New Years Day birding race.

Thursday 1st January 2025.

A gorgeous, but very cold start to the day here at Southsea Castle. 

So the race for the Fly / Pye Cup was on as both Andy Fisher and myself aim for the first one to see 100 bird species in Hampshire. It was birding from dawn to dusk and as Andy did the driving today, we kicked off at Southsea Castle in search of the Purple Sandpipers and finished off looking for the Little Owls at South Boarhunt. The weather was very kind to us with mostly sunshine throughout the day, though it was bitterly cold with temperatures barely above freezing, especially in that wind by the sea and harbour. Nevertheless, I think I achieved my highest total for a New Years Day birding with a very impressive 93 species (which also included a few ‘heard’ species.

Our race is on!

I was supposed to be picked up at around 7.45am, but I got a text from Andy that he was running late. So I checked my back garden before he arrived and kicked off the New Year with my first Herring Gulls, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Wood Pigeon and Pied Wagtail of the year. I am so hoping that the long-staying Black Redstart and Blackcap are around tomorrow to add to my year list. Fingers crossed.

Southsea Castle and the Solent:

The three Purple Sandpipers at Southsea Castle.

Once I paid for the Car Parking fee by using Ringo, we made our way to the new Promenade in front of Southsea Castle and began walking west, keeping a sharp eye out on the rocks below for the Purple Sandpipers. Though the sea was a bit choppy, we did find at least two Shags (both adults) on the water until they flew off west. We walked right up to the Blue Reef Aquarium building, but no sign whatsoever of the Purple Sandpipers, however we did pick up the following species: Feral Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Brent Goose, Black-headed Gull, Oystercatcher, Magpie, Mute Swan and Cormorant.

Above and below, Shags were a welcome addition to our year list.

Above, Brent Geese quickly were added and below, another photo of the Purple Sandpipers.

So we double-backed and made our way east along the promenade, again keeping an eye out on the rocks below (they can be very elusive if they are not searching for food). We had a quick pit stop by buying a couple of hot drinks from the van parked conveniently nearby and carried on along the promenade in front of the Castle. Then I found the birds. Three Purple Sandpipers were huddled together on the rocks asleep, but we had got our first target species of the New Year. Happy days. Next stop, Farlington Marshes.

Farlington Marshes & Langstone Harbour:

A partly frozen lake on Farlington Marshes.

On the way there, we were driving northbound up the Eastern Road, when something huge passed overhead. I pointed it out to Andy who also managed to see the bird and I realised that it was actually a White-tailed Eagle!!!! Andy had gone all through 2025 without seeing the species and now he has one on New Years Day! How mad is that? The same bird had been reported being seen earlier over Posbrook Floods, putting up all the birdlife below it in doing so. Sadly, that was the only sighting of it for us, but a superb addition to our day list.

Above, Greenfinches in the Brambles by the Bushes area and below, Goldfinches were present too.

Above, a small group of Pintail in Langstone Harbour and below, a large raft of Brent Geese also in the harbour.

When we arrived, we knew we were going to see the majority of our sightings today from this superb location and had to stop frequently to record our sightings on our respective devices ( I was using my note page on my mobile and Andy was writing his down). Sightings came thick and fast and while walking through the Bushes area up to the Viewing Platform, we saw the following: Dunnock, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Mallard, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Pintail, Common Gull, Marsh Harrier (female), Great Black-backed Gull, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Robin, Peregrine, Red-breasted Merganser (female), Teal, Meadow Pipit, Water Rail (two birds heard), Wren, Long-tailed tit (flock of around 6 birds), Wigeon and Little Egret. Phew!

Above, a lone Avocet was on the Lake among the wildfowl and below, three Herring Gulls on the ice.

Above, a variety of wildfowl on the Lake and below, one of two White-fronted Geese out in the fields.

From the Viewing Platform, we had a hot drink to keep the cold out. The tide was up within Langstone Harbour and that cold wind nearly went right through you! The lake itself was partly frozen over with a few Herring Gulls perched on it, but the southern half of the lake remained ice free and that was where the majority of the birds were. Andy picked out our first and only Avocet in front of all the wildfowl present and during our 20 minutes or so there, we picked out the following birds: Lapwing, Redshank, Common Buzzard and the two juvenile White-fronted Geese among the Canada Geese out in the fields. The White-fronts were a good ‘year-tick’, though there were still quite a few in Hampshire today.

