This juvenile Great Northern Diver was a nice surprise, swimming in Lock Lake at Eastney this morning.
A bright pleasant start to the day with a lot of sunshine, but a breezy southerly wind with temperatures fairly mild for this time of year. The dead Fox I found yesterday in Pembroke Road was being collected by a lady and her team, but when they went to collect the Fox last night, it had gone; of which I can only assume the Council took it away or one of the local residents?
There was a selection of birds to be seen during my first shift in Pembroke Road and after my shift, I took a drive over to Southsea Castle to see if there was anything of note there and then I finished my little bit of birding down at the harbour entrance at Eastney.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
I notched up 13 bird species during my first shift there this morning and again, like yesterday, it was the usual fare here that did included several flocks of Brent Geese heading east and one, possibly two, Cormorants were seen, though one did look a little small and could of been a Shag and was heading towards Portsmouth Harbour? Again, the usual passerines were seen and heard, but no Greenfinch this morning.
Southsea Castle and the Solent:
A solitary Oystercatcher was present on the rocks below Southsea Castle, but nothing else of note was seen here this morning.
To be honest, if it wasn't for a lone Oystercatcher seen on the rocks in front of the Castle, it would have been a dead loss here. Though the rocks look good to protect the seafront from coastal erosion, I cannot help thinking that I preferred the old concrete slope that used to be here. Searching for the Purple Sandpipers here is much harder than it was and this was my second trip here without seeing the birds. However, numbers have dropped considerably here with only a handful being seen, which begs the question, do they really benefit from the new rocks here? The Oystercatcher looked quite at home, prising Limpets off the rocks with its huge orange bill with ease.
Above, the view of the rocks looking west from the new promenade. Below, the Oystercatcher on the rocks.
Above, the new beach looking towards South Parade Pier. Below, this poor Carrion Crow was sat on the sea wall. Just look at the state of its feet!
There was nothing whatsoever on the Solent except a few Herring and Black-headed Gulls and so I turned my attention to the Castle where a female Black Redstart was seen a couple of days ago by my mate Andy Fisher. Nope. Not a sausage! Absolutely void of birdlife and so I walked back to the car disappointed. I decided to round the morning off with a trip to the harbour entrance and try my luck here.
Harbour entrance, Eastney:
The immature Great Northern Diver in Lock Lake.
Again, the harbour entrance was literally empty of birds, save a few Black-headed Gulls by the car park and so I took a drive to the small car park near the Hayling Ferry Terminal. A good scan in both Lock Lake (I recently heard someone calling this area Eastney Lake, but on Google Maps, it's Lock Lake?) and the northern half of Langstone Harbour. At first, despite a rising tide, I couldn't find anything of note whatsoever and I nearly gave up and then a second sweep through the binoculars, an immature Great Northern Diver came into view having passed the spit and swam south into Lock Lake. In the sunshine, it looked stunning and so I quickly got my camera pointing at it and took several half decent photos of this lovely bird. I had only seen my first of the year last Saturday from Hayling Oysterbeds, but this bird today was much closer than Saturday's bird. I was well pleased with this sighting and so got back into the car as I was getting a bit cold. From the car, a flock of Brent Geese flew past and a Sandwich Tern could be seen flying east over the harbour, to round off my morning’s birding.
The immature Great Northern Diver about to sink beneath the waves.
The vocal female Black Redstart now spending its 5th week by my garden.
It was a grim start to the working week this morning when I discovered a dead adult Fox opposite where I stand in Pembroke Road this morning; sadly freshly dead from being hit by a car and so I managed to pick it up from the pavement and gently placed it on a bit of bare ground nearby. Parents with their children walk over on that side of the road and the last thing they want to see is a dead Fox. Thankfully, I managed to get the number of the guys who can pick it up and dispose of the poor animal.
