Another pleasant day within the Cemy.

Sunday 9th October 2022.

The lovely colours of Autumn reflecting in this photo of the Cemetery.

It was back over my ‘local patch’, Highland Road Cemetery this morning and on such another lovely day (just a bit windier than yesterday), I felt there could be something exciting within the area, like a Yellow-browed Warbler or the like. But it wasn't to be, but there was plenty to look at and also an impressive list of birds recorded this morning. There were quite a few dog walkers this morning, but all were polite and all but one had their dogs on leads, which is always a bonus.

Top photo: Ivy Bees nectaring on the Ivy plants. Bottom photo: a Drone Fly, Eristalis tenax bathing in the sunshine. 

The strong fragrance of the flowering Ivy within the Cemy was intoxicating and it attracted tons of Bees, Hoverflies and even Butterflies to nectar on the bountiful supply of food for them. Honey Bees, Ivy Bees, Drone Flies and Tapered Drone Flies were all abundant as were Common Wasps enjoying the Ivy plants and some of the towering plants were quite impressive. Normally, the Council workers pull off the Ivy from the gravestones every so often, but some of the Ivy Plants are growing up to 20 feet tall in places; huge feeding stations for the Bees etc, which can only be a good thing!

This Chiffchaff was in the Pine in the south-east corner of the Cemy.

Though nothing rare of note was found regarding the bird life here, there were at least three Chiffchaffs seen this morning in various areas of the Cemy and a pair of Goldcrests showed relatively well in one of the Horse Chestnut trees and another bird was calling in one of the Holm Oaks. The colourful Jay was seen again, hopping from one gravestone to another and overhead, a Chaffinch, Greenfinch and a Meadow Pipit were seen.

Top photo, one of the towering Ivy Plants growing and engulfing a gravestone, which provides a huge source of food for insects. Bottom photo: a Red Admiral was one of two species seen this morning.

Butterflies were few and far between this morning, despite being such a sunny day, with just the one Red Admiral and one Large White seen. Still, a lovely walk again around my favourite part of Portsmouth. Sadly, I made up my mind this week that Scruff has had his last walk around Highland Road Cemetery as his back legs simply cannot take the distance anymore. He is well over 15 years old now and old age has crept up on him. He had some good times here, chasing the Squirrels when he was young (never got even close to them, lol!) and sniffing all the passing dogs. Lovely memories, but it feels a part of me is missing when he is not with me here.  

Above, this juvenile Blackbird was feeding on the Yew Berries with a male nearby. Below, this Yew is covered in a Clematis type plant. Colourful though!  

The following birds were seen here this morning:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Blackbird
• Robin
• Wren
• Chiffchaff
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Goldcrest
• Wood Pigeon 
• Feral Pigeon
• Carrion Crow
• Jay 
• Magpie
• Meadow Pipit
• Chaffinch
• Greenfinch    

Above, a Jay showed again within the Cemy, but just a single bird was on show. Below, several Robins were seen today, including this one which sang briefly.