A 'Lifer' moth by my trap last night.

Friday 28th March 2025.

My first ever Marbled Fern moth that was on the white sheet behind my Moth Box last night. 

Another day and yet another different weather forecast for today. A weather front moved in overnight and into this morning with drizzle coming down from an overcast sky. There was a westerly wind blowing down Pembroke Road this morning and temperatures were down to 10 degrees centigrade. I had the Moth Box on last night and found a small, yet very attractive moth of which I quickly potted.

The Moth Box:

The micro moth Hourglass Mompha. This was my second of the year.

Though there were very few moths present this morning, the moth I caught last night and quickly potted turned out to be my very first Marbled Fern! This beautifully marked micro moth normally habits areas where this is Bracken of which I dont know of any areas of Portsmouth with Bracken growing; so it must be a migrant moth. Originally, this species is from New Zealand and believed to be brought in accidentally by Fern plants imported into the UK. This species has a good stronghold in the New Forest, but very few areas in Hampshire other than there. My second Hourglass Moth (Mompha divisella) of the year was also present within the Moth Box.

The moths present this morning included the following:

• MARBLED FERN (Lifer)
• Early Grey x2
• Common Plume
• Beautiful Plume
• Hourglass Mompha

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The weather was somewhat unpleasant this morning here in Pembroke Road with light rain and a cold westerly blowing down the road that didn't help matters. Just 11 species were recorded this morning here that did include the Jay, which flew over the road and landing in the Holm Oaks and a singing Chiffchaff somewhere in the same trees. Hopefully, I hope the weather will be a bit better this afternoon.

Some friends of mine sent me this film clip of two Tawny Owls calling to one another outside their Denmead home last night.

While having lunch in my garden, the sun shone brightly and as my garden is a sun trap, it does invite a good number of Bees and Hoverflies to my garden and as I have Ivy plants growing over the wooden fence panels and a few plants in flower, there was a variety of insects on show and so I couldn't resist taking a few photos of these insects.

Above, a female Hairy-footed Flower Bee and below, a male Humming Syrphus (Syrphus ribesii).

Above and below, a Drone Fly.

Above, a male Early Epistrophe (Epistrophe eligans).

Another foggy start before a walk around the Cemy.

Thursday 27th March 2025.

A foggy Governor's Green with the Royal Garrison Church in the background.

This morning started off with a proper ‘Pea Souper’ as thick fog shrouded most of Southsea and  especially the seafront and Old Portsmouth. However, the fog disappeared around 10am, leaving behind a dry and very sunny day though still a tad chilly in the afternoon. I was hoping for a Yellow Wagtail or a Swallow to pass overhead this afternoon, but it wasn't to be. I took another visit to Highland Road Cemetery around midday with the dogs, but not many migrants to report again. At least the weather was nice.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Above, the Royal Garrison Church shrouded in fog and below, a view of Curtain Moat looking west from the bridge.

Above, looking east from the bridge over the moat and below, the tunnel leads back to the footpath from the moat bridge.

A tame Starling allowed me a close approach with my mobile phone camera.

Despite the heavy fog on my first shift here in Pembroke Road this morning, I still managed to take a walk around Curtain Moat just in case a migrant bird might be lurking about in the trees or bushes. The best I could muster was a singing Chiffchaff in trees by the footpath, but apart from the many Starlings and Feral Pigeons going about looking for nesting material, there was nothing out of the ordinary.

In the afternoon, another Chiffchaff was singing in gardens behind Pembroke Close and the Jay put in another noisy appearance by the footpath between the Bowling Green and Governors Green. A total of 16 species were seen in all throughout the two shifts here today, which wasn't too bad considering the fog this morning.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

One of several Wrens singing in the Cemy.

Again, the only migrant birds I could find here in the Cemetery was a singing Chiffchaff. A male Chaffinch was calling excitedly within the centre of the Cemy and eventually seen high up in the Horse Chestnut trees before flying off north. Chaffinches are uncommon here and most certainly noteworthy and more than likely a migrant bird? 

