Med Gull over the Cemy.

Tuesday 17th January 2023.

One of the footpaths running through the centre of the Cemetery. Though there were a few dog-walkers around this morning, no dogs were running loose for a change.

Last night, the temperatures really plummeted as the UK went through another ‘cold snap’. Lucky for us here in Southsea, we escaped any snow and severe ice, though Cornwall got a heavy dusting of snow. Having some time off this morning, I was determined to give my ‘local patch’ Highland Road Cemetery a try. There was always a chance of something out of the ordinary over there. 

From top to bottom: Juvenile Herring Gull on the frosty grass. A female Blackbird was one of many Blackbirds present today, but no other thrush species and the usual flock of Starlings on the rooftop at the southern end of the Cemetery.

However, my day began with a bang when I was looking out of the bedroom window to check the local House Sparrows feeding on the Fatballs and Sunflower hearts. There were easily at least a dozen birds here in the garden, when suddenly a female Sparrowhawk swooped down and grabbed one of the House Sparrows on the fence! I could even hear the hapless Sparrow making distress calls as it was carried away to be consumed. C’est la vie!

From top to bottom: some of the 30+ Goldfinches present this morning. The male Great Spotted Woodpecker up in one of the Lime trees and the final photo of frost on the grass and plants, which proved on how cold it was this morning.

It was very cold walking around the Cemetery this morning, with temperatures below freezing and with that biting north-easterly, my poor ears were frozen. Note to self: take a warm hat next time! Again, I saw 20 species within the Cemy this morning and although there was nothing very unusual, an adult Mediterranean Gull flying high west over the Cemy was without doubt the bird of the trip here. Though they regularly fly over, they are not so common in the winter and so seeing one is always a bonus. There was still no sign of the Green Woodpecker this morning, but the male Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen several times today, mostly high up in the Lime Trees over on the west side.

From top to bottom: Ice had now formed where the flooded footpaths once were. The adult Mediterranean Gull flying high west over the Cemetery. This Robin came down by my feet after spotting a worm on the ground near the Mausoleum. 

There was just the one Goldcrest seen this morning, a female bird in the lone Holm Oak again on the east side near the large Oak. I am hoping for the return of the Firecrests soon, though they tend to be in the Holm Oak clump further west within the Cemy. There were two Jays again seen near the Mausoleum and the Pied Wagtail was a flyover bird heading south. I am trying to get to the Cemy at least once a week and with luck, something like a Black Redstart or something rarer might turn up.

This confiding Robin consumed the worm it had found earlier.

Birds seen within the Cemetery this morning included the following:

• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin
• Wren
• Great Spotted Woodpecker (male)
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch
• Blue Tit
• Goldcrest (female)
• Mediterranean Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Herring Gull
• Jay
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Feral Pigeon
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Pied Wagtail 
• Blackbird

It is always good to see youngsters taking an interest in the nature around them. This young lady was photographing a Collared Dove perched on a gravestone.

The Great Grey Shrike was yet again seen early this morning by a couple of the ‘Lazee Birders’ at Pig Bush, New Forest. The adult Sabine’s Gull is spending another day at the pools at Southmoor and still attracting a steady stream of admirers. A total of 4 Great Northern Divers were recorded off Sandy Point, Hayling Island, this morning. More cold weather is predicted for tomorrow, but whether we will get any snow is unlikely. Winter Watch is returning to our TV tonight and hopefully, two weeks worth as well. Something decent to watch again at last.

The male Great Spotted Woodpecker high up in one of the Lime trees again.