiosity. Thanks

Jean & Graham Aveling
Platt, Nr Sevenoaks Kent

My mum saw one in the garden today in St Albans Herts, on the busy lizzies, said it was this amazing insect flying at the same time as feeding with a long mouth part. I thought it must be a humming bird, but didn't think you got them in this country, now I know what it is thanks to this great web site! can't believe how many people have seen them and been just as amazed. It's really great to be able to find this site to answer the question. Thanks!

I have many humming birds so the other day I saw what I thought was a baby, until I saw that it hat antennas. I have searched to find out what it was and then I found this website. I have never seen one before. Virgina USA I would love to see someone's picture of one.

We spotted a Sphynx Moth today Aug. 20/03) in Presquille Prov. Park at Brighton, Ontario, Canada when we were walking along the marsh boardwalk. It was feeding on the purple loosestrife. My husband and son have seen them in Italy but today was a special treat for me.

We have had a hummingbird hawk moth visit two or three times over the past few days to our garden in Five Ashes, East Sussex. When looking in a book to discover what it was we read that 18 years ago there were only around 50 sightings a year. Has there been an increase this year or has reporting just become easier?

I saw one of these moths on two occasions about a month ago in my garden on the Gloucestershire / Herefordshire border.

It looked like a hummingbird and moved very quickly between flowers. I realised it must be some sort of moth, but didn't know which one until I recently read of an influx of Humming bird Hawk moths from the continent.

Fantastic sight!

Have not seen one of these most fascinating creatures for real but I would like to. However liviing in the north east of England am not very likley to see one. I first came across the knowledge of the existance of such a wonderful piece of creation whilst reading a book on insects that visit the British Isles. I then surfed for more information which brought me to
this site.

Convinced I had seen a humming Bird this morning, 1100hrs, Ramsey, Nr Huntingdon. Feeding on Bizzy Lizzies. Took a number of digital photos in the hope that I can blow them up.
An amazing siting.
Bernard Whyte

I think I have seen one today. I got a digital photo of it - not a great shot of it. Very colourful!

See my photo of it at: http://www.paularky.co.uk/funny%20bug.jpg

Would you say it is a hummingbird hawk moth?

I had a visit by one this week in our Wiltshire garden it was the buzzing sound it made that first alerted me to the insect. I then watched for several minutes as it fed on a flower bush and that wing beat never slowed down once

Whilst in the garden on 20/08/03 with my daughter Felicity, friends Vivienne and Jenny, we were all thrilled to witness this beautiful insect the Humming-bird Hawk-moth at 5.30pm. My husband Harry came home later and it was still sipping nectar from the buzy lizzies. Never seen before but hope to see again soon! Oakley, Buckinghamshire.

i just saw one on my window box - i thought it was a little bird but it had long antennae and a great big sucking tube. i was extremely excited to see this and just a little bit scared as it was so big. it seemed to enjoy my bizzy lizzies very much.

oh, and ps i live in brighton, uk

I saw one of these wonderful creatures on my buddleia this morning at about 11-00am in Colchester, Essex, UK and thought it might be a humming bird because of the way it moved and hovered over the flowers while it sipped the nectar with its long tongue (proboscis). What a beautiful thing to see!

19th aug.Seen in my mother-in-law's garden,in the afternoon,hovering over the pelargoniums.Very distinctive black and white bottom.Tilehurst,Reading.

Have just seen one on Buddleia in our garden in Fordingbridge, Hants - even got a short video of it. How exciting! Have never seen anything like it before (except a humming bird!). My butterfly and moth book says about 50 sightings are reported a year. Is this an exceptional year?

Saturday, 23rd August
Humingbird hawk moth in our garden, in Saddleworth, in the Penines, at 900feet.

Date 23rd August
Time 19.20
weather warm
Sleaford Lincolnshire
Our friends told us about this 'humming bird like insect' the other day but until tonightwe have never seen one.We saw not one but two! they were feasting on the pink verbena in our hanging baskets. we photographed them with both digital and film, the digital has turned out too slow but we got a couple of decent pictures and we await the developing to see how the film compares.
"anyone with a good picture??"
They do look so much like a humming bird.

i too saw this moth and thought it was a hummingbird as i saw it darting amongst the hanging baskets at work hovering in mid air as it did so.

For three days we were mesmerised by the possibility of sighting Humming birds in our garden- (Bourne Valley, Poole, Dorset). Following
many phone calls to disbelieving knowledgable bird lovers "twitchers"... we were becoming more and more questioning of our sanity......... Thank goodness we have discovered what it really is............. and look forward to informing those doubters that we're not so stupid after all! ! ! !

My partner told me we had a humming bird type insect around the honey suckle over the last couple of days. I saw it myself today and was convinced it was a moth and I was delighted to find your site and am now convinced it is the moth you have featured. Fantastic discovery (thrilled)

I live in central Florida and have seen this hummingbird moth flying amongst our azaleas in Feb.-April this past spring in the mid afternoon and have seen one twice in the predawn hours among our flaming points which the hummingbirds love.The hummingbirds don't seem to mind them, I have yet to see one of them chase the moths out of the area. At first I thought they might be baby hummers, I did a search to see at what point in time the young hummers took on color and found this site. I noticed the antennae in the spring but this fall didn't since it wasn't too light out yet.

