Governor's Green looking north-west. Pembroke Road is on the right hand side with both the Spinaker Tower and Portsmouth Cathedral in the centre of the photo. A lovely day today.
Today was tipped to be the warmest of the year and although there was wall to wall sunshine throughout the day, I think temperatures hovered around the 13 degree mark with a breezy easterly wind in the afternoon being most notable. It was probably a lot warmer further north into the county, but I cannot complain. It certainly had the birds singing and insects on the wing, which kept me happy. I didn't put the Moth Box on overnight, but I just might put it on tonight instead.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
All these photos were taken from my mobile phone camera, so not the highest quality I'm afraid. The pair of Mute Swans I saw on the sea and then flew off east.
An impressive 17 bird species were recorded today although I did get a good head start by taking a walk to the Curtain Moat before starting my first shift. There was always a chance of a migrant in the area, but I got all the usual birds in the area including at least two Meadow Pipits that were flushed from the grassy area near the Moat. A pair of Mute Swans were seen distantly sitting on the sea as I watched the Hovercraft come in. The Swans were not too keen on all the noise and soon took off, flew towards me and then headed off eastbound (see photo).
The Curtain Moat in the early morning sunshine. Both Starlings and Feral Pigeons nest in the cavities within the walls of the Moat.
The birds seen or heard included the following:
Mute Swan (2)
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Herring Gull
Black-headed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Starling
Robin
Wren
Blue Tit
Great Tit
House Sparrow
Blackbird
Dunnock
One thing I have noticed is that there has been no Finches seen for a few weeks now, which I am surprised about. Yes, maybe it is timing as I am only spending a couple of hours a day here and I am glad the House Sparrows are still thriving in the hedgerow by the Bowling Green. But for how long? We shall see.
This singing Dunnock was perched on the perimeter fence of the Bowling Green.
On a positive note, the warm weather is bringing in the insects and today, I saw my first Comma and Small White butterflies today; the latter was in Pembroke Road this afternoon and the former was seen in the Eastney area around midday. A probable Red Admiral was also seen this afternoon in Pembroke Road, but flew off too quickly to be 100% sure. Other insects today were several Buff-tailed Bumblebees and my second Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) of the year perched on a wall in Milton. My garden held another couple of Hairy-footed Flower Bees this afternoon and are always most welcome.
My second Batman Hoverflyof the year. This one was in Milton, near Southsea.
In Hampshire today:
Farlington Marshes hosted a few interesting sightings today that included a White-tailed Eagle (another, an adult, flew over Shatterford in the New Forest) high over the reserve and also a Water Pipit was seen on the east side of the reserve. Birding pal Andy Fisher and a few other ‘Lazee Birders’ connected with the Short-eared Owl on one of the islands within Langstone Harbour this evening.
Other sightings in Hampshire involved quite a few migrants recorded including an Osprey over Lower Test Marshes this morning, a Little Ringed Plover and Sand Martin at Keyhaven Marshes (the 7 White-fronted Geese were still present by the Balancing Pools), a Little Gull at Blashford Lakes (the female Red-crested Pochard was still there) and a Wheatear at Barton on Sea Golf Course. Finally, a Swallow was seen flying over Rockbourne. I do hope I might see one fly over Pembroke Road? Two chances: Fat & No!!!
This pink tinged Daisy was growing with the normal coloured Daisies near Eastney Pier this morning.
A nice sunny day where temperatures in the sunshine reached double figures. A very light southerly wind was blowing over Southsea and this afternoon, it was sunglasses at the ready for wall to wall sunshine. I had the Moth Box on overnight and I wasn't really confident that I would actually have any Moths, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was back to Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, early this morning and after the first shift, I took the dogs for a walk around Eastney Pier and then finished my day off back at Pembroke Road for my afternoon shift.
My Moth Box:
Common Quaker.
As expected, there were very few Moths present this morning and nothing new for the year either. A Common Quaker was inside the Moth Box on one of the egg trays and a Common Plume was on another as I carefully then placed the egg boxes back into the Box. Yes, there were plenty of tiny Midges and Winter Gnats, but still not many Moths yet.
