Jackdaw & Mute Swan from Pembroke Road.

Thursday 29th January 2026.

Walking past Highland Road Cemetery this morning with the dogs. Robins and Blackbirds could be heard singing within the Cemy.

Where has this month gone already? February is now just around the corner and hopefully, the first of the migrants will arrive back to our shores again (Wheatears, Sand Martins and a few other very early birds); but what with this consistent wet weather, who knows what is around the corner. Storm after storm it seems is flooding our countryside and battering our coastlines; a situation that is becoming all too common in our winters in the UK and yet there are still pessimists who believe there is no Global Warming going on!!! Our summers are getting hotter and drier, with reservoirs somehow lacking the ability to hold onto the water that winter brings and Heath and Woodland fires are becoming commonplace now. What is the future for our children and children's children as time goes on?

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A dry start to the day here in Pembroke Road.

A dry start to the morning (which I am always grateful for), but it was quite cold with a south-easterly blowing over Southsea and temperatures around 6 degrees, though it felt a lot colder than that in the wind. My cold fingers and drippy nose were witnesses to that! A reasonable total of 14 bird species were recorded on my first shift that included a few surprises.

An adult Mute Swan was seen flying over the Curtain Moat, no doubt heading to Canoe Lake to join the 30+ birds already there. A Jackdaw, which is a rarity around these parts, flew low over the road heading north and calling. I am always pleased to see this tiny crow species here and both a very noisy Jay and a pair of Magpies were seen along with many Carrion Crows. The Blue Tits were flitting about in the trees opposite and included a male bird displaying. A Dunnock was heard singing in the garden behind the house opposite where I stood. Spring is certainly not far away. Three species of Gull were seen: Herring, Black-headed and Great Black-backed Gull, but no raptors were seen this morning.

On my second shift, the only other bird species added to my total here was a Great Tit that was heard calling in the Holm Oaks.

I got a text from Andy Fisher yesterday to say that he added Nuthatch, Marsh Tit and Yellowhammer to his Hampshire year list after taking a walk in the countryside while his car was in the garage. 

Above, a photo of the moon overhead this morning taken from my garden. Below, one of three Blue Tits again in my garden and enjoying the Nut Balls.

In Hampshire today:

The male Cirl Bunting at Wicor Mill, Portchester today. Photo by Tony Tindale.

The drake Scaup was reported to be on one of the main pools this morning at Hayling Oyster Beds and 3 Great Northern Divers were seen over at Weston Shore, Southampton. Incredibly, last December’s male Cirl Bunting at Wicor Mill had been refound again by the finder. This begs the question on where had it been all this time? Hopefully, it will be around by the weekend and so I can add it to my Hampshire bird list.

Three White-fronted Geese were still on Farlington Marshes and HIll-head birder Mark Francis picked up a Red-necked Grebe, 2 Slavonian Grebes, 7 Kittiwakes and 3 Razorbills around the Brownwich and Chilling area. Six Woodlarks were seen in one flock at Woolmer Pond today, despite the fact we had none last Saturday! 

Both Black Redstart & Blackcap again by my garden.

Monday 26th January 2026.

This stunning rainbow was over Highland Road Cemetery as I was driving back home after my second shift at Pembroke Road. I actually pulled over and got out of the car to take this photo.

A grim start to the day with very heavy rain and strong winds overnight and the rain continuing into early morning. However, it soon departed once I arrived at Pembroke Road, though dark and overcast and breezy during my first shift here. The adverse weather conditions has been named Storm Chandra by the Met Office and is battering the north and west of the country, but thankfully, has gone from us on the south coast; but in its wake, Blashford Lake car park is underwater again by the Tern Hide and is closed for the day. This afternoon, it was much better with plenty of sunshine, though just as I was leaving, a nasty shower came in, but it produced the most amazing rainbow over Southsea.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

I recorded up to 14 species this morning here in Pembroke Road and among these birds was a superb male Peregrine that stooped over Governor’s Green at the Pigeons and Herring Gulls there, though I don't think it was successful. It all happened so quickly and I was busy at the time too.

