A trip with Mr Fisher to Sandy Point.

Saturday 7th November 2026.

Sunrise over Highland Road Cemetery this morning while I walked the dogs for their early morning walk.

The rain showers that were predicted for today here in the south never materialised and it turned out to be a very nice day here on the coast. However, I planned to go to Woolmer Pond this morning and as Andy and I got to the site, we realised that the fog here was simply too thick to do any birding and so even before we got out of the car, we decided to head south to Sandy Point on Hayling Island instead where it was bright and sunny.

But first, I had two Moth Boxes to go through and for once, Geoff’s Moth Box held more moths than my Moth Box!

My Moth Box:

There were just 10 moths of 5 species this morning with only two macro moths present: a pristine Green-brindled Crescent (it certainly has been a good Autumn for this species) and the usual Golden Twin-spot. Among the micro moths, my first Beautiful Plume moth for October was perched on the fence behind the Box.

There was absolutely no birds flying over while checking the Moth Box, which was disappointing and so I packed everything away and finished my breakfast and headed off north to see the guys at Cowplain Marsh.

The Moths recorded this morning included the following:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Green-brindled Crescent x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x3
Golden Twin-spot x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x4
	Beautiful Plume x1

 

Geoff’s Moth Box, Cowplain Marsh (Andy’s garden):

Above, a Red-line Quaker, Feathered Thorn and the Green-brindled Crescent.

Twelve moths of 6 species beat my total back in Southsea and among them, I found my first Water Veneer moth for the year, though I think it was on its way out! Four Feathered Thorns and four November Moths was exceptional for Cowplain Marsh and thrown into the mix was a Red-line Quaker and a Green-brindled Crescent; two excellent moths species. The Moth Box also attracted an Ichneumon Wasp which I carefully released from the Box and back into the garden.

Above, this Water Veneer was my first for the year and below, up to 4 November Moths were present at Cowplain Marsh this morning.

I certainly cannot moan about this selection but I am hoping for a few other Autumn species to come along soon. The Moths recorded here included the following:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Feathered Thorn x4	Rusty-dot Pearl x1
Green-brindled Crescent x1	Water Veneer * x1
Red-line Quaker x1
November Moth x4

 

While checking the Moths and enjoying a couple of cups of coffee, there was plenty of birdlife going on in and over Cowplain Marsh. The female Great Spotted Woodpecker came down to the feeders again (see photo) and a Green Woodpecker was heard calling several times near the garden, but there was no sighting of the bird.

I took a few photos of the birds at Cowplain Marsh. From top to bottom: Robin, female Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blue Tit and the rear end of a Goldfinch!

A Nuthatch was heard calling nearby and overhead, we saw 3 Siskins heading north-west, a Pied Wagtail heading north as did a Greenfinch and a Redpoll was heard flying over but not seen. A Grey Wagtail flew low over the house and possibly a second bird was heard seconds later but not seen. An update of this week’s sightings at Cowplain Marsh is written below.

 

Sandy Point NR and Chichester Harbour, Hayling Island:

Brent Geese making their way into Chichester Harbour.

After parking up in Seafarers Walk, we walked along the pathway to the Harbour entrance. Though the potential of something rare or unusual here, the only bird noted was a calling Goldcrest somewhere high in a Conifer. When we reached the beach, we decided to split up where Andy walked along the shoreline of the beach, hoping to flush up a possible Snow Bunting, Shorelark or rare Wheatear. Sadly, none were seen. I, however, walked along the footpath close to the trees and bushes, hoping to find a rare Warbler. Again, none seen!

Above, this area of Fern looked so promising for something unusual. Certainly a good place for a mist net to do some ringing? Below, several Evening Primrose plants were still in bloom, though with this very mild weather, I wasn't too surprised to see some flowering plants here.

Above, a Jackdaw flying over our heads at Sandy Point.

Overhead, there was some visible migration going on with Goldfinches, Siskins, Chaffinches, Linnets, Skylarks, a single Redpoll and a few Meadow Pipits flying over. On reaching the RNLI Building, we stopped to have a cup of coffee and finishing my drink, I had a quick walk to check the nearby hedgerows where I found at least 6+ Chiffchaff in the area. A female Goldcrest showed well in a Sycamore tree, but no sign of any Yellow-browed Warblers today.

