Pom Skua through the Solent and a moth 'Lifer'.

 Thursday 23rd April 2026.

The pale-phased Pomarine Skua passing through the Solent. Photo by Andy Friend.

Well, that was one 'sea-watch' that will not be forgotten for a long while. After my first shift in Pembroke Road, I decided to have a couple of hours 'sea-watching' off Southsea Promenade from my usual shelter just east of the Pyramids and it most certainly paid off with only my second ever sighting of a Pomarine Skua at this site. The weather was glorious with bright blue sky overhead and a light easterly blowing over the Solent; conditions just right for a reasonable ‘sea-watch’.

Earlier today, I had the Moth Box on overnight after repairing the Box which had fallen over due to the strong blustery winds yesterday afternoon. It paid off too with several moths that included a ‘Lifer’, which was totally unexpected. Not to put Pembroke Road down, a trio of Collared Doves flying over was also a damn good record for this site and so I can safely say that it was one hell of a day for me personally.

My Moth Box:

My first ever Common Grass-miner moth.

As mentioned, I found my first ever Common Grass-miner (Elachista canapennella) micro moth this morning, perched on the inside of the Box as I quickly took several photos of the tiny moth before releasing it. A very good start to the day and with 9 moths of 6 species, it was mostly a micro moth morning. Pick of the ‘macro’ moths was a Shuttle-shaped Dart that sat right at the bottom of the Box. It was clear overnight and quite cool with that north-easterly wind blowing, so I was pleased the Moth Box was still upright this morning. Phew!

The lone Shuttle-shaped Dart.

The Moths present this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Shuttle-shaped Dart x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x2
Double-striped Pug x3	Ruddy Streak x1
	White-shouldered House Moth x1
	COMMON GRASS-MINER* x1

A Chiffchaff was heard calling south of my garden and then the bird flew and landed in the tree at the back of my garden briefly and then flew north and began to sing.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Up to 13 bird species were noted today from both shifts and that included the small flock of three Collared Doves flying high over the road and heading off south. Three species of Gull were recorded including a Great Black-backed Gull perched on a rooftop in Penny Street. Again, the male Pied Wagtail was searching for food on the short grass of the Bowling Green. All the usual birds seen and the House Sparrows within the hedge of the Bowling Green were quite vocal this morning. A quiet afternoon here and reasonably warm too with temperatures getting up to 18 degrees.

The Solent, Southsea seafront:

My miserable effort in getting a photo of the Pomarine Skua passing through the Solent.

As mentioned, after my first shift at Pembroke Road, I took the short drive to South Parade and parked up to walk through the Rock Gardens, for my usual seat within the shelter overlooking the Solent. The sea state was good and the weather was bright and sunny. Though it sounded good, visibility was a tad hazy, probably due to the strong sunlight, but with my scope to hand, I was picking out a few birds quite nicely.

The group of three Whimbrel passing close in.

Obviously, the biggest surprise was the news of a pale-phased Pomarine Skua entering the Solent from Cut Bridge (nr Lymington) and the bird was then seen off Hill Head and Lee-on-Solent. My hopes of seeing the bird were slowly evaporating for it was seen at 10am off Lee-on-Solent and by 10.30am, I had nearly given up. It wasn't till I saw a distant Skua heading east low over the sea (it had been seen earlier flying very high) I then rushed to get my scope onto it. Bingo! I could clearly see its long ‘spoons’ as it soon passed Horse Sands Fort towards Hayling Island. I did manage to take a few photos of the bird, but they were awful compared with a few taken of the bird. I quickly put my sighting on the Hants Rare Birds Whatsapp group and thankfully, the guys at Sandy Point, Hayling Island connected with the Skua also. Happy Days! This was only my second ever sighting of this species from Southsea and after missing the ‘Poms’ seen last year through the Solent; this surely made up for it. Major case of ‘right place, right time!’

A pair of Sandwich Terns passing close in heading east.

