Curlew added to 'Patch List'.

Tuesday 21st March 2023.

The male Firecrest over on the east side of the Cemetery.

Though the weather was a bit indifferent with heavy overhead clouds, a blustery south-westerly and always the threat of rain; it turned out to be a cracking morning for birds with possibly TWO ‘patch ticks’, notably a flock of Curlews and three ‘grey geese’. However, they were so high up, that the Geese could have either been White-fronted (that's what I think they were after checking out the photos on my laptop) or Bean Geese? The Curlew were pretty obvious despite being well over a 1000 feet up and heading east towards Langstone Harbour along with the Geese.

Above, a large clump of Lords and Ladies growing in the southern end of the Cemetery. Below, one of many Goldfinches still in the Cemetery. At least 20 birds are still around here. 

Above and below, the only Bee I saw this morning was a male Hairy-footed Flower Bee. 

It didn't end there either as I found a superb male Firecrest over on the east side, while I was walking north along the footpath. It was first heard in the lone Holm Oak on the east side and then flew out and landed in some small shrubs nearby along with at least two Chiffchaffs! Eventually, the Firecrest popped out of hiding and showed well searching for insects and I even managed a brief bit of film footage of the bird. Again, there was a small number of Chiffchaffs around the Cemetery with at least four of five birds seen on my walk.

Above, Red Dead-nettle surrounding a grave on the east side of the Cemetery. Below, a Wren burst into song on the west side of the Cemetery; one of several birds present. 

A Common Buzzard was a surprise sighting this morning as well. Once the local Herring Gulls started wailing overhead, I knew immediately that a raptor was nearby and looking north, I saw a Common Buzzard being mobbed by the Gulls until they backed off and let the bird soar high overhead. The male Sparrowhawk also made an appearance again as it came in from the south and flew low over the Cemetery heading north and out of view behind the trees. It is that time of year when everything is on the move and so to keep an eye out within the sky was never not going to be an option. Another Alpine Swift was seen again this morning and not too far away either; this individual was seen flying south-east over Bosham, West Sussex.

The Common Buzzard soaring just north of the Cemetery this morning

A couple of single Meadow Pipits headed high north and a Cormorant was seen to fly west low over the houses to the south, which constituted the best of the rest of the sightings; though the Jay was showing again, albeit briefly.

Above, the 'Grey Geese' flew very high over the Cemetery heading eastbound along with a flock of around 10 Curlew nearby. Below, I managed to get a shot of one of the Curlews with the Geese.

Above, this Robin was seen collecting nesting material on one of the footpaths. Below, there were at least two singing male Blackbirds in song this morning.

Not much in the way of insects here this morning although I did come across a male Hairy-footed Flower Bee near the Heather grave on the east side. Sadly, no butterflies, but the sun only occasionally popped out a few times all the time I was there. All the usual plants were present and correct though the Lords and Ladies clump on the southernmost end of the Cemetery were showing well.     

Above, can you see the Jay trying to hide from my view? Below, this male Greenfinch was one of several present today.

A reasonably good number of species seen this morning within or over the Cemetery today. The following birds were either seen or heard in the Cemetery today:

• Common Buzzard
• Sparrowhawk (male)
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Wren
• Robin
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Firecrest (male)
• Black-headed Gull
• Herring Gull
• Jay
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Meadow Pipit (2)
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Cormorant
• Blackbird

Above and below, the male Firecrest searches for insects in the bushes over on the east side. 

In Hampshire today, the female Surf Scoter was showing very well again off Pennington Marshes at Oxey Marshes and nearby, both Spoonbill and a Merlin put in an appearance. Blashford Lakes hosted the female Scaup, Ruff and Black-necked Grebe still and a Common Sandpiper was also present there today along with several Sand Martins. A White-tailed Eagle flew north over Warnford this morning.

Above, a brief film footage of the male Firecrest within Highland Road Cemetery this morning.