Above, a Robin was skulking low in the brambles and below, Andy wandering across the beach dreaming of a Shorelark!

Both adult and juvenile Brent Geese within the small lake near the Sailing Club.

Looking north into the harbour, good numbers of Brent Geese were swimming on the water and I could see at least two Sandwich Terns flying over the harbour. I could see the wader roost at Black Point and rather walk all the way up there which would undoubtedly flush the birds, there were good numbers of waders present including Sanderling, Dunlin and Oystercatchers.

Above, the male Dartford Warbler found in the Brambles and Gorse bushes and below, waders at the Black Point roost.

Above, Sanderling, Dunlin and Oystercatchers at the Black Point roost.

Andy wanted to try the sea for a possible Gannet (he needed this species for his year list) and on the way there, I heard the distinctive call of a Dartford Warbler in the brambles. It eluded us for some time and then it perched out in the open on a Gorse Bush. Pleased with seeing and photographing the bird (it was a male bird), we made our way to the rocks by the Nature Reserve, but all we could see on a flat calm sea was several large Gulls flying over the sea and a few Sandwich Terns among them. We couldn’t see anything really of note on the Gorse Bushes looking north over the reserve and so we made our way back to the car to try Sinah Warren where this weeks Yellow-browed Warbler was seen.

Sinah Warren, Hayling Island:

We parked up and made our way to the benches to finish off Andy’s coffee as several Chiffchaffs were seen flitting about by the perimeter fence. Fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ Pete Gammage was also here and after having a good chat with Pete, we all made our way back to our respective cars and headed off back home.

This weeks sightings at Cowplain Marsh:

 

The female Great Spotted Woodpecker at Cowplain Marsh.

Last Sunday, a Lesser Redpoll flew south at 9am over Cowplain Marsh, the first for the year here at this site. A Nuthatch paid a visit to the garden and overhead, 3 Chaffinches, Redwing and up to 5 Goldfinches went over.

On Monday 2^nd, there was a variety of notable sightings of which Geoff mostly saw or heard. This included flyovers of 2 Siskin, 3 Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Redwing, Sparrowhawk, Meadow Pipit, Red Kite and a Goldcrest seen in the garde. There were also two Mammel sightings; a Grey Squirrel and amazingly, a young Hedgehog at 3pm! Sadly, Hedgehogs are now on the endangered list of British Mammels, and I have not seen on in the UK for many years now!

On Tuesday 3^rd, another good variety of birds were noted by Geoff and that included a couple of raptors; a Red Kite low over the rooftops and a Sparrowhawk. Birds flying over included a Grey Heron flying low north, 20+ Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Grey Wagtail, Lesser Redpoll (heard), Chaffinch and Redwing. The female Great Spotted Woodpecker was back on the feeders again.

On Wednesday 4^th, a bit quieter today though both Grey and Pied Wagtail flew over the garden as well as a Linnet (heard only), 23 Goldfinch, Siskin (heard only) and a Nuthatch on the Fat balls. A Goldcrest was also in the garden.

On Thursday 5^th, the female Great Spotted Woodpecker was on the feeders, and a minimum of 20 Goldfinches were in the garden. Overhead, a Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Song Thrush and a Jay flew over Cowplain Marsh.

On Friday 6^th, an excellent 'garden tick', a Woodlark, flew over the garden heading east at 8.52am. Other notable birds flying over included a Chaffinch, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Linnet, Greenfinch, Song Thrush and Redwing. Once again, the female Great Spotted Woodpecker was on the feeders and a Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit and only a few Goldfinches were present in the garden.

A surprise micro moth and another good total in Old Portsmouth.

Friday 6^th November 2026.

An overcast yet bright morning here in Southsea where there was a bit of visible migration going over this morning while checking the Moth Box. Sadly, the Moth numbers were low but one small micro moth had me scratching my head for an ID. I knew it was a Blastobasis species, but which one. So, I took the best photo I could of the moth and posted it on the Facebook Micro Moth Identification to get the experts to try their luck. Thankfully, they did.

A good variety of bird species were seen or heard at Pembroke Road this morning as a bit of sunshine broke through the clouds. However, rain showers are forecast for the rest of the day to end the working week.

