A foggy start to the week.

Monday 9th March 2026.

Fog was present all morning including when I walked past Highland Road Cemetery this morning with my dogs. 

There was a warning yesterday about thick fog here on the south coast and how right they were. Foghorns were going off all day out in the Solent, but that didn't put me off from putting my Moth Box on overnight and I wasn't to be disappointed. There was some light rain on and off throughout the morning, but not on the scale we have seen last month. Again, I was keeping a good eye and ear out for migrants, but in this fog, I was lucky to see so many species of birds today. My dogs got their early morning walk this morning and as I passed Highland Road Cemetery, I heard a Mediterranean Gull calling overhead, but could not see the bird in the fog and the same goes for a Greenfinch flying over.

My Moth Box:

The Common Quaker was my second in my garden this year.

There were no Plume Moths this morning, but there were two ‘macro’ moths; a Hebrew Character and a Common Quaker. It is still early days yet with the Moths, but we should be getting a few different species very soon with the likes of Angle Shades and Early Grey. Who knows, maybe something rarer?

Also my second Hebrew Character of the year in my garden.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Thick fog when I arrived at Pembroke Road this morning. The Royal Garrison Church was only just visible in the gloom.

The beginning of the working week was a foggy one and I really didn't think I would see that much in Pembroke Road this morning; it was very foggy! The fog horns sounding off the Solent was so loud at times, even the school kids were wondering where the noise was coming from! The fog did lift a little while on my afternoon shift, but the Solent remained near invisible.

Despite the thick fog, I still notched up 11 species this morning and that included a singing Goldcrest in the Holm Oaks. I was hoping for a singing Chiffchaff this morning, but hopefully, one will be present later on this week. I have been keeping an eye out on the grassy areas for a possible Wheatear as a few already have been seen in Hampshire over the past week.

A further 4 more species were seen in the afternoon that included Starling, Black-headed Gull, Great Tit and Dunnock; the latter two species were both singing around by the Bowling Green.

In Hampshire today:

Not surprisingly, there were very few bird reports on both Hants Birding website and Birdguides in Hampshire today. But local birder, Mark Francis, found a 1st winter Little Gull at Hill Head. 

This superb Goshawk was photographed in the New Forest recently. Photos by Daz Gorman.

Yesterday, birding pal Geoff Farwell went to Bushy Copse, which is a woodland complex just south of Longwood Warren. From there, he had sightings of 7 singing Firecrest, a Blackcap, Marsh Tit, Siskin and 80+ Chaffinches. Last Saturday, while Andy Fisher and myself were enjoying Blashford Lakes, Geoff was down Farlington Marshes. From there, as well as doing the Wetland Bird Survey, he saw 120+ Avocets, Green Sandpiper, 100+ Med Gulls on the Deeps area, a Light-bellied Brent Goose (I wondered where it went!), singing Chiffchaff and he heard the Bearded Tits.

Adult Med Gulls over Hayling Oyster Beds. Photo by Andy Friend. These are virtually seen every day now flying over Southsea, with their distinctive 'mewing' calls heard overhead.

Brambling & Bittern at Blashford.

Saturday 7th March 2026.

One of the many Siskins with a Goldfinch in front of the Woodland Hide.

It was just Andy and myself visiting Blashford Lakes today and though the weather was a bit dull and dreary, we still had a good day at this amazing site. Our target birds today were the Bittern and Brambling and the Birding Gods were smiling down on us! We also tried our luck for both Water Pipit and Red-crested Pochard at the same site, but they eluded us today. Geoff was taking part in the WebS Count at Farlington Marshes today and so we missed his company today.

The Moth Boxes:

The six Hebrew Character moths from Andy's egg boxes.

Despite being quite mild overnight and a bit damp, the only Moth present in my garden this morning  was a Common Plume, while over at Cowplain Marsh (Andy’s garden), a much better total of 6 Hebrew Characters were present within the egg boxes by the Moth Box. Sadly, no other species were present despite it being overcast and mild overnight. 

The lone Common Plume moth by my Moth Box.

From my garden, while I was checking the Moth Box, I heard the distinctive ‘yaffle’ of a Green Woodpecker way in the distance and can only assume it was calling from Highland Road Cemetery. The male Blackcap was singing quietly in someone's garden just north of mine, but no sightings of the Warbler this morning. Andy’s garden was much quieter, though Geoff told me that a Blackcap was seen singing there yesterday.

