Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

No summer can ever be complete without seeing this beautiful creature in the garden at least once, and this year sure didn't disappoint. So far I have recorded it on 28th July, 21st & 28th August and most recently on 19th September.

It is of course the Hummingbird Hawkmoth or Macroglossum stellatarum. This is principally a day flying moth preferring to fly in bright sunlight, however, it will also take to the wing at dawn, at dusk or at night; in rain, or on cool, dull days.

This moth is an immigrant, which can arrive from southern Europe and north Africa anytime between April and December. It is now considered to be a suspected breeding resident in south-west England where it hibernates in small numbers.

This species is very strongly attracted to tubular flowers yielding plentiful supplies of nectar, such as Jasminum, Buddleja, Nicotiana, Tulipa, Primula, Viola, Syringa, Verbena, Echium, Phlox, Salvia, Red Valerian and Stachys, hovering in front of and repeatedly probing each bloom before darting rapidly to the next. Apparently, this species also has a fine memory, as individuals return to the same flower-beds every day at about the same time. In my garden, I have noticed it feeding on the Buddleja 'Lochinch' (photo above), Verbena bonariensis and various Salvia varieties (obtained from Dyson nurseries). Varieties include - Salvia microphylla 'La Foux', Salvia ‘Maraschino’ and Salvia microphylla ‘Wild Watermelon’.