 

My Moth Box:

OK, a little brown job, but this Dotted Masoner micro moth was my first of the year.

Just four Moths were present this morning although some could of flown off as I got out into the garden a little late this morning. The expected Golden Twin-spot was present again, but a very late Vine’s Rustic was a surprise.

Above, Golden Twin-spot and below, a Vine's Rustic.

Apart from the Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana), the unidentified Moth was posted on Facebook and the conclusion was it was a very late Dotted Masoner (Blastobasis vittata). I do get this species in small numbers during the summer months, but never this late. Still, checking my spreadsheet of Moth sightings, I was surprised to find that this species was actually a ‘year-tick’ for me. The Moths recorded this morning were as follows:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Golden Twin-spot x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x1
Vine’s Rustic x1	Dotted Masoner x1

 

As mentioned, there was a bit of ‘Vis Mig’ going over the garden this morning and that included two flocks of Goldfinch consisting of 30 and 12 birds respectively, plus a single bird and all heading low eastbound. My first Lesser Redpoll of the Autumn was a nice surprise as it headed east and both Greenfinch and Chaffinch were heard going over. Finally, a Grey Wagtail was heard overhead, but I failed to locate the bird.

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The sun trying to get through some early morning cloud at Pembroke Road.

A good count of 18 bird species recorded this morning here in Old Portsmouth. The Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over again, but it didn’t land and headed off west over the houses. A pair of Meadow Pipits flew north, and a pair of Song Thrushes headed west, while finches this morning included a couple of Goldfinches heading east and a Greenfinch seen landing in the garden opposite to where I stood in Pembroke Road.

The usual Jays were flying up and down the road again, laden with an Acorn in its bill and two separate Dunnocks were heard calling as if calling to one another. Two male Blackbirds were chasing one another in the trees by the Bowling Green to conclude this morning’s sightings here.

This afternoon, the rain never materialised, though there was some heavy cloud over the Solent and the Isle of Wight, but underneath the clouds, a sky of pinkish orange looked amazing in the setting sun. The only species added to my total this afternoon was a Pied Wagtail with at least one bird heard and possibly more.

Sun setting over the Solent and the Isle of Wight.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Jay (2)
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Robin
• Dunnock (2 heard calling)
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Herring Gull
• Meadow Pipit (2)
• Starling
• Blackbird
• Song Thrush (2)
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch (2)
• Wren (heard singing)
• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Pied Wagtail

In Hampshire today:

There were two Purple Sandpipers on the rocks in front of Southsea Castle this morning and a large flock of 17 Greater White-fronted Geese landed in fields at Chilling Cliffs this morning. A male Black Redstart was by Daedalus Airport near Lee-on-Solent and the usual bird at Hamble Point was still present.

 

The new EP will be out shortly before Xmas. Tracks include 'We can't Twitch!, My Old Mans a Birder and the famous Xmas hit 'I'm dreaming of a Waxwing Christmas'.

 

 

A flock of 7 Mute Swans over Curtain Moat the highlight in Old Portsmouth.

Thursday 5^th November 2026.

The HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier coming through the Solent and then into Portsmouth Harbour. That is one big boat!

A mostly cloudy day and only a tad warmer than yesterday where the only plus was that it didn’t rain. There was no Moth Box on overnight as I wanted to make sure that yesterday’s moths did disperse, but even though the Fireworks are going off tonight, I still put the Moth Box on. Who knows, it just might disperse some Moths my way?

A reasonable tally of bird species seen today from Old Portsmouth and always nice to see a flock of Mute Swans on the move as a flock of 7 birds flew east over the Curtain Moat area and most likely heading to Canoe Lake.

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The Aircraft Carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth heading towards Portsmouth Harbour and passing the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

I've already mentioned the ‘star birds’ which leads me to the pair of Jays that flew up and down the road between the Sycamore Trees and the trees by the Bowling Green. A Robin popped out briefly by the House opposite but soon flew off when a pedestrian walked past. The Great Tit was singing again from the tops of the trees, but despite 15 species seen today from both shifts, it was rather uneventful bar the Swans.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Jay (2)
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Robin
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Mute Swan (flock of 7 birds)
• Starling
• Blackbird
• House Sparrow (heard)
• Wren (heard singing)

 

In Hampshire today:

Five years ago to the very day, this Red Kite flew over my head at Old Winchester Hill. 