However, it wasn't all perfect as there was a report of a flock of Black Terns passing Hill Head, but there was no sighting of those birds despite a good search for them. I wonder if they flew inland or went into Portsmouth Harbour? An awful lot of work to bolster the sea defences along Southsea over the past couple of years has resulted in the viewing situation from the Shelter I watch from. I cannot now see the shoreline where the shingle has been raised considerably, so whatever is flying along the shoreline will be missed completely unless the bird is high up.

Most of the Whimbrel seen this morning were single birds all heading east.

Yes, the Pomarine Skua was a cracking bird to see, but there were other sightings too during my two hours there and that included the following:

Whimbrel: Up to ten birds were seen and were all singles heading east apart from a group of three birds together also heading east. 

Sandwich Tern: Two pairs flew east close in heading east along the shoreline

Common Tern: A pair flew east close in.

Swallow: Up to 6 single birds flew in off the sea, but too quick for a photo.

House Martin: A single bird was watched through the scope coming in off the sea and passed left of where I was sitting.

Swift: A single bird also flew in off the sea and passed by to my left.

Yellow Wagtail: A single bird was heard only flying in off the sea and passing close overhead, but against the bright sunshine and blue sky; no chance of seeing it!

Meadow Pipit: A pair flew low over the beach heading east.

Little Egret: A single bird flew west low over the Solent.

Mediterranean Gull: A flock of 4 adults flew east about half way out across the Solent.

Swallows over Pembroke Road and another trip over the Cemy.

 Wednesday 22nd April 2026.

This Sulphur Tubic micro moth was perched on my car window this morning.

A very bright sunny day though, again, chilly first thing this morning in Pembroke Road. Temperatures were around 12 degrees in the sunshine, but with that north-easterly wind, it was certainly a lot colder. Thankfully, it was a lot warmer in the afternoon again. When I finished my second shift, once home, I quickly took the dogs out for a good walk (and run) around Highland Road Cemetery; making the most of getting a bit of exercise for both my dogs and myself! Some exciting birds were around Hampshire today and finally, Hampshire got its first reported Garganey of the year.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The view from my Office window (again).

Being bright and sunny had its advantages and disadvantages as the bright sunshine helped me ID some of the birds from some distance away, but looking up into the bright blue sky to find birds was not easy; but hey, I am not complaining. Up to 13 bird species were recorded over both shifts and the pick of the bunch was the pair of Swallows flying low over my head and heading off north and in this morning sunshine, the colours of the birds were stunning.

This Chocolate Mining Bee was certainly enjoying nectaring on these garden plants this morning.

All the usual birds were present and correct, though strangely, no sign of any Great Black-backed Gulls today. A Pied Wagtail made full use of an empty Bowling Green this morning, but the Green was busy in the afternoon again with Bowlers. The flowering plants in the roadside gardens are now attracting the Bees and Hoverflies and this afternoon, a Chocolate Mining Bee enjoyed nectaring near where I stood. When I went to get in my car after finishing off my first shift, a micro moth was perched on the car window, which turned out to be another Sulphur Tubic (Esperia sulphurella). This was probably my third of the year so far!

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

The Cemetery is certainly looking lush at the moment.

Apart from the singing tail-less Chiffchaff in the Cemy, there were no other migrants of note. In fact, bird sightings were far and few between in the Cemy, so a small flock of Starlings searching for food in the south-east corner caught my eye as did a male House Sparrow. I never got to see the Chiffchaff this time as it seemed to be doing a circuit around the site.

Above, my first ever Cuckoo Flowers on my 'local patch' and below, my first Creeping Cinquefoil plant of the year.

Above, a close up of some Common Vetch and below, a Batman Hoverfly (top) sharing the Bramble with a Common Green Bottle Fly.

Above, Daisies and Germander Speedwell. Below, a Marmalade Hoverfly perched on Holly.

Above and below, Starlings searching for food in the Cemetery.

Above, a male House Sparrow on the perimeter fence by the south-east corner of the site and below, the dead plant growing on these gravestones remind me of the Rock and Gravel Slag, the Cavemen Brothers in Wacky Races!

Yesterday, there was just one Field Poppy in bloom and today there are four!