Above and below, large numbers of Brent Geese were in the fields.

Above, this Grey Heron was one of several seen on the Reserve.

As we walked up to the Point Field, we picked up Moorhen, Skylark (heard, but later seen in the morning), Grey Heron, Curlew and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Oyster Island was packed with waders and so using my scope, we added Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone and Grey Plover on the small island.

Large numbers of both Wigeon and Brent Geese behind the Deeps and below, Shoveler and Pintail on the man-made islands on the Deeps.

The Deeps area was packed with Brent Geese and wildfowl of which Shovelers were added to our day total. A female Stonechat was added as we watched her sitting on one of the many humps out in the fields near the Deeps and out in the harbour, near the islands. I picked out our first Great Crested Grebes of the year. From the Blockhouse, finally, our first Starlings of the year were seen and while Andy had gone ‘to the Gents’, I heard a Chiffchaff which then flew out of the brambles and back into some further north and that was the last we saw or heard of it! So poor Andy had ‘dipped’ on that! As we headed towards the Information Building, I found the long stay (or should I say, resident?) Barnacle Goose and of course, we added that to our list. Among a group of Teal behind the Info Building, Andy found a Common Snipe near the birds.

Above, the long-staying Barnacle Goose grazing in fields near the Info Centre and below, a male Stonechat by the Stream area.

Our final new species for the day were the Coots. By the seats overlooking the pool by the reedbed, it was near empty of birds. Where were all the Coots and Black-tailed Godwits? So we carried on and decided to follow the path which led us by the Bushes. Turning around, all the Coots were altogether in one large flock of around 60+ birds! On leaving this superb Reserve, we were now on 65 species for the year.

Hayling Oysterbeds and Langstone Harbour:

A Curlew on the Oysterbeds.

Our next stop was to be Hayling Oysterbeds for some of the ‘scarcer’ birds and thankfully, we did catch up with some of them. But it was so very cold here. Parking was a big issue here too and seeing there were no parking spaces in the small Car Park here, we had to park up in Victoria Road, which was opposite the entrance to the Reserve. It paid off as we got our first House Sparrows of the day. The walk to the Beds produced a Kestrel and a Kingfisher and from the end of the spit overlooking Langstone Harbour, we added Sandwich Tern, Goldeneye (at least 5 birds including 4 drakes), Little Grebe and Slavonian Grebe (single bird by the islands). There were good numbers of both Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebes in the harbour, but no sign of the Black-necked or Red-necked Grebe and Great Northern Diver. 

Above, this Curlew was sporting a number of rings and below, our first Greenshank of the year in the northern half of the Oysterbeds.

A walk around the Beds and keeping an eye out in the harbour also, we picked out a Rock Pipit, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Gadwall and two further species were heard only: Whimbrel and Green Woodpecker to finish our trip here with 75 species for the day so far.

Budds Farm & Mound, Bedhampton:

The pools at Budds Farm held our first Tufted Duck and Pochard for the year.

It was now around 1.45pm and our next stop was to be Budds Farm where we got both Tufted Duck and Pochard.  There were a good number of wildfowl and Gulls present, but we couldn't find anything else to add to our total, so we decided to check out Langstone Harbour. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard briefly and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over our heads. A Kestrel was hovering by the edge of the mound as we made our way to view the harbour and using my scope, we picked up both the Long-tailed Duck and Scaup swimming on the water among many Mergansers, Great Crested Grebes and more wildfowl on the water. Sadly, no sign of any other Grebe species or the Divers and so we decided to make our way to Warblington for the Cattle Egrets.

Above, the female Kestrel by Budds Mound and below, a Common Buzzard near the Water Treatment Works.

Above, a huge number of Brent Geese took flight over Langstone Bridge in the distance.

Warblington area:

A large number of Black-headed Gulls made for an interesting photo as they perched on the Church at Warblington.

As we drove down Church Lane, I checked the fields for the Cattle Egrets, but drew a blank and even when we parked up in the Church car park, there was no sign of the birds. So we decided to make our way to the new Cemetery where we picked out more birds that were added to our year list that included: Collared Dove, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Stock Dove and Grey Wagtail. It was when we got back in the car and started driving back up Church Lane, I then saw a group of Cattle Egrets out of Andy’s side window! He reversed the car as I took a few photos of the birds out in a field. A good ‘year tick’. Phew! I was now on 87 species for the year.

