An elusive Blackcap within the Cemy.

Monday 2nd May 2022.

A male Blackbird holding territory in the north-east corner of the Cemetery.

Not a bad walk this morning as I took Scruff for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery before my family and myself headed off eastbound to Arundel Wildfowl Trust. Though overcast, with heavy low clouds, it was reasonably mild as Scruff and I took a leisurely slow walk around my local patch. It wasn't a bad species count as I notched up 21 species in all, including a singing Blackcap, the male Sparrowhawk and a surprise Song Thrush. I was hoping for a Hirundine over or maybe a Swift, but the latter species have still to arrive over Portsmouth.

Above, one of many Goldfinches seen this morning. This individual was checking out the roof on a house at the southern end of the Cemetery. Below, a showy Robin over on the east side.

There weren't too many insects on show today, probably due to the overcast conditions, but there were a few Hoverflies zipping about and the occasional Buff-tailed Bumble Bee was seen a few times. There  were plenty of wild flowers around including Creeping Buttercup, Daisy, Red Dead-nettle, Common Speedwell, Ribwort Plantain and the flowering Borage plant were all on show today.

Above, this acrobatic male House Sparrow was getting to grips with a TV Aerial and below, a few Hoverflies were on the wing early this morning.

The singing male Blackcap was heard only, choosing to hide deep within a large bush on the northern edge of the Cemetery. Although I waited patiently for around 5 minutes, the bird refused to give itself up and so I carried on my walk. Before the Blackcap, a Song Thrush flew up into one of the Chestnut trees and eventually flew off east. The male Sparrowhawk was seen perched high up in one of the Holm Oaks in the centre of the Cemetery and I was just about to take a photo, but the bird flew down and out of view. It was heard calling before I saw it and most likely trying to attract the female. Again, a pleasant early morning walk and now that the Cemetery does not now close till 8pm, I shall be taking some early evening walks with Scruff over the coming weeks. The following birds were seen or heard this morning within the Cemetery:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Lesser Black-backed Gull
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Blackcap
• Song Thrush
• Blackbird
• Sparrowhawk
• Wren
• Dunnock
• Robin
• Blue Tit

 

Above, a record shot of the Lesser Black-backed Gull that came down to investigate why bread was being thrown down by some old lady. Yesterday, it was an old man feeding the Crows and today, it was an old lady feeding the Gulls within the Cemy!