Another good total of birds in the Cemy.

Saturday 24th December 2022.

The sun was trying to get out between the heavy overcast clouds this morning over the Cemetery.

I managed to get most of my chores done this morning and while my wife was away getting the last few bits for Xmas, I took the opportunity to take a walk around my ‘local patch’ Highland Road Cemetery, again. A positively balmy 11 degrees this morning here in Southsea, though it was mostly cloudy with the possible threat of rain, which it did as I was leaving the Cemy. Again, another good haul of bird species in and over the Cemy, which kept me interested throughout my trip here.

Above, at least four Robins were seen this morning including this individual in full song. Gorgeous to stand and watch. Below, Blackbirds also were in good numbers with at least 10 seen today.

There were a good many dog-walkers this morning, though all dogs behaved themselves and there were also a few joggers and some simply taking in a bit of fresh air. Good to see. Though the Cemy was alive with birds, insects and any flowering plants was near non-existent. I assume last week's heavy frosts put paid to any flowering weeds or plants? 

Up to 8 Redwing were in the trees this morning. A good number for here.

Starling numbers are on the increase here, with at least 30 birds seen in one particular flock this morning. Same could be said of the Goldfinches with probably the same number seen. Greenfinch numbers included a flock of 6 birds high up in one of the trees. However, I was pleased with the thrush numbers this morning. A flock of 8 Redwing spent the time I was there showing well at times high up in the Horse Chestnut or Lime trees within the centre of the Cemy, though some were checking out the conifers on the north-east side. Again, just the one lone Song Thrush this morning, but plenty of Blackbirds about today. Will we get a Fieldfare anytime soon here?

Notoriously difficult to photograph (for me anyway with my Bridge camera!), this female Goldcrest showed very well in a Horse Chestnut tree close to the footpath.

Both the Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker were again seen today. The Great Spotted Woodpecker was an all too brief sighting as it flew past me briefly, but only heard again and not seen. Whereas the Green Woodpecker flew up from the ground after being flushed by a dog-walker and then perched on a large gravestone over on the south-east side. It was as I was making my way back to the entrance gate that I finally saw my first Jay of the morning and eventually posed nicely for me to grab a photo. A Pied Wagtail, as per usual, was a ‘flyover’ bird, but 23 species this morning within the Cemy was a good total. I was sure I heard a Meadow Pipit going over, but I did not get a sighting of the bird to be totally sure. 

Above, all 8 of the Redwing present in the Cemetery in one tree and below, the female Green Woodpecker perched on the gravestone over in the south-east corner of the Cemy.

The following species were either seen or heard on my walk this morning:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Starling
• House Sparrow
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Goldcrest
• Robin
• Wren
• Song Thrush
• Blackbird
• Redwing
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay
• Pied Wagtail
• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Green Woodpecker 

One of the many Goldfinches seen picking off Buddliea seeds near the Mausoleum. Below, the Song Thrush over on the east side of the Cemetery.

In Hampshire this morning, the Tree Sparrow was still present at Chilling Barn, near Warsash and the Long-tailed Duck was still present off Southmoors. From Hayling Oyster Beds, fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ Gary Fennemore had seen a Merlin, a Great Northern Diver, 6 Black-necked Grebes and the flock of 5 Velvet Scoter. The 1st winter Little Gull was still off Black Point, Hayling Island this morning. A Short-eared Owl was still on Farlington Marshes and the Great Grey Shrike was still at Pig Bush, in the New Forest. 

I finally caught up with a Jay as I was leaving the Cemy.

Very quiet at Eastney Point.

Thursday 22nd December 2022.

The weather was closing in when I was leaving Eastney Point this morning.

I took a gamble today by taking a walk over Eastney to hopefully view yesterday's Great Northern Divers this morning, but despite a high tide, the birds were nowhere to be seen. In fact, it was nearly void of birds and what with the horrible weather (heavy squally drizzle on a breezy south-westerly) and some disgusting old bloke flashing his bits, despite wearing a raincoat (work that one out!); I think I could possibly write this trip here off!

A lone Common Gull passed by heading west over the beach.

I am not a prude and I know this end of Eastney beach is infamous for its Naturists, but the weather was awful and this guy, who by the way walked up to me and said ‘Morning’, could have easily covered himself up instead of exposing his ‘bits’ to me! I simply told him to ‘F*** off you freak!’. Things would have turned very ugly if I had my Granddaughter with me or my wife!

A pair of Stock Doves by Fort Cumberland.

Rant over and back to the few birds on show. Yes, no sign whatsoever on anything on the sea which was disappointing, but a Common Gull flew over and on the fenced in area on Fort Cumberland, there were at least 4 Stock Doves perched on the wire fence along with a few Wood Pigeons. Looking east towards Gunner Point over on Hayling Island, I could see a large flock of small waders swirling over on the shoreline there which I assume were Sanderling. Sadly, none on the beach here this morning while I was there. However, I did see a small flock of 5 Turnstone flying low over the sea close in heading west. 

