An unexpected Kingfisher and another Hawk-moth.

Thursday 19th October 2023.

Governor's Green with the Royal Garrison Church in the background. Here, good numbers of both Wood Pigeon and Herring Gull were making the most of the damp grass. A few Pied Wagtails were also present.

It seems quite a while since I have written anything on my blog, but the weather has been somewhat awful this week. I suppose Monday was probably the best day, but now we are facing another October Storm (Storm Babet), the UK is bracing itself for an absolute deluge of rain, especially in Scotland. I took a good soaking on my second shift yesterday, but despite the grim weather, there have been some reasonable sightings from myself and also some of the ‘Lazee’s’ braving the weather too. 

This superb image of a flying Jay (wish mine were this good!) at Bushy Mead last weekend. Photo by Emma Parkes.

Monday began with a pair of unexpected late Swallows flying east low over Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, early in the morning and a large flock of Wood Pigeons took flight from Governor’s Green opposite me and headed off north. Spooked by a Sparrowhawk perhaps? Their numbers have been building up here on the Southsea coast, feeding on the lush grass within all the fields along with many Herring Gulls; though the Gulls would be looking for earthworms. In the afternoon, the sun was out and a Red Admiral butterfly actually landed on me for around 30 seconds and then flew off! Walking the dogs in the evening, I heard up to three Redwing passing overhead. Always good to hear them make their way south, probably to the Isle of Wight or even further?

This Arctic Tern flew past Gilkicker watch point yesterday. Photo by Mark Francis.

On Tuesday morning, there was a real surprise when I first heard the distinctive ‘peep’ of a Kingfisher, but I never expected to see one fly across northbound over Governor’s Green. However, it soon realised that it was going in the wrong direction and headed back south to the Curtain Moat, by the harbour wall. Again, just goes to show that you never know what can turn up anytime, anywhere! Overhead, two Song Thrush, 2 Meadow Pipits and two Greenfinch flew past. Just before I finished my second shift, I saw a Hummingbird Hawk-moth fly over the road and having a quick look at the weeds opposite, it then flew off south. Nice way to end the day.

This Barn Owl was a nice suprise for Matt Parkes where he was working in the north of the County.

On Wednesday, the weather was simply awful. OK, it was a bit drizzly on my first shift and was bearable, but in the afternoon, it was horrendous. Heavy rain with a strong easterly wind didn't help matters as I took a thorough drowning. Though I saw nothing of note in the grotty weather, a couple of fellow ‘Lazee’s’ braved the horrible conditions with a sea-watch from Gilkicker and notched up the following: adult Arctic Tern (see photo), Avocet, 3 Goosander, 2 Mergansers, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew and a Razorbill.

This Green Woodpecker was also photographed at Bushy Mead. Photo by Emma Parkes.  

This morning, Storm Babet is set to batter the UK again today, but it was dry and sunny at times during my first shift. Overhead, there were sightings of Song Thrush, Greenfinch, up to 4 Pied Wagtails and a Siskin and Meadow Pipit that were heard only. The Wood Pigeons were in large numbers again on both Governor’s Green and also the field in front of the Parade Tea Rooms. There were plenty of Herring Gulls too, including the more challenging immature birds. Hopefully, this storm might bring in our first large white winged Gull or something else interesting?