Two Warbler species in my garden and another trip to Curtain Moat.

Friday 20th March 2026.

An adult Black-headed Gull with a Wood Pigeon by Curtain Moat.

The fine weather continued today with temperatures reaching around 16 degrees centigrade and with a light easterly wind, it was very pleasant to be working in Old Portsmouth today. The weekend weather is also looking very good, but I am still not quite sure yet where we are going. Though I did not have the Moth Box overnight, I couldn't help checking my garden out first thing this morning and I was pleasantly surprised. 

I also decided to take my Nikon Camera with me this morning and got to Old Portsmouth around 7.40am to take a short walk to the Curtain Moat and also to check the Solent.

St. Augustine LNR (My Garden):

As mentioned, before I headed off to Pembroke Road, a check of my garden revealed that both a Blackcap and Chiffchaff were singing close by. The Blackcap would not show itself having heard the bird singing within my neighbours Bay Tree and probably moved off north; however, the Chiffchaff showed itself nicely close to my bird feeders and quietly sang long enough for me to check it out and then head off to Old Portsmouth. More good news was the 6 House Sparrows taking advantage of the remaining Fat Balls. They have been so scarce of late around my garden, that I was over the moon they actually found my feeders. However, I bet they attack my Moth Box once more Moths eventually turn up.

Earlier today, while taking the dogs out for their morning walk, overhead, I heard a Siskin and a Meadow Pipit fly over, but could I see them? No chance!

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

One of the four Blue Tits showing well today.

Another cracking morning of bird species here in Pembroke Road with a whopping 19 species recorded from my walk to Curtain Moat and then by Pembroke Road itself. As mentioned, I took my Nikon Camera with me today and got some nice record photos of the area around Curtain Moat and some of the birds that inhabit the area. I gave Governors Green and along the seafront for any Wheatears as a few had been seen on the south coast, but sadly, no sign of any whatsoever.

Above, the pleasant pathway from Pembroke Road to the Curtain Moat. Below, Carrion Crows getting some great views from the Weather Vane on top of the Garrison Church.

Above, the tunnel leading to the Curtain Moat and below, one of many Starling by the Moat.

Above, the Curtain Moat looks quite tranquil. Below, 'Speckled Jim' and another Feral Pigeon by the Moat.

Above, there were so many Carrion Crows present along the new promenade and below, a lone juvenile Herring Gull loafing on the sea just offshore.

Above, the Hovercraft arriving from the Isle of Wight and below, an adult Cormorant busy fishing on the calm sea.

The Blue Tits were again seen displaying over Pembroke Road and in this superb light, they really looked stunning on their tiny wings. The Magpies were going back and forth over the road with nesting material, while Robins, Wrens and Dunnocks were in full song along with a very vocal Great Tit. A Siskin was obviously very high up as it circled a couple of times and called continuously. It was much quieter in the afternoon and nothing new bird species were added to my day total. Still, a good day and now for the weekend. Bring it on!

The following birds were recorded here today:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Great Black-backed Gull
• Feral Pigeon
• Wood Pigeon
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Siskin
• Pied Wagtail
• Starling
• House Sparrow
• Dunnock
• Robin
• Blackbird
• Wren
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Cormorant
• Linnet

Few Moths again in my garden and another glorious day.

Thursday 19th March 2026.

Yet another glorious day here in Southsea with wall to wall blue sky overhead and a light easterly wind throughout the day. This afternoon, it actually got up to 18 degrees (according to my car thermometer) and there is more of the same for the rest of the week (if you believe the weather forecasters!). The Moth Box went on again last night, even though it was a clear evening and quite cool overnight.

My Moth Box:

Beautiful Plume.

As expected, there was a very low turn out of Moths in and around the Moth Box with just three in total: two Common Plumes and a Beautiful Plume. Fingers crossed, this glorious weather just might produce a few more ‘macro’ moths to the garden.

One of two Common Plume moths this morning.

