Overcast and stormy conditions when I first took a walk into the Cemetery early this afternoon.
I knew most of Saturday was going to be a washout with heavy rain accompanied by a strong westerly wind and so I cancelled this morning's birding with Andy and had a lazy day indoors with my wife, but not before a big breakfast in Mumms Cafe in nearby Albert Road! Thankfully, the rain eased up just after midday and so I took a stroll around Highland Road Cemetery to check not only what damage the wind and rain had done, but also if there were any Woodpeckers on show today. Still have not seen one this year! Shocking!
From top to bottom: a flock of Goldfinches over the Cemetery; Starlings in their usual tree in the southern half of the Cemetery and below, I dont think I have ever been around the Cemy with some of the footpaths being flooded. Just goes to show how much rain we have had of late.
I'll cut to the chase; there were no Woodpeckers whatsoever in the Cemy this afternoon which was very disappointing, though the grim weather didn't help somewhat! The rain came in again while I was walking around, though I didn't really get a soaking as I hid underneath a large overhanging bush in the centre of the Cemy. From this viewpoint looking east, I added a Great Black-backed Gull, Song Thrush and Jay to my trip here that consisted of 19 species for my walk around my local patch.
From top to bottom: Goldfinches sharing a tree with a Collared Dove; this Robin singing by the footpath was one of several singing Robins and bottom photo, the Great Black-backed Gull which landed on a rooftop by the Cemy with a Herring Gull in attendance.
Earlier today, I had seen a female Sparrowhawk soaring over the gardens behind, which the Herring Gulls alerted me too with their alarm calls. Back in the Cemetery, a female Chaffinch was present, a species that is uncommon here and seen around the Mausoleum area. There was a healthy flock of Goldfinch seen here today with at least 40+ birds present with a few Greenfinch among them. There was just the one Jay seen, but a showy individual that was seen several times.
From top to bottom: the Jay showed well again this afternoon. A male Greenfinch and a female Blackbird were both near the Mausoleum.
Bird species seen this afternoon in the Cemetery included the following:
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Black-headed Gull
Wren
Robin
House Sparrow
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Starling
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Jay
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Chaffinch (f)
Blue Tit
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Feral Pigeon
Other than birds, the only flowers I found were a few Daisies on show in the damp grass and the Common Groundsel, which was everywhere around the graves. I did find a Hoverfly species that was perched on the bush where I was sheltering from the rain. Thankfully, the experts on the Facebook UK Hoverfly site identified my photo of the Hoverfly as a male Melescaeva auricollis.
From top to bottom: Turkey-tail Fungus growing on one of the old tree stumps near the Mausoleum. A lot of branches had come down due to the strong winds of late and below, the male Melescaeva auricollis Hoverfly.
Some ‘Lazee Birders’ were watching from Hill Head this morning and came up trumps with a Little Auk flying around over the Solent and eventually landed on the sea some 400 metres out and lost to view. I wonder if this is the same bird that was seen fly west off Selsey Bill last month? A Fulmar was also seen heading west over the Solent. Yet again, the adult Sabine’s Gull was showing well on the small island on Southmoor and entertaining the crowds coming down to see this rare Arctic gull. There were reports of some over-keen photographers climbing fences to get their ‘money shot’ of the bird and consequently disturbing other birds present. Glad I wasn't there, because I cannot keep my mouth shut when those idiots do this.
This male Blackbird was one of at least ten birds of this species present this afternoon.
A Long tailed Duck was seen off Black Point, Hayling Island, this morning along with 4 Great Northern Divers by Andy J and yesterday, some chap reported that he saw the Little Owl back at Fort Cumberland! I have tried twice over the past few weeks to no avail; so I shall have another look in the coming week. There is talk of possible snow again in the early part of next week. Cold weather is expected to return for a few days, which could possibly bring in something rare alongside the Sabine's Gull?
The adjacent Canal was near bursting its banks and in some places, it was!
