Some good birds around Hampshire today.

Sunday 12th November 2023.

Two of the three Brent Geese flying high south over the Cemetery.

The weather turned again today with rain early this morning and a lot more in the afternoon, but there was enough time this morning to have a dry walk around Highland Road Cemetery with my dogs. The Green Woodpecker was seen again, this time on the ground having a go at an Ants nest (presumably) at the southern end of the Cemetery. It was heard earlier, but a dog-walker (who I have met a few times before) came over with her dog and so I had to abandon temporarily trying to find the bird. However, while talking to the lady, three Brent Geese flew high over heading south. This is only the second time ever I have seen the Brent fly over the Cemetery.

Above, the Carrion Crows are quite confiding and you can walk quite close to them at times. Below, most of the leaves have come down from the trees.

Above, only one Jay was seen this morning, though distant and below, you can just see the head of this Green Woodpecker prospecting an Ants nest by the side of a grave.

Above, this Agaricus species of toadstool is starting to come out of the grass.

A good start to the walk, I thought, but there were not many species seen this morning, compared to the last few times I have been there. But I suppose 21 species wasn't too bad in overcast, damp conditions. A Jay was over in the south-east corner and a pair were making a real racket just north of the Mausoleum, though I never saw them. I was pretty sure that I heard a Firecrest in the northern half of the Cemy, but it only called once and not seen either. Bugger! Three Song Thrushes were noted flying from the top of one of the trees and heading off south and mostly migrant birds. Again, all the regular birds were present and correct, but not many opportunities for any photos this morning.

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Wren
• Robin
• Blackbird
• Song Thrush
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Green Woodpecker
• Jay
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Pied Wagtail
• Goldcrest
• Firecrest (probable)

Above, the male Ring Ouzel at Longslade Bottom in the New Forest and below, a Woodcock showed there unexpectedly too. Photos by Emma Parkes.

Above, a Rock Pipit and below, a Spotted Redshank. Both were photographed by Andy Tew at Pennington Marshes.

Above, not only was the Long- tailed Duck at Hayling Oyster Beds, but this cracking male Black Redstart was also there. Photo by Chris Geary.

A good variety of birds in Hampshire today with the likes of a Black Redstart at the Oyster Beds (see photo) and two on the roof of the Langstone Hotel, Northney, a male Ring Ouzel at Longslade Bottom, New Forest (see photo), 5 redhead Goosanders on Sinah Gravel Pit (also on Hayling Island), a Yellow-browed Warbler in a private garden near Southampton and 3 Little Gulls and a Red-throated Diver off Gunner Point, Hayling Island. The female Long-tailed Duck was still on Hayling Oyster Beds today too.