While checking the Moth Box, I heard a Chiffchaff quietly calling in neighbouring gardens which led me to presume that it might actually have flown in from the Continent overnight?
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
A bright, sunny and much warmer morning at Pembroke Road.
Up to 15 bird species were recorded today and although most of the usual birds were seen or heard, the only birds of note were a flock of 4 Mute Swans flying east over Governor’s Green and most likely heading to Canoe Lake and a Cormorant flying fast eastbound overhead. Sadly, no migrants seen or heard here today, but at least the weather was pleasant, especially this afternoon. Yesterday, it was much the same as yesterday with 15 bird species were recorded and with regards to insects, a few Buff-tailed Bumblebees dropped in to examine the flowering plants by the houses.
Eastney Pier and beach:
Red Dead-nettle growing by the Perimeter Fence.
Not only did I want to get my dogs to stretch their legs here on the beach by Eastney Pier, but also to check if any Wheatears had dropped in upon the beach and within the Perimeter fence of the Water Works. Sadly, no Wheatears, but there were a few Meadow Pipits and a small flock of 3 Linnets to look at. After I had parked my car, I got the dogs out and my first port of call was to check the field within the Perimeter Fence for Wheatears. Nothing doing I’m afraid, but a Cetti’s Warbler flew across my path and landed deep within the adjacent brambles and then called.
Above, Eastney Pier jutting out into the Solent and below, a juvenile Great Black-backed Gull in the car park.
Above, a pair of now summer plumage Black-headed Gulls on the seafront. Below, this singing Dunnock was by the perimeter fence.
Above, this large area of Brambles supports a variety of birdlife and other wildlife. The Cetti's Warbler seen this morning flew in there. Below, one of three Meadow Pipits seen within the compound.
This lovely little stretch of sandy beach is a great area for my dogs to run around and below, Periwinkle flowers are abundant here in the Brambles.
Looking south into Langstone Harbour from Eastney Pier.
Apart from one juvenile Great Black-backed Gull in the Car Park and several Black-headed Gulls on the beach, all was very quiet here and so I let the dogs off their lead around by the Pier to stretch their little legs. I flushed a few Meadow Pipits of which all but one flew off, while one of the birds perched on the wire fence. I then walked the dogs along the beach back to the car as an adult Common Gull flew past and headed back south. A Cormorant flew off from the harbour mouth and headed off into Langstone Harbour, which was now at high tide. I could see a large group of dogs further up the beach, being taken for a walk by a professional Dog-walker and so I got my dogs back on their lead and back into the car. An enjoyable hour's trip here, though just a shame some disgusting creature had fly-tipped their garbage behind the brambles.
St. Augustine LNR (My Garden):
The near resident female Black Redstart has now long gone and probably moved off to its breeding site somewhere in Portsmouth. Also, there has been no sign of any Blackcaps either, but I do seem to have two resident Magpie’s by my garden most mornings now! My garden is somewhat very good as a suntrap and it does attract plenty of insects, notably Bee’s! At least three Hairy-footed Flower Bees were within my garden and several large Flies too, making the most of the warm sunshine. I have seen a few Hoverflies at the back of the garden, but too quick for me to get an ID. I have been planting a few Pansies around the garden and my Camelia is flowering very nicely that should attract a few insects.
One of three female Hairy-footed Flower Bees in my garden today.
This afternoon, I had a quick check around the Moth Box again, just in case I missed a Moth hiding away and in the distance, I heard the Green Woodpecker within Highland Road Cemetery calling merrily away in the late afternoon sunshine.