Kalamazoo, Michigan is where I met my redish tint moth friend. They were here again today. I don't see them everyday but that doesn't mean they aren't there. Got some great still photos last week on my butterfly bush both white and purple.

Saw one of these in the garden of our gite in Normandy at the end of July - was fascinated, and definitely thought it was a humming bird. Then saw another whilst visiting Monet's garden at Giverny. Came home to visit some friends at Nutbourne, Sussex - and in the early evening spotted another in their garden!!! Brilliant!

GREENDALE FARM C & C PARK, RUTLAND

My 3rd siting in a week at our small campsite moving from hanging baskets to various pots. Amazing! Despite seeing so many birds on our site I have never seen anything like this before. Is any record kept of sitings and location?
Let me know! ianandsue@rutlandgreendale.co.uk
www.rutlandgreendale.co.uk

I HAVE SEEN THE HUMMING BIRD HAWK MOTH
THE LAST 3 DAYS. IT HAS BEEN ON THE VERBENA
AND THE BUDDLIA. I HAVE MANAGED TO CAPTURE IT
ON VIDEO. I HOPE IT KEEPS COMING BACK, IT IS
VERY UNUSUAL TO WATCH . 24.08.03. I LIVE IN ALTON
HAMPSHIRE. UK.

I spotted this beauty sipping nectar from my bizzie lizzies in my poole dorset garden. Dragged my son and husband into the garden because I could not believe my eyes, it was a huge example, and have had two smaller ones today as well. Absolutely amazing, I've never seen the like before, must be the exceptionally hot weather. Ah well it's as close to a humming bird as we'll ever get!

Saw one of these last night (23/08/03) feeding from Fuschia and Busy Lizzies in our garden in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. Consulted a book today to identify it to find out more on the web. It looks like I'm not the only one who enjoyed watching the little feller.

24th august 2003, they are turning up in Leigh Park, and Waterlooville, everyone was convinced they had seen a humming bird which is not likely, now i understand what the rest of the Shergold family are seeing. It seems busy lizzie is the favoured plant here as well.

saw this wonderful insect 4 the very first time 8am 25th August 03 ,feeding well from a Geranium in my garden in hayle Cornwall

We saw a 'Humming Bird Hawk Moth' for the first time around 21st August on our honeysuckle in Walderslade, Chatham, Kent, UK. A fascinating and adept flyer, moving rapidly backwards and forwards from flower to flower.

I've been looking out for the humming bird hawk moth for the last few weeks and have spotted two in the last three days. one was seen on saturday August the 23rd. in a disused quarry near Bishopston, Gower. The other today taking nectar from a honeysuckle bush in my garden in Bishopston. It seems, looking at your web site that its a good year for sightings of this moth, probably due to the exceptioal weather conditions.

We watched two hummingbird hawk-moths feeding on the flowers outside Cemaes Bay church yesterday, 24.08.03. My laveder bushes are attracting huge numbers of butterflies (e.g.Painted Lady),moths and bees at the moment!

WE LIVE IN KINGSCLERE ,BERKSHIRE.WE HAVE HAD A HUMMINGBIRD MOTH VISITING ALL SUMMER ,FROM MID JUNE TO PRESENT,IT HAS BEEN SEEN ON MOST DAYS EARLY MORNING ABOUT 7.30 & IN THE EVENING.IT FEEDS ON PETUNIAS,BIZZY LISSIES & FUCHSIAS.HAVE ALSO MANAGED TO TAKE PHOTOS OF IT ,WHEN WE SAW IT BY A LAKE.

I saw these moths on holiday at Lake Como, Italy, last week. I was positive it was a humming bird but my dad said it couldn't be.

But when he saw it himself, he couldn't decide whether it was a bird or an insect either. When we found this site, we were amazed and grateful!

Thank you!

saw what i thought was a humming bird on 25/8/04 looked for more info on the net found this site! thankyou at least i now know i wasnt seeing things!!!

What a delightful little creature! We saw it in a friend's garden at dusk last night and found it hard to identify as either a humming bird or a moth, but nevertheless it was a priviledge to meet it!

Like everyone else who has commented about spotting an unusual flying insect, I and my family were sitting in the garden in St. Leonards on Sea, East Sussex over the Bank Holiday weekend and we spotted what I now know is a hummingbird hawkmoth. He was feeding with his long proboscis from petunias and busy lizzies. I got up close to him (a couple of feet away) and this did not seem to bother him. He flew off and then returned. Hope he comes back - a strange looking fellow!! like something from another planet. Probably the hot weather bringing them over from the continent.

Like everyone else who has commented about spotting an unusual flying insect, I and my family were sitting in the garden in St. Leonards on Sea, East Sussex over the Bank Holiday weekend and we spotted what I now know is a hummingbird hawkmoth. He was feeding with his long proboscis from petunias and busy lizzies. I got up close to him (a couple of feet away) and this did not seem to bother him. He flew off and then returned. Hope he comes back - a strange looking fellow!! like something from another planet. Probably the hot weather bringing them over from the continent.