On a much better note, there was a good number of bird species within Pembroke Road today and back at my garden in Southsea, both the Black Redstart and Blackcap were still present; the latter showing very well in the bare tree in my neighbours garden. The weather was mostly overcast today and a bit showery at times too.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
I waited patiently for the guys to come along to take the Fox away, but they never arrived during the time I was there and so hopefully they might have collected it after I had left Pembroke Road. Amazingly, I have never ever seen a Fox here at this site and so it is sad that I had to find a dead one to prove that they are actually here.
Up to 14 species of birds were recorded today, despite being rather overcast and a little damp in the afternoon, though the best of the birds were most likely the Brent Geese flying east over the Curtain Moat area. Three species of Gull were recorded: Black-headed (2 birds), Great Black-backed Gull and many Herring Gulls as expected. Passerines, either seen or heard, included the House Sparrows, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird and best of all, a Greenfinch flying over. I thought I had heard a Chiffchaff call, but it was just the once and so I could not be 100% sure.
My Garden:
The female Black Redstart and Blue Tit share the same tree.
I heard the male Blackcap singing in the back garden when I got home from Old Portsmouth, but I didn't get a sighting of the bird. I bought some new Fat Balls from Home Bargains yesterday, seeing the old ones were rotten and it didn't take long for the Blue Tits to take full advantage of them.
Above, one of the three Blue Tits and below, the female Black Redstart sharing the same tree.
It was after my second shift at Pembroke Road that I went outside into my garden to see if the female Black Redstart was still present. Thankfully, it was. I heard the bird calling first of all, a repeated soft ‘sipp’ call coming from the bare tree in my neighbours garden and I saw it fairly high up in the tree. I rushed back indoors to grab my camera and though there were a lot of small branches in the way, I managed to grab a few photos and a bit of film footage of this lovely little bird. Along with the Blackcap, it is now spending its fifth week here by my garden but for how much longer? We shall see.
I managed some film footage of the Black Redstart by my garden today.
Birding pal Andy Fisher was out birding again today and he managed to see both Firecrest and Red-legged Partridge to add to his year list.
In Hampshire today:
One of the Lazee Birders, Mark Francis, picked up a flock of 11 Red-throated Divers off Hill Head today as the birds rested on the sea from the Sailing Club and also a Red-necked Grebe off the Brownwich area. Two Black-necked Grebes, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 drake Scaup and 2 Great Northern Divers were off the Hayling Oyster Beds; all seen by fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ Gary Fennemore. In the New Forest, a female Hen-Harrier and a juvenile White-tailed Eagle flew over Beaulieu Heath this morning.
One of the pair of Jays that showed very well this morning within the Cemy.
I took the dogs for a nice walk around Highland Road Cemetery this morning and although it was a bit grey overhead, it was fairly mild around 11am. I had already done the shopping with Becky and so after unpacking, I took the dogs for their well deserved walk. In the afternoon, my wife and I took a drive to Keydell Nurseries for a coffee and a quick look round, but I knew that there were Mandarin Ducks on the large lake there; a regular site for them for many a year. I was thinking of going to Eyeworth Pond in the New Forest to view the birds, but this was much closer to home. Earlier today, the male Blackcap was singing again deep within my neighbours Bay Tree and it was also seen briefly in the bare tree behind my garden before flying off. Sadly, no sign of the female Black Redstart today.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
Arguably, one of my favourite footpaths within the Cemy. From here, I normally stand here for about 10 minutes or so and simply wait to see or hear what birds appear.
As per yesterday, it did seem a little ‘Spring-like’ when I walked my dogs around the Cemetery late morning. There were at least three Robins, all not far from one another, singing their hearts out within the centre of the Cemy and a Great Tit was seen singing high up in one of the Chestnut trees. The regular pair of Jays showed very well again today and a female Goldcrest was flitting about in a small Bay tree close to the main footpath and showed now and then, but such a difficult bird to photograph when it's on the move through the bushes in search of tiny insects.
Above, a male Blackbird was one of several in the Cemy, but only this bird showed itself well. Below, the female Goldcrest skulking by the main footpath.