I knew some horrible wet weather was arriving this afternoon and so I took a late morning walk down the Canal Path at Titchfield, before the worst of the weather arrived. There was so heavy traffic making its way east on the M27 and it had a massive knock on effect within main streets in Fareham, but thankfully, I was going westbound. The weather held this morning till my departure, but I could see the storm clouds brewing to the west after picking up four more nice ‘year-ticks’ for my year list.
Above, this Squirrel did not upset the sleeping Barn Owl within the 'split tree' along the Canal Path. Below, a male Stonechat in the fields near the Bridge Street Floods.
Four Glossy Ibis have been frequenting the Posbrook Floods over the past few days and so I was reasonably hopeful they would still be there, but not before checking the usual ‘split tree’ for the Barn Owl to the west of the Path. Sure enough, one of the birds (there were two present on Monday) showed well and was totally unaware of the presence of a nearby Squirrel! Nothing was going to spoil its beauty sleep! This was my first Barn Owl of the year and one of our most reliable ones, though I would really like to have seen it hunting over the fields, but one needs to be here around dusk to see that.
Above and below, Black-tailed Godwit on Posbrook Floods.
The Canal itself looked fit to burst its banks due to the amount of rain we have had of late and the Bridge Street Floods were exactly that; flooded! However, there were a good number of wildfowl there including Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Shoveler and a small skein of Canada Geese. A male Stonechat was seen in the edge of some tall grass and I did hear the scolding call of a Cetti’s Warbler, but failed to see the bird. Bugger! A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard calling briefly as well, but somehow eluded me.
Above, more Black-tailed Godwit arriving on the Posbrook Floods. Below, one of the four Glossy Ibis seen preening.
There were a few birders making their way south down the path, on their way to view the Ibis no doubt and some armed with some mighty looking long-lens cameras. I checked out the area where they were most likely to be on the Posbrook Floods and I found the four Glossy Ibis on the edge of the water among a large flock of Black-tailed Godwit. So I walked further down the path to be adjacent to the birds and managed to grab some nice photos and film of the birds. These birds have been in the area now for some time and fingers crossed, they might stay to breed this year, which would be a magnificent achievement. The birds were quite inactive at first, mostly preening until a low flying Helicopter went overhead and everything, including the Glossy Ibis, were up and away.
Above, three of the four Glossy Ibis on Posbrook Floods. Below, film footage of one of the birds preening.
Thankfully, the birds all returned safely down to the ground to start feeding among the Godwit. I was happy with what I saw and checking the darkening clouds to the west, I slowly made my way back to the car, but not before checking the Gulls on Posbrook Floods. Among all the Gulls, I managed to pick out my first Mediterranean Gull of the year, but it got better when a pair of Water Pipits flew low over my head and I could clearly see how pale they were and also the call gave it away too. This was my 4th ‘year-tick’ of the day which now put me on 113 species for the year.
From top to bottom, this adult Mediterranean Gull was my first for the year, the Glossy Ibis in flight after being disturbed by a passing Helicopter and thankfully, settled down again among the Black-tailed Godwit.
Walking further north to the car park, the call of a Chiffchaff stopped me in my tracks as I spotted a pair perched on the thin branches of a fallen tree. Nearby, a Robin and Great Tit share the same branches and I could hear, yet again, another Cetti’s Warbler calling, but again, no sign of the bird. Still, it was a good 90 minutes birding with some cracking birds seen. I was very lucky with the weather as it was getting a bit dark to the west. Someone had a count of 321 Black-tailed Godwit present here and the same birder heard a Green Sandpiper calling as well.
From top to bottom: a Fox was standing on the reserve watching me go past, a Robin and Great Tit share the same fallen tree as did this Chiffchaff.
The Sabine’s Gull is still present around Southmoor and has taken a liking for the flooded field now, though has been mobile. A flock of 9 Red-throated Divers went west through the Solent from Hill Head this morning and the Tree Sparrow is still present at Chilling Barns.
Above, the sleepy Barn Owl within the 'split tree' and below, the Glossy Ibis feeding with the Black-tailed Godwit on Posbrook Floods.