The Starlings were out and about looking for food on the recently mown grass and I noticed the bird below had a wound behind its eye. An infection perhaps, but it didn't look that good.

Above, this male Chaffinch (it was some distance away) was the first one I have seen here for several months and below, one of the regular Blackbirds.

I bumped into a couple of aged Birders along the footpath, hoping to find the Black Redstart that yours truly found last Sunday. I told them that I had found the bird and so a long discussion was had about my recent sightings here. They were also after the Firecrest here and I explained to them where to look. Minutes later, after I left the guys to go about their business, I found the Firecrest again; this time in the solitary Holm Oak over on the north-east side, but it was bugger to photograph as the bird kept flitting about deep within the canopy of the tree.

Above, I took a lot of photos of this Firecrest, but the light and it being deep within the leaves, this was the best I got of this lovely bird and below, one of the many Robins showing well.

Other notable birds included the Great Spotted Woodpecker again, flying high up into one of the Horse Chestnuts some distance away; but no sign of the Green Woodpecker today. A calling Meadow Pipit flew high over and headed north to round off a nice sunny walk around my local patch.

Above and below, this Chiffchaff was flitting about the bushes and occasionally sang.

This Jay was squawking above my head!

The ‘Blue-headed’ Wagtail was still present today on Farlington Marshes. A few Swallows  and Willow Warblers were seen at various localities today, but surprisingly, nothing unusual. Two Little Gulls were on Chichester Gravel Pits, West Sussex along with a drake Red-crested Pochard.

The 'Blue-headed Wagtail' on Farlington Marshes, which has caused a lot of discussion on its identity. Photo by Simon King. 

Blast from the Past.

Another ‘Blast from the Past’ takes us back to a warm Saturday morning over to the Isle of Wight for my first ever Black Stork and still remains the only one I have ever seen too. The date is 4th September 1993 and a trip over the Solent to see this amazing bird, I shall never forget. On reaching Brading by train, I eventually got to see the bird flying over the countryside here. Sorry, no photos of the bird as I did not have a decent camera in those days! Please click on the photo below.

Little Owl at South Boarhunt.

Wednesday 26th March 2025.

South Boarhunt, Hampshire:

You can just about make out the Little Owl on the Telegraph Pole in this photo.

I have been meaning to get up to South Boarhunt to see the Little Owls and tonight, I had that very opportunity. The evening finished off sunny and clear though I kind of left it nearly too late to view the birds as I never left my house till 6.30pm! I had to cook tonight's dinner before I left (a direct order by my missus) and then tear up the road to South Boarhunt. 

I just about caught the last rays of light to close the day with another lovely bird for my year list.

I managed to grab the last few rays of light when I arrived at this well-known location and thankfully, one of the Little Owls was showing well sitting on the corner of one of the Barns opposite the main road. Sadly, the light was disappearing fast and so my photos were going to be bloody dreadful as it was too dark to use high magnification. I did creep a bit closer hoping to get a better photo without disturbing the bird, but it flew off only to land on a distant telegraph pole. I went back to standing by the car again and after ten minutes or so, the bird returned to the same rooftop.

Other birds seen here included a pair of Red-legged Partridges walking around in front of the Barn and a flock of 7 Fieldfare flew over and headed off to roost I assume at the nearby trees. About 8 Bats were seen hunting for insects over the trees behind the Farm. Happy with my 152nd Hampshire bird of the year, I headed off back home to enjoy my already cooked dinner! Birding pal, Andy Fisher, went down Farlington Marshes and successfully saw the Blue-headed Wagtail on the Deeps (a big debate now oing on 'Lazee's' on what sub-species it is, lol) at Farlington Marshes. He also saw the Barn Owl hunting around the Bushes area and the Spoonbills. Well done mate.

More moths this morning & a large spider in my house!

Wednesday 26th March 2025.

The sea was very calm this morning over the Solent.

