Another grey and slightly colder day today and again, I kept an eye out for anything interesting in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth this morning. Looks like I shall have to wear a woolly hat sooner rather than later. I also had the Moth Box switched on last night and although there were very few moths, I was in for a nice surprise.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Only 13 species were seen this morning during my first shift of which, the most notable birds seen or heard were at least two Jays, showing very well as per normal and a Cormorant flying east high over the houses. Great Black-backed, Herring and Black-headed Gulls were seen and Robins, House Sparrows and a Wren were calling. What will this afternoon bring? Not a great deal to be honest, but the day total increased by one species: a Greenfinch and the Jays were seen again throughout my second shift. The day remained grey, overcast and hardly any wind whatsoever; which has been the weather all week so far.
In Hampshire today, fellow 'Lazee Birder' Pete Gammage found a male Ring Ouzel off Pigeon House Lane, Portsdown Hill. A Great Northern Diver was just offshore from Southsea seafront and a female Black Redstart was by Southsea Castle. The three Glossy Ibis were still near Titchfield Village.
The male Ring Ouzel by Pigeon House Lane this morning. Photo by Andy Friend.
The Moth Box:
My first Lead-coloured Totrtix of the year.
There were just three moths present this morning, but all three were stunning moths. Two more Golden Twin-spots that were perched on one of the egg boxes inside the Moth Box and the other was a micro moth; my first Lead-coloured Tortrix for the year. OK, not the most colourful of moths, but a good Autumn moth to pick up for this
It was back to work this morning at good old Pembroke Road and thankfully, it was dry again. Though not a great deal was seen during the day, I still had an interesting bug to look at. Hampshire is hosting quite a few Black Redstarts, with another one found in Southsea and a report of a Richard’s Pipit in the Basingstoke area.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
The male Black Redstart on Southsea seafront today. Photo by Andy Friend.
There were just 12 species noted today here in Old Portsmouth, which included a couple of small flocks of Brent Geese entering distantly either into Portsmouth Harbour or Gosport. Two Jays showed well all morning and even one rested on the railings by Governor’s Green. Earlier today, while walking the dogs before work, a small flock of 3 Redwing flew east, calling as they passed. ‘Lazee birder’ Andy Friend found a gorgeous male Black Redstart within the gardens of the Blue Reef on Southsea seafront this morning and was still there this afternoon, apparently. A Ring Ouzel flew over Tweseldown in North Hampshire and a Red-throated Diver was off Chilling cliffs.
The Western Conifer Seed Bug. It was a big bugger too!
When I got back, I had the chance to check out the Beetle that was crawling down our wall in our back room. It transpired to be a Western Conifer Seed Bug; my first ever. This species is actually a native of North America, but has recently been accidentally introduced into the UK. Around this time of year, it looks for places, like peoples homes, to hibernate for the Winter; hence finding one inside my house!
This Golden Twin-spot moth was my fifth of the year.
I had my Moth Box on overnight and though it was a bit windy, there was always a chance of a migrant moth or two. Thankfully, I was rewarded with yet another superb moth, a Golden Twin-spot. This was my 5th individual of this species and there seems to be an influx of them here on the south coast. A fellow ‘Moth-er’ also had one during the week, so proving I wasn't the only one here in Portsmouth getting them.
Rusty-dot Pearl.
However, that was the only moth in my Moth Box though outside the Box, there was one Rusty-dot Pearl, one Common Plume and two Light Brown Apple Moths. Again, it was overcast with a light easterly wind though a mild 14 degrees.
My HOS (Hampshire Ornithological Society) Bird Report arrived yesterday and proved, yet again, a very interesting read. Some alarming statistics were noted, including the demise of both Willow Tit and Wood Warbler in Hampshire and the two Hampshire ‘firsts’ that included a Forster’s Tern and a Kumlien’s Gull. The latter bird I actually saw along with a dozen or so birders present at Gilkicker on a seawatch on the 14th April. This is a sub-species of Iceland Gull that breeds in Canada and was only considered when the photos taken of the bird were studied well by the Hampshire authorities and agreed upon that it was indeed a Kumlien’s Gull.