Surprisingly, no Brent Geese were seen flying over, but when I first arrived, there were at least 30+ Herring Gulls on Governor’s Green and among them were two Great Black-backed Gulls also searching for worms on the sodden grass. The Bowling Green didn't escape the heavy rain either as large puddles had formed on the grass there but attracted several Herring Gulls and a few Carrion Crows!

Passerines this morning included the usual House Sparrows calling in the hedgerow by the Bowling Green and Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren and Starling were all heard.

My Garden:

This was the only photo I could get of today's female Black Redstart for as soon as I pressed the shutter button on my camera, it flew off and was not seen again.

Both the female Black Redstart and the male Blackcap were in and around my garden when I got back home from my first shift and were joined by a pair of Great Tits enjoying the Fat Balls; three Blue Tits and a male Blackbird. Luckily, I had my camera to hand and managed just the one photo of the Black Redstart, but the other birds were a bit more obliging.

Above, one of the three Blue Tits enjoying Fat Balls I have in my garden. I recently took down the Sunflower Heart feeder as I am giving it a damn good clean. Sadly, the House Sparrows have gone from my garden and have become a rarity in my garden although I can hear them further south from my garden occasionally. 

Above, who cannot love a Great Tit? When seen close up, they really are a beautifully marked bird. A pair was in my garden today.

In Hampshire today:

The long-staying Killdeer is still at Ripley Farm Reservoir today for those brave enough to put up with the wet weather. A male Black Redstart is still around the Daedelus Airfield area, Lee-on-Solent and another male bird at a private site in Havant. Apart from the already mentioned, the only other birds of note were three Little Gulls off Calshot Spit along with a Great Northern Diver.

The female Black Redstart STILL present in my garden!

Monday 26th January 2026.

The Holm Oaks at Pembroke Road. 

A good start to the week here in Old Portsmouth, with a good variety of bird species seen in Pembroke Road today. The weather wasn't too bad either, though overcast with a south-easterly breeze, it did remain dry throughout both of my shifts. Not only was the birdlife interesting here, but back in my garden, the female Black Redstart was present for its SIXTH week in and around the gardens behind my house and was briefly joined by a different Warbler!

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

I notched up a good total of 16 species (exceptional for this time of year) were seen from both shifts this morning here and on top of the pile was the male Sparrowhawk seen this afternoon, hunting over Governor’s Green and scattering all the Wood Pigeons around the Holm Oaks and even a Jay was heard as the bird flew off westbound and over the houses towards Portsmouth Harbour.

A few flocks of Brent Geese were seen heading east early in the first shift and a Cormorant sailed overhead and landed on Curtain Moat. There was plenty of birdsong going on with a Great Tit singing nearby and joined by a Robin singing somewhere in the Holm Oaks. Three species of Gull were seen, including a few Black-headed and Great Black-back Gulls and the overnight rain had many Herring Gulls searching for worms on Governor’s Green early on. The last species to be added was a Pied Wagtail flying low over my head and heading off northbound over the houses.

My Garden:

The female Black Redstart was still present today.

Around 1pm, I was back home and while I was upstairs, I heard the distinctive call of a Chiffchaff calling in my garden and so, looking out of one of the bedroom windows, I saw the bird flitting about near my bird feeder until it disappeared into my neighbours garden. There was no sight or sound of the Blackcap, but, unbelievably, the female Black Redstart was present again; perched high up in the tall tree with her distinctive quivering tail. I am wondering how long she has actually been in the area, for six weeks in the area is something incredible. She is obviously finding enough insects to feed on in the area, though to be honest, it has been relatively mild for this time of year.

In Hampshire today:

A superb photo of a Nuthatch taken recently by Pete Appleton.