An overcast, but bright start to the day with next to no wind and temperatures around 10 degrees centigrade. The Moth Box was on overnight and attracted a few moths and some other insects and then back to Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth where it got a little brighter with the occasional bit of sunshine poking through the clouds.

The Moth Box:

One of two Early Grey moths. 

A total of 13 moths were present by my Moth Box this morning (only one moth within it!), but sadly, no sign of last nights Angle Shades moth that was fluttering around my Moth Box late last night. No new moths for the year other that the Angle Shades of which the following were present:

• Double-striped Pug x3
• Water-dropwort Brown
• Common Plume x5
• Beautiful Plume x2

I did not expect to find my first Comma butterfly of the year by my Moth Box this morning.

Other notable insects around the Moth Box included my first Comma butterfly of the year, perched on the wall opposite and a Lacewing was on the white sheet behind the Box. There was a bit of birdlife going on overhead with a Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch all heard flying over and in the gardens, a Chiffchaff was singing and seen a couple of times as it made its way north through the garden and still present at 2pm.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

This Lacewing was by the Moth Box.

Before I made my way to Pembroke Road, I stopped off just west of South Parade Pier and took a look over the Solent where the sea was dead calm. However, the only bird seen, apart from the usual Herring Gulls, was a Cormorant flying east low over the water.

Pembroke Road produced up to 15 species this morning, including another singing Chiffchaff and the Jay showed again briefly. Just the two Pied Wagtails on the Bowling Green and all that was on Governor’s Green was Wood Pigeons. 

My wife had a fright when she found this large Spider near the front door of our house. I done some research on this spider and it seems that Obsidentify believes it as Zoropsis spinimana 

Yesterday’s Blue-headed Wagtail was still present on Farlington Marshes this morning but was flushed by a passing Kestrel. A Wheatear was also there as well as two Spoonbills. Probably the same 1st winter Caspian Gull as yesterday was on Titchfield Haven this morning.

The 1st winter Caspian Gull photographed off Hill Head yesterday by Mark Francis.

Another trip to the Cemy after my first shift.

Tuesday 25th March 2025.

The Green Woodpecker showed well this morning within the Cemetery.

Another murky start to the day, with the fog horns going off in the Solent this morning apparently. The day did brighten up later around midday when I took the dogs for their walk around Highland Road Cemetery, though the sunshine was sporadic with the high cloud being pushed on by a light westerly wind. The temperatures got up to 15 degrees and it was quite comfortable this afternoon in Pembroke Road.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

It was pretty much the same birds as yesterday, bar the Redwing, but a singing Chiffchaff this afternoon was probably the highlight along with a calling Firecrest in the Holm Oaks. Firecrests are very much widespread now and as long as there are some thick evergreen Bushes or Holm Oaks, one could almost guarantee a bird there; which is a far cry way back in the 80’s when they were considered very localised around the New Forest area.

Just the one Brent Goose was seen flying east and a Jay put in a brief appearance flying over the road. A few Buff-tailed Bumblebees and Hairy-footed Flower Bees showed this afternoon around the flower beds.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

Both male and female Hairy-footed Flower Bees were enjoying the flowering Hyacinth Bluebells on the graves within the Cemy.

I made the most of the weather while it was sunny at the time and so took the dogs for their second walk of the day around Highland Road Cemetery. There was no sign of the Black Redstart or Firecrest from Sunday, but a singing Chiffchaff was present again. Fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ Ollie Crabbe took a walk here yesterday and also ‘dipped’ on the Black Redstart, but did see the Firecrest.

Above, the female Sparrowhawk showed well again and below, the female Hairy-footed Flower Bee balancing upside down on the Hyacinth Bluebells.

Above, a Dandelion giving a bright splash of colour and below, this female Blackbird was collecting nesting material already for another breeding season.