Blashford Lakes, Blashford:

The female Brambling in front of the Woodland Hide.

The Woodland Hide was our first objective and after picking up our food for the day at the nearby Garage, we parked up in the Centre car park and slowly made our way to the Hide. The area was alive with calling and singing Siskins up in the treetops and throughout the woods. The whole area was alive with birdsong that included Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Song Thrush and Robins. Goldcrests were flitting about in the treetops too and along the footpath, there were many plants in flower including Primroses and Wild Daffodils; a speciality for this site of this rare plant. Scarlet Elf Cap toadstools dotted the adjacent footpath, looking like bits of discarded Orange peel.

Above, my first Primroses of the year were by the Centre Car Park and below, Scarlet Elf Cap toadstools were abundant around the footpaths.  

From the Woodland Hide, Andy and myself were told by a passing birder that he had seen a Brambling here ten minutes earlier and so we made our way into the Hide and looked patiently from the windows. Siskins were abundant here along with smaller numbers of Goldfinch, Nuthatch, a variety of Titmice and best of all, a female type Brambling. Andy had gone outside for a cigarette and so I got up and called him back in to view the bird. Our first ‘year-tick’ of the day. This species is virtually annual here around this time of year and a pair had been seen throughout the week at this location.

Above, a male and two female Siskins on one of the feeders and below, a Nuthatch in front of the Woodland Hide.

Our next stop was to try our luck for the Bittern from the Ivy North Hide. A Bittern had been seen on and off throughout the week and so, our hopes in seeing the bird were high. The walk to the Hide was very pleasant with more Scarlet Elf Caps seen along the way while overhead, at least two singing Chiffchaffs were heard along with more Nuthatches and Treecreepers on the way. Redwing were also within the woodland and a few flew overhead near the Ivy North Hide.

Above, a female Blackbird in front of the Woodland Hide was followed by its mate a little later. Below, the view I had through the window looking within the Ivy North Hide. The Bittern was seen on the left hand reedbed, but grabbing a photo proved difficult as the reeds obscured my view. However, I got good enough views of the bird to add to my year list.

Above, a Cetti's Warbler in front of the Ivy North Hide and below, I like this photo of the female Brambling, showing its intricate plumage details from behind.

As expected, it was a long wait for the Bittern to show and during that wait, we had sightings of a Cetti’s Warbler flitting low in the reedbed and a variety of Titmice showing from the side window along with a Treecreeper. The packed Hide, fully armed with various sized Cameras at the ready, got very excited when one of the birders said the Bittern was showing. The reedbed that was left of the channel was where the bird was, but from where I was sitting, I could not get a view of the bird. Andy came back into the Hide after another cigarette and another 30 minute wait paid off when the shout went up again that the bird was on view. This time, I got lucky and I watched the bird, through the reeds, very slowly move towards the edge of the reedbed. However, it stopped and then turned itself round and disappeared back into the reedbed; but hey, I actually saw the bird and pleased with our two minute sighting, we made our way out of the Hide. Another Bittern was seen over Titchfield Haven this afternoon.

Above, the Wild Daffodils that bloom here every year within the Centre and below, one of the Nuthatches in front of the Woodland Hide.

Above, a Coal Tit feeding on a sunflower heart seed and below, Siskin also enjoys one of the seeds. Both in front of the Woodland Hide.

It was now the turn of the Tern Hide for a possible Water Pipit and so Andy decided to walk to the Hide while I went back for the car and then met him within the Car Park there. The Water Pipit was associated with Meadow Pipits yesterday and a large flock of Meadow Pipits were on the grassy bank and spit to the right of the Hide. Despite going through the 40+ Meadow Pipits there several times, I could not find the Water Pipit among them. A pair of Grey Wagtails came close to the Hide and allowed me to grab some lovely photos of the birds. A male Pied Wagtail was also with the Pipits.

Above, Wigeon and Shoveler in front of the Tern Hide and below, a few Pintail were there too. 

Above, a male Grey Wagtail that was now in summer plumage and its mate below; both in front of the Tern Hide.

Out on Ibsley Water, all the usual wildfowl were present and among them was a pair of Goldeneye, but they were both distant. It was very dull out there as drizzle was mixed in with the murky conditions. Time was getting on and as we left the Hide to get back into the car, a pair of Goosanders flew over heading south over the woodland and probably off to Ivy Lake. Nearing Ellingham Drove, the stream that runs underneath the track grabbed my attention as I saw something plop in the water. It was a Kingfisher of which we both saw as it flew off down the small stream.

