Another midweek update.

Thursday 25th November 2021.

A small flock of Skylarks were seen on Portsdown Hill this morning. This individual was on Hayling Beach a few weekend ago.

As this week has wore on, the temperature has started to decline and by the weekend, we are facing freezing temperatures and the likes of snow or sleet has not been ruled out. It looks as though I shall be working over Saturday and so my sightings this week could be limited. Today was, though very cold (around 6 degrees tops), was very sunny with a clear blue sky and a gorgeous sunset to close the day.

Sandwich Terns are now a regular sighting in our harbours here in the south. This individual was part of a pair seen in Emsworth Harbour last weekend.

I kept an eye out for bird life today, especially when I was driving over Portsdown Hill and noticed a few interesting sightings. Two coveys of Red-legged Partridge were seen including one large flock of around 11 birds in a field north of the B2177, close to the roadside; a second group of birds in the field west of Portsdown Hill Road. A Raven, possibly 2, were also seen close to the B2177 and a flock of 4 Skylarks were hovering above a field close to the Route 66 Burger Bar! At least two hunting Kestrels could also be seen nearby hovering over separate fields.

Waders pouring onto Hayling Oysterbeds last Saturday. 

While making our way to Chichester along the A27, a Grey Heron was flying very low over the road heading towards our vehicle. I just hope it didn’t fly too low and become a casualty to traffic! Oddly enough, another was seen flying over the same road on the way back to Portsmouth along the A27! At least two Common Buzzards were seen today close to the M27 motorway and one in the usual place on one of the lamp posts beside the M275. Back at the Oaks, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew into the woodland on my arrival, the first I have seen here for a few weeks and a Jay flew in the opposite direction.

This gorgeous Little Auk has been entertaining the crowds at Weymouth, Dorset. It has been quite a few years since I saw my last one, a fly-by off Selsey many years ago. Photos by Andy Tew. 

In Hampshire today, two Snow Buntings are still in the same spot where Andy and I saw them a few weeks ago. A Long-tailed Duck was still present just north-west of Hayling Oysterbeds within Langstone Harbour along with 4 Black-necked Grebes. In West Sussex, Church Norton offshore produced 7 Slavonian Grebes, a Long-tailed Duck and an Eider offshore, while the 4 long-staying Goosanders were in the harbour mouth. An impressive 50+ Cattle Egrets were counted around the Chalder Farm area, just north of Pagham Harbour.