I found my first ever Cuckoo Flowers growing near the main path in the southern end of the Cemetery. I couldn't believe seeing them here for I only thought they grew in wet and damp areas? Maybe a few seeds blew over this way? Another flowering plant that was new for the year was the Creeping Cinquefoil that was growing on one of the footpaths. The wind was still a bit blustery, but it wasn't as cold as early this morning. The sheltered areas attracted a good number of Hoverflies and Bees which included Chocolate and Yellow-legged Mining Bees and good numbers of Batman Hoverflies. A Speckled Wood butterfly flew around the Holm Oak clump and rose to the top of the trees to disappear between them.

In Hampshire today:

The drake Garganey on Farlington Marshes today. Photo by Steve Laycock.

There was a good variety of birds around today that included Hampshire’s first Garganey of the year. A cracking drake was found early this morning on the Stream area at Farlington Marshes, of which birding pal Andy Fisher took full advantage of by rushing down there on his day off and connecting with the bird along with a Hobby flying over! Well done mate. Meanwhile, top Hampshire birder Garry Fennemore got his 200th bird species in Hampshire with a Whinchat on Hayling Island. Incredible! Could the Hampshire Listing Record be broken this year? The Wood Sandpiper was still on Testwood Lakes and a White Stork was seen flying east over Clanfield this afternoon.

Of note, finally, there is actually a Birding programme on the TV currently called Sam & Ade Go Birding and it is the style of Go Fishing with Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer. Though there are only three hour long episodes (a lot less due to adverts), it is good as the guys go to first Cornwall and then North Norfolk. The last one is next week where they visit the Somerset Levels. It stars Sam West and Adrian Edmonson of which the Adrian is the novice and Sam is the far more experienced birder with 400+ species under his belt. Good stuff. I do hope there is a follow up series. 

A few migrants over the Cemy plus a few Butterflies.

 Sunday 19th April 2026.

Some of the 20 or so Med Gulls flying high south over the Cemy this morning.

The dogs got their early morning walk this morning over Highland Road Cemetery and the light this morning was excellent. The only downside was that there was a northerly wind and that is why I never did a seawatch as planned for this morning.  I was also out late last night and so I didn't even have the Moth Box on (really slacking!). There were a few notable birds within the Cemy today and even some butterflies were on the wing too.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

A Magpie standing tall and proud in the sunshine.

There were a few migrants within the Cemy this morning and almost immediately, a Chiffchaff was heard singing again, but it took around 20 minutes to find the bird and it turned out to be the tail-less individual I saw earlier this week. Not too far away from the bird, a Willow Warbler was heard to sing, though quietly within the large Oak tree in the north-east area of the Cemy. Unfortunately, there was no sighting of the bird despite waiting for a while for the bird to show.

Above, the first Field Poppy I have seen in the Cemy this year. Below, a Mining Bee species.

To be honest, there were few birds around this morning with just a few sightings of Robins, Blackbirds and a Great Tit, despite the glorious weather, but the calls of Mediterranean Gulls high overhead had me craning my neck as a scattered flock of around 20 birds were seen all heading south towards the Solent.

Above, the tail-less Chiffchaff was seen singing again and below, one of two Speckled Woods this morning.

Above, a Holly Blue butterfly and below, a Great Tit.

A Carrion Crow about to fly over my head.

On the insect scene, a Holly Blue butterfly was seen perched on the ground, sat on a small leaf and two Speckled Woods were dancing with one another low across the grass, until one flew off and the other landed on the grass. I found several Mining Bee perched around some bushes and although I wasn't quite sure what actual species it was, I know someone who might. I really do love this time of year and it's only going to get better here as Spring moves on.

In Hampshire today:

The Hoopoe today at Popley. Photo by Steve Laycock.

The migrants, especially the rare ones, are coming in thick and fast, with a Hoopoe being the highlight today being found in the village of Popley, near Basingstoke. A female Pied Flycatcher was found yesterday at Northney Paddocks and this morning, a Whinchat was found along the Canal Path at Titchfield and another at Gunner Point, Hayling Island along with several Wheatears. A Hobby flew over north Hayling this morning. Over at nearby Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve in West Sussex, the Woodchat Shrike was present for its second day.