Above, one of several Cattle Egrets were in a roadside field.

Above and below, a brief stop in Pook Lane produced our second Great Spotted Woodpecker today.

South Boarhunt:

The light was fading fast as we made our way along Portsdown Hill to South Boarhunt.

Our final stop was to see if we could get the Little Owl at South Boarhunt to round off the day in style. On our way there, we took the Portsdown Hill route and Rook was added to our day total with several perched on the wires by the edge of the road. On arrival, James Cutting was in his car within the car park with his family close by and after a chat, we joined his son overlooking the fields where we picked up three more species: Pheasant, Sparrowhawk (male) and a flock of Redwing.

Our first Redwing for the year was seen in trees west of the Farm.

The light was fading fast and though there was sadly no sighting of the Little Owl, I did hear one bird calling behind the buildings, which gave us hope, but it did not show at all. I can count ‘heard’ birds and so along with the Little Owl, we also heard a Tawny Owl nearby too to round off the day with 93 species in all. A very cold, but a cracking day's birding and thanks to Andy for doing the driving today in his very old car! 

 

The last bit of birding for 2025.

Wednesday 31st December 2025.

A foggy and very cold start to the day. A heavy frost was on the grass here as we made our way around my 'local patch'.

So, the end of the year is now upon us and what a damn miserable looking day it was too! The weather forecast this morning said it was going to brighten up after a very cold frosty start, but when I took the dogs for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery, there was plenty of fog drifting about and worse still, it got a lot thicker in the afternoon. The sound of ships foghorns were out in the Solent and I was only thinking that I do hope it's not more of the same tomorrow during our Hampshire Birdrace. The Fly / Pye Cup is up for grabs again to see who gets to 100 species in Hampshire first.

The female Black Redstart at the back of my garden this morning.

Before I took the dogs for their walk, a quick check in the back garden revealed the female Black Redstart yet again for now its SIXTH day, perched up in my neighbours tall tree. Mind you, I did struggle in trying to get a reasonable photo of the bird in the poor light. 

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

You can just see this Jay hiding within the branches despite the foggy conditions.

Over within the Cemetery, there was a heavy frost and what with the poor light, birds were actually at a premium. There was just the one Jay noted, high up in one of the tall Chestnuts by the Mausoleum and I suppose the only other bird really of note was a male Greenfinch high up in the bushes in the south-east corner. A few male Blackbirds were scurrying about in the bushes and a Song Thrush was seen briefly flying through the vegetation. All the usual birds were seen here including at least two Collared Doves among them (such scarce birds here this year), but again, no Woodpeckers or raptors today.

A male Greenfinch broke the monotony of the usual Pigeons and Crows.

I had work to go to at 10:30am and so made my way back home. When I got home after work, I let the dogs out in the garden and saw the female Black Redstart yet again perched in the tall tree for around a minute or so until it flew off to neighbouring gardens.

There were a few Blackbirds seen, but none too easy to see this time.

A new year starts tomorrow and hopefully, Andy and myself will have a good start to the year. We shall see. Incidentally, I finished 6th in the Hampshire Birding Listers with a reasonable total of 207 species seen in Hampshire and 217 species in total for the year. The only ‘lifer’ I got this year was the Hudsonian Godwit on Titchfield Haven way back on the 17th May. Hopefully, a few more next year would be very nice. Congratulations to both Andy Friend and Andy Tew who were joint top in the Hampshire Listers for 2025 with 218 species each.

The only 'lifer' seen this year, the Hudsonian Godwit.

A few odds & ends at Eastney Point & Black Redstart for its 5th day.

Tuesday 30th December 2025.

A female Kestrel was by the ruined buildings by Fort Cumberland.

It was back down to Eastney Outfall again this morning with my dogs and the weather was much more obliging, although very cold again. In fact, snow is forecast in the coming days within the north of the UK and I wouldn't be surprised if we have a flurry or two over the weekend. The high tide this morning was around 7am and so there was a possibility of something on the Solent when we arrived.

Eastney Point & the Langstone Harbour entrance, Portsmouth:

One of two Shags flying into the harbour at Eastney Point.

I took the same route along the beach and walked the concrete promenade east to where it was fenced off to view the sea and harbour entrance. The sun was low and so reflecting on the sea made viewing a bit challenging. However, a dark blob on the water grabbed my attention and on closer inspection, it was an adult Shag and a second bird was seen flying back into the harbour entrance. Again, the sea was dead calm, but there were no Auks or Divers sitting on the water.

