No Green Woody over the Cemy.

Sunday 9th January 2022.

Goldfinch showing very well near the Mausoleum.

Scruff needed a walk this morning and by the time I had my chores done, it was midday before I got out of the house and made my way to Highland Road Cemetery. The day started a lot better weather wise, with bright sunshine and a bit of cloud overhead and no rain!! There was still a bit of a chill in the air (and so there should be at this time of the year!) as we eventually got into the Cemetery.

A Blackbird giving me the eye near the Mausoleum.

Greenfinch. One of four that flew off and headed northbound from trees in the northern end of the Cemy. 

I was hoping for the Green Woodpecker to put in an appearance today, but there was no sight or sound of one; as I need this species for a ‘year-tick’. I notched up 15 species here today, either heard or seen and though there was nothing unusual, it's always a nice challenge to see as many species as possible. The following birds were noted:

• Herring Gull
• Starling
• House Sparrow
• Blackbird
• Feral Pigeon
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Blue Tit
• Wren
• Dunnock
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Carrion Crow
• Jay
• Magpie

A pair of Jays. Both the birds were quite active throughout the area, but rarely settled. 

 There were a few plants on show during my walk round, which included Smooth Sow-thistle, Nipplewort, Daisies and most common of all, Common Groundsel. The only insects flying about were House Flies, which took a liking to the Ivy Plants again. It looks as though the Council have been tidying a lot of the graves, notably on the west side of the Cemy; clearing the gravestones from the Ivy plants. Another nice walk with our old Scruff (turning 14 this month!) in the sunshine.

Common Groundsel.

Singing Robin over on the south side. There were at least three singing birds. 

One of the ‘Lazee BIrders’ was birding over Gosport, particularly near the small Airport and while watching a Black Redstart, he also found a female type Wheatear! Either it was a very early individual or an overwintering bird? It looks as though we were looking in the wrong place for the Red-crested Pochard as it was on Ibsley North Lake and not from the Ivy North Hide! Doh! Both this bird and the Ferruginous Duck were seen this morning, the latter on Kingfisher Lake.   

A female House Sparrow enjoying the sunshine in the south-west corner.