One of the best photos of the adult Sabine's Gull I have seen so far at Southmoor. Photo by Christine Whiffen.
The immature Little Gull off Eastney Beach early this afternoon.
A much better day with the weather although there was a strong breeze blowing across Eastney Beach early this afternoon. However, it was bright sunshine with a bit of high cloud and after reading on the Hants Birding website that a pair of immature Little Gulls were off Eastney Beach, I fancied my chances in notching up a few more ‘year-ticks’. So, parking up down the track adjacent to Fort Cumberland Common, I made my way along the muddy track to the beach.
Above and below, some of the 100+ Sanderling present this afternoon on Eastney Beach. They were my first ones of the year.
It didn't take too long to find the large flock of Sanderling on the beach, either sitting together in a tight flock or others wandering around near the shoreline like clockwork birds! Nevertheless, these beautiful little waders climbed aboard my year list. A good scattering of Gulls on the water included mostly Herring, Black-headed and Common Gulls, but it wasn't till I was looking west further down the beach, that I picked up at least one of the immature Little Gulls. I had some walking to do if I was going to get any photos of the bird.
Above and below, the immature Little Gull.
Walking some 200 yards further down the beach, the sun did not help with it reflecting off the sea, but fortunately for me, the Little Gull flew back east along the sea and then turned back west where I managed to get some reasonably decent photos of this delightful small Gull. Who would've thought that I would get both Sabine’s and Little Gull in just two days? Incredible stuff, but that is what makes birding so unpredictable and enjoyable. The Little Gull then flew consistently westbound and so I decided to check out the area south of Fort Cumberland to see if both the Little Owls and Stock Doves were present.
Above, another shot of the Little Gull and below, one of the two Great Northern Divers off Eastney Beach.
Eastney Beach is famous in Portsmouth for the Naturists using this area to carry out so called ‘sun-bathing’ and believe it or not, there was one such individual there again today. So I am dressed up in a thick warm coat with my hands in my pockets to keep warm and this bloke is starkers below me! Bloody joke! Back to the birds; I walked as far as I could along the concrete wall and checked the usual holes for the Little Owls, but, yet again, no sign of the birds. Not a good sign, but maybe they might return next month? I did get my 3rd ‘year tick’ of the day when I spotted just the one Stock Dove perched on the wall looking north.
Another photo of the Great Northern Diver off Eastney Beach.
There have been a couple of Great Northern Divers seen here of late on the sea and today, I got lucky. I found both birds on the choppy sea: one in the harbour entrance and a second bird a bit closer, tackling a crab it had just caught. I did scan the sea in the distance for a possible Gannet or Fulmar due to the strong blustery winds blowing, but to no avail. Now I had to negotiate the large waves crashing over the seawall, which I comfortably achieved. Phew!
The Sanderling on Eastney Beach.
The adult Sabine’s Gull was still present today in the same place as yesterday and also took trips to Hayling Bridge and also the pools on Budd’s Farm, giving all that came to see this superb Gull some memorable views. With the sunny weather, I expect the Social Media accounts will be awash with some superb photos of the bird. The Great Grey Shrike was still showing early this morning at Pig Bush near the Car Park. Up to 9 Purple Sandpipers were counted this morning at Southsea Castle and on Farlington Marshes, one of the Short-eared Owls put in a brief appearance and the family flock of Russian White-fronted Geese were still present along with the Black Brant.
The adult Sabine's Gull flying off Budd's Farm Sewage Outfall, with a Cormorant nearby.
Well, who would've believed that an adult Sabine’s Gull in summer plumage would be found in Langstone Harbour off the Budds Farm Sewage Outfall? I got a text this morning from Andy Fisher to say a Sabine’s Gull was off Southmoor (which I thought was a joke at first) then checking the Hants Rarities App, it confirmed that there was one there. One problem, I was looking after Isabelle and she most definitely did not want to take a ride to me to see the Gull. Sob!
The Sabine's Gull now settled on the water.
