Hummingbird hawk moths – often mistaken for small birds – are being spotted in the West Midlands.
The hummingbird hawk moth hovers as it feeds from flowers, much like its feathered namesake
Published19 September 2026
As parts of the West Midlands baked in warmer temperatures this summer, species once considered unusual in the region, such as hummingbird hawk moths, ivy bees and the wasp spider have been spotted in growing numbers
The hummingbird hawk moth, known for its furry grey body, orange hindwings and long proboscis, migrates to the UK from southern Europe and north Africa in the summer months
James Benwell, from the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, said 2026 was a “record year” for sightings of the species, which was often mistaken for a small bird
The moth, which can be seen hovering over flowers, has wings that beat about 80 times per second, external, according to Benwell
“They’ve had a really good year this year,” he said. “Normally they would come in small numbers. We’d normally hear of a few maybe. But this year, we’ve seen loads of records of them
“They’re absolutely amazing but I somehow haven’t seen one this year, so I’m jealous of anybody else that has.”
The moth migrates to the UK from southern Europe and north Africa in the summer months
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Source: BBC News English