While checking the Moth Box and after talking about the lack of Finches at Pembroke Road yesterday on my blog, a Siskin, Greenfinch and a Linnet all flew over my garden! Just goes to show, you just never know what can appear next. With the warm weather, I was somewhat surprised to see no Raptors overhead today, which was a bit disappointing and I am still waiting for my first Hirundine to fly over.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A total of 14 bird species were recorded today here at Pembroke Road and yet again, it was all the usual species, but hey, I am not complaining. Fourteen species is still a good total for this area of Portsmouth and quite a few of the birds entertained and this included my first sighting of a Jay this week that flew in and landed in the trees opposite from where I stood.

Both the Wren and Dunnock sang their hearts out and showed very well and the Blue Tit clan here were busy chasing one another in the Holm Oaks. Sadly, no butterflies were seen today, but there were plenty of Bees and Hoverflies on the wing that included a few Batman Hoverflies.

In Hampshire today:

This Little Owl was seen at Easton. Photo by Andy Tew.

Kicking off with Hayling Oyster Beds, up to four Slavonian Grebes were seen offshore and included a summer plumaged bird. Nearby, the drake Scaup was still present. A White-tailed Eagle flew over Fareham this morning and on Blashford Lakes, 2 Ruff (which increased to 6 birds in the afternoon) and a Little Ringed Plover were on the Ibsley Water area as well as the female Red-crested Pochard. Testwood Lakes held up to 5 Little Ringed Plovers and a Sand Martin.

This evening, a pair of Pipistrelle Bats were flying up and down over my garden.

Warmest day of the year? Not in Southsea.

Wednesday 18th March 2026.

Governor's Green looking north-west. Pembroke Road is on the right hand side with both the Spinaker Tower and Portsmouth Cathedral in the centre of the photo. A lovely day today.

Today was tipped to be the warmest of the year and although there was wall to wall sunshine throughout the day, I think temperatures hovered around the 13 degree mark with a breezy easterly wind in the afternoon being most notable. It was probably a lot warmer further north into the county, but I cannot complain. It certainly had the birds singing and insects on the wing, which kept me happy. I didn't put the Moth Box on overnight, but I just might put it on tonight instead.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

All these photos were taken from my mobile phone camera, so not the highest quality I'm afraid. The pair of Mute Swans I saw on the sea and then flew off east.

An impressive 17 bird species were recorded today although I did get a good head start by taking a walk to the Curtain Moat before starting my first shift. There was always a chance of a migrant in the area, but I got all the usual birds in the area including at least two Meadow Pipits that were flushed from the grassy area near the Moat. A pair of Mute Swans were seen distantly sitting on the sea as I watched the Hovercraft come in. The Swans were not too keen on all the noise and soon took off, flew towards me and then headed off eastbound (see photo).

The Curtain Moat in the early morning sunshine. Both Starlings and Feral Pigeons nest in the cavities within the walls of the Moat.

The birds seen or heard included the following:

• Mute Swan (2)
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Great Black-backed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Starling
• Robin
• Wren
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• House Sparrow
• Blackbird
• Dunnock

One thing I have noticed is that there has been no Finches seen for a few weeks now, which I am surprised about. Yes, maybe it is timing as I am only spending a couple of hours a day here and I am glad the House Sparrows are still thriving in the hedgerow by the Bowling Green. But for how long? We shall see.

This singing Dunnock was perched on the perimeter fence of the Bowling Green.

On a positive note, the warm weather is bringing in the insects and today, I saw my first Comma and Small White butterflies today; the latter was in Pembroke Road this afternoon and the former was seen in the Eastney area around midday. A probable Red Admiral was also seen this afternoon in Pembroke Road, but flew off too quickly to be 100% sure. Other insects today were several Buff-tailed Bumblebees and my second Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) of the year perched on a wall in Milton. My garden held another couple of Hairy-footed Flower Bees this afternoon and are always most welcome.

My second Batman Hoverfly of the year. This one was in Milton, near Southsea.

In Hampshire today:

Farlington Marshes hosted a few interesting sightings today that included a White-tailed Eagle (another, an adult, flew over Shatterford in the New Forest) high over the reserve and also a Water Pipit was seen on the east side of the reserve. Birding pal Andy Fisher and a few other ‘Lazee Birders’ connected with the Short-eared Owl on one of the islands within Langstone Harbour this evening.