Luckily, Becky and Sinead got back from shopping and I got the green light from my wife to make my way in the heavy rain up to Bedhampton Slipway to view the bird. When you are in a hurry, the traffic always seems to go that much slower; especially the horrible Eastern Road out of Portsmouth. The rain was getting heavier as I entered the Bedhampton Slipway and joined around 4 other birders already present. I did not recognise any of them, but one allowed me a quick look through his scope to view the bird which was settled on the water among a few Black-headed and Herring Gulls.
The Sabine's Gull (right) with a Black-headed Gull.
I quickly grabbed my camera and reeled off some photos of the bird, knowing full well that they were most certainly not going to be the best in the world. I could see quite a few birders on the footpath by Budd's Farm getting a far better view of this superb Arctic gull, but I made do with viewing from the Slipway. The bird did take flight a few times, showing off the distinctive wing pattern, but eventually settled on the water again. This was my 308th species seen in Hampshire and a cracking bird to have on my Hampshire list. I have seen a few in the past and I can't even remember my first Sabine’s Gull, which was seen many years ago off Bridport.
On its own.
While I was there, I checked the other Gulls present thoroughly for a Mediterranean Gull, but all I could find were Black-headed, Herring and Common Gulls bobbing on the water. I had a chat with ‘Lazee Birder’, Andy Friend, who had dropped and refound his mobile phone! Thoroughly soaked, it was time to go home as I promised Becky that I would be home asap; so despite the horrible weather, a superb bird was added today. Other good birds seen in Hampshire today included the long-staying Tree Sparrow at Chilling Barns, a Grey Phalarope on the Avon Flood at Keyhaven, a Manx Shearwater off Barton-on-sea and the 4 Glossy Ibis on Posbrook Floods.
Above, the Sabine's Gull in-between a Black-headed Gull and a Herring Gull. Below, a far better photo of the adult Sabine's Gull off Budd's Farm Sewage Outfall. Photos by Andy Friend.
Andy was presented with the PYE / FLY Cup for 2023.
After congratulating and presenting Andy with the Pye / Fly cup first thing this morning at his house, we made our way to the New Forest and hopefully caught up with many more bird ‘year-ticks’ for our year list. Though the weather was very wet and windy at times (thank God for the Hides!)I smashed the 100 species for the year with 21 species added to my year list, which put me on 105 for the year. Andy notched up 5 new species, putting him on 110 for the year and that's just the first week of the year!
The two drake Mandarins on Eyeworth Pond this morning in the gloomy weather.
We had some cracking birds today that included Andy’s first White-tailed Eagle in Hampshire and yes, they are from the Isle of Wight re-introduction scheme, but they are good enough to be classed as wild now in my books. Also, our superb day was rounded off with a superb male Hen-Harrier hunting over the heathland at Black Gutter Bottom, which showed reasonably well although a bit distant. As well as the birds, we both had our first Fallow Deer of the year, with a sighting of two individuals on the outskirts of Eyeworth Wood.
A nut feeder and a couple of Coconut halves have been hung up by the Pond to attract the passerines including this Blue Tit.
We kicked off Eyeworth Pond where we knew Mandarin Ducks would be lurking about somewhere on or near the Pond and sure enough, I found two drakes over on the far side. The clouds overhead were dark and menacing and the camera struggled a bit to focus in the gloom. Then, in a space of three minutes, three more ‘year-ticks’ were added: Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Marsh Tit, which were all showing relatively well by the edge of the woodland near the Pond. In fact, there were at least 4 Marsh Tits seen when we took a walk through the woodland, though there was very little else of note apart from the two Fallow Deer we saw as we got to the end of the footpath through the wood.
My first Fallow Deer of the year. This Doe was feeding with another on the outskirts of Eyeworth Pond.
Getting back to the car within the car park, I was quickly onto a Raven that flew high over the woods and just as quickly, it was out of sight, but it was on our year list. Our next stop was to be the car park at Blashford Lakes by the Information Centre. After a quick chat with some of the Volunteer wardens, we made our way to what sounded like Siskins calling in the nearby trees and bushes as we found at least a dozen or so birds among several Goldfinch. Another ‘year-tick’. I also picked up my first Long-tailed Tits while walking to the Woodland Hide, but the Hide itself was fairly quiet and most disappointing was the lack of any Great Spotted Woodpeckers on the near empty feeders.