A bemused looking Stock Dove not really enjoying the weather

I did take a drive down to the harbour entrance to see if the Divers were there but again, no sign on anything on the water there bar a few Black-headed Gulls. A Starling flew onto my nearside door mirror, but I had no food to offer it, but to be around 18 inches away from it was special. Up to 3 Dunnocks scurried on the concrete block by the lone bush within the car park here before I left to visit my Dad. On the way up the Eastern Road, I spotted 4 Little Grebes swimming on Hilsea Creek by the main bridge and on the way back home, going south down the Eastern Road, I saw at least 10 Avocets on the mudflats looking east from the bridge. 

A review of 2022.

Wednesday 21st December 2022.

While staying in North Norfolk for a week, I was fortunate to arrive when a Red-breasted Goose was found at Cley Marshes in the early part of February.

As we are fast approaching the end of the year, I wanted to reflect on some of the birds and other wildlife that has made 2022 special. Yes, we did lose our precious dog Scruff last week, which has left a huge hole in our hearts, but on a positive side, 2022 did produce a very good bird and moth species total. I clocked up 226 bird species in the UK this year, one of the highest totals I have ever had and kicking off the early part of the year with a trip to Norfolk most certainly helped. 

After enjoying a week in Norfolk, I could not resist going to see my second ever American Robin in the UK. Along with this bird in East Sussex, Hume's Warbler and Hooded Crow were added to our year list.

Moths too, were in good volume and I certainly got some crackers throughout the year. A final total of 168 species of ‘Macro’ moth and 127 species of ‘Micro’ moth. I even saw my first ever Brown Hairstreak butterfly perched on a Buddleia plant in a pub garden! I still cannot believe I saw it!!

This Large Thorn moth in my garden was a real surprise and my first ever.

Though I never saw any Bird ‘Lifers’ this year ( I do not ‘twitch’ much these days, though I should have gone for the long staying Baikal Teal in Somerset earlier this year, though). Nevertheless, Andy and myself got to see some cracking birds including Tundra Bean Goose, Cranes, Tree Sparrow, Red-breasted Goose, Leach’s Petrel, Squacco Heron, Buff-breasted and Pectoral Sandpiper, Bonaparte’s Gull, American Robin, Hume’s Warbler, Barred Warbler, both Red-backed and Great Grey Shrike, Chough, Shorelark and my first Hampshire Iberian Chiffchaff. Some great birds and some great memories. I would also like to thank the ‘Lazee Birders’ in telling us the sites in Hampshire to see Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Stone-curlew and Hampshires first breeding Dippers for many a year.

This Squacco Heron (my 3rd ever) had a long stay in August at Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve.

On the Macro moth scene, arguably my best moth of the year was in no doubt the Striped Hawk-moth. This southern European species made a large landfall in the UK, which was mostly due to the heatwave where temperatures in the UK exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Long periods of southerlies brought in a lot of immigrant moths including some African species that were new for the UK. New ‘Macro’ moths for my life list this year included a Large Thorn and Plumed Fan-foot; the latter a very scarce migrant moth. Micro moths also featured heavily on my life list and a new App was introduced to the public with ‘Obsidentify’ making its debut. Using this App helped me to identify a lot of newcomers to my life list including up to 23 new species! However, one micro moth which I found at Portchester Crematorium, was my first ever Large Tabby (sounds more like a Cat than a moth!).

I had a great year for Hawk-moths, but this Striped Hawk-moth was the icing on the cake.

As mentioned before, the weather played its part again this year and it looks as though it proved to be the warmest year on record again and 2023 is expected to get even hotter due to Climate Change. Let's be honest, if you do not believe in Climate Change, like one certain ex-American President, just call it a day! How can we get -15 degrees one week and then +14 degrees the next in the UK, which was witnessed last week?

My first 'Hampshire' Iberian Chiffchaff in Otterbourne Wood, nr Winchester. 

Back to this week. I have not done any birding since last Saturday as I have been too busy of late, though I do check out my garden when I can; topping up the bird feeders nearly 3 times a week now! The American Wigeon on Efford Lake, Pennington Marshes, was a no show over the past few days, but much nearer to home, Black Point (off Hayling Island) has produced a female Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck and a Little Gull (welcome back Andy Johnson) and up to 3 Great Northern Divers off Eastney Point today and yesterday. The family flock of Russian White-fronted Goose, Black Brant and now 3 Short-eared Owls have remained faithful to Farlington Marshes and it or another Tree Sparrow had been found at Chilling Cliffs yesterday. A female Scaup was also seen flying with Mergansers yesterday near the Hayling Bridge; a species I have not seen this year.

Tree Sparrows seen in February this year at Welney Wildfowl Trust, Norfolk. 

Further afield, a species I have always wanted to see, an Isabelline Wheatear, has been found at Colyford Common Local Nature Reserve in Devon. A possible ‘twitch’ to round the year off, perhaps? On the Isle of Portland, a male Cirl Bunting has taken up residence at Reap Lane. I usually get my Cirl Buntings at East Prawle, but not this year, sadly. 

This Shorelark was one of four birds at Holkham Pines in North Norfolk in February.

Andy and myself will be doing the annual ‘Dawn to Dusk’ birding on New Years Day where Andy is determined to win the ‘Fly/Pye’ Cup for the first time in many a year (first one to 100 species for the year). We shall be studying what is around in both Hampshire and West Sussex nearer the time to see what species we should be going for.

 

The last words must go to our Scruff. Thanks for being there. Love you always.