Like everyone else who has commented about spotting an unusual flying insect, I and my family were sitting in the garden in St. Leonards on Sea, East Sussex over the Bank Holiday weekend and we spotted what I now know is a hummingbird hawkmoth. He was feeding with his long proboscis from petunias and busy lizzies. I got up close to him (a couple of feet away) and this did not seem to bother him. He flew off and then returned. Hope he comes back - a strange looking fellow!! like something from another planet. Probably the hot weather bringing them over from the continent.

Like everyone else who has commented about spotting an unusual flying insect, I and my family were sitting in the garden in St. Leonards on Sea, East Sussex over the Bank Holiday weekend and we spotted what I now know is a hummingbird hawkmoth. He was feeding with his long proboscis from petunias and busy lizzies. I got up close to him (a couple of feet away) and this did not seem to bother him. He flew off and then returned. Hope he comes back - a strange looking fellow!! like something from another planet. Probably the hot weather bringing them over from the continent.

Like everyone else who has commented about spotting an unusual flying insect, I and my family were sitting in the garden in St. Leonards on Sea, East Sussex over the Bank Holiday weekend and we spotted what I now know is a hummingbird hawkmoth. He was feeding with his long proboscis from petunias and busy lizzies. I got up close to him (a couple of feet away) and this did not seem to bother him. He flew off and then returned. Hope he comes back - a strange looking fellow!! like something from another planet. Probably the hot weather bringing them over from the continent.

Like everyone else who has commented about spotting an unusual flying insect, I and my family were sitting in the garden in St. Leonards on Sea, East Sussex over the Bank Holiday weekend and we spotted what I now know is a hummingbird hawkmoth. He was feeding with his long proboscis from petunias and busy lizzies. I got up close to him (a couple of feet away) and this did not seem to bother him. He flew off and then returned. Hope he comes back - a strange looking fellow!! like something from another planet. Probably the hot weather bringing them over from the continent.

Like everyone else who has commented about spotting an unusual flying insect, I and my family were sitting in the garden in St. Leonards on Sea, East Sussex over the Bank Holiday weekend and we spotted what I now know is a hummingbird hawkmoth. He was feeding with his long proboscis from petunias and busy lizzies. I got up close to him (a couple of feet away) and this did not seem to bother him. He flew off and then returned. Hope he comes back - a strange looking fellow!! like something from another planet. Probably the hot weather bringing them over from the continent.

Like everyone else who has commented about spotting an unusual flying insect, I and my family were sitting in the garden in St. Leonards on Sea, East Sussex over the Bank Holiday weekend and we spotted what I now know is a hummingbird hawkmoth. He was feeding with his long proboscis from petunias and busy lizzies. I got up close to him (a couple of feet away) and this did not seem to bother him. He flew off and then returned. Hope he comes back - a strange looking fellow!! like something from another planet. Probably the hot weather bringing them over from the continent.

Like everyone else who has commented about spotting an unusual flying insect, I and my family were sitting in the garden in St. Leonards on Sea, East Sussex over the Bank Holiday weekend and we spotted what I now know is a hummingbird hawkmoth. He was feeding with his long proboscis from petunias and busy lizzies. I got up close to him (a couple of feet away) and this did not seem to bother him. He flew off and then returned. Hope he comes back - a strange looking fellow!! like something from another planet. Probably the hot weather bringing them over from the continent.

Another siting - nr Peterborough - 24th August - convinced was a humming bird until I was told at a party it could be a moth!

Another sighting of the hummingbird hawkmoth near Fairlight Hastings

Well Val, your'e more than seeing double!

I want to see some of the photos correspondents tell us about; I still can't get a decent one. They seem camera shy but nmot nervous.

Just seen one in our garden in Brighton.

Saw two of them together (a pair?) yesterday on my wife's fuschias. We were amazed, they kept returning all afternoon and early evening. We've never seen anything quite like them before! Does anyone have any photographs?

I have six of them that visit me in the evening just at dusk while I water my flowers. They love Honeysuckle, Nicotiana, Four O'clocks and every other flower that has a trumpet shape. They seem to not be afraid of me, and fly right up to me as if as curious about me as I am about them. I live 50 miles south of Kansas City Missouri, and I've had them in my garden every summer for more than 9 years.

I saw one yesterday at the golf club at Scunthorpe Nth Lincs. I didn't know what it was, only that it looked very exotic. I also thought the abdomen was patterned to look like a wasp or bee, but couldn't distinguish it very well. I found out what it was after looking in my 'Observers Book of Insects'. Yes there are some of these books still in use.

Hi

I live in Reading in the South of England. A Humming Bird Hawk Moth has visited my back garden for the last 2 evenings, that I've noticed. I understand that these are not resident in Europe, let alone the UK and it can be years between these moths visiting our shores. I used to collect butterflies and moths in my youth, but this is the first time I've seen one of these moths in 23 years or looking.
Andrew 27th Aug 2003