In Hampshire today:
Not an awful lot reported today on Going Birding today, but the female Red-crested Pochard was reported again on Ibsley Water (Blashford Lakes) and a pair of Wheatears were on Blackbushe Airfield, on the Hampshire /Surrey border. Four Purple Sandpipers were at Southsea Castle this morning. I didn't see any Brent Geese today on Southsea Common as many were seen passing Selsey Bill last week and most would be on their way now back to their breeding grounds. Over the weekend, up to FOUR Great Grey Shrikes were reported in the New Forest and one of the birds was still present at Pig Bush today. The Ruddy Shelduck was reported again at Titchfield Haven, having earlier been seen in the fields by Ranvilles Lane.
These 'boxing' Hares were seen at Portsdown Hill last Sunday. Photos by Emma Parkes.
This singing Wren was just a few feet away from where I stood.
The dogs got their Sunday walk over Highland Road Cemetery today as the sun was shining though with a fresh south-westerly wind and temperatures around 11 degrees. Light rain was predicted for this afternoon, but the dogs and I would be home by then. I was hoping for a migrant or two this morning; perhaps a singing Chiffchaff or a Wheatear (saw my first one for the year here in 2025).
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
A sunny morning here in the Cemy today.
There was a fair selection of birds around today within the Cemetery and I was pleased to hear the Green Woodpecker again after a very long absence within the Cemy. I still have yet to actually see the bird, but I am sure it will not be long and sadly, no sighting of the bird today as my dogs and I took a slow stroll around my local patch.
There were plenty of flowering plants within the Cemy today as Spring arrived. Above, Common Field Speedwell and below, Lesser Celandine.
Above, Bulbous Buttercup was also growing in the Cemy and below, Sulphur Tuft toadstools growing around the east side of the Cemy, quite close to the footpath.
Other notable birds included a pair of male Greenfinches flying over and heading off south over the houses and a Meadow Pipit was heard to call, but I could not find the bird in the bright sunshine. A distant Mediterranean Gull was seen to fly off north, but far too quick for me to grab a photo as it disappeared behind the trees. There were plenty of the more common birds including a couple of singing Wrens close in plus several Robins and Blackbirds seen searching for food around the bushes. It was good to hear the House Sparrows in their usual bushes as they really are getting quite scarce around these parts!
Above and below, one of the old rotting trees was down and blocking the centre footpath. It will not be long before the Council will be clearing it away.
Above, one of several Robins seen this morning and below, the first leaves coming out on this Horse Chestnut tree.
There were a lot of plants in flower throughout the Cemy which included Lesser Celandine, Smooth Sow-thistle, Red Dead-nettle, Common Field Speedwell and I even found a clump of Bulbous Buttercup growing over on the east side of the Cemy. All these plants, as well as the flowering Cherry Blossom was attracting the Bees, though only Buff-tailed Bumblebee’s were seen today; maybe a bit too breezy for the insects? I couldn't find any Butterflies on the wing today of which I can only assume they prefer much calmer conditions. Still, a pleasant walk nonetheless and I know the dogs enjoyed their daily exercise too.
Above, a Buff-tailed Bumblebee nectaring on the Cherry Blossom and below, another photo of the showy Wren.
Above, both Wood Pigeon and a Collared Dove were preening in the tall conifer in the south-east corner of the Cemy. Below, the Lords and Ladies plants are getting much bigger than the last time I saw them.
The male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker finally was added to our year list and the bird performed admirably for its admirers below.
The day promised much as I knew it was going to be a cold, yet dry and bright day in the New Forest today. There was a frost early this morning in Cowplain and even Southsea started off very cold though remained frost free. Both myself and Andy Fisher had our Moth Boxes on overnight, but my hopes were slim if we had any Moths to actually look at. We were back in the New Forest again today, trying our luck again for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Acres Down and afterwards, a trip to Blashford Lakes again. We rounded an excellent day off in search of Dartford Warblers at Blackgutter Bottom.
The Moth Boxes:
My first White-shouldered House Moth of the year.
There was only one moth present within my Moth Box, but at least it was a new moth for the year; the micro moth White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella). Meanwhile, over by Andy’s trap, the only moth present among all the egg trays scattered around the Box, was a Hebrew Character. At least it wasn’t a total waste of time as we got ready for the long drive to Acres Down.
