Large Long-tailed Tit flock in Pembroke Road.

Tuesday 16th December 2025.

An orange sunrise over Pembroke Road today.

A cool clear morning when I arrived at Pembroke Road this morning with some clouds although there was the threat of some rain hanging around. Thankfully, it didn’t materialise and wearing my Xmas hat this morning, it kept my head nice and warm. There was a southerly breeze blowing, but it was quite light for a change. The afternoon got a bit more cloudier but it still remained relatively mild and dry.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Looking festive in Pembroke Road.

Up to 16 bird species were recorded today here in Pembroke Road and even the Buff-tailed Bumblebee was active by coming down to nectar on the flowering Penstemon plant nearby in one of the flower beds. This afternoon, a flock of 14 Long-tailed Tits flew into the Sycamore trees in search of small insects among the leafless branches, though something scared them and they quickly shot off back into cover in a nearby hedge.

Three separate flocks of Brent Geese flew east during the morning session, all around 7 or 8 in number and a much larger flock were seen grazing on Southsea Common when I made my way home. A Cormorant was seen briefly flying over Curtain Moat, but no raptors were seen today. Passerines noted today included a small flock of Blue Tits, a single Blackbird and the usual flock of Starlings around the Garrison Church. A Grey Wagtail was heard calling on the rooftops behind me, but despite searching for the bird when I went back to my car, there was no sign of the bird. Passerines heard today included a Greenfinch, the House Sparrows over by the Bowling Green, a singing Wren and a ‘ticking’ Robin.

When I got home to start some chores, I heard a Chiffchaff calling in someone's garden nearby, but no sighting of the bird.

In Hampshire today:

A couple of Great Northern Divers were in Langstone Harbour and a Light-bellied Brent Goose with the more common Dark-bellied birds was also present. Just the two Purple Sandpipers were counted at Southsea Castle and the Boat-tailed Grackle was still present in the garden within Holbury, Southampton.

Fellow 'Lazee Birder' Ollie Crabbe filmed this Grey Heron trying unsuccessfully to eat this fish caught over in Whiteley, near Fareham today.

A male Sparrowhawk over Pembroke Road.

Monday 15th December 2025.

Mute Swans on Canoe Lake last Friday while I walked the dogs around 5pm.

Another start to the working week and the weather was looking a bit dodgy with some rain forecast for today. There was a bit of rain this afternoon, but I was lucky enough to miss the worst of it as I started my second shift in Pembroke Road. It was very dark when I first arrived there this morning as heavy clouds and the threat of rain was imminent, but thankfully, it never came to anything. However, it was fairly mild and a southerly wind was blowing.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

I managed to notch up 14 bird species this morning, though apart from a brief male Sparrowhawk flying north over the road, it was the usual fare seen or heard today. A Blackbird giving off its alarm call had me looking up as the male Sparrowhawk made its way over my head and out of view over the rooftops.

A Greenfinch flew high over and other passerines noted included the usual calling House Sparrows, a Blackbird flying over and a few Blue Tits on top of the Sycamore trees nearby. A Dunnock was calling in the garden in the house opposite, but it never showed itself today. On Governor’s Green, I counted at least 40 Herring Gulls searching for worms again in the wet grass.

Some more photos of the Mute Swans on and around Canoe Lake last Friday.

Yesterday, birding pal Geoff Farwell took a walk around the Corhampton area where he saw the following: 15+ Red Kites, 8 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Ravens, 23 Lapwing, 55 Stock Doves, 100+ Linnets, Siskin, Redpoll, 14 Redwing and 6 Yellowhammers.

In Hampshire today:

A superb photo of a male Bearded Tit by Pete Appleton.

There were up to 5 Purple Sandpipers at Southsea Castle today and over at Blashford Lakes, a Great White Egret, Green Sandpiper and up to 9 Goosanders were on Ibsley Water. Up to 5 Glossy Ibis were on the Bridge Street Floods, Titchfield, while over at the Hayling Oyster Beds, a Great Northern Diver, 5 Goldeneye, 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Whimbrel and a Golden Plover were seen. 

A Nuthatch in the New Forest. Photo by Emma Parkes.

A walk with my dogs at the harbour entrance.

Sunday 14th December 2025.

Beams of light over the Solent.

I made a change this morning and instead of taking my dogs for their walk around Highland Road Cemetery, I decided to try my luck around the harbour entrance at Eastney. There was always a chance of a Diver or an Auk in the area and so, with the weather being dry and bright; though most certainly not as gorgeous as yesterday, it was pleasant enough to stretch the dogs and my legs.