Again, the superb Killdeer (some say its a 1st winter bird?) is still present and showing well at Ripley Farm Reservoir for the admiring crowds, though it is certainly getting ‘welly boot time’ at the location due to all this rain we are having. There has been a supporting cast of 4 White-tailed Eagles and even two Little Gulls at the site over the past few days! Blashford Lakes had a great total of Goldeneye present that numbered at least 30 birds on Ibsley Water and a few more on nearby Rockford Lake. The Black-necked Grebe was joined by a second bird in front of one of the Hides at Ibsley Water. Wildfowl numbers are increasing with Shoveler numbers having increased of late as has Pintail with 341 and 343 birds respectively counted today. Wigeon numbers are up with a staggering count of 1390 counted today. Two Red-necked Grebes are now in Langstone Harbour with the usual bird off Hayling Oyster Beds and another in the Sinah Lake area in the southern half of the harbour.

Another stroll around my local patch.

Sunday 25th January 2026.

One of several singing Great Tits this morning in the Cemetery.

My dogs got their walk this morning around Highland Road Cemetery, though the threat of rain was on the horizon. After a few chores, I arrived at the Cemy around 10am where it was cloudy with the occasional bright spell, but there were dark clouds coming in and by midday, drizzle had begun to fall. Temperatures this morning hovered around the 8 degree mark but it didn't feel as cold as yesterday, with a light south-easterly blowing.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

The Mausoleum within the centre of the Cemy.

A quiet morning in the Cemetery today with just a few birds of note on my walk round with my dogs. There were a lot of dog-walkers around today, but one chap told me that a Green Woodpecker was very vocal here yesterday! I was very surprised as I thought the bird had long gone; so I was really pleased that it was still around. However, there was no sign of the bird today. 

Above, it took a while to find this singing Robin deep within this shrub, despite being just a few feet away from the bird and below, a male Blackbird by the footpath.

Above, there were good numbers of Blue Tits around today as were the Wood Pigeons (below).

The Jay showed briefly this morning, in trees in the south-west corner, but a dog-walker flushed the bird and so a photo opportunity had been lost. Robins and Great Tits were the only birds in song this morning, but it did feel a little ‘Spring-like’, especially when the sun made a very brief appearance. There were, again, a lot of Wood Pigeons around and occasionally, a large flock of them would fly overhead or land in the tallest of trees due to probably a Sparrowhawk passing over. Several Blackbirds were seen among the trees and bushes, but no Crests present today.

Above, another male Blackbird searching for food in the Cemy and below, the 'Lords and Ladies' plants growing in the southern half of the Cemetery by the perimeter wall.

The Cuckoo-pint plant was in leaf this morning in its usual place by the southern perimeter wall and I look forward to when the plant is in flower, which will probably be in the next couple of months. Not many other plants were in flower, except for the purple flowers of the Winter Heliotrope that was growing below the Holm Oak trees. It is still only January, but it has most certainly been a wet and mild one so far. 

A quiet sea-watch on Hayling & a stroll around Woolmer Pond.

Saturday 24th January 2026.

A very choppy Solent this morning from Sandy Point.

Strong onshore winds last night meant that a sea-watch was going to be the order of the day and so we all headed to Sandy Point on Hayling Island, to try our luck at this site instead of Gilkicker (which has been very disappointing in the past). A strong south to south-easterly was blowing in off the Solent and a rather cold wind too, but at least it remained dry to late afternoon.

From Sandy Point, around midday, we made our way to the north of the County, Woolmer Pond to see if we can pick up our first Woodlarks of the year and maybe something extra; however, the red flags were up when we arrived and so, the furthest we got was the Cottage garden.

Cowplain Marsh (Andy’s house):

I arrived a tad early to Andy Fisher’s house (around 7.35am!) and already bought myself a coffee from the nearby Tesco Express, the guys had their breakfast as we chatted about the week that had gone by. From Andy’s garden, a few Redwing passed overhead as did several Goldfinches and a Siskin was heard a couple of times. When Andy went outside to his garden, he saw a Raven flying over, but it was too quick for us to see the bird.

Andy had bought a Tripac for his telescope and tripod along with a new Telescope waterproof cover! However, instead of buying one of those very expensive ones, he bought one from a well-known retailer on the internet. It was the fraction of the price of what I have seen for my Swarovski telescope and I seriously might order one myself.

Sandy Point, Hayling Island:

An adult Med Gull flying over the sea.