Other sightings in Hampshire involved quite a few migrants recorded including an Osprey over Lower Test Marshes this morning, a Little Ringed Plover and Sand Martin at Keyhaven Marshes (the 7 White-fronted Geese were still present by the Balancing Pools), a Little Gull at Blashford Lakes (the female Red-crested Pochard was still there) and a Wheatear at Barton on Sea Golf Course. Finally, a Swallow was seen flying over Rockbourne. I do hope I might see one fly over Pembroke Road? Two chances: Fat & No!!!

Much better weather today with plenty of sunshine.

Tuesday 17th March 2026.

This pink tinged Daisy was growing with the normal coloured Daisies near Eastney Pier this morning.

A nice sunny day where temperatures in the sunshine reached double figures. A very light southerly wind was blowing over Southsea and this afternoon, it was sunglasses at the ready for wall to wall sunshine. I had the Moth Box on overnight and I wasn't really confident that I would actually have any Moths, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was back to Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, early this morning and after the first shift, I took the dogs for a walk around Eastney Pier and then finished my day off back at Pembroke Road for my afternoon shift.

My Moth Box:

Common Quaker.

As expected, there were very few Moths present this morning and nothing new for the year either. A Common Quaker was inside the Moth Box on one of the egg trays and a Common Plume was on another as I carefully then placed the egg boxes back into the Box. Yes, there were plenty of tiny Midges and Winter Gnats, but still not many Moths yet.

While checking the Moth Box, I heard a Chiffchaff quietly calling in neighbouring gardens which led me to presume that it might actually have flown in from the Continent overnight?

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A bright, sunny and much warmer morning at Pembroke Road.

Up to 15 bird species were recorded today and although most of the usual birds were seen or heard, the only birds of note were a flock of 4 Mute Swans flying east over Governor’s Green and most likely heading to Canoe Lake and a Cormorant flying fast eastbound overhead. Sadly, no migrants seen or heard here today, but at least the weather was pleasant, especially this afternoon. Yesterday, it was much the same as yesterday with 15 bird species were recorded and with regards to insects, a few Buff-tailed Bumblebees dropped in to examine the flowering plants by the houses.

Eastney Pier and beach:

Red Dead-nettle growing by the Perimeter Fence.

Not only did I want to get my dogs to stretch their legs here on the beach by Eastney Pier, but also to check if any Wheatears had dropped in upon the beach and within the Perimeter fence of the Water Works. Sadly, no Wheatears, but there were a few Meadow Pipits and a small flock of 3 Linnets to look at. After I had parked my car, I got the dogs out and my first port of call was to check the field within the Perimeter Fence for Wheatears. Nothing doing I’m afraid, but a Cetti’s Warbler flew across my path and landed deep within the adjacent brambles and then called.

Above, Eastney Pier jutting out into the Solent and below, a juvenile Great Black-backed Gull in the car park.

Above, a pair of now summer plumage Black-headed Gulls on the seafront. Below, this singing Dunnock was by the perimeter fence.

Above, this large area of Brambles supports a variety of birdlife and other wildlife. The Cetti's Warbler seen this morning flew in there. Below, one of three Meadow Pipits seen within the compound.

This lovely little stretch of sandy beach is a great area for my dogs to run around and below, Periwinkle flowers are abundant here in the Brambles.

Looking south into Langstone Harbour from Eastney Pier.

Apart from one juvenile Great Black-backed Gull in the Car Park and several Black-headed Gulls on the beach, all was very quiet here and so I let the dogs off their lead around by the Pier to stretch their little legs. I flushed a few Meadow Pipits of which all but one flew off, while one of the birds perched on the wire fence. I then walked the dogs along the beach back to the car as an adult Common Gull flew past and headed back south. A Cormorant flew off from the harbour mouth and headed off into Langstone Harbour, which was now at high tide. I could see a large group of dogs further up the beach, being taken for a walk by a professional Dog-walker and so I got my dogs back on their lead and back into the car. An enjoyable hour's trip here, though just  a shame some disgusting creature had fly-tipped their garbage behind the brambles.