An interesting Goose flew over Lewis Hooper at the Kench on Hayling Island, of which he thought it was a Pink-footed Goose, but on closer inspection, it might have been a Bean Goose. There is a mini-influx of them back in the UK, so it was a possibility. There was no sign of the Pacific Golden Plover in the Keyhaven Golden Plover flock today and most likely on the Isle of Wight again.

One of the Water Pipits seen today. Photo by Di Stedman.

Notable birds in Hampshire today included a couple of Slavonian Grebes in Langstone Harbour and a couple of Water Pipits seen today with birds at Titchfield Haven and Gilkicker Point.

 

 

 

 

A nice variety of Autumn moths in cold conditions.

Wednesday 4^th November 2026.

Silver Y. This was perched on my fence behind the Moth Box.

It was certainly very cold this morning and although the temperature according to my car said 9 degrees, in that easterly wind, it felt like 2 degrees! It was an overcast morning with heavy grey cloud, but that does make picking out birds easier to see against a darker background rather than a bright blue sky.

There was a good variety of Moths in and around the Moth Box in my garden this morning and so I was pleased I put it on last night. However, absolutely nothing was heard or seen flying over the garden at 7.15am, though there was a Wren ‘churring’ in my neighbour’s garden and the House Sparrows could be heard south of my garden again.

My Moth Box:

My first Green-brindled Crescent for the garden this year.

I was pleased with the variety of macro moths this morning with my first Green-brindled Crescent and November Moth (or if we are going to be picky, an Epirrita species) for the garden this year. An L-album Wainscot was a rather late individual and I am not sure if I have ever seen one in November? The Red-line Quaker was only my second one for the garden this Autumn.

Above, a late L-album Wainscot and below, my first November Moth for the garden this year.

Above, my second Red-line Quaker for the year in my garden.

The usual micro moths were present although Rusty-dot Pearls (Udea ferrugalis) were down to just one individual. The Moths seen this morning included the following:

 

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Silver Y x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x2
Golden Twin-spot x1	Common Plume x1
Green-brindled Crescent x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x1
L-album Wainscot x1
Red-line Quaker x1
November Moth x1

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A cloudy overcast start to the day with a cold easterly.

As mentioned, my first shift at Pembroke Road this morning was damn cold, and I am so glad I am wearing my woolly hat. That easterly wind, though could bring some interesting birds to our shores, is so uncomfortable to be in, especially for an hour standing there. There were no large Wood Pigeon flocks seen this morning and the only real surprise was a Cormorant flying low over Governor’s Green heading south-east.

The Jays were busy going up and down the road, landing in the Sycamore trees or the trees by the Bowling Green. A Great Tit sat on the roof of the house opposite where I stood and called for some time before disappearing into the back garden.

There were two other sightings of which I could not 100% ID and that was a group of probably Brent Geese heading very distantly westbound towards Gosport. The size and shape and the way they flew had me thinking Brent Geese. Two thrush species flew out together from the Bowling Green trees and headed quickly west of which I presume they were either Redwing or Song Thrushes?

This afternoon, on my second shift, it really felt wintry with dark clouds overhead and the temperature not into double figures during my time there. On a positive side, three more bird species were added to my day total that included a Great Spotted Woodpecker. I heard the bird first of all but had to wait around 5 minutes to see the bird searching for food in the nearby Sycamore Tree before flying off into a nearby garden.

A Chiffchaff was heard calling distantly somewhere near the Bowling Green and finally a Pied Wagtail flew low over the road to make it 16 species for the day.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Jay (2)
• Carrion Crow
• Robin (heard)
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Starling
• Cormorant
• Blackbird
• House Sparrow
• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Chiffchaff (heard)
• Pied Wagtail

A brief Desert Wheatear in Hampshire & large numbers of Wood Pigeons on the move.

Tuesday 3^rd November 2026.

Dawn over Highland Road Cemetery when I walked the dog this morning.

Another bright start to the day although a lot of high cloud around this morning (thankfully!) however it was quite cold in that north-easterly wind when I walked the dogs early this morning. In fact, it was back to my woolly hat for my first shift at Pembroke Road this morning.