With the strong winds overnight spilling over to this morning, the signs of picking up some seabird ‘year-ticks’ looked promising. However, not only did we have a problem in trying to keep out of the wind, but during the 90 minutes or so we were there, it was a bit too quiet. We did find some solace with a big pile of rocks to get behind, but the wind still managed to make viewing the sea uncomfortable. The long walk from Seafarers Walk was bad enough in the cold wind and the only bird we saw of note was an adult Mediterranean Gull heading low east over the waves.

Not today!

Eventually, we settled behind a big pile of rocks and looked from there. There were a lot of distant Gulls (probably Herring Gulls), but very little else. A few Cormorants went through and after some 20 minutes or so, we were joined by fellow birder Pete Gammage, but even he gave up shortly afterwards. And who could blame him! Geoff then found a small group of 5 Common Scoters on the sea, but with the sea so choppy, they were a nightmare to pick up at times, though I was sure there were 3 females and 2 drakes. Another probable Common Scoter was flying at speed low over the sea on the horizon, but even that bird was very difficult to pick up through the scope. The only other bird of note was a Great Crested Grebe flying low over the sea as the bird literally flew over the Scoter flock, heading eastbound. And that was the sum total of a very disappointing 90 minutes here. If there was some better shelter out of the wind, we probably would have stayed a lot longer. So, we all agreed to go back to the RNLI Station, out of the wind and search the harbour entrance and Chichester Harbour from there.

Brent Geese flying into Chichester Harbour.

We had more luck with bird sightings from the RNLI Station, especially when I found a pair of adult Kittiwakes flying out of the harbour entrance and quickly shouted out to the guys to get onto the birds. The Kittiwakes certainly didn't hang around and sped out towards the sea. Within Chichester Harbour, the water was much calmer as we picked out at least 4 Sandwich Terns in various parts of the harbour. A distant Diver looked good for Great Northern Diver and also a pair of Mergansers and a Great Crested Grebe was seen. A Slavonian Grebe was a welcome bonus which was seen in the harbour entrance, though the choppy sea put paid from prolonged views of the bird and it was only seen again by Geoff briefly a little later. Putting the telescope on maximum magnification, I picked out small numbers of Sanderling on East Head, on the opposite side of the harbour entrance, though people letting their dogs of their leads didn't help the birds there whatsoever! It was nearing midday and I asked the guys where to go next. I did suggest Northney to try our luck for the Black-throated Diver seen there earlier in the week, but Andy said that it was extremely muddy there and so Woolmer Pond was suggested instead.

Woolmer Pond, nr Bordon:

The water level on Woolmer Pond was very high due to the excessive rain we have had of late.

The water level on the Pond (should be really called a lake or lakes!) was very high, which did attract a good number of Tufted Duck on the water along with a lone drake Gadwall and Little Grebe. The wind wasn’t so strong here this afternoon and it was bright sunshine too. On arrival, noticing the flags were up (which was disappointing), we walked anticlockwise first around the track to view the southern end of the site, but sadly, there was very little of note here. No Stonechats, Dartford Warblers and in fact, birds in general!

Above, good numbers of Tufted Duck were on the water along with this drake Gadwall. Below, Geoff identified these small flowering plants as Common Chickweed that was growing along the main footpath.

Walking to the Cottage area for lunch (I was now very hungry!), we saw more from the Garden than anywhere else! Resting by the huge fallen Oak tree, we must have flushed a Common Buzzard from the garden as it flew off and headed slowly over the wasteground northbound. Hopefully, it would have avoided the Firing Range in the distance which was being used today by the Army boys. 

Above, this Hairy Curtain Crust fungus was growing abundantly on the fallen Oak Tree in the Cottage Garden. Below, one of two Crossbills that was also seen in the garden.

Above and below, this Treecreeper gave us good views as it climbed a Silver Birch tree.