Above, looking south from the north-east corner. I have seen a Black Redstart perched on one of the gravestones here in the past. Below, one of the Jays showing well again.
Above, we have lift off. A Blue Tit just taking flight at the northern end of the Cemy and below, I counted at least 40+ Starlings high up in the Chestnut Trees and made a lot of noise.
Herring Gulls resting on one of the Chapels.
All the usual birds were seen with a total of 10 species recorded during my 45 minutes or so there. Sadly, no other unusual birds here, but an enjoyable walk nonetheless. Listening to the singing Robins was rewarding enough and will only get better as the year moves onto Spring.
Keydell Nurseries, Horndean:
Becky and I drove north to Keydell Nurseries from which I knew that there were Mandarins on the large lake there. Hidden behind woodland, one can feed the ducks there and though these Mandarin ducks were not introduced here, would they be showing today? Thankfully for us, Becky and I counted at least 8 birds on the lake, with two drakes swimming on the water and then a further four more drakes and two female birds joining them on the water. Unfortunately, I had no camera to hand and therefore I had to use my mobile phone camera to take some photos which came out rubbish. The film footage I took was a little better, but not the sharpest I'm afraid. Still, another ‘year-tick’ to add to my year list, which now stands at 132 species in Hampshire for the year.
The Mandarin Ducks on Keydell Nurseries lake. Film footage taken from my mobile phone (sorry its not so sharp as I would have liked).
We finished our trip here with a lovely cup of coffee and a slice of delicious Lemon Drizzle cake in the cafe here and then back home. Andy Fisher had texted me earlier to say he managed to see the female Black Redstart at Southsea Castle and then off to Farlington Marshes to round his day off. Birding pal Geoff Farwell went over to the Coombe / Hen Wood area today and saw the following birds: 10 Red Kite, 5 Common Buzzard, Goshawk, 4 Ravens, 245 Common Gulls, Woodlark, Marsh Tit, 46 Meadow Pipits, 80+ Redwing and 50 Chaffinches.
In Hampshire today:
Most of the sort-after birds seen yesterday at Hayling Oyster Beds were there again today including the Long-tailed Duck which we had missed yesterday. Four Little Gulls were in the harbour later in the afternoon and an incredible 25 Russian White-fronted Geese (just three there yesterday) were on nearby Farlington Marshes! A Great Great Shrike was seen at Holm Hill in the New Forest, but no sightings reported of the bird at Shatterford today. Woodlarks are now singing at various locations including 8 birds noted at Mottisfont.
Red-flanked Bluetail. Emma and Matt Parkes went to Crockham Hill in Kent yesterday to see their first ever of this species. Photos by Emma Parkes.
Waders coming into the roost on the spit just south of the Beds. Birds here included Dunlin, Knot and Grey Plover with a pair of Brent Geese among them.
Another superb Saturday birding with Geoff and Andy at three locations today. The short trip to Hayling Island at both Hayling Oyster Beds and Sandy Point produced 7 new ‘year-ticks’ for my year list and to round the day off, we took the drive over to the Canal Path near Titchfield Village for my final ‘year-tick’ of the day. The weather was a bit indifferent at first, with light rain for around an hour, but it eventually eased up and remained dry for the rest of the day, though it was mostly overcast during the morning and brightening up in the afternoon.
Hayling Oyster Beds, Hayling Island:
Oystercatchers flying to roost on the Oyster Beds.
Getting at this site early is essential for parking as the car park is very small and thankfully for us, there was plenty of space to park. However, with the new Food Wagon parked in the car park, space was getting very limited and by the time we got back. High tide was around 10.30am and so on the rising tide, we were rewarded with large numbers of waders coming into roost on the bunds and spit. The water in the harbour was flat calm and so picking off the wildfowl and grebes was relatively easy, although most of our quarry was rather distant.
Above, Dunlin flying into the roost on the Beds and below, my first Med Gull of the year.
Above, a Great Crested Grebe (left) swimming near the drake Scaup north-west of the Beds.