I didn’t put the Moth Box on last night for fear of trapping the same Moths, but it will be back on tonight. Pembroke Road was a little quieter than yesterday on my first shift, but there was an excellent display of Wood Pigeons going over this morning. If only I had my camera on me!

The male Desert Wheatear at Weston Shore this morning. Photo by Tim Doran.

Amazing news this morning was the discovery of a male Desert Wheatear at Weston Shore, near Southampton! However, it eventually flew off and no further sign by 10am. Sob! I have seen several Desert Wheatears over the years and even one in Hampshire; the infamous Hayling seafront bird, way back in 2005.

 

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A very bright start to the day again though there was some overhead cloud.

Yes, another bright start, but at least there was a bit of cloud cover this morning, and I never had a problem with the motorists today so far! As mentioned, the Wood Pigeons put on a good display this morning with one flock estimated to be around at least 200+ birds right over my head, all heading north in a tight flock. A little while later, a smaller flock of around 100+ birds went over, also heading north and when one of the Cross-channel Ferries blew its horn when exiting Portsmouth Harbour, at least 40+ Wood Pigeons flew off Governor’s Green in panic!

Up to 4 Jays were seen together going up and down Pembroke Road and a couple of large flocks of Goldfinches also flew over heading eastbound. Unfortunately, there were no additional species seen on my second shift and the only saving grace was that the rain had stopped on my arrival at Pembroke Road.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Jay (4)
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Pied Wagtail (heard)
• Robin (heard)
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit (heard singing)
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Goldfinch (16 + 12)
• Starling

 

Harbour Entrance, Eastney:

Ted & Buddy enjoying stretching their legs on the spit opposite the Hayling Ferry.

Around 1pm, I took the dogs for a stroll by the Langstone Harbour entrance at Eastney. The tide was out and so we took a walk down to the Hayling Ferry and walked west down on the sandy spit so they can run their little legs off. There was nobody around or any other dogs and so they were safe off their leads as I checked out any bird life in the area.

I managed to take several photos of my short trip to the Harbour entrance at Eastney around midday. Above, a pristine adult winter Black-headed Gull on the foreshore. Below, due to the feeders recently being stocked, not only did it attract many birds, but also these two Brown Rats!

Above, Starlings perched on the roof of the RNLI Building and below, our Buddy having a good run.

The nearby mudflats held virtually no birds at all, bar the odd Black-headed Gull, but on the mudflats further north in the harbour held good numbers of Oystercatchers. A Little Egret flew in briefly and began fishing in the shallow tideline before flying off east over the harbour. I couldn’t see any Brent Geese on the mudflats, which was surprising, but their numbers will swell as the month progresses.

Above, the view looking north from the spit into Langstone Harbour and below, one of many Oystercatchers in the area.

Above, a Little Egret splashing about in the water by the spit and below, ominous looking rain clouds heading my way.

As I slowly made my way to the car, a Sandwich Tern flew north into the harbour and rounded the Ferry Terminal to fly into Lock Lake to fish. Back at the car park adjacent to the Harbour entrance, there was an impressive flock of both House Sparrows and Starlings present. Someone had put up some feeders that looked empty by the look of it, but it also attracted around a 100+ Feral Pigeons and two Brown Rats! The Rats were right out in the open and well known for being shy creatures, these two did not bother to scarper on our arrival whatsoever!

Above, another photo of the fishing Little Egret and below, this lovely sandy area by the spit was just what my dogs needed to have a good run.

Above, good numbers of Starlings on top of the RNLI Building. Below, a large gathering of both Starlings and House Sparrows utilising the feeders.

I couldn’t see anything of note within the Harbour entrance and so got the dogs into the car and headed off back home. The sky was very dark over Hayling Island, and it looked as though rain was heading our way. Groan!

 

In Hampshire today:

A male Blackbird enjoying feeding on the berries in my garden.

Obviously, the Desert Wheatear stole the Hampshire headlines, but sadly no further sign of the bird throughout the day. An incredible count of 40,400 Wood Pigeons between 7.15am to 8am this morning at Tweseldown, near Aldershot made my effort this morning totally miniscule! Other than that, most of the sightings today were of the usual winter birds and a few summer stragglers just about hanging on.