A small flock of Goldfinch flew in briefly and landed in the Silver Birches behind us and a showy Treecreeper flew in and showed very well climbing a nearby tree. A Goldcrest briefly flew in and landed in a nearby Holly Tree and then flew off and disappeared into a Conifer. A pair of Crossbills were heard and then seen landing in the utmost bare branches high up in a tree until flying off over our heads and towards Woolmer Forest. Lunch over, I knew I had to get home rather earlier than normal today and so we made our way west along the footpath by the wasteland area where we saw a large flock of Corvids (Rooks and Jackdaws) searching for food on the short grass. There were a few birds around on the short grass and bushes that included a pair of Blackbirds, a single Song Thrush and a male Pied Wagtail on the short turf. The walk back to the car also produced a flock of Long-tailed Tits, roughly around a dozen birds and among them, a Coal Tit and a Goldcrest were noted to round off our day here. 

Above, a male Pied Wagtail was seen in the wasteland north of the Pond and below, we encountered a sizable flock of Long-tailed Tits on the way back to the car.

Driving home along the A3, a Red Kite sailed high over the road as I pointed it out to Geoff. I think Andy was asleep in the back of the car! Birding pals, Emma and Matt Parkes, took a dawn trip to Ripley Farm Reservoir and joined the 100+ birders there to see the long-staying Killdeer and successfully saw the bird. Afterwards, they went back to Lee-on-Solent to see the Black Redstarts there and found a cracking male bird on show.

This cracking male Black Redstart was photographed in Lee-on-Solent by Emma Parkes today.

Another wet morning, but the Killdeer was still present.

Friday 23rd January 2026.

The singing male Blackcap was showing well yesterday in my back garden.

Another wet miserable start to the day, but I still had a smile on my face after yesterday’s Killdeer sighting. A blustery southerly wind and dark clouds overhead produced some rain, but it did fizzle out by midday and the afternoon shift at Pembroke Road wasn't too bad and even quite mild too! The Killdeer was still present at Ripley Farm Reservoir today, but was a little flighty at times, which worried those birders travelling tomorrow for the bird. I did hear there is an organised ‘Pheasant Shoot’ at the Farm tomorrow, so people have been advised to keep to the main footpath and get there around first light before the Shoot starts.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Another excellent film footage of the Killdeer at Ripley Farm Reservoir by Steve Laycock.

As mentioned, the weather was poor on my first shift but much better in the afternoon. A total of 13 bird species were seen during both shifts, which again, was all the usual expected birds seen or heard. A few flocks of Brent Geese flew in from Portsmouth Harbour to their feeding area on Southsea Common and a couple of Cormorants were seen (or quite possibly the same individual) around Curtain Moat. A Greenfinch was heard again, but not seen and a male Blackbird scared the hell out of me when I went to get into my car as it just missed flying into my face!

In Hampshire today:

The Great Grey Shrike was seen again at the Shatterford area after being missing for a week or so and the six Glossy Ibis were on the northern side of the Bridge Street Floods, that included the individual with the poor leg. A Spotted Redshank was on Bunny Meadows, Hook-with-Warsash today. Though not in Hampshire (just), a Snow Bunting was present for its second day at East Head, West Wittering. Hopefully, it just might fly over to nearby Hayling Island?

Killdeer on my Life List.

Thursday 22nd January 2026.

My first ever Killdeer. Yes, the bird was very distant and I had my camera on its highest zoom and there are far better photos out there from other birders. But what a cracking bird it was through the scope.

After around 50 years of birding, Killdeer is finally on my Life List. This is one species that I have dreamed of seeing throughout my lifetime and at last, I had the opportunity of seeing one in Hampshire (just!) too. It was discovered yesterday by one very lucky and observant birder yesterday morning and so the race had begun for everyone to get down to Ripley Farm Reservoir to view this American superstar. 

Another photo of the distant Killdeer being flanked by a Shelduck and a Moorhen on the embankment on the opposite side of the Reservoir.

Lucky for me, I had a 5 hour window between shifts at Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, today and birding pal Andy Fisher asked me last night if I would like to go down for the bird the following day should it still be there. When I arrived at Pembroke Road at 8am this morning, the report flashed that the Killdeer was still present at the same site and so Andy met me at my house to take the 45 mile drive to the Reservoir. Despite a lot of rain on the way there, lucky for us, the rain had stopped on arrival at Anna Lane and carefully parking up on the side of the road, we walked the 150 yards or so to where a group of birders were watching from.