Both the Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen today; the former feeding on an Ants nest by a grave, while the Great Spotted was seen just once high up in one of the Horse Chestnut trees. The alarm calls of many birds was raised when a female Sparrowhawk glided into the Hom Oaks. I gave it a good look high into the branches but failed to see the bird, though it was seen again soaring high over the Cemetery to the east and being hassled by Gulls.

Above, a Robin out in the open in search for food and below, the Green Woodpecker searching for Ants.

Above, this female Blackbird posed nicely in the sunshine and below, a Yellow-legged Mining Bee.

Sadly, not a single butterfly on the wing here during my time walking the dogs around the Cemetery, but there were plenty of Bees and Hoverflies on the wing including both sexes of Hairy-footed Flower Bee and Yellow-legged Mining Bees.

Above, another Yellow-legged Flower Bee and below, a Buff-tailed Bumblebee nectaring on the Cherry Blossom.

Above, the Great Spotted Woodpecker put in a brief appearance. Below, Lesser Celandine flowers.

Above, we have Common Groundsel, Red-dead nettle and Daises altogether in one spot.

Nationally, there seems to be an influx of Hoopoes in the UK, with an incredible 10 on St. Martins on the Isles of Scilly! I read that at least four birds were seen in Southern Ireland together! The Forster’s Tern has returned to Shipstal Point, Arne NR and the Booted Eagle is still in Cornwall. Please come east to Hampshire! In Hampshire today, I have just found out that a Blue-headed Wagtail had been found on the Deeps at Farlington Marshes. Migrants are coming thick and fast. I was hoping for a Swallow today over Pembroke Road; maybe tomorrow?

The Green Woodpecker within Highland Road Cemetery.

Redwing & Purple Sandpipers today.

Monday 24th March 2025.

A Black-headed Gull with two of the Purple Sandpipers in front of Southsea Castle.

It was chilly again this morning although the temperatures did rise throughout the day. The low cloud still lingered here in Southsea with a light westerly wind. It was back to Old Portsmouth again today and after my first shift, I made my way to Southsea Castle, hoping for yesterday’s Red-necked Grebe to be still present.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A reasonable total of 15 species were present today during my first hour here at Pembroke Road. A good start with a small flock of 4 Redwing flying low north was a nice surprise; a species that has had a scarce presence here on the south coast and now making their way back north to their breeding grounds. On the opposite spectrum, a Chiffchaff was in song somewhere near the Bowling Green and overhead, Mediterranean Gulls have returned with a pair of birds circling with Black-headed Gulls high overhead. Around Spring time, they turn up frequently around this site, passing from one harbour to another. A total of 17 species were recorded today.

Southsea Castle & the Solent:

There was no sign of the Red-necked Grebe but this flock of Brent Geese were just offshore.

After a very frustrating time with the dreadful Pay Machines in the Car Park near the Castle, I eventually made my way to the front of Blue Reef Aquarium to find yesterday’s Red-necked Grebe but it was all in vain. All I could find was a flock of Brent Geese swimming just offshore and even someone from the ‘Lazee’s’ could not find the bird either. So I made my way east, checking the rocks below the new promenade for the Purple Sandpipers.

Above, the rock layout all along the promenade and below, bathing Purple Sandpipers.

Above, a large gathering of the Purple Sandpipers and below, an adult Mute Swan flying east over the Solent.

Above, a few House Sparrows were on the hedgerows beside the Car Park.

I got to the usual spot below the Castle and it didn't take long to find the birds. Twenty were reported yesterday and I found all 20 Purple Sandpipers (the most I have seen here this winter) sat nicely on the rocks altogether though some were preening while a few more were hopping about among the rocks. It was low tide when I arrived and the sea over the Solent was very calm. Though there was no sign of yesterday’s Grebe, I did see a small flock of 3 Med Gulls flying east low over the sea and a Mute Swan soon followed them in the same direction. All the while I was watching and photographing the Sandpipers, a Chiffchaff was calling behind me, somewhere in the vegetation near the Castle. You can hear it calling on the film footage below.

The Purple Sandpipers below Southsea Castle this morning.