Rockford Lake, Blashford:

The female Red-crested Pochard was our next target bird and so we took a long walk from the Tern Hide to Rockford Lake in search for the bird, but sadly, we drew a blank again! On the way there, through the woodland, we watched our first ‘drumming’ Great Spotted Woodpecker high up in one of the trees. It was still gloomy over the lake and all that was present were small numbers of Tufted Ducks and a pair of Great Crested Grebes on the water. A little later, a pair of drake Goldeneye flew and landed some distance out on the water. 

Above, from Rockford Lake, there was no sign of the Red-crested Pochard, but a pair of Great Crested Grebes were present and below the 'drumming' Great Spotted Woodpecker high up in one of the trees.

Above, one of the two drake Goldeneye's that flew in onto Rockford Lake and below, the pair of Great Crested Grebes swam nearby.

While resting briefly by the new Viewing Screen that overlooked Ivy Lake, I noticed a half built nest in the corner of the roof and thinking it was the remains of a Robin nest, a Wren came in with nesting material in its bill and so we quickly got out of the Viewing Screen for the bird to go on about its business. One of my favourite sightings today.

Blackgutter Bottom:

It was a bit of a gamble due to the poor weather over the heath, but I decided to make  Blackgutter Bottom our last site of the day, particularly for Dartford Warbler, which Andy still needed this species for his year list. We took a stroll down to where the Gorse Bushes ended and waited patiently for a bird to either call or appear. It was now very murky over the heath and visibility was rather poor looking south over the heath, though during the 30 minutes or so there, I did hear at least one bird singing, but I simply could not locate the bird in the gloomy conditions. We did see a pair of Stonechats by the Gorse Bushes, but no sightings whatsoever of the Dartfords. So Andy will have to wait a bit longer to grab his first Dartfords for the year. OK, not the result we wanted, but we still got to see two more excellent species for our respective year lists which now stand at 151 species each. News of more summer visitors filtered through throughout the afternoon included a pair of Little Ringed Plovers on Testwood Lakes (and a drake Common Scoter there!) and a House Martin over Farlington Marshes.

A large total of species in Pembroke Road.

Friday 6th March 2026.

The view from my Office window this morning.

A day of two halves regarding the weather. It was dry and bright first thing this morning when I walked the dogs and then checked my Moth Box and then it started to cloud over and in came the rain for the first time this week. I noticed early this morning that my car was dotted with the Saharan sand from a shower overnight, but all was washed away when the steady rain came down from around 11am onwards.

My Moth Box:

My first Common Quaker of the year.

This morning, I finally got my first ‘macro’ moth of the year in my garden. Though not the most glamorous of Moths, a Common Quaker sat on the outside of my Moth Box, which put a big smile on my face. Strangely, this species is not guaranteed to be annual in my garden, so I was rather pleased with this Moth. Sadly, the only other moths present in my garden were two Common Plume’s; the first for March.

One of two Common Plume moths today.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A very good total of bird species were obtained at Pembroke Road this morning with a grand total of 20 species in all. It was sunny and bright on my first shift and a lot of birds were in fine voice and showed quite well, especially the Wrens, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Robins. By 8.20am, I had already reached 13 species and to see another 5 more species during the next  40 minutes was quite exceptional for this time of year.

While talking to a friend of mine, a Mute Swan passed by over Governor’s Green, heading eastbound towards Canoe Lake, no doubt. A small flock of 5 Brent Geese and a singleton following behind also headed east, while overhead, I could hear a small flock of Meadow Pipits flying over, but I could not find them within the blue sky. The Jay flew in and landed in one of the Sycamore Trees opposite where I stood, called several times and then flew off, flashing its bright white rump as it headed off down the road. Finally, the last notable bird was a Goldcrest that was heard calling somewhere within the Holm Oaks to round off a good morning here today.

The following bird species were seen or heard this morning:

Carrion Crow	Starling
Jay	House Sparrow
Magpie	Blackbird
Feral Pigeon	Wren
Wood Pigeon	Robin
Black-headed Gull (3)	Great Tit
Great Black-backed Gull (2)	Blue Tit
Herring Gull	Goldcrest
Brent Goose (6)	Meadow Pipit
Mute Swan

In Hampshire today:

The Great Grey Shrike at Pig Bush, New Forest. Photo by Emma Parkes.