My film footage of the Killdeer at Ripley Farm Reservoir this morning. Please excuse the fella yapping in the background. I couldn't get him to shut up!

Joining the small throng of Birders, one kind chap let me look through his scope to view my first ever Killdeer that was sat down on the ground near some Shelduck on the opposite bank of the small Reservoir. I quickly got my scope on the bird as it swivelled its head a few times so I could check out its large chunky bill. Looking like a Ringed Plover on steroids at first, I was hoping the bird would show itself fully and show off that superb double band on its breast. I didn't have to wait too long. Apparently, before we arrived, the bird took flight due to a Sparrowhawk passing close by, but, thankfully, returned to the same spot. Phew!

Three Grey Herons were by the waters edge with plenty of wildfowl on the Reservoir and the foreshore.

Eventually, the Killdeer got up and slowly walked for a while and so I grabbed as many decent photos and film footage as possible. A couple of Birders joined us and I tried to help them get on the bird, but it had disappeared behind the ridge again and eventually, it popped its head up to the relief of the recently arrived Birders. Happy with my ‘Lifer, Hampshire first and year-tick’, I had a quick look around the Reservoir to check what else could be around. While I think of it, the site was also a ‘site tick’ too!

Above, Wigeon and Shoveler on the Reservoir and below, a small flock of Shoveler.

Here, there was a variety of wildfowl including Shelduck, Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal and Mallard on the water and also resting on the embankment, with a pair of both Grey Lag and Egyptian Geese present nearby also. Up to three Grey Herons were standing by the waters edge which rounded off a very successful ‘twitch’ in Hampshire. There was a good number of Birders present, around 40 individuals, though most had found a closer view further west down the track, but I was more than happy with what I saw today. Yes, the Killdeer was distant and I could have stayed a bit longer, but I only had a short window to see the bird and so made my way back home after an hour or so, thoroughly pleased with myself in seeing one of my most sought after birds. Even as I am writing this, I still have to pinch myself that I have actually seen one!

Above, a far better photo of the Killdeer. Photo by Andy Tew. Below, I was somewhat ecstatic to say the least!

Killdeer in Hampshire!!!!

Wednesday 21st January 2026.

The Killdeer at Ripley Farm Reservoir today. Photo by Steve Laycock.

Well it has to be said, the weather today was simply atrocious with strong winds and heavy rain throughout the day, though it did ease up a little in the afternoon. I was very busy today working, doing my usual shifts in Pembroke Road and too busy during the day to do any birding, then getting an opportunity to check my mobile phone. I was astonished to find that there were  some 50+ messages on Whatsapp. To cut to the chase, a superb Killdeer had been found at Ripley Farm Reservoir, just north of Christchurch. This is one stunning American wader and sought after from the more serious birder and it obviously didn't take long for a steady stream of admirers from all over the place.

More photos of the superb Killdeer today. Photos by Steve Laycock.

This is one bird I have always wanted to see, but they are so rare in the UK, especially in Hampshire (the last one was in 1980) although there was one reported in Southern Ireland recently. Possibly the same bird? If it does remain at the same site tomorrow, I think both Andy and myself will be going after my first shift tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Some excellent film footage of the Killdeer today. Film footage courtesy of @Waderworld1.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The weather really was poor all day at Pembroke Road, with constant rain (very heavy at times) throughout the day and a blustery southerly wind. All the usual birds were seen, though hardly any passerines were seen. I could hear the House Sparrows chirping away in the hedgerow by the Bowling Club and at least three small flocks of Brent Geese flew overhead.

The male Blackcap was singing again deep within cover of my neighbours Bay Tree, despite the wind blasting the gardens with heavy rain falling down.

Great Northern Diver at Eastney.

Tuesday 20th January 2026.

This juvenile Great Northern Diver was a nice surprise, swimming in Lock Lake at Eastney this morning.