However, the Report also is now stating that most if not all sightings of Willow Tit in Hampshire, especially in the last few areas where they were seen last in North Hampshire are in fact most likely Marsh Tits. I would like to dispute that theory. I have very good experience on the call and in particular, the ‘jizz’ of this species and the bird I saw with Andy Fisher was indeed a Willow Tit after noting its call and seeing it well. Though I feel that this species is near lost to Hampshire, while its close cousin, the Marsh Tit is thriving. Swings & roundabouts, as they say.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
I had the pleasure of walking the dogs with our Isabelle late this afternoon over Highland Road Cemetery and boy, this girl can chat. That I wouldn't knock it one little bit, for too many youngsters are simply glued to their mobile phones or telly and now she is 10yrs old, I was amazed at how she remembered things from previous visits from a long time ago. She walked Buddy and I walked Ted as we made our way around my usual walk around the Cemetery.
Honey Fungusgrowing in the Cemetery.
This time, I didn't take my binoculars or camera and I was starting to regret it as a pair of Jays showed very well reasonably close to the footpath. But it was when we got to the south-east corner that I saw a young lady looking at something by a grave. I was not sure if she was looking at an insect or plant, but she moved on and carried on walking behind us. That was when something caught my eye and I couldn't believe that a Woodcock flew past us and close too! That young lady must have flushed it from the grass as the bird flew off heading east and quickly out of view. However, I saw the bird again, further north this time, but the sighting was brief as it disappeared from view behind the trees. This was a ‘patch tick’ for me and put a big smile on my face.
Agaricus species of Toadstool were abundant here this afternoon.
A little while later, a Sparrowhawk belted low past us and westbound low over the footpath. The Jays were seen again and noisy birds they were too, squawking noisily within the trees. A lot of the leaves on the trees have now fallen and the footpaths were carpeted in the fallen leaves. So very Autumnal. I did take some photos from my mobile phone as we came across some large Toadstools that included Honey Fungus and some Agaricus species on the grass.
The immature female Snow Bunting at Sandy Point this morning.
It was back birding with the boys this morning and my target species this morning was the long-staying Snow Bunting at Sandy Point, Hayling Island. Not only did we get phenomenal views of the bird, we also checked out both the Harbour entrance and North Common, Northney. Both myself and Andy had our respective Moth Boxes overnight and although there were not many moths present, there were some quality moths among them. The weather was overcast again with very little wind at times, but it most certainly was warm weather gear, but I must remember to bring my warm hat next time!
The Moth Boxes:
The Black Rustic moth by my Moth Box.
Just the four moths were present in and around my Moth Box this morning, with the best being a Black Rustic on one of the outside egg trays. On the white sheet, there was a Double-striped Pug and the micro moth White-shouldered House Moth. Within the Box, there was just the one moth, a Large Yellow Underwing.
Above, the Mottled Umber and below, a Red-line Quaker.
Over at Andy’s Moth Box, there were a few more moths present that included 4 Common Marbled Carpet, a single Cypress Carpet, a Red-lined Quaker (third for the year) and best of all, a Mottled Umber. I thought it was new for the year, but that was when I discovered I had seen one in January this year.
Sandy Point, Hayling Island:
The female type Black Redstart on the roof of one of the seafront houses. The bird was not easy to photograph because the light was poor and the bird never stayed still long.
Parking up in Southwood Road, we made our way to the seafront houses and it didn't take long to find a female Black Redstart on the rooftops. One had been reported here throughout the week and so it was nice to catch up with one at this time of year. The light was awful, but I did manage to grab several photos of the bird, although it was a bit skittish at times. Happy with the Black Redstart, we made our way east along the pathway and began searching for the Snow Bunting. However, our first search was fruitless and then we saw Becky Ladd who gave us directions in where the Snow Bunting had been seen last. It had been reported on Birdguides earlier today and eventually, we found the bird close to the main footpath in front of the houses.
Above, photos and film footage of the Snow Bunting this morning.
