Hummingbird hawk moth or other hawk moth?

[jpscloud]

I've just watched what I think was a hummingbird hawk moth on my buddleia (sadly no pictures, it was too high up and gone too quickly).

Are there other hawk moths that might feed in the same way as the HHM or could I safely assume it was HHM?

[Uv moth notingha]

If it looked like a fuzzy blob zooming around very fast on your buddlia then it was most likely a humming bird hawkmoth (HBH ?) How far north are you , sub sheffield is there usualy range , but they often occur further north in a good year .... Otherwise , possibly a bee hawk moth , look em up and see if they are in your area .
UVMOTH
"if I told you my name , I would have to kill you "

[BillyPilgrim]

Could we have been one as they have been seen up north this summer.

I've seen lots in France and they do love the Buddlia. I uploaded a few photos to the Gallery that might help you to id them.

[jpscloud]

The bee hawk moth does look very similar. It's a shame I didn't get a closer look - it was silhouetted against the sky at the top of the buddleia - I am pretty sure it was hummingbird hawk moth (I think I got the abbreviation wrong, sorry!) as I have had one before on the buddleia.

Those are amazing pics Billly!

[rogpow]

The Butterfly Conservation website has a map of the UK showing reported sightings of Hummingbird hawk moths. There's also the facility to add sightings.

Humming-bird Hawk-moth - Butterfly Conservation

Rog

[jpscloud]

Thanks Rog, I've added my sighting. I was on a fifteen minute Big Butterfly Count when I saw it, so I also reported it on there. The butterfly count was depressing though - one comma, one large white and two small whites.