St. Augustine LNR (My Garden):

The near resident female Black Redstart has now long gone and probably moved off to its breeding site somewhere in Portsmouth. Also, there has been no sign of any Blackcaps either, but I do seem to have two resident Magpie’s by my garden most mornings now! My garden is somewhat very good as a suntrap and it does attract plenty of insects, notably Bee’s! At least three Hairy-footed Flower Bees were within my garden and several large Flies too, making the most of the warm sunshine. I have seen a few Hoverflies at the back of the garden, but too quick for me to get an ID. I have been planting a few Pansies around the garden and my Camelia is flowering very nicely that should attract a few insects.

One of three female Hairy-footed Flower Bees in my garden today.

This afternoon, I had a quick check around the Moth Box again, just in case I missed a Moth hiding away and in the distance, I heard the Green Woodpecker within Highland Road Cemetery calling merrily away in the late afternoon sunshine.

In Hampshire today:

Not an awful lot reported today on Going Birding today, but the female Red-crested Pochard was reported again on Ibsley Water (Blashford Lakes) and a pair of Wheatears were on Blackbushe Airfield, on the Hampshire /Surrey border. Four Purple Sandpipers were at Southsea Castle this morning. I didn't see any Brent Geese today on Southsea Common as many were seen passing Selsey Bill last week and most would be on their way now back to their breeding grounds. Over the weekend, up to FOUR Great Grey Shrikes were reported in the New Forest and one of the birds was still present at Pig Bush today. The Ruddy Shelduck was reported again at Titchfield Haven, having earlier been seen in the fields by Ranvilles Lane. 

These 'boxing' Hares were seen at Portsdown Hill last Sunday. Photos by Emma Parkes.

A sunny walk back in the Cemetery.

Sunday 15th March 2026.

This singing Wren was just a few feet away from where I stood.

The dogs got their Sunday walk over Highland Road Cemetery today as the sun was shining though with a fresh south-westerly wind and temperatures around 11 degrees. Light rain was predicted for this afternoon, but the dogs and I would be home by then. I was hoping for a migrant or two this morning; perhaps a singing Chiffchaff or a Wheatear (saw my first one for the year here in 2025).   

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

 

A sunny morning here in the Cemy today.

There was a fair selection of birds around today within the Cemetery and I was pleased to hear the Green Woodpecker again after a very long absence within the Cemy. I still have yet to actually see the bird, but I am sure it will not be long and sadly, no sighting of the bird today as my dogs and I took a slow stroll around my local patch.

There were plenty of flowering plants within the Cemy today as Spring arrived. Above, Common Field Speedwell and below, Lesser Celandine.

Above, Bulbous Buttercup was also growing in the Cemy and below, Sulphur Tuft toadstools growing around the east side of the Cemy, quite close to the footpath.

Other notable birds included a pair of male Greenfinches flying over and heading off south over the houses and a Meadow Pipit was heard to call, but I could not find the bird in the bright sunshine. A distant Mediterranean Gull was seen to fly off north, but far too quick for me to grab a photo as it disappeared behind the trees. There were plenty of the more common birds including a couple of singing Wrens close in plus several Robins and Blackbirds seen searching for food around the bushes. It was good to hear the House Sparrows in their usual bushes as they really are getting quite scarce around these parts!

Above and below, one of the old rotting trees was down and blocking the centre footpath. It will not be long before the Council will be clearing it away.

Above, one of several Robins seen this morning and below, the first leaves coming out on this Horse Chestnut tree.

There were a lot of plants in flower throughout the Cemy which included Lesser Celandine, Smooth Sow-thistle, Red Dead-nettle, Common Field Speedwell and I even found a clump of Bulbous Buttercup growing over on the east side of the Cemy. All these plants, as well as the flowering Cherry Blossom was attracting the Bees, though only Buff-tailed Bumblebee’s were seen today; maybe a bit too breezy for the insects? I couldn't find any Butterflies on the wing today of which I can only assume they prefer much calmer conditions. Still, a pleasant walk nonetheless and I know the dogs enjoyed their daily exercise too.

Above, a Buff-tailed Bumblebee nectaring on the Cherry Blossom and below, another photo of the showy Wren.

Above, both Wood Pigeon and a Collared Dove were preening in the tall conifer in the south-east corner of the Cemy. Below, the Lords and Ladies plants are getting much bigger than the last time I saw them.