Sparrowhawk is showing well today.

Friday 9th December 2022.

The female Sparrowhawk looks menacingly down below its perch in one of the Lime Trees within the Cemetery.

Though temperatures were below freezing early this morning, I could not resist a walk around Highland Road Cemetery, especially when it is all frosty and white. Another good selection of birds noted today including the superb female Sparrowhawk, which was first seen chasing a small bird near the Holm Oak Clump (though I do not think it was successful) and then flew round to perch in one of the Lime trees in the south-west corner where it showed reasonably well (see photo).

Above, a very frosty start to the day and below, this Starling was in full song high up in one of the trees at the southern end of the Cemetery. 

Both the Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker were also seen, the former having been flushed by the Sparrowhawk flying overhead and the latter, a female bird up in a small tree close to the Mausoleum. The Long-tailed Tit flock had increased to around 8 birds and even a Goldcrest joined them briefly over in the north-east corner this time. Blackbirds were in good numbers with at least 7 birds noted, though mostly male birds. No Song Thrushes this morning, but a Redwing more than made up for that, but it would not pose for me quite right, but a good bird here nonetheless. Possible snow showers are a possibility next Wednesday, which would most certainly bring more winter Thrushes into the Cemetery and nearby gardens.

Above, a blanket of heavy frost looking north across the Cemetery. Below, the female Blackbird allowed me a close approach to take this photo as she turned over the leaves to find a juicy worm. 

Other notable sightings included the two Jays seen perched in trees near the Mausoleum, but soon quickly disappeared and a Pied Wagtail was a ‘heard only’ bird flying south, I believe, high over the Cemetery. I remember some years ago when Becky and I took Scruff over the Cemy when it had snowed heavily overnight and I flushed a small flock of Common Snipe from here! Maybe a Woodcock might pop up?

Above, there is always a Robin about somewhere in the Cemetery and below, the female Great Spotted Woodpecker was on show by the Mausoleum.  

Yesterday, a Tree Sparrow was found by the Solent Breezes Caravan Park, near Warsash, yesterday morning and I have just had confirmation that it is still present this morning associating with a flock of House Sparrows. I had seen this species earlier in the year when I went to the superb RSPB Reserve of Welney, in East Norfolk, but to get one in Hampshire is exceptional now and considering they used to breed in Hampshire when I was a teenager, so sad they have now disappeared from our County.   

Above, a Redwing was present today in trees beside the Mausoleum and below, one of the 8 Long-tailed Tits seen this morning.

Birds recorded there this morning included the following:

• Great Black-backed Gull
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Feral Pigeon
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Blue Tit
• Long-tailed Tit
• Goldcrest
• Wren
• Robin
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Green Woodpecker
• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Jay
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Sparrowhawk
• Starling
• Pied Wagtail

The male Tree Sparrow seen yesterday at the Solent Breezes Caravan Park. Photo by Andy Friend.