Distant Sanderlings on the shoreline at Eastney beach.

Again, I checked the holes in the perimeter wall for an Owl, but nothing at all was within them, though up to 5 Stock Doves were sunning themselves quietly in the bright sunshine. A female Kestrel was seen perched high on a post and an adult Mediterranean Gull was seen flying by the shoreline, but flew off south over the sea before I could get a decent photo of it. I let my dogs, soon after, off their lead so they could have a good run while I checked the shoreline further along the beach to the west. I picked out at least half a dozen Sanderlings along the water edge although these were eventually disturbed by dog-walkers and flew off further west. A flock of 6 Siskins flew high overhead, calling in doing so and headed off west; which was a bit of a surprise, but a most welcome sighting.

Brent Geese on the foreshore at Lock Lake.

I didnt have a lot of time this morning as my wife wanted me to take a trip with her and so I made a brief stop by the Hayling Ferry Termimal to view the harbour entrance and both Lock Lake and the northern end of Langstone Harbour. Sadly, apart from the many Black-headed Gulls and Brent Geese, all I could find was a distant female Red-breasted Merganser flying over on the Hayling Island side of the harbour.

Black-headed Gulls make use of the many small boats in Lock Lake.

Fort Cumberland with Hayling Island in the background. Photo courtesy of MyPortsmouth ByDrone. 

The Black Redstart at the back of my garden is now spending its 5th day here in Southsea and looking good to be a very early, but good, New Years ‘tick’. Birding pal Geoff Farwell, went to Hayling Oysterbeds yesterday morning and saw the following species: Black-necked Grebe, 8 Little Grebes, 2 Great Northern Divers, Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Peregrine, Greenshank, Rock Pipit, Kingfisher and a Cetti’s Warbler. He then went onto Farlington Marshes and saw and adult White-fronted Goose, a ‘pale-bellied’ Brent Goose and a Stonechat. 

Today, he went to Longwood Warren, in the northern half of Hampshire, where he had sightings of 8 Corn Buntings, 22 Yellowhammers, 50 Skylarks, 2 Ravens, 140 Stock Doves, 18 Fieldfares, 2 Red Kites and 2 Common Buzzards.

In Hampshire today:

More White-fronted Geese were still around including 3 on Farlington Marshes and a few more on Pennington Marshes. A Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Fishlake Meadows and over at the Hayling Oysterbeds, the Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian and Black-necked Grebe along with the Great Northern Diver were all still present and correct.

Black Redstart & Blackcap still present.

Monday 29th December 2025.

The female Black Redstart was again at the back of my garden within the tall tree for its 4th day.

The grey weather just does not want to disappear and so a very cold day with little sunshine was in store for us down here in Southsea. However, on a positive note, both the female Black Redstart and the male Blackcap were STILL present at the back of my garden and touring the neighbouring gardens as well. 

While watching the Black Redstart, this Starling landed at the top of the tree and began singing.

Again, the Blackcap proved elusive to photograph as it sang quietly in my neighbours Holly Tree before flying off south to other gardens near mine. The Black Redstart remained faithful to the big tree at the back of my garden and even perched on the nearby rooftops briefly before flying off north. It was again seen later in the afternoon briefly as dusk approached, perched up in the same tree before disappearing into nearby gardens. I heard a Grey Wagtail flying over my house as I was about to get into my car, but failed to get a sighting of the bird. At least two birds are wintering on the rooftops around my area of Southsea.

Another photo of the female Black Redstart.

Matt Parkes was birding on his own today and took the trip to Posbrook Floods to get his ‘year-tick’ of the drake Ferruginous Duck swimming on the big pool there having been found earlier in the day.

Above, the drake Ferruginous Duck had returned to Posbrook Floods. Photo by Matt Parkes.

Yesterday, birding pal Geoff Farwell took a trip to the West Tisted area, near Alresford, where he had sightings of 65+ Yellowhammers, 180 Chaffinches, 45 Linnets, 3 Marsh Tits, a Raven, 2 Red Kites and 6 Common Buzzards.

In Hampshire today:

It was virtually the same as yesterday, with all the scarcer birds still present in their respective areas and addition to this, a Black Brant was found by Jason Crook, the bird feeding in fields adjacent to the Hayling Billy Line. A Short-eared Owl was seen to fly south over fields near Andover at Harewood Forest.