Grey Wagtails and Siskins over the Cemy.

Wednesday 6th September 2023.

This Willow tree is what I call the 'Flycatcher' tree as most years, the Spotted Flycatchers are seen here, but I have not seen them yet. 

We are now officially into a little heatwave where the temperature are being recorded around 90 degrees Fahrenheit and so I took my dogs for an early morning (well, 9ish as I had my first shift this morning after the School Summer break) walk around the Cemetery. There were a few more species logged this morning including both Grey Wagtail and Siskin flying overhead and a pair of Sparrowhawks soaring together in the clear blue sky.

Above, one Sparrowhawk was joined by a second bird high over the Cemetery.

The Grey Wagtails included a pair flying south and then another bird seen a little later flying south and finally another was heard only. The pair of Siskins were picked up by their call first and then, amazingly, seen flying eastbound low over the Chestnut trees. Normally, they are very high up and near impossible to see against a blue sky. All the usual birds were noted including a few singing Robins. I read this week that it is the females that sing now due to holding their territory from migrant Robins. Whether that is true or not, I am not sure because that's a new one for me. But hey, scientists are discovering new things everyday.  

Above, almost meadow-like conditions in some part of the Cemetery, which is an oasis for insects. Below, a singing Robin. Is it a female bird?

17 species, the highest this week so far, were seen or heard this morning, which included the following:

• Sparrowhawk (2 females or immatures)
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Blackbird
• Herring Gull
• Blue Tit
• Robin
• Goldfinch
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Chiffchaff
• Grey Wagtail (3 seen & 1 heard)
• Dunnock
• Wren
• House Sparrow
• Starling 

Above, a Collared Dove on an aerial on a house at the southern end of the Cemetery. Below, Holly Blue's were abundant again today.

Nothing new of note regarding the insects within the Cemy this morning. Small White butterflies were abundant again and a few Holly Blue’s and Red Admirals were on the wing too. Moths this morning included a single Straw-barred Pearl and at least a couple of Vapourer Moths. If only the latter would settle. They really are a smart looking moth. Fellow 'Lazee' Andy Friend done some 'birding' over Catherington Downs (one of my old haunts when I lived in Lovedean / Horndean) and recorded the following: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, Redstart, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Blackcap, Willow Warbler and a Bullfinch.

Above, the Smooth Sow-thistle's are growing quite tall and below, a few Herring Gulls flapped high over the Cemy today. This individual is moulting its primary feathers.

Above, the regular sortie from this Spitfire over Southsea as it went about its spins and manoeuvres high over our City.