Saturday 17th October 2026.
One of many Red Kites over Old Winchester Hill today.
The temperature here in Southsea early this morning was down
into single figures under a cloudless sky. It certainly was cold when I walked
the dogs passed Highland Road Cemetery at 6.45am today and it wasn’t till 30
minutes later that it got light enough to check my Moth Box
Though I made my way to Cowplain Marsh, mostly to check up
on Geoff Farwells Moth Box and the garden birds within and over Cowplain Marsh,
it was only Geoff who came birding today. Geoff was interested in going to Butser
Hill, but when he realised on how cold it was in that northerly wind, I
suggested Old Winchester Hill instead. Ring Ouzel was on the menu (a female
bird was seen at Leadenhall, New Forest, early this morning) and over the
years, we had seen Ring Ouzel's at Old Winchester Hill and as there was a lot of
visible migration going on overhead, it sounded like a good option. But first, the Moth Boxes needed some
attention.
My Moth Box:
My first Silver Y moth for October.
Sadly, there were just nine moths of 6 species recorded here
today in my Southsea garden, of which my first Silver Y moth for October was
present that was perched on the white board behind the Box. Unfortunately, the
Turnip Moth was deceased as it was caught in a web behind the Box, but the
Golden Twin-spot and the 3 Feathered Ranunculus were safe and sound.
Visible migration was near non-existent this morning as the only bird going over the house while I checked the Moth
Box was a lone Pied Wagtail.
The Moths recorded this morning included the following:
|
MACRO MOTHS
|
MICRO MOTHS
|
|
|
|
|
Silver Y x1
|
Rusty-dot
Pearl x1
|
|
Golden
Twin-spot x1
|
Light Brown
Apple Moth x2
|
|
Turnip Moth
x1
|
|
|
Feathered
Ranunculus x3
|
|
Geoff’s Moth Box, Cowplain Marsh:
Though there were few moths here at Cowplain Marsh, this Merveille du jour was our second for the Autumn.
Just two Moths were the sum of Geoff’s Moth Box this
morning, though two very nice moths. Our second Merveille du Jour of the Autumn
was present on one of the outside egg trays and on the reverse side of the same
egg tray, there was a Red-line Quaker.
The only other moth present was this Red-line Quaker.
Despite the many egg trays put out and the Moth Box itself,
these were the only Moths present here this morning. Thankfully, there was a lot
of visible migration going on overhead.
A Blue Tit on the Fatballs here at Cowplain Marsh.
We got to see our first Redwings of the year this morning as
we were enjoying our respective hot drinks while watching what was passing
overhead. Firstly, a singleton flew over and then small flocks of 4 and 5 birds
respectively; all heading north. At least 7 Chaffinches went over as did 5
Siskin and a pair of Cormorants heading north.
This pair of Cormorants headed north while we were enjoying a cup of coffee.
The feeders attracted several House Sparrows (so good to
see), up to around 7 Goldfinch and a singing Dunnock. Flybys included a Red
Kite flying over the gardens to the west; a Great Spotted Woodpecker in one of
the nearby trees and a Jay over the garden heading east. A Skylark was heard
but not seen somewhere high in the blue sky.
Old Winchester Hill, Meon Valley:
The stunning view looking west from the Hill.
I have to say, there was a long list of bird sightings here
at Old Winchester Hill and amazingly, many of them were from two of the benches
overlooking the valley below and the Fort to the south-west where Geoff and I
enjoyed a lot of visible migration going on overhead. Our day here was rounded
off with an actual, but brief sighting of a male Ring Ouzel within the scrub of
the South Slope and possibly a few more too.
One of many Meadow Pipits seen today. This one was on the South Slope by the Fort.
All the action started within the Car Park on arrival where
a Crossbill flew over and headed off eastbound and a Marsh Tit was seen calling
up in the nearby bushes. After seeing at least three Red Kites over the
countryside near the main road on the way to the site, another pair flew low
over the Car Park. A flock of 8 Jackdaws then flew over the Car Park as Geoff
and I then made our way to the gate overlooking the superb countryside to the
west. The light was magnificent today and so the visibility here was second to
none.
We were blessed with many Red Kites today.
Sitting on the first bench overlooking the valley and Yew
Trees below, sightings were coming past thick and fast. Good numbers of
Linnets, Chaffinches and a flock of 25+ Redwing were seen. A Great Spotted
Woodpecker flew over as did at least two Woodlark, but the latter species were
not seen and heard only.
Linnets were abundant too and I was lucky with this photo as three birds perched nicely by the footpath leading to the Fort entrance.
A flock of 4 Siskins flew over and headed north and a single
bird a little while later. The clear and sunny weather proved excellent for soaring raptors as another four more Red Kites could be seen flying
over the countryside. A small flock of 4 Stock Doves flew out of the trees below and headed off north. Large flocks of
Wood Pigeons were flying over the fields while Skylarks and singles of both Greenfinch and Bullfinch were added to our day total here. Even a Fox (a rare sighting here
for me) briefly put in an appearance nearby but soon disappeared into the
vegetation. A Firecrest was calling behind us deep with the Brambles and our
first Clouded Yellow butterfly of the morning, lazily flew past us heading low
north over the grass.
We saw several flocks of Redwing today over the Hill.
