A flock of 7 Mute Swans over Curtain Moat the highlight in Old Portsmouth.

Thursday 5^th November 2026.

The HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier coming through the Solent and then into Portsmouth Harbour. That is one big boat!

A mostly cloudy day and only a tad warmer than yesterday where the only plus was that it didn’t rain. There was no Moth Box on overnight as I wanted to make sure that yesterday’s moths did disperse, but even though the Fireworks are going off tonight, I still put the Moth Box on. Who knows, it just might disperse some Moths my way?

A reasonable tally of bird species seen today from Old Portsmouth and always nice to see a flock of Mute Swans on the move as a flock of 7 birds flew east over the Curtain Moat area and most likely heading to Canoe Lake.

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The Aircraft Carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth heading towards Portsmouth Harbour and passing the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

I've already mentioned the ‘star birds’ which leads me to the pair of Jays that flew up and down the road between the Sycamore Trees and the trees by the Bowling Green. A Robin popped out briefly by the House opposite but soon flew off when a pedestrian walked past. The Great Tit was singing again from the tops of the trees, but despite 15 species seen today from both shifts, it was rather uneventful bar the Swans.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Jay (2)
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Robin
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Mute Swan (flock of 7 birds)
• Starling
• Blackbird
• House Sparrow (heard)
• Wren (heard singing)

 

In Hampshire today:

Five years ago to the very day, this Red Kite flew over my head at Old Winchester Hill. 

An interesting Goose flew over Lewis Hooper at the Kench on Hayling Island, of which he thought it was a Pink-footed Goose, but on closer inspection, it might have been a Bean Goose. There is a mini-influx of them back in the UK, so it was a possibility. There was no sign of the Pacific Golden Plover in the Keyhaven Golden Plover flock today and most likely on the Isle of Wight again.

Notable birds in Hampshire today included a couple of Slavonian Grebes in Langstone Harbour and a couple of Water Pipits seen today with birds at Titchfield Haven and Gilkicker Point.

 

 

 

 

A nice variety of Autumn moths in cold conditions.

Wednesday 4^th November 2026.

Silver Y. This was perched on my fence behind the Moth Box.

It was certainly very cold this morning and although the temperature according to my car said 9 degrees, in that easterly wind, it felt like 2 degrees! It was an overcast morning with heavy grey cloud, but that does make picking out birds easier to see against a darker background rather than a bright blue sky.

There was a good variety of Moths in and around the Moth Box in my garden this morning and so I was pleased I put it on last night. However, absolutely nothing was heard or seen flying over the garden at 7.15am, though there was a Wren ‘churring’ in my neighbour’s garden and the House Sparrows could be heard south of my garden again.

My Moth Box:

My first Green-brindled Crescent for the garden this year.

I was pleased with the variety of macro moths this morning with my first Green-brindled Crescent and November Moth (or if we are going to be picky, an Epirrita species) for the garden this year. An L-album Wainscot was a rather late individual and I am not sure if I have ever seen one in November? The Red-line Quaker was only my second one for the garden this Autumn.

Above, a late L-album Wainscot and below, my first November Moth for the garden this year.

Above, my second Red-line Quaker for the year in my garden.

The usual micro moths were present although Rusty-dot Pearls (Udea ferrugalis) were down to just one individual. The Moths seen this morning included the following:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Silver Y x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x2
Golden Twin-spot x1	Common Plume x1
Green-brindled Crescent x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x1
L-album Wainscot x1
Red-line Quaker x1
November Moth x1

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A cloudy overcast start to the day with a cold easterly.

As mentioned, my first shift at Pembroke Road this morning was damn cold, and I am so glad I am wearing my woolly hat. That easterly wind, though could bring some interesting birds to our shores, is so uncomfortable to be in, especially for an hour standing there. There were no large Wood Pigeon flocks seen this morning and the only real surprise was a Cormorant flying low over Governor’s Green heading south-east.

The Jays were busy going up and down the road, landing in the Sycamore trees or the trees by the Bowling Green. A Great Tit sat on the roof of the house opposite where I stood and called for some time before disappearing into the back garden.

There were two other sightings of which I could not 100% ID and that was a group of probably Brent Geese heading very distantly westbound towards Gosport. The size and shape and the way they flew had me thinking Brent Geese. Two thrush species flew out together from the Bowling Green trees and headed quickly west of which I presume they were either Redwing or Song Thrushes?

This afternoon, on my second shift, it really felt wintry with dark clouds overhead and the temperature not into double figures during my time there. On a positive side, three more bird species were added to my day total that included a Great Spotted Woodpecker. I heard the bird first of all but had to wait around 5 minutes to see the bird searching for food in the nearby Sycamore Tree before flying off into a nearby garden.