The only Moth by Andy's Moth Box was this Hebrew Character.
Acres Down, New Forest:
A couple more photos of the 'Lesser Pecker'.
The journey along the M27 produced at least three Red Kites flying over the road, which is now a familiar site over this stretch of motorway as we neared the A31 through the Forest. I could see that it was going to be the start of a good raptor day. The car park at Acres Down was half full on arrival as we enjoyed the sound of both Blackbirds and Song Thrushes singing all around us. While the guys were putting on the boots, a small flock of three Siskins and a Redpoll were seen high in a Silver Birch nearby, but all flew off before the guys to see them.
Several Meadow Pipits were seen by the raptor viewing area including several that were displaying.
The walk to the usual ‘Lesser Spotted Woodpecker’ tree produced my first actual sightings of Firecrest this year. A pair were showing particularly well by the footpath high up searching the branches for food and calling repeatedly. However, I was having trouble with my camera and could not focus properly, but I managed to sort it out a little later. We joined around 6 more birders ready and waiting for the ‘Lesser Peckers’ to show and after around an hour or so, a male bird flew in.
There were plenty of Ravens around the heath and over the woodland.
Matt and Emma Parkes had been here earlier this morning and successfully saw the bird before leaving for another site. While we waited, a few Ravens flew over and other birds seen included Siskins, Song Thrush and Coal Tits, while birds heard included Hawfinch and Marsh Tit. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker did not disappoint as it flew up to its favourite area of the tall tree and immediately began ‘drumming’. As I said to the guys, as I filmed the bird ‘drumming’, it was impossible to actually see the bill tap the wood itself as the speed of the 'drumming' itself it was amazing. It remained there for around a minute or so and then flew off over our heads and landed high up in another tree. We then made our exit and headed off to the raptor viewpoint for the Goshawks.
This female Goshawk was the closest one to us.
Again, we were not to be disappointed as we must have seen at least five or six Goshawks distantly soaring over the woodland below. There was quite a gathering of birders present here, all mad keen on seeing these raptors perform, but all the birds, save one, were mostly distant. Some were actually displaying their slow wing claps, which was impressive. Several Common Buzzards were on the wing here too. Interestingly, I remember when we were a lot younger that Common Buzzards were a major highlight on our birdwatching trips to the New Forest and Goshawks were unheard of in the early 1980's. How times have changed.
Above, another Raven passing by at Acres Down and below, Andy checking the sky for raptors!
Other birds seen were at least 5 Ravens, displaying Meadow Pipits, a pair of Stonechats around the Gorse areas and singing Mistle Thrushes of which I saw one flying into the woodland to the south. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also seen flying into the woodland, but that was the only one I saw today. We did bump into a couple of elderly birders from Guernsey, who were here for the day before sailing back home tomorrow. They had just been to India recently for a two week birding trip and had an amazing time. I have never been to India, though Geoff had many years ago and the conversation was very interesting.
The male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Acres Down.
Blashford Lakes:
The immature White-tailed Eagle with a Common Buzzard sailing high over the car park by the Tern Hide.
Our target birds here at this site were the Water Pipit and the female Red-crested Pochard to add to our year list and possibly a Sand Martin (all three species had been seen here earlier this week), but we had to settle for just one; the Red-crested Pochard. Having popped to the Garage on the way to the site to pick up some lunch, Geoff pointed out a couple of Brimstone butterflies by the edge of the road; my first of the year. We took our lunch into the Tern Hide and began searching the still huge number of wildfowl upon Ibsley Water.
Above, it was always distant, but the female Red-crested Pochard was seen well (centre of photo) from the Tern Hide. Below, one of several Meadow Pipits seen, but no sign of the Water Pipit today.