Harbour Entrance, Eastney:

A pair of Shags with three different age groups of Herring Gulls perched on one of the platforms within the harbour entrance.

Though it was a pleasant walk, there were no Divers or Auks to be found on my walk here this morning, but there were always birds around to look at. On reaching the harbour entrance Car Park, I did my usual walk up to the Hayling Ferry and checked the harbour entrance, Lock Lake and the northern half of the harbour. There were at least two Shags swimming in the harbour entrance and a possible third bird that flew out of the harbour into the Solent, but apart from the usual Herring and Black-headed Gulls, all was quiet.

Above, an Oystercatcher on the shoreline and below, a Black-headed Gull riding the waves near the Pier.

Ted and Buddy enjoy having a runaround on the beach and below, a female Kestrel hunting near the perimeter fence.

Looking into Lock Lake, a few small flocks of Brent Geese were nearby including a party of 6 juvenile birds, which is always a good sign. A Grey Heron was seen flying by the boats and a lone Great Crested Grebe swam very close to shore after virtually disappearing earlier after I saw it a long way out in Lock Lake. A few Oystercatchers were along the shoreline as I drove off later to make my way to the Car Park by Eastney Pier.

Above, the female Kestrel by the Perimeter fence and below, some of the Collared Doves present in the area.

Above, a scenic view of the Eastney Pier and below, the Great Crested Grebe near the Hayling Ferry.

From here, again, all was very quiet within the harbour entrance, so I gave it a good look around the perimeter fence where I found at least four Collared Doves (they seem so scarce this winter around Southsea) and a female Kestrel hovering nearby. Up to 9 Oystercatchers were feeding within the Perimeter fence but little else of note. I let my dogs off their lead so they could stretch their legs on the beach and as they went about their business, I checked out the Solent, but all was quiet again with just a Cormorant and a Black-headed Gull easily negotiating the waves.

Above, the same Great Crested Grebe just before it dived and below, a group of mostly juvenile Brent Geese in Lock Lake with one adult and a Black-headed Gull.

Above and below, Brent Geese in Lock Lake.

As we made our way back to the car, I noticed several clumps of flowering Oxford Ragwort growing by the perimeter fence along with Yarrow plants. I can only assume that the mild conditions of late have kept these plants in bloom. It was good to see the Council workers litter picking within the Car Park and even the Police Car turned up for good measure! We then got back into the car and headed for home.

Above, Black-headed Gulls on the University Buildings by the harbour entrance and below, an adult Shag swimming just offshore.

Above, flowering Oxford Ragwort by the Perimeter fence.

More photos from Normandy Marshes.

Sunday 14th December 2025.

As I took so many photos yesterday at Normandy Marshes, it would be a shame not to put them on my blog as the weather was so good yesterday and some excellent birds were on show. So enjoy.

Above, Dunlin fed close to the seawall and seemed totally oblivious to the many birders passing by. Below, as did this Curlew.

Above, several Avocets were on the main lagoon and below, this Redshank was feeding on the ebbing tide from the seawall.

Above, the female Dartford Warbler takes time to check its surroundings and below, a flock of Dunlin flying low over the water by the seawall.

Above, a Little Egret passing close to the seawall and below, out on the mudflats, good numbers of Brent Geese were present among the waders.

Above, a small flock of Brent swam close to the seawall and below, more Dunlin feeding in one of the small channels by the seawall.

Above, one of the pair of female Red-breasted Mergansers offshore and below, the Kingfisher was perched on a post on one of the small islands on the Reserve with Pintail and Wigeon nearby.

Above, the Spotted Redshank behind a pair of Pintail and below, another pair of Pintail on the Reserve.

Above, a mixed flock of Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank and Teal and below, a pair of preening Wigeon.

Above, offshore, a flock of both Bar-tailed Godwit and Dunlin. Below, more Dunlin passing close to the seawall.

Above, this Redshank in an unusual posture and below, the group of Spoonbills relaxing on the Reserve.

Above, Lapwing, Wigeon and a Mallard on one of the islands and below, the dead calm water offshore.

Above, one of the juvenile Spoonbills heading off westbound and below, a small flock of Avocets in the early morning mist.

Above, a Little Egret fishing near the seawall and below, a pair of Meadow Pipits in brambles near the main entrance.