Great Spotted Woody & Blackcap at Old Portsmouth.

Monday 24th April 2023.

This was one of the Whinchats at Fishlake Meadows yesterday. Photo by Pete Appleton.

I never went birding yesterday as there were chores to do in and outside the house and with my family coming over in the afternoon (including teaching our Isabelle how to do some Boxing moves with her new punchbag her Nan bought for her!!!)I was a tad too busy. However, I did see a male Blackcap perched up in my neighbours tree early in the morning. Sorry guys, but I am always keeping an eye on the birds!

A male Dartford Warbler at Browndown Nature Reserve. Photo by Emma Parkes.

Today, I was working and will be for quite a long time to come, down Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth and spent a good hour checking out some of the birdlife in the vicinity. Of note, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming nearby, but I could not get a sighting of the bird as it was in one of the large gardens in one of the larger houses. A Blackcap was also singing in one of the gardens, but again, no sighting. 

This Short-eared Owl was seen at Farlington Marshes recently. Photo by Pete Appleton.

Other birds present in the area included several Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Robin and a singing Dunnock. A Blue Tit was giving off its alarm call but I could not see any Raptors overhead. Thankfully, it was a nice day today even though the jokers at the Meteorologists predicted rain from midday onwards. They are laughable at times. I expect some of the local sightings are going to be far and few between from the remaining ‘Lazee’s’ as a chunk of them are having 5 days in Lesbos. Some superb photos have arrived on the Whatsapp site already. Birding pal, Andy Fisher, got his first Gannet of the year at Selsey Bill today.

This Hobby was at Fishlake Meadows last Saturday. Photo by Emma Parkes.

In Hampshire today, a birder who I have met a few times at Fort Cumberland, reported at least 12 Arctic Terns past at Eastney Sewage Outfall. I have not mentioned his name as I have not had permission, though I wish he would not put abbreviations for birds on the Hants Birding website. It doesn't help anyone! Also today, a drake Garganey was at Blashford Lakes and up to 6 Garden Warblers there too. A couple of Yellow Wagtails at Hook-with-Warsash along with a female Redstart. A couple of Little Terns flew past Hill Head, a species I am hoping to see this week. Yesterday, there were up to 4 Whinchat on Fishlake Meadows and well photogrpahed by some of the 'Lazee's'. An interesting record of a Nightjar in an Emsworth garden yesterday. Sadly, it did get attacked by Magpies and took a bit of a beating, but was rescued by the home owner and later released and flew off safely. Some big rarities within the southern half of the UK include an Elegant Tern at Lodmoor RSPB Reserve, Dorset; a Forster's Tern in Poole Harbour, Dorset and over in East Sussex, a White-crowned Sparrow is at Seaford Head, East Sussex for its third day!

This Common Tern was seen fishing off Hill Head. Photo by Emma Parkes.