On a positive note, I picked up 6 ‘year-ticks’ here that included all 5 UK Grebes. I needed both Black-necked Grebe and the long staying Red-necked Grebe and both species were seen……just! There was no trouble in picking up the Black-necked Grebes with two birds swimming together just to the north-west of the Beds, but the Red-necked Grebe was far more difficult to find. A chap thought he had found the bird, but it turned out to be a Little Grebe, but five minutes later, I picked out the Red-necked Grebe way in the distance south of the islands; though it didn’t take long for it to disappear. Great Crested Grebes were abundant with at least 30+ birds counted within the harbour.
Above, the Med Gull eventually landed right behind us on the main pool. Below, a drake Red-breasted Merganser on the same pool. Up to 7 Mergansers were on the pools here as well as good numbers out in the harbour.
Above, a flock of Brent Geese on the edge of one of the Bunds with a fishing Merg to the right. In the distance, one of the three Slavonian Grebes within the harbour. Below, a pair of Whimbrel roosting (centre) and flanked by Oystercatchers and Dunlin.
The drake Scaup was found very quickly, swimming just north-west of the Beds all by itself and up to three Slavonian Grebes were seen also swimming roughly in the same area. Geoff found my first Mediterranean Gull of the year flying over the Beds and the bird settled nicely nearby on the nearest pool. Flocks of waders were pouring onto the Reserve, landing either on the spit to the south or on the Bunds to the north and included my first Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit of the year. A good variety of waders were present including Dunlin, Grey Plover, Turnstone and Curlew and a Greenshank flew in and landed on the edge of the main pool. A calling Rock Pipit flew over our heads and headed off north and while constantly checking the harbour for anything else of note, I picked out at least four drake Goldeneyes to the north and my first Great Northern Diver of the year way to the south in the harbour.
Above, the spit at the southern end of the Beds that supported a variety of waders and below, up to 7 Red-breasted Mergansers were swimming together on one of the pools.
Above, there were many Great Crested Grebes within the harbour and this bird came in a lot closer and below, the lone Greenshank roosting on the edge of the pools.
Good sightings didn't end there either as we made our way clockwise around the Beds. I did know of an area where the Whimbrel normally roosts and at the northern end of the Beds, the Bund there produced Andy’s first Whimbrel's of the year. Two birds were roosting on the edge of the Bund along with many other waders and with the sky brightening up a little, it made a good opportunity for photographing the birds here. Due to a lot of boats going through the northern half of the harbour, the Grebes and Ducks all seemed to have disappeared near Langstone Bridge and so we took the long walk back to the Car Park and then made our way to Sandy Point.
Sandy Point, Hayling Island:
This adult Shag was the only bird I could really take a photo of as most of our sightings here at Sandy Point were seen using our respective scopes!
My target bird was the Little Gulls seen earlier this week, but during our hour or so stay here, there were none to be seen. A good scan over the harbour entrance, which was a bit choppy at first, the only bird of note was an adult Shag fishing on the sea here. We could see flocks of Brent Geese over at West Wittering and looking south into Chichester Harbour, I could see a lone Sandwich Tern fishing in the distance. Sadly, no Auks to be found, though a Razorbill was seen earlier in the day along with a drake Eider.
I walked back to the car to grab my Ruck Sack which held my flask and food and then we all made our way to the Lifeboat Station to not only have lunch, but also check the harbour thoroughly for anything of note. While I was away, Geoff picked out a Great Northern Diver in the harbour mouth and it didn't take long to find the bird after I arrived, our second of the day, but too distant to get a decent photo of the bird.
Looking north into the harbour, while checking the Great Crested Grebes (at least 10 birds in the southern half of the harbour), I picked out a Slavonian Grebe and a couple of Sandwich Terns. Also, something interesting flew past my field of view and through the scope, I realised it was my first drake Eider of the year. It took a while, but I managed to get Andy onto the bird for him to claim his first one for the year. Good team work! Several flocks of Sanderling were seen flying from the Black Point area and no doubt, probably flushed by dog-walkers. Andy then got a message on his mobile that a Short-eared Owl was seen at the Hayling Oysterbeds and it turned out that the bird was flushed from one of the fields by stray dogs entering the fields. Fume!