A Chiffchaff was heard calling distantly somewhere near the Bowling Green and finally a Pied Wagtail flew low over the road to make it 16 species for the day.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Jay (2)
• Carrion Crow
• Robin (heard)
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Starling
• Cormorant
• Blackbird
• House Sparrow
• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Chiffchaff (heard)
• Pied Wagtail

A brief Desert Wheatear in Hampshire & large numbers of Wood Pigeons on the move.

Tuesday 3^rd November 2026.

Dawn over Highland Road Cemetery when I walked the dog this morning.

Another bright start to the day although a lot of high cloud around this morning (thankfully!) however it was quite cold in that north-easterly wind when I walked the dogs early this morning. In fact, it was back to my woolly hat for my first shift at Pembroke Road this morning.

I didn’t put the Moth Box on last night for fear of trapping the same Moths, but it will be back on tonight. Pembroke Road was a little quieter than yesterday on my first shift, but there was an excellent display of Wood Pigeons going over this morning. If only I had my camera on me!

The male Desert Wheatear at Weston Shore this morning. Photo by Tim Doran.

Amazing news this morning was the discovery of a male Desert Wheatear at Weston Shore, near Southampton! However, it eventually flew off and no further sign by 10am. Sob! I have seen several Desert Wheatears over the years and even one in Hampshire; the infamous Hayling seafront bird, way back in 2005.

 

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A very bright start to the day again though there was some overhead cloud.

Yes, another bright start, but at least there was a bit of cloud cover this morning, and I never had a problem with the motorists today so far! As mentioned, the Wood Pigeons put on a good display this morning with one flock estimated to be around at least 200+ birds right over my head, all heading north in a tight flock. A little while later, a smaller flock of around 100+ birds went over, also heading north and when one of the Cross-channel Ferries blew its horn when exiting Portsmouth Harbour, at least 40+ Wood Pigeons flew off Governor’s Green in panic!

Up to 4 Jays were seen together going up and down Pembroke Road and a couple of large flocks of Goldfinches also flew over heading eastbound. Unfortunately, there were no additional species seen on my second shift and the only saving grace was that the rain had stopped on my arrival at Pembroke Road.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Jay (4)
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Pied Wagtail (heard)
• Robin (heard)
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit (heard singing)
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Goldfinch (16 + 12)
• Starling

 

Harbour Entrance, Eastney:

Ted & Buddy enjoying stretching their legs on the spit opposite the Hayling Ferry.

Around 1pm, I took the dogs for a stroll by the Langstone Harbour entrance at Eastney. The tide was out and so we took a walk down to the Hayling Ferry and walked west down on the sandy spit so they can run their little legs off. There was nobody around or any other dogs and so they were safe off their leads as I checked out any bird life in the area.

I managed to take several photos of my short trip to the Harbour entrance at Eastney around midday. Above, a pristine adult winter Black-headed Gull on the foreshore. Below, due to the feeders recently being stocked, not only did it attract many birds, but also these two Brown Rats!

Above, Starlings perched on the roof of the RNLI Building and below, our Buddy having a good run.

The nearby mudflats held virtually no birds at all, bar the odd Black-headed Gull, but on the mudflats further north in the harbour held good numbers of Oystercatchers. A Little Egret flew in briefly and began fishing in the shallow tideline before flying off east over the harbour. I couldn’t see any Brent Geese on the mudflats, which was surprising, but their numbers will swell as the month progresses.

Above, the view looking north from the spit into Langstone Harbour and below, one of many Oystercatchers in the area.

Above, a Little Egret splashing about in the water by the spit and below, ominous looking rain clouds heading my way.

As I slowly made my way to the car, a Sandwich Tern flew north into the harbour and rounded the Ferry Terminal to fly into Lock Lake to fish. Back at the car park adjacent to the Harbour entrance, there was an impressive flock of both House Sparrows and Starlings present. Someone had put up some feeders that looked empty by the look of it, but it also attracted around a 100+ Feral Pigeons and two Brown Rats! The Rats were right out in the open and well known for being shy creatures, these two did not bother to scarper on our arrival whatsoever!

Above, another photo of the fishing Little Egret and below, this lovely sandy area by the spit was just what my dogs needed to have a good run.

Above, good numbers of Starlings on top of the RNLI Building. Below, a large gathering of both Starlings and House Sparrows utilising the feeders.