A bright pleasant start to the day with a lot of sunshine, but a breezy southerly wind with temperatures fairly mild for this time of year. The dead Fox I found yesterday in Pembroke Road was being collected by a lady and her team, but when they went to collect the Fox last night, it had gone; of which I can only assume the Council took it away or one of the local residents? 

There was a selection of birds to be seen during my first shift in Pembroke Road and after my shift, I took a drive over to Southsea Castle to see if there was anything of note there and then I finished my little bit of birding down at the harbour entrance at Eastney.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

I notched up 13 bird species during my first shift there this morning and again, like yesterday, it was the usual fare here that did included several flocks of Brent Geese heading east and one, possibly two, Cormorants were seen, though one did look a little small and could of been a Shag and was heading towards Portsmouth Harbour? Again, the usual passerines were seen and heard, but no Greenfinch this morning.

Southsea Castle and the Solent:

A solitary Oystercatcher was present on the rocks below Southsea Castle, but nothing else of note was seen here this morning.

To be honest, if it wasn't for a lone Oystercatcher seen on the rocks in front of the Castle, it would have been a dead loss here. Though the rocks look good to protect the seafront from coastal erosion, I cannot help thinking that I preferred the old concrete slope that used to be here. Searching for the Purple Sandpipers here is much harder than it was and this was my second trip here without seeing the birds. However, numbers have dropped considerably here with only a handful being seen, which begs the question, do they really benefit from the new rocks here? The Oystercatcher looked quite at home, prising Limpets off the rocks with its huge orange bill with ease.

Above, the view of the rocks looking west from the new promenade. Below, the Oystercatcher on the rocks.

Above, the new beach looking towards South Parade Pier. Below, this poor Carrion Crow was sat on the sea wall. Just look at the state of its feet!

There was nothing whatsoever on the Solent except a few Herring and Black-headed Gulls and so I turned my attention to the Castle where a female Black Redstart was seen a couple of days ago by my mate Andy Fisher. Nope. Not a sausage! Absolutely void of birdlife and so I walked back to the car disappointed. I decided to round the morning off with a trip to the harbour entrance and try my luck here.

Harbour entrance, Eastney:

The immature Great Northern Diver in Lock Lake.

Again, the harbour entrance was literally empty of birds, save a few Black-headed Gulls by the car park and so I took a drive to the small car park near the Hayling Ferry Terminal. A good scan in both Lock Lake (I recently heard someone calling this area Eastney Lake, but on Google Maps, it's Lock Lake?) and the northern half of Langstone Harbour. At first, despite a rising tide, I couldn't find anything of note whatsoever and I nearly gave up and then a second sweep through the binoculars, an immature Great Northern Diver came into view having passed the spit and swam south into Lock Lake. In the sunshine, it looked stunning and so I quickly got my camera pointing at it and took several half decent photos of this lovely bird. I had only seen my first of the year last Saturday from Hayling Oysterbeds, but this bird today was much closer than Saturday's bird. I was well pleased with this sighting and so got back into the car as I was getting a bit cold. From the car, a flock of Brent Geese flew past and a Sandwich Tern could be seen flying east over the harbour, to round off my morning’s birding.   

The immature Great Northern Diver about to sink beneath the waves.

In  Hampshire today:

Another good variety of birds seen in Hampshire today in much better conditions. The four Tundra Bean Geese showed very well at Iley Lane, Keyhaven Marshes along with 9 Greenland White-fronted Geese. A Great Grey Shrike was seen in a different part of the New Forest today, near Slufters Inclosure and showed well briefly. Closer to home, a Red-necked Grebe was off Northney, Hayling Island and also both Black-throated Diver and a Great Northern Diver were also seen from the same site by a different observer. A Black Brant was also seen from Northney along with a flock of 60+ Avocet in the harbour. Also from Hayling Island, a flock of 5 Red-throated Divers were seen from Sandy Point along with a Great Northern Diver, Gannet, Razorbill and an adult Little Gull.

A displaying drake Goldeneye at Blashford Lakes today. Photo by Andy Tew.

On Farlington Marshes today, a flock of 25 Golden Plovers flew onto the reserve and the White-fronted Geese were still present on the reserve.