To say the bird was close was a massive understatement as it literally walked up to us and stopped when it saw some plants to quickly feed on its seeds. Though some birders thought it was a first winter male, it was looking more and more like a first-winter female bird, judging by the amount of white on the wings. So, from around 12 feet away, we watched the bird in comfort and even sat on a wall while I took loads of photographs and film footage of this delightful little bird. The Snow Bunting (Andy had seen it earlier this week) put me on 199 species in Hampshire for the year and now put me level with Andy on birds seen in Hampshire this year. The Bunting eventually walked off and then rested on the nearby large rocks where Geoff said it had a bath and a drink in some of the rainwater.
More film footage of the superb Snow Bunting.
Other birds noted from this spot included at least four Mediterranean Gulls flying west over the sea and a few Brent Geese heading east. Andy gave the shout that a black coloured duck was flying high east over the sea and I got onto a bit late and concluded it was a drake Common Scoter. Two Great Crested Grebes swam close in and headed eastbound on the sea. Finally, a Grey Wagtail was first heard and then seen flying away from us westbound over the rooftops.
Lifeboat Station, Harbour entrance:
Brent Geese flying into Chichester Harbour.
Becky joined us for a walk to the Lifeboat Station and showed us the actual bush where the Pallas’s Warbler was seen late last month by Andy Johnson. Andy and myself decided to sit on the benches overlooking the harbour entrance, while both Becky and Geoff went up to Black Point to check the wader roost. This area is constantly disturbed by damn windsurfers and dog walkers, but they got lucky and picked out a variety of waders that included Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, Grey Plover and Sanderling.
The Speckled Bush-cricket on the RNLI Building.
Meanwhile, Andy and myself had a cracking female Merlin flying over the harbour entrance and heading low over the water towards West Witterings, which, incidentally, looked absolutely packed with people walking their dogs or simply taking a walk. An adult Shag was fishing half way out within the entrance and there was a constant stream of Brent Geese flying into the harbour to join the many birds present there. Earlier this week, a Black Brant and two Pale-bellied Brent Geese were seen here off Fishers Creek. A flock of 16 Wigeon also flew north into the harbour along with 4 Sanderling. When Becky and Geoff returned, Geoff found a Speckled Bush-cricket perched on the wall of the RNLI Building, which was most unexpected. A female Kestrel flew low over the sea in the same direction as the Merlin seen earlier. After finishing off my flask of coffee, we all walked back to our respective cars and said goodbye to Becky.
Becky, Geoff and Andy are walking back to the car.
North Common, Northney:
Redshank at Northney.
Our next and final stop was to be North Common, Northney to check the northern end of the harbour from the Hayling end (but not before we paid a tasty visit to Greggs!). Walking north from the small car park along Northney Road, we encountered a small flock of Long-tailed Tits within the brambles and small trees here that also held a couple of Chiffchaffs among them. The small creeks nearby held good numbers of Teal and the waders resting here as the tide ebbed, including Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Lapwing. Good numbers of Brent Geese were swimming on the water and a Kingfisher flew past us at speed, but far too quick to grab a photo.
Above, Brent Geese with a Shelduck and drake Mallard in Langstone Harbour and below, Redshank on the saltmarsh.
Above, Bristly Ox-tongue plants were growing along the footpath and below, more Redshank roosting on the saltmarsh waiting for the tide to drop.
Above, small numbers of Black-tailed Godwit were also present by the shoreline.
Another superb day’s birding with Geoff and Andy and a pleasure to do some birding with Becky Ladd too. What will be our 200th species in Hampshire this year?
This male Goshawk flew over the Farm this morning.
From 7.45am to 9am, I spent the time checking the birdlife from the Farm and yet again, there was a nice surprise in store for me when a male Goshawk was circling around the Farm and spooking all the Wood Pigeons here. Again, it was overcast this morning, but virtually no wind and more importantly, dry!
Wern Fawr Manor Farm:
Above, the probable November Moth and below, the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly from last night.
There was yet again a good variety of birds to be seen here this morning as I spent over an hour checking what was flying over and in the garden too. Last night, we had an excellent meal in the Ship pub in Llanbedrog and while in the pub, I found my first probable November Moth in the Gents loos! Yep, a dodgy place to find a moth, but I couldn't resist getting a photo of the said moth, which was my first for the year. The only problem with this species is that it is difficult, without dissection of the poor creature, to tell it apart from the very similar Pale November Moth and Autumnal Moth; but for now, I shall go for November Moth for simplicity.