The usual wintering duck were present in large numbers again with Wigeon, Mallard, Pintail, Teal being the most dominant species along with large numbers of both Tufted Duck and Pochard among them. I found at least five Goldeneye still present that included three drakes and a female Goosander took off and flew off westbound over Ibsley Water. While checking out the northern end of the lake, I soon found the female Red-crested Pochard preening herself and then quickly got Andy onto the bird through the scope. He was very happy. In fact, another birder within the Hide asked me if he could look through my scope at the bird and I duly obliged. Other birds here included three species of Geese: Canada, Grey Lag and a pair of Egyptian Geese. Great Crested Grebe numbers were down and probably off to breeding sites, but there were at least 6 or so present.
The White-tailed Eagle that graced Blashford Lakes today with a Common Buzzard joining the bird.
To the right of the Hide, I kept an eye on any Meadow Pipits searching the chalky ground, but though there were at least five Pipits present, I could not find any Water Pipits. From then on, Raptors became most evident. In the distance, Common Buzzards and a few Red Kites were soaring high overhead and a gorgeous male Marsh Harrier flew over Ibsley Water, scattering all the ducks below. A female Marsh Harrier was seen a little later and a male Kestrel was seen flying over heading east. Then the big one! Andy had gone out for a cigarette and then came back saying that a White-tailed Eagle was seen flying over the Hide.
Above and below, Non-biting Midges were in swarms around the Car Park.
Above, my first Lesser Celandine flowers of the year and below, Geoff ID'd this plant as Ground Ivy. Both were flowering in the Car Park.
We rushed out and sure enough, an immature bird was circling high up over the reserve and showed very well for us. The bird actually got a bit closer and a Common Buzzard joined the Eagle as the bird majestically continued to circle above us on those huge wings. This was Andy’s and my second sighting this year of this raptor, having seen one flying high over Langstone Harbour on New Years Day. Some birders say that you cannot add this to your year total as it is highly likely it is one of the Isle of Wight re-introduction scheme birds; but I do not care about that. As far as I am concerned, a lot of those original birds have bred and produced young and so this being an immature bird, why not add it to our year lists?
Above, a variety of wildfowl were present on Ibsley Water including in this photo, Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal and also Lapwings were around. Up to a dozen Lapwings were around Ibsley Water. Below, a male Kestrel hovering close to the Viewing Platform.
Above, a drake Pochard looking stunning in the sunshine and below, a male Marsh Harrier soaring over Ibsley Water.
Above, the male Marsh Harrier flew right over our heads by the Viewing Platform.
It was getting quite cold in the Tern Hide with the windows open and so we made our way to the Viewing Platform overlooking the car park and Ibsley Water. From here, more raptors were seen including Common Buzzards, Kestrels and Marsh Harriers and nearby, a couple of Chiffchaffs were in full song to round off a most memorable trip here. It will not be too long before the Garden Warblers will be singing here at this location. Bring it on!
Blackgutter Bottom, New Forest:
Fallow Deer out on the heath.
To round off our day's birding, I asked Andy about having another try for the Dartford Warblers at Blackgutter Bottom and he happily agreed. The weather was still perfect, but despite a lengthy search for the birds, we drew a blank again. At least three pairs of Stonechats were seen during our time here and at least 4 Common Buzzards were noted including one bird perched in a dead tree some distance away. A few Meadow Pipits were present and out on the heath, we saw at least 10 Fallow Deer quietly going about their business. A cracking day again with the guys and hopefully more to come this year.
Above, Stonechats at Blackgutter Bottom and below, a distant Common Buzzard on the heath.
In Hampshire today:
Possibly THREE Great Grey Shrikes were in the New Forest today, which is quite staggering really as it has been a very lean year for this species in the UK. Surprisingly, there were few reports of migrants around Hampshire though a flock of Sand Martins over Fishlake Meadows and a male Wheatear on Beaulieu Heath. A Grey Partridge was an unusual find on Hayling Golf Course and a White Stork was seen flying over the River Avon, near Lymington.
The Great Grey Shrike at Pig Bush, New Forest, today. Film footage by Pete Gammage.
Before dusk, Andy Fisher took a trip to the small village of Coombe, near Old Winchester Hill and finally got to see his first Little Owls of the year. Well done mate.
