Mute Swans over the Cemy.

Thursday 28th September 2023.

You have to be prepared for the unexpected and three Mute Swans flying west high over the Cemy proved that.

After last night's strong winds and a bit of rain, I felt there was always a chance of something interesting over Highland Road Cemetery this morning and so after my first shift (very quiet, bar a few Meadow Pipits over), I took the dogs for a slow stroll around my local patch. There was hardly any wind at all and with it being overcast, it was easy to pick up any flying birds overhead. As expected, there were numerous flocks of Meadow Pipits going over, but, surprisingly, very little else. Nevertheless, I saw up to 21 species in and over the Cemetery this morning; my highest total for many months.

Above, up to three Collared Doves were seen this morning; all in the south-west corner of the footpath. Below, Ivy Mason Bees enjoy the flowering Ivy plants.

Probably the highlight was the small flock of three Mute Swans flying over heading west and most likely heading to Canoe lake on Southsea seafront. I knew immediately what they were even before I saw them as they have that distinctive whistle they make with their wings. There is still a reasonable number of Chiffchaffs within the Cemetery as I counted at least four in the south-west corner and two over on the east side. I did hear the familiar ‘chack’ of a probable Blackcap, but I only heard it once and the bird never showed. The female Sparrowhawk, with prey in its talons, flew in from the south and looked to have landed in the Holm Oak clump.

Above, this Buff-tailed Bumblebee was about to be joined by an Ivy Mason Bee. Below, this Conifer is beautifully draped by a plant, of which, I have no idea! But it is like this every Autumn.

The birds recorded this morning included the following:

• Mute Swan (3)
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Goldfinch
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin 
• Wren
• Dunnock
• Chiffchaff (4 seen + 2 heard)
• Carrion Crow
• Jay
• Magpie
• Blackbird
• Meadow Pipit  
• Sparrowhawk (f)

Above, one of the many Meadow Pipits flying overhead this morning and below, the female Sparrowhawk made another appearance this morning.

On the insects front, there were good numbers of both Honey Bee and Ivy Mason Bees around the flowering Ivy; but the number of Red Admiral butterflies have dropped considerably, which could be due to it being overcast. I think I only saw three and the big Ivy bush where I had nearly 50 the other morning, held only the one individual. The only other butterfly seen was a Large White. 

Above, up to at least 6 Chiffchaffs were recorded this morning and below, Blackbirds are increasing in number, including this individual sporting a whitish head.

There was not a lot reported in Hampshire so far this morning, though the Grey Phalarope is still showing in front of the Meonshore Hide on Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve. Nationally, there is still a Magnolia Warbler in Pembrokeshire, but I wonder what else is hiding away along the west coast of the UK?

Above, another Chiffchaff was seen near the Mausoleum and below, the remains of this Wood Pigeon were scattered over a large area near the Holm Oaks.