I couldn’t see anything of note within the Harbour entrance and so got the dogs into the car and headed off back home. The sky was very dark over Hayling Island, and it looked as though rain was heading our way. Groan!

 

In Hampshire today:

A male Blackbird enjoying feeding on the berries in my garden.

Obviously, the Desert Wheatear stole the Hampshire headlines, but sadly no further sign of the bird throughout the day. An incredible count of 40,400 Wood Pigeons between 7.15am to 8am this morning at Tweseldown, near Aldershot made my effort this morning totally miniscule! Other than that, most of the sightings today were of the usual winter birds and a few summer stragglers just about hanging on.

 

Monday 2nd November 2026.

A much brighter start to the day with wall-to-wall blue sky and as the sun rose, it remained relatively cool throughout the early part of the morning with a northerly wind making it around 8 degrees centigrade tops. The Moth Box was on again overnight, but skant reward for my efforts, though there was one surprise to be had.

It was back to Pembroke Road after the Autumn break, but what with the low sun in the morning sky, a lot of motorists were driving far too fast and three times I had to jump out of the way in case I got run over!!! On the plus side, I still got to see or hear well over double figures of bird species this morning.

This afternoon the weather could not make its mind up! One minute there was bright sunshine and then it clouded over and even drizzled for around ten minutes, followed by bright sunshine again!

 

My Moth Box:

There was just the one Golden Twin-spot this morning.

A real surprise was a Hummingbird Hawk-moth flying around the garden and probably accidentally flushed from my Kitchen back wall after I had closed the back door to the Kitchen. The Moth flew around for a while and then disappeared into one of my neighbours garden.

The only other macro moth present this morning was a Golden Twin-spot that was perched on one of the egg trays inside the Box. My first Tree-mallow Tortrix (Crocidosema plebejana) for the month was also inside the Moth box and the usual Rusty-dot Pearls (Udea ferrugalis) and Light Brown Apple Moths (Epiphyas postvittana) were present.

My first Tree-mallow Tortrix for November.

The following Moths were recorded this morning:

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Hummingbird Hawk-moth x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x3
Golden Twin-spot x1	Tree-mallow Tortrix x1
	Light Brown Apple Moth x5

 

The only birds noted flying over the garden while checking the Moth Box was a small flock of 4 Linnets heading east. The House Sparrows were heard again south of my garden.

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A bright start to the day in Pembroke Road, too bright for some idiotic motorists!!

As mentioned, the sun was low in the sky when I started my first shift in Pembroke Road this morning and so it was a bit difficult for motorists to see in front of themselves; but I do wish they would slow down when driving along this very busy road. Back to the birds; the Jays showed well all morning with at least two birds flying up and down the road with Acorns in their bills and probably one of the same birds on my second shift. A couple of Meadow Pipits flew over but it was near impossible to pick them up in the bright blue sky, as was the Pied Wagtail. Again, good to hear the House Sparrows calling somewhere in the hedgerow by the Bowling Green.

This afternoon, two more species were added to the day total with a single Goldfinch flying low east over the road and a Black-headed Gull made an appearance by flying north over the road.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Jay (2+)
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Pied Wagtail (heard)
• Meadow Pipit (2 heard)
• Robin (heard)
• Wren (heard)
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit (heard singing)
• Herring Gull
• House Sparrow (heard)
• Starling

 

In Hampshire today:

The Pacific Golden Plover (centre) among Golden Plovers, Dunlin and Ringed Plover at Keyhaven Marshes recently. Photo by Kathryn Crouch.

Apparently, the Pacific Golden Plover that has been residing over the Isle of Wight paid Keyhaven Marshes a visit yesterday, but there was still no sign of it today much to the annoyance of the handful of ‘Lazee Birders’. However, there was a Ruff on the reserve to enjoy.

Hil Head offered a few nice birds to look at including 18 Eider offshore and 3 Greenshank flying over to the reserve. Two Bearded Tits were on Titchfield haven. A Purple Sandpiper was still at Southsea Castle today.

Little Gulls and Black-headed Gulls off Hayling Island last week. Photo by Lewis Hooper.

Just a few Moths this morning but a good productive walk around the Cemy.

Sunday 1^st November 2026.

The leaves are changing colours in the Cemy.

A cold grey start to November with heavy overcast cloud and temperatures around 8 degrees. A very light Northerly was blowing as I then got about checking the Moth box and a little while later, I took the dogs for their early morning walk around Highland Road Cemetery. Now we are in November, the temperature should drop in theory and this should bring us more winter thrushes and other goodies. I read that Waxwings are now coming into the east of the UK due to a poor berry crop in Scandinavia. What with Nutcrackers knocking on the UK door, could it be a bumper November?

