Does anybody know what this is?

[TheBog]

Hi,

beeing no enthusiast or knower have me apologized in advance...

I was out on a veranda today in Risør, Norway, when I saw this funny creature. Norway being not an exotic country (in the tropical sense) I was intrigued by this little flying fella. Knowing it is not a bird I do not know where to find info about what it was that I saw. Found this group, and now I was wondering if any of you could help me out. What is it I took a picture of? I have never seen one of these in norway, so they are not common I would guess. Is it "normal" to see one of these this "far" north?

As I said earlier, I apologize if I have adressed a totaly "wrong" group.

[Edited later]

Browsing trough the group I see that I am not the only one writing a request like this. I also see "many" pictures of what seem to be what I saw. And most end with: Its a Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum) you saw :)
Anyway I would like to know if anybody knows if they are common in Norway? And if this is a Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum)? Since I do not have "the trained eye"...



[/Edited later]

Greetings
Anders Berg

[Beverlybaynes]

I truly don't know, Anders, but someone on this forum will!

But do let me say welcome -- this is a great website. You certainly did not do anything wrong by asking your question here -- many of us don't have a 'trained eye' -- many of us are learners, just like you.

Hope to hear more about what you're seeing in Norway!

[pineywoods965]

Hi Anders and welcome to the Forum. This is mostly a birding Forum, but we sure have lots of people with different interests so you came to the right place. If you look in the Gallery you will see that there are a lot of different categories of pictures. It looks like you might have some kind of Hummingbird Moth. When I did a quick search on Google, I couldn't find anything about Moths in Norway, but it seems like you should have all kinds of Moths and Butterflies. In North America we have several different kinds of Hummingbird Moths. If I can find anything more on them being in Norway I'll post another reply. Sure hope someone can Id it for you. Good Luck.
Becky

[dennis]

Hi Anders,

Hope this helps...A site devoted to those moths.

http://www.howardfamilyhomepage.net/page5b.html

On this site is a link to the moths of Norway(in your language)

dennis

[Adey Baker]

Anders

It is indeed a Hummingbird Hawkmoth - so named because they hover in front of flowers to feed like Hummingbirds.

I don't know their status in Norway but I would think that the situation is similar to here in UK where they are migrants from mainland Europe. Numbers vary from year to year and are probably dependant on the prevailing weather conditions when they are on the move.

This year seems to be a very good one for them with reports from wide areas of the UK.

Adey

[monkeyman]

Funnily enough, the only Hummingbird Hawkmoth that I have seen this year (3rd July) was attracted to Lobelia too!

Graet pic! They don't hang about, these chaps!

Al

[Susan C]

Hi - new member here - I have just recently seen one of the Hawk moths in my back yard - around the end of July - on a Buddleai plant. My son spotted it first and we watched it feed for a little while before it flew off. I've never seen one before, so I'm glad to find out what it was.
Thanks!

[robinm]

Hello Susan C. Welcome to BirdForum. The great thing about this site is how much you learn - not just about birds. Everyone is really friendly and helpful.

Why don't you post a thread in "Say Hello" Forum and tell us something of your interests.

[seb_seb]

I had one on my buddleia also!! I didnt know they had them in canada Susan?

[Susan C]

Well it's the first time I've seen one, but I guess they must be somewhat common here as well, because we don't get a lot of unusual species in the suburbs of Toronto!
I'm finding that the more varieties of plants I put in the garden and with the pond, I'm definitely seeing more birds and insects. I hope it continues.

[Yve_M]

Hi Seb Seb - I have had one on my Scarlet Runner Beans here as well. We just call them the Hummingbird Moth or Hemaris thysbe is the scientific name for our version. The body has bands of green, orange and red across the abdomen. My book states they are common in northern regions and eastern USA.

Welcome to BF Susan. Did you get to see the flexible (rolls up) drinking tube for sipping nectar??

[Susan C]

Hi again - well the moth was back again yesterday! Bright sunny afternoon, again at the Buddleia, for a good five minutes while we watched it feed. It is smaller than I remembered from the last time, about the size of a large bee. And we definitely watched it's "feeding tube" roll up and down. It sounds just like a hummingbird as it flew past my head. It certainly wasn't bothered by our presence.

[harry eales]

Hi susan, youer moth is definately a Hummingbird Hawk Moth. These are an uncommon migrant in the UK but in some years turn up in considerable numbers, migrating in from southern Europe. Once they settle down in any particular area they seem to develope a routine of visiting gardens on a regular basis and often at the same time each day. A lovely insect and a delight to see

[yvette gale]

Hi, I felt compelled to join after browsing the web trying to identify this moth. I saw two of these strange beauties in my Parents garden in Somerset, they are apparently a rare visitor in England so I feel very privilaged to have seen them and hope to again - this time armed with my camera!!.