hummingbird hawkmoth in mid October

[kernowsue]

We are still getting a visit from a hummingbird hawkmoth in Mid October. Is this usual? There was a frost last night and yet here he/she was again today.
Also where would they overwinter normally?

[paulchandler6]

Judging by your username I guess you are down in the SouthWest.
I've seen a lot of Hummingbird hawks in that area and on Scilly in October.
Not sure they survive our winters at the moment, maybe in the future.

Paul

[Wightman]

They can turn up right till December. They can survive the winter (if it's not to harsh, which it rarely is these days), there were alot of sightings in January + Feb this year

[aeshna5]

Like Paul I've seen many on Scilly in October. In recent winters a few have successfully overwintered with sightings even in winter on very mild days. I only saw one in my garden this year + that was my earliest record back in April (I think that month was summer this year!).

[Wild-Woman]

I've seen the grand total of 1 this year. I do know of folk that have seen them more recently although not in the numbers as last year. Can I ask what flower you saw it visiting?

[hawkmoon1704]

The first Hawkmoth I saw was in Menorca a coupla years ago and didn't have a clue what it was at the time. Then to hear they can be found here in the UK was great. But I wonde how far north they can be found and what kind of plants they will feed at. I live in Northant's by the way, has anyone seen a hawkmoth up this far?

[tristanba]

Originally Posted by kernowsue

Also where would they overwinter normally?

Seem to use outbuildings as hibernation sites quite frequently, garages etc

[Wightman]

Originally Posted by hawkmoon1704

The first Hawkmoth I saw was in Menorca a coupla years ago and didn't have a clue what it was at the time. Then to hear they can be found here in the UK was great. But I wonde how far north they can be found and what kind of plants they will feed at. I live in Northant's by the way, has anyone seen a hawkmoth up this far?

They reach nearly all parts of Britain, especially last year, definitely lots of sightings in Northants

[coasty]

Not seen any up this far,,, Would love to see em up here though.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by coasty

Not seen any up this far,,, Would love to see em up here though.

We do get them up here coasty, there have been afew recorded this year. I saw one a couple of years back over at Bempton.