My Moth Box:

One of two Golden Twin-spots this morning.

As the year goes on, the Moth numbers are starting to decline and from previous experience, it can be a lot of hit and miss and dependent on how mild it is. This morning had to be the coldest it has been since last winter and so I did expect not many Moths to be present. Five macro moths were found this morning including two Golden Twin-spots and it was the Rusty-dot Pearls (Udea ferrugalis) made up most of the number present.

Feathered Ranunculus.

The following Moths were recorded this morning:

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Feathered Ranunculus x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x5
Golden Twin-spot x2	Light Brown Apple Moth x1
Double-striped Pug x1

 

Despite perfect conditions overhead, hardly any visible migration took place between 7am to 7.30am and all that was noted was a Redwing and a Goldfinch, both heard only. South of my garden, I could hear a few House Sparrows calling, which was encouraging for this declining species.

 

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

One of at least four Song Thrushes seen this morning.

I thought it was an excellent mornings walk around the Cemetery with up to 22 bird species recorded this morning as I took the dogs for their early morning walk. There were very few dogwalkers present here this morning as we made our way around the site around 8.15am.

Above, a Grooved Cavalier toadstool and below, Wood Pigeons grouping up in the trees within the Cemy.

There was a good variety of birds seen this morning and nicely kicked off with a female Sparrowhawk seen soaring over the southern half of the Cemy, though being harassed by a Crow. Unfortunately, the bird flew off southbound behind the row of trees and that was the last I saw of it.

Above and below, Swallows circling high over the Cemy was a nice surprise.

The most surprising sighting was of a small flock of 3 Swallows high over the Cemetery and simply circling around for around 5 minutes before moving off east. I have seen Swallows in November before, but still a good bird to see for this time of year. It certainly was good this morning for thrushes as I found three species here today. At least four Song Thrushes were noted and among some of them were at least two Redwing. Though I heard the Redwing call, getting a decent view of them proved challenging and in the end, they soon disappeared. At least 6+ Blackbirds were seen as well and most likely migrant birds like the other thrushes seen today.

Very few plants were in flower but Yarrow (above) and Purple Toadflax (below) were found.

Over on the west side of the Cemy, I could hear several Long-tailed Tits calling and from one of the ornamental Conifers, out flew at least 7 Long-tailed Tits and at least 3 Blue Tits. But it was the Firecrest calling within the same tree that grabbed my full attention, but although I did see the bird deep within the tree, I simply could not get to photograph the bird. Hurrumph!

Above, up to two Jays were present and below, good numbers of Blackbirds were present.

A Chiffchaff was heard calling deep within bushes in the centre of the Cemy and at least two Jays were seen again here, although remained distant all the time. A Meadow Pipit flew east high over the Cemy, but no Wagtails this morning.

Above, one of the trees that suffered due to storm damage by the main footpath and below, another Song Thrush high up in one of the taller trees by the Mausoleum.

There were very few flowers still in bloom within the Cemy but Yarrow was easily the most numerous flowering plant. I did find a few Buddliea in bloom and one Purple Toadflax still in flower. Toadstools are now starting to appear here as I found a clump of Yellow-stained Mushroom growing by one of the footpaths. Another species I found (and believe me, it isn’t easy to ID these toadstools with ease) I had to Google was the Grooved Cavalier (Melanoleuca grammopodia), with a rather large clump on the grass near the Mausoleum.

Yellow-stained Mushroom.

In conclusion, it was a excellent walk round with plenty to see and some nice surprises too. I must get back over here again during next week.

The birds seen or heard this morning here included the following:

• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Carrion Crow
• Jay (2)
• Magpie
• Herring Gull
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Long-tailed Tit (7)
• Robin
• Wren (heard)
• Firecrest
• Goldcrest
• Chiffchaff (heard)
• Meadow Pipit (heard)
• Swallow (3)
• Redwing (2)
• Song Thrush (4)
• Blackbird
• Green Woodpecker (heard)
• Goldfinch
• Sparrowhawk (female)

 

In Hampshire today:

The Yellow-browed Warbler at Sinah Warren this morning. Photo by Lewis Hooper.

Hayling Birder, Lewis Hooper found a Yellow-browed Warbler at Sinah Warren and was thankfully seen again by another ‘Lazee Birder’ a little while later. To be honest, Birdguides was reporting all the usual birds expected for this time of year. The escaped Scarlet Ibis was again seen at Eling Great Marsh near Totton, Southampton and up to 4 Black Redstarts seen at Hamble Point.