Canal Path, Titchfield Haven:
Four of the six Glossy Ibis that Andy thankfully found. Geoff and I walked past them, but Andy wanted to check this small pool in case there was a Water Pipit there and then found the Ibis!
Our last stop for the day took us to the Bridge Street car park at Titchfield. Our goal was the Glossy Ibis where six birds were seen here this morning. There was also the outside chance of Water Pipit on the Bridge Street Floods, north of the car park, which was seen earlier this week and so we all headed north to view the flooded fields. On arrival, there was a lot of birdsong within the area and as Geoff noted, it really felt Spring-like, with both Great Tits and Song Thrushes in full song here.
Above, as well as the Ibis, there was a pair of Teal nearby. Below, a flock of Lapwing took off from the Bridge Street Floods.
Sadly, no sign of any Water Pipits, but a male Pied Wagtail stood out well in the bright sunshine now along with a pair Teal. Andy finally got his first proper view of a pair of Jays flying over the woods, to add to his year list and I found a Common Buzzard perched on a small tree out in the open. Realising there was no sign of the Glossy Ibis, we assumed they must be further south on the pools and as we made our way back to walk down the Canal Path, Andy gave the shout that he had found the Glossy Ibis. Sure enough, a small pool behind the field behind the Horse Paddocks, held all six of the Ibis to add to our year list. Happy days indeed. Apparently, one of the birds had a dodgy leg and limped along to join the other Ibis.
Above and below, there were a good number of Redwing in the trees and bushes along the Canal footpath.
We walked south down the Canal Path and the sharp ‘tick’ of a hidden Cetti’s Warbler in vegetation in front of us had us all waiting for the bird to appear. Thankfully, it did as Andy grabbed yet another species for his year list; but it was the briefest of views of this secretive Warbler. He still needed a Chiffchaff for his year list, but surprisingly, we failed to actually see any, though Geoff and I definitely heard one bird that did not show.
Walking south, both Red Kite and Marsh Harrier flew over the Reserve and flocks of Wigeon and Canada Geese were seen grazing over the east side of the Reserve, with Rabbits seen hopping around nearby. Posbrook Floods only held a few Coot and a Little Grebe, but little else unfortunately as we then made our way to the Bridge to finish off my Coffee. From here, a female Goldcrest showed nicely nearby as well as several Long-tailed Tits; but just waiting for around 15 minutes in one spot, Jackdaws came down to search for food along the footpath nearby along with Robins, Blue Tits and a Dunnock. A Little Egret flew over as I drained the last of my thermos flask and so we finished our day here and made our way back to the car park and the drive home. A superb day again with my chums and some quality birds seen at some of our favourite birding sites.
Above, four of the six Glossy Ibis on the Bridge Street Floods this afternoon.
After yesterday's deluge of rain, it was nice to have a dry start to the day here in Pembroke Road.
It was a dry start to my first shift this morning at Pembroke Road and the bird species came thick and fast, but slowed by around 8.20am. But at least it was dry and relatively mild, especially after yesterday's deluge of rain that left the Bowling Green flooded in areas. I finally managed to grab some half decent photos of the Blackcap in my garden when I got home from my first shift and also the female Black Redstart put in a brief appearance.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
I managed to get up to 12 bird species this morning on my first shift here and although nothing out of the ordinary, I had around 10 species within ten minutes of my arrival. It was clear overhead, though some menacing large dark clouds were over the Solent and the Isle of Wight. Sure enough, when I got home, while checking the back gardens, a heavy shower took place!
Of the birds seen this morning, it included several skeins of Brent Geese heading east and most likely joining the large gathering of the same species on the enclosed area on Southsea Common. Sadly, you can never please everybody about conservation as some idiots on Facebook were moaning about the closed off area for the Geese. Where land is at a premium and regularly getting built on, even if it is a protected area for nature, I wish some of these ‘planks’ would simply grow up and understand what is going on! Rant over!