Above, Redwing in the trees. It was just a shame it was overcast. Below, the male Goshawk flying over.
Above and below, the Redwing in the field opposite the Cottage.
Later in the evening, our Russell told us that he had a big moth on his window cill and so checking it out, it actually transpired to be a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly! What makes it more remarkable is that I have only seen just two this year and this was a fine specimen and probably looking for somewhere to hibernate for the winter? I quickly potted it and released it early this morning within the garden.
Above, Long-tailed Tits close to the Kitchen door.
Bird of the morning had to go down to the male Goshawk that made three sorties around the Farm and in turn, scattering the hundreds of Wood Pigeons around the area. Redwings were abundant too with at least 70+ in the area, with parties of them flying over the farm. A flock of 20+ took to the field opposite to hunt for worms (see film footage) and showed particularly well instead of being silhouettes up in the trees. As there is no noise pollution here on the Farm, I could clearly hear the wingbeats of the Wood Pigeons flying over. Fantastic.
Redwing in the field beside the Cottage. Around 20 birds were present in this field.
Other notable birds included at least three Jays in the area and the Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen again in the trees on the edge of the woodland. A pair of Nuthatches flew over and I was pretty sure a Treecreeper flew over the garden, but I couldn't locate where it landed. A pair of Siskins flew over as did all the common finches and the Bullfinches were heard, but not seen, again. The Long-tailed Tit flock (all ten of them) came through the garden and showed well as did a few Goldcrest and finally, the Grey Wagtail flew in and landed on the Farmhouse roof.
Above, one of the Pied Wagtails rested on the roof of our Cottage and below, I found a small clump of Egghead Mottlegill toadstools growing in the field opposite our Cottage.
The coastal footpath of Porthdinllaen:
The stunning views from the Ty Coch Inn.
On our last day here in North Wales, we took the drive north to the village of Morfa Nefyn, which isn't too far away and then drove through the Golf Course road north to the little hamlet of Porthdinllaen. This overlooks the Irish Sea and even the lighthouse of South Stack could be seen shining its light from Anglesey! Because it is half-term, the area was packed with kids with their parents, taking their dogs out for a walk on the sandy beach here; all enjoying drinks and food from the nearby Ty Coch Inn. Of course, who could not resist their lovely meals as we tucked into a nice big plate of Nachos with all the trimmings!
Above, more stunning views from the same Inn and below, my dogs Ted and Buddy enjoying a paddle with Russ.
Above, an adult Mediterranean Gull flying over the bay and below, one of the many Shags present.
Back to nature and I kept an eye out for anything of note that included a good number of Shags on the very calm sea and rocks and small numbers of both Turnstone (around 20+ birds) and Oystercatchers (8 birds feeding on the shoreline). I found a ‘white-winged’ Gull flying across the bay in front of the pub. That set the pulse racing a bit, but I eventually deduced it was an adult Mediterranean Gull in winter plumage.
Above, the RNLI Station and below, at least 7 Shags on the rocks with a Great Black-backed Gull overhead.
Russ and I took a stroll along the footpath around the headland that took us to the RNLI Porthdinllaen where we kept to the coastal path by the Golf Course. From here, a male Stonechat was seen flitting about by the brambles and the Green and we had to keep an eye out for any passing Golf Balls as some guys were teeing off further to the north! A few Robins, Blackbirds and a Meadow Pipit were seen along the walk back to the pub where we picked up Becky again and then made our way back to the car. This coastal path most certainly could turn up a good rarity and probably has in the past.
The male Stonechat on the Coastal Path by the Golf Course.
I have to say, to round off our trip here to this part of North Wales, we have been extremely lucky with the weather and though overcast nearly everyday, it has been dry and very still with very little wind throughout the week. The Farm has produced some superb sightings and I for one would most certainly like to try this place again; maybe in the Spring time when all the migrants are back.
