Two raptor species + a fall of Chiffchaffs.

Friday 23rd September 2022.

This Horse Chestnut tree is most certainly looking Autumnal now.

I had another stroll around Highland Road Cemetery again this afternoon seeing that the rain had stopped and possibly, the rain might have dropped a migrant or two within the Cemy? It was mild and bright as I made my way anticlockwise along the footpath, but it was bright, though overcast as I started counting the species along the way. I eventually got up to 14 species, which wasn't too bad and a possible Honey-buzzard seen overhead, after checking on my laptop, eventually was ruled out as a Common Buzzard, but without binoculars, it most certainly looked like the former.

A couple of species of raptor within the Cemy this afternoon, with a Common Buzzard (above) drifting low over and heading north and (below) a juvenile Sparrowhawk trying its best to settle despite the unwanted attention of the local Magpies.

There was also a good fall of Chiffchaffs scattered around the Cemy, with at least 20+ birds at least; the vast majority around the Holm Oak clump in the centre of the Cemy along with at least 3 Long-tailed Tits and a Goldcrest or two. I think next time I shall take my binoculars as I was sure there might have been something unusual among the ‘Chiffs’.    

Syrphus ribessi Hoverflies enjoying feeding on Yarrow and Ivy plants.

A juvenile Sparrowhawk, that was giving off a strange ‘chip’ call was being harassed by several Magpies, which would not let the bird settle within the Cemy as they chased it from tree to tree. Other notable birds included two Meadow Pipits flying low over heading north

Above, Garden Spiders are starting to reappear in numbers and below, the juvenile Sparrowhawk seeking to find a bit of peace within the trees by the Mausoleum.

Birds seen this afternoon within the Cemy included the following:

• 1 juvenile Sparrowhawk
• 1 Common Buzzard
• 20+ Chiffchaff
• 3 Long-tailed Tit
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Robin
• Wren
• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Goldfinch
• Goldcrest
• Blackbird

Above, Horse Mushrooms are starting to appear again and below, Honey Fungus is now almost completely surrounding this Beech Tree within the Cemy.

The flowering Ivy bushes held good numbers of both Ivy Bees and the hoverfly, Syrphus ribessi and a few of the larger Garden Spiders are starting to show here now, perched centrally in their respective webs. Sadly, no butterflies were seen this afternoon, although I expect them to be out later in the afternoon when the clouds make way for sunshine. In Hampshire today, the Wryneck is yet again at Lepe Country Park and back in West Sussex, that elusive bird at the Severals was still present there again this afternoon.

This was the view of the Buzzard when I saw it coming in overhead. Long winged and straight tail had me thinking it could have been a Honey-buzzard. The white breast bar gives its ID away as a Common Buzzard, but not easy to see with the naked eye.