A Hummingbird Hawk Moth Summer 🦋
The UK is currently experiencing an exceptional "hummingbird hawk-moth summer" in 2026, with wildlife organisations reporting an unusually massive influx of these spectacular day-flying insects across British gardens and coastal areas.
"Have you seen a tiny, darting 'bird' hovering around your flowers this August? You aren't alone. You're actually witnessing a historic wildlife migration right in your own back garden."
"Just a few years ago in 2021, there were only 8 recorded sightings of the Hummingbird Hawk-moth in the UK. This summer, we've hit a record-breaking peak of over 9,000. But spotting them can be tough. They are quite elusive, spooky little creatures with an almost fairy-like presence that makes them incredibly hard to track."
Why Are There So Many This Year?
Southerly Winds: Strong winds across Europe have physically pushed the moths further north.
European Heatwaves: High temperatures in the Mediterranean caused an explosive migratory influx.
Weather Shifts: Climate change is causing unpredictable summer weather that alters insect migration trends.
Watch today's visitor enjoying the Buddleia in my garden!
"When they finally do come close, the speed is staggering. Their wings beat an astonishing 80 times every single second. That’s why I had to film this visitor in slow-motion—it’s the only way to truly appreciate their bright orange hindwings and see exactly how they use that long proboscis to drink nectar on the wing."
Spectacular Totnes Visitor: Spotting the Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
Summer Update: While out working in the garden today, I was treated to one of my absolute favourite summer sights. If you've been hearing a low hum around your flower beds or seen what looks like a tiny, erratic bird hovering over your borders, you aren't alone!
"In the summer of 2021, there were just 8 of these recorded in the UK. This year? Over 9,000."
"The secret to seeing them? Total stillness.
If you find a nectar-rich plant like this Buddleia and just freeze, they will treat you like part of the garden and come right up to you."
"They beat their wings an unbelievable 80 times a second to hover like this, which is exactly why I had to film this one in Totnes in ultra slow-motion."
The hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) is easily mistaken for a genuine hummingbird due to its unique feeding behaviour and morphology
Whenever the summer heat sets in across the South Hams, people start talking about a very unusual visitor to our local gardens. And it's not just here in Devon—organizations like The Wildlife Trusts are officially declaring it a "Hummingbird Hawk-moth summer" across the UK!
Today, I managed to capture some footage of this incredible Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) right here in my own garden in Totnes, feeding on a purple Buddleia. With its rapid wingbeats, audible humming sound, and darting flight pattern as it hovers to feed, it is incredibly easy to mistake for an actual hummingbird.
These fascinating moths are summer migrants, flying over from Southern Europe and North Africa in varying numbers each year to enjoy our warmer months. As you can see in the video, they have a brilliant, long proboscis that acts like a straw, allowing them to drink nectar on the wing without ever needing to land. I managed to get such great footage today that I'm actually planning to put together a full YouTube video on our channel showcasing these amazing visitors and the best plants to attract them—so keep an eye out for that soon!
🦋 Why This Matters for Your Garden
At Totnes Gardening, my core philosophy is that we aren't just maintaining a plot of land; we are "managing the ecosystem." Seeing visitors like the Hummingbird Hawk-moth is the ultimate reward for good ecological gardening.
These moths—along with our local bees, butterflies, and hoverflies—are drawn to gardens that offer a rich, continuous supply of nectar. They absolutely love tubular flowers, which is why this one made a beeline straight for the Buddleia (often rightly called the butterfly bush!), but they also love Valerian, Verbena, and Honeysuckle.
When we design planting schemes or manage rewilding zones, this is exactly the kind of life we are trying to attract. A garden shouldn't just look tidy; it should be buzzing, fluttering, and completely alive.
"As an eco-gardener here in Totnes, I've learned a trick to getting close. The secret is total stillness and the right plants. These moths need high-octane fuel for their intense lifestyles, so they absolutely love tubular flowers. If you stand completely still next to a Buddleia—the butterfly bush—they will eventually ignore you, treating you as just another part of the garden."
Let's Bring Your Garden to Life
"At Totnes Gardening, we believe in creating buzzing, living ecosystems. If your garden is missing this kind of summer magic, it might be time for a rethink. Head over to totnesgardening.co.uk to read my full guide on creating a pollinator haven, and don't forget to let me know in the comments if you’ve spotted one of these moths yet!"
If your Totnes garden is currently lacking that summer buzz, it might be time to rethink your borders.
Whether you want to integrate a small-scale wildflower meadow, add some high-nectar perennials and shrubs (like Buddleia) to attract more pollinators, or simply need some knowledgeable maintenance that protects local habitats, I'm here to help.
Let's make sure your garden is a haven for you and the local wildlife.
📧 Email:kevin@totnesgardening.co.uk
🌐 Website:www.totnesgardening.co.uk ✅ Fully Insured | ♻️ Licensed Waste Carrier | 🌿 Eco-Gardening Specialist