Above, the Hoopoe at Popley today. Photo by Steve Laycock. Below, a singing male Redstart. Photo by Emma Parkes.

Back over the Cemy this afternoon.

 Tuesday 21st April 2026.

The micro moth Hourglass Mompha was the only moth in my Moth Box this morning.

Despite some sunshine and a lot of high cloud, it honestly felt like winter this morning as a cold north-easterly blew down Pembroke Road this morning. Thank God it was a lot warmer this afternoon. Later this afternoon, after my second shift, I took the dogs out for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery where it was still breezy, but a lot warmer than this morning! I had the Moth Box on overnight, but I started to think this morning why I should have bothered. There was only one Moth, though it was a new one for the year, the micro Moth Hourglass Mompha (Mompha divisella).

This was my second Sulphur Tubic micro moth of the year. I found it in the Eastney area perched on a wall.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Governor's Green with the Royal Garrison Church in the background. I am hoping for a Wheatear one morning soon bouncing on the grass here.

Up to 14 species were recorded here this morning; exactly the same number that was seen yesterday too, but nothing out of the ordinary again. Yesterday, four species of Gull were recorded (Herring, Black-headed, Great Black-backed and Mediterranean Gull), but just the three this morning with no Med Gull today. A Pied Wagtail took the opportunity to chase after insects on the Bowling Green while the players went off for refreshments in the afternoon, but little else of note again.

Despite some lovely plants growing in the gardens here in Pembroke Road, there are still some weeds permitted to grow including this Common Groundsel. Goldfinches love the seed of this plant.

A few Bees were around the plants close to where I stood, of which one I was pretty sure was a Chocolate Mining Bee, but it didn't linger long and flew off on my approach.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

The western footpath within the Cemy. the grass is very long still and plenty of wild flowers growing among the graves.

Apart from the tail-less singing male Chiffchaff, the birds were very shy this afternoon, bar the usual Wood Pigeons, Carrion Crows and the Herring Gulls sailing high overhead. A Jay was heard briefly as I was leaving the site, but little else to be honest. At least the insects kept me entertained, especially in the more secluded places where the blustery wind did not reach. Yellow-legged Mining Bees, Chocolate Mining Bees, Batman Hoverflies and Spring Epostriphe were all recorded in just a couple of sheltered sunny spots.

Above, this Wood Pigeon was a bit showy perched just a few feet from where I stood! Below, one of several Batman Hoverflies present in the sunshine.

Above, the hoverfly Spring Epistrophe and below, the tail-less Chiffchaff seen singing over on the east side of the Cemy. 

Above and below, a few more photos of the Chiffchaff. Below, you can clearly see that it was lacking a tail.

Above, a Yellow-legged Mining Bee and below, a Nomad Bee species.

I know I shouldn't, but the dogs got a good run around the far east side of the Cemy, just to stretch their little legs, though the grass is very long around there and I was worried a little about ticks, but a good check when I got back home revealed they had none onboard. Nevertheless, it was a good walk around the Cemetery and not too many dog-walkers either. More and more plants are beginning to flower and I found my first Herb Bennet of the year growing on one of the graves.

In Hampshire today:

This Grasshopper Warbler was found yesterday at Lower Test Marshes. Photo by Andy Tew.

More interesting migrants have arrived in Hampshire and yesterday, at least two Hoopoe’s were reported; one in Popley near Basingstoke and another in the New Forest. A Black Kite was seen yesterday morning over Hook-with-Warsash, but it didn't linger for the ‘listers’. A Wood Sandpiper was also found at Testwood Lakes and was still present this morning. The first winter Velvet Scoter was seen this afternoon along with a Common Scoter by birding pal Matt Parkes and an Arctic Tern was seen early this morning at the same location of Brownwich. A mass of more common migrants were posted on the Hants Birding website today including a male Redstart and a few Wheatears on Farlington Marshes this morning.