From the second bench some 200 yards further south, we sat
down again and watched what went by. A calling Reed Bunting was seen flying
south and a pair of Common Buzzards put in an appearance soaring high over the
fields. Flocks of Meadow Pipits were going over, and a Nuthatch was seen
flying out of the trees behind us and then headed off south. Some activity
within the Yews and dead trees below us in the valley held some Thrush species
and although they were difficult to see most of the time, one bird that flew in
looked very good for a Ring Ouzel. It certainly had silvery wings and most
definitely 'Blackbird shaped' and size. However, it was difficult to get a decent
view of the bird due to both distance and the sun shining in our direction; so
we had to make do with Thrush sp.! However, a Mistle Thrush flying out of the
same area proved conclusive.
Geoff caught sight of a large Raptor soaring over the Hill
and was being mobbed by a very brave Kestrel. The bird was flying in our direction,
and it didn’t take long to ID the bird as a juvenile male Goshawk. The bird
then flew east and disappeared over the trees and that was the last we saw of
it.
A large flock of around 60+ Meadow Pipits were swirling around the South Slope below the Fort and some actually settled on some of the Bushes and fence wire.
Pleased with our sightings, we then made our way to the
footpath leading to the Fort area. A large flock of Long-tailed Tits then flew
over our heads and among them was at least two Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff. The
walk to the Fort was rather quiet, but a few more Clouded Yellow butterflies
were seen along with a single Red Admiral.
Another cracking view of the countryside from the second bench at the top of the Hill.
On reaching the Fort area, we took the walk down the South
Slope where we had a sizeable flock of around 70+ Linnets and roughly the same
number of Meadow Pipits on the South Slope. More Red Kites entertained us, soaring
over the countryside and while chatting with Geoff, some movement caught my eye
as I saw at least a few Song Thrushes in the vegetation to the north. Then both
of us caught sight of a male Ring Ouzel (a dark Blackbird coloured shaped bird
sporting a white gorget on its breast) among the thrushes; but the sighting was
very brief and Geoff even thought he had possibly two more Ouzels with the male
bird. However, they all disappeared in the vegetation and then a large flock of
Starlings flew into the same area of vegetation to cause a bit of confusion.
Starlings heading north over the South Slope. A large flock of around 60+ birds were present.
Hoping to get a better view of the birds, we climbed back up
the South Slope and got a vantage point by looking down onto the vegetation.
Though we had no more further sightings of the Ouzels, I could have sworn we
heard one calling down below us but deep in the vegetation. We waited patiently
for around an hour here, but although a flock of 17 Redwing flew out as did the
Starlings every so often, there was no further sightings of the Ring Ouzel. It
was time to call it a day here and so we made our way back to the car.
Above, looking back up the South Slope and below, one of the Meadow Pipits resting on one of the few small bushes on the South Slope.
We sat down on the bench overlooking the valley below again,
hoping for another sighting of any thrushes down below in the trees, but all
was quiet. More Red Kites and Common Buzzards showed well as did a small group
of four Ravens heading north low over the fields. More Meadow Pipits and
Linnets were seen on the way back to the car, but no more thrushes down below
in the Yew Trees below as we then made our way back to the Car Park.
Above, the Ravens here always remained distant including this bird and below, yet another Meadow Pipit on the South Slope taking off.
A most enjoyable day here at Old Winchester Hill with plenty
of visible migration and finally, another ‘Hampshire year-tick’ thrown in.
Another Ring Ouzel was found by the chalk pit on Portsdown Hill today. Birding
pals Matt and Emma took the trip to Leaden Hall in the New Forest today and saw
a female Ring Ouzel in flight there on two different occasions. This species
can be so elusive, just like the bird Geoff and I saw today.
Click on the photo to get a Panoramic view of where we sat from the second bench.
This week at Cowplain Marsh:
These Pied Wagtails were on a roof north of Cowplain Marsh.
A fairly quiet week on Cowplain Marsh but there were a few
notable sightings seen or heard by both Geoff and Andy.
On Monday 12th, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew
down to feed on the nut feeder plus up to 4 Goldfinches. A pair of House
Sparrows also flew in to feed on the feeders and were seen joined by a flock of
15 Starlings that also took a liking to the feeders. Later, a Nuthatch was seen
feeding on the Fatballs.
On Tuesday 13th, up to 13 Pied Wagtails flew over
the garden that day along with just the one Grey Wagtail seen. The female Great
Spotted Woodpecker dropped into the garden again. Geoff heard both Firecrest
and Goldcrest somewhere close to the garden and a Long-tailed Tit made a brief
visit.
It is always good to see the House Sparrows as they seem to be declining in numbers. These two were on the Nutball feeder today.
On Wednesday 14th, the Great Spotted Woodpecker
was seen on the Nutfeeder and were joined by several
Long-tailed Tits. A Large White butterfly was also seen in the garden.
On Thursday, up to 5 Goldfinches were seen on the Niger Seed
feeder and both a Chiffchaff and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were in the garden.
Just the one Pied Wagtail flew high over Cowplain Marsh. Geoff heard a Tawny
Owl calling at 7am this morning in nearby trees.
Several Goldfinches dropped into the garden to feed on the Niger seed.
On Friday, up to 10 Pied Wagtails flew over Cowplain Marsh
during the day and both Coal and Blue Tits were seen on the feeders. The
Chiffchaff was present again in the garden.
Evening walk with the dogs:
This evening, the dogs got their walk around the block here
in Southsea and low and behold, the Redwings were back. At least a dozen birds
were heard calling high above heading south in the darkness on migration. Always
such a lovely sound to us Birders that Winter is not too far away.