Both Great Tit and Blue Tit were singing within the Holm Oaks and a Robin even burst into song for a while. Good numbers of Great Black-backed Gulls were noted today with at least 6 birds flying over Governor’s Green and the nearby houses.
My Garden:
At last, the male Blackcap eventually showed himself, despite the heavy rain shower.
As mentioned, the male Blackcap finally came out of hiding and during a brief but heavy shower, the bird perched up high in the bare tree (which is favoured by the Black Redstart) and showed very well and even sang for a while! The light was poor as the rain fell, so excuse the quality of my photos. The female Black Redstart even showed herself briefly as she was seen hovering below the Yucca Tree berries in my neighbours garden. But that was the last I saw of her during my ten minutes studying mine and nearby gardens.
The French Passenger Ship 'The Guillaume de Normande' sailing out of Portsmouth Harbour and passing Governor's Green early this morning.
An unexpected icy start to the day with a heavy frost here on the south coast and seeing how wet it was yesterday, it certainly took me by surprise. It was near freezing when I took my dogs for their early morning walk at 6.45am, but I could see the ice on the windscreens as I walked past and the cloudless dawn sky held a bright crescent moon over in the south east as I strolled past Highland Road Cemetery. There was a good movement of Redwing passing overhead, unseen in the dark sky, with at least 16 birds heard calling. I have heard them every morning this week, but this morning there were a lot more than usual.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
There were no Peregrine sightings this morning, but I did notch up 14 bird species on my first shift in Pembroke Road today. Both Governor’s Green and the Bowling Green had a heavy frost upon them, while overhead, I saw a lot of Brent Geese flying over Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent from where I stood; all passing eastbound. All the usual suspects were present, which included both Blue Tits and a Great Tit all singing from the tops of the Holm Oaks.
Two male Blackbirds were fighting over who was to feed on the Yucca Plant berries close by, until one flew off back over the road looking a bit peeved! In the afternoon, the weather had changed completely. Cloud had rolled in around midday and by 3pm, light rain was falling. The only other bird species of note to be seen was a singing Wren that was somewhere deep within the hedgerow by the Bowling Green.
My Garden:
The female Black Redstart by my garden yet again.
Both the female Black Redstart and the male Blackcap showed relatively well today in my back garden. The former was seen briefly up in the tall bare tree in my neighbours garden again although it didn't hang around long, but long enough to grab a few photos of the bird before it flew off over the gardens.
Another photo of the female Black Redstart in her fourth week by my garden.
The male Blackcap also popped into the same tree briefly, but would not hang around long enough for a photo as it flew back and forth to the same tree and then headed off south. Later in the afternoon, I heard the Blackcap singing in my neighbours Bay Tree, but the rain came in and the chance of a photo was lost; though it was deep within cover and out of view. A couple of male Blackbirds were much more obliging as they seemed to chase each other around the gardens and the tall tree.
One of the Blackbirds at the back of my garden.
In Hampshire today:
A very large flock of 22 Tundra Bean Geese were seen to fly down the Beaulieu Estuary towards the Isle of Wight this morning; one of the largest flocks of this species ever in Hampshire. From Hayling Oysterbeds, a Red-necked Grebe, Black-necked Grebe and a Slavonian Grebe were seen this morning along with the regular male Scaup and Long-tailed Duck. Up to four Little Gulls were off Sandy Point, Hayling Island this morning and over at Woolmer Pond, up to four Woodlarks were seen including a singing bird. Birding pal Andy Fisher, on his day off, also went to Hayling Oysterbeds and picked up all five Grebe species, the Long-tailed Duck, Scaup and a Great Northern Diver. He then went on to Sandy Point and connected with the a Little Gull there and also picked up Bar-tailed Godwit and Sanderling for his year list, which puts him on 118 species for the year in Hampshire.
One of the Little Gulls off Sandy Point today. Photo by Steve Laycock.
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