I expect most of the birds were seen this morning and so during that time, a Water Pipit and a White-tailed Eagle were seen at Blashford Lakes today. Nearby, the Great Grey Shrike was seen at Pig Bush, New Forest and also in the Forest, a Wheatear was seen at Holmsley Airfield (never heard of this place!). Nearer to home, up to 6 Purple Sandpipers were in the inaccessible area west of Southsea Castle. 

Nationally, migrants are coming in thick and fast with good numbers of both Sand Martin and Swallow being reported throughout the UK. Even Little Ringed Plovers have been turning up this week at various locations.

Yesterday, birding pal, Geoff Farwell took a stroll around the World’s End area near the Chairmakers Pub (west of Denmead) and had the following sightings: 3 singing Firecrest, 2 singing Chiffchaff, 2 singing Marsh Tits, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Stonechat, several Siskins, Goshawk, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and a Red Kite.

 

Just the one Moth this morning and a Redwing over Pembroke Road.

Wednesday 4th March 2026.

The dawn sun was rising over Highland Road Cemetery this morning while I was walking the dogs.

And yet another glorious day with wall to wall sunshine and a very light southerly wind for most of the day. It was still quite cool throughout my first shift in Old Portsmouth, but on my afternoon shift, fog had rolled in off the Solent and it actually became quite thick too on my drive home. In between shifts, I took an hour over Eastney, overlooking the harbour entrance for any possible migrants coming in.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A good total of 15 bird species were recorded over the two shifts at Pembroke Road and pick of the bunch was a surprise Redwing that first called and then flew out of the Holm Oaks and headed off north. Once again, there were a lot of passerines singing, including Wren and Dunnock. One of the Wrens seen today was making a very strange noise as I pointed it out to a friend of mine making her way to work again. I really was hoping for a Hirundine overhead, but no sign yet, which gave me the idea of checking out the harbour entrance at Eastney.

Eastney Outfall:

There was no sign of the Light-bellied Brent Goose among the Dark-breasted Brent Geese on Southsea Common this morning.

Before my trip to Eastney, I had to check the Brent Geese on Southsea Common for yesterday’s Light-bellied Brent Goose, but despite a really good search through the 126 birds present, there was no sign of the bird. So I took a trip to the football pitches over Eastney off Halliday Crescent to check the Brent Geese there, but again, to no avail; but there were at least 190+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese there.

Two Oystercatchers were seen by the Car Park at Eastney this morning.

After parking up within Ferry Road Car Park and carefully negotiating the awful pot-holes here, I first checked out the enclosed area by the Water Treatment Works and there were at least 8 Stock Doves present near Fort Cumberland and also two Oystercatchers on the grass. One of the birds flew over my head and had a drink and washed in one of the large puddles. A Meadow Pipit was heard but not seen and in the distance looking west, a Common Buzzard was circling high over and being followed by a Carrion Crow and a Herring Gull.

Above, this Common Gull joined several Herring Gulls by the perimeter fence and below, Eastney Pier jutting out into the harbour entrance.

Above, I picked out this Common Buzzard drifting high over Eastney and being carefully watched by a Carrion Crow and a Herring Gull. Below, the harbour entrance looking north.

There was absolutely nothing within the harbour entrance and even looking south from the Pier, all was quiet bar a loafing Black-headed Gull on the shoreline. From the car looking east, I still could hear Skylarks singing from the Golf Course over on Hayling Island! No early Wheatears here I’m afraid, though I am sure it will not be long if these southerlies carry on. More nice weather on the way tomorrow, so who knows what might turn up?

In Hampshire today:

Up to 4 Great Northern Divers were seen off the Weston Shore this morning and up to 2 Common Sandpipers were on Lower Test Marshes. The male Ruddy Shelduck was still in its usual place near Ranvilles Lane with 8 Egyptian Geese and nearby, two Glossy Ibis were on Posbrook Floods. A impressive count of 112 Avocets were roosting on the Lake at Farlington Marshes early evening.

Yesterday evening, one of Hampshire’s top listers, Andy Fisher, ‘ticked-off’ a Woodcock over at West Walk last night to go equal fourth in the table.

My Moth Box:

My second Beautiful Plume of the year was my only moth this morning.

I had my Moth Box on overnight, but all that was present was just the one moth, the micro moth Beautiful Plume. These clear nights are not helping at all, but I suppose its better than rain?