Above, this showy male Goldcrest got within ten feet away from me near the Information Centre. Below, one of the Great Tits by the Woodland Hide.
Sadly, not a great deal of note from the Woodland Hide, so we hotfooted it to the Ivy South Hide where we were a lot more fortunate. From here, we were most fortunate with the weather as the heavens simply opened. That didn't put off the many wildfowl here that consisted of Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and a few Pintail and we were all entertained by a very obliging Great Crested Grebe that swam very close to the Hide. However, it was ‘year-ticks’ we craved for and a flock of Grey Lag Geese duly obliged, with a large flock flying high over the lake and headed off east.
Above, a Coal Tit by one of the feeders in front of the Woodland Hide. Below, a large number of wildfowl were in front of the Ivy South Hide.
Above, this Great White Egret suddenly appeared over on the far side of the lake.
It got even better when a Great White Egret flew in from somewhere and landed to the west of the lake. Andy popped out of the Hide for a cigarette, while I enjoyed my first Egyptian Geese flying past to add to my ever growing year list. When he returned, a Kingfisher quickly shot past and disappeared from view; but it was another ‘year-tick’ nonetheless. I found an odd female duck among the many Wigeon present and as I did not have my scope with me, I asked the two other birders present if they could check the bird using their scopes. It certainly looked a bit odd as it busied preening itself and it was eventually confirmed as a female Mandarin. Before driving off to the Tern Hide, I gave a donation to the Centre for the bird feed. If you are reading this, when you do visit Blashford Lakes, remember how much goes into keeping the feeders topped up and the maintenance of the reserve. Most of the guys here are Volunteers and if I didn't live so far away, I would most certainly offer my services. And again, just pop a £5 or whatever you can afford to help towards feeding the birds.
From top to bottom: the female Mandarin in front of the Ivy South Hide, a Great Crested Grebe and female Tufted Duck in the heavy rain.
The rain had now relented and so we made our way back to the car to take a drive to the Tern Hide. Driving into the car park, a Bullfinch flew low overhead and it was Andy who saw the white rump and confirmed it was most definitely this species. Excellent. I was now on 98 species for the year already! From here, we picked out our first Goosanders of the year, with at least three pairs present among the many wildfowl. One of the birders present picked out the female Red-crested Pochard at the northern end of the lake and quickly got onto the bird through the scope. I got Andy to view the bird and punched the air to claim my 100th species for the year. Huzzah!
Above, I was really disappointed as this was the only decent photo I got of the White-tailed Eagle flying over. It is always a hit or miss with my Bridge Camera in taking flight shots. Below, a pair of drake Pintails on Ibsley Water.
Above, the White-tailed Eagle heading south over the reserve.
Suddenly, all the Coots flew up and scattered across the water, signalling that something exciting had flushed them. Sure enough, the shout went up by one of the two other birders present that the White-tailed Eagle was flying over and Andy and I quickly got onto the bird as it flapped slowly south over the east side of the lake. We all rushed out of the Hide to get a better view as I managed to grab a few photos and some film footage of the bird. This was only my second sighting of one in Hampshire, but it was Andy’s first. Despite checking through all the wildfowl present, the only other birds of note were a few female Goldeneye and at least 40+ Lapwing flying over and landing on the small islands. A Red Kite drifted south low over the reserve, but we both ‘dipped’ on the Peregrine one of the other birders present had picked up.
Centre, a drake Goldeneye standing out amongst the many Wigeon and Pintail on Ibsley Water.
Very happy with our sightings so far, I suggested to Andy we check out the flooded fields by Ibsley Bridge. From here, we noticed that the River Avon had flooded and in times past, the Bewick Swans used to reside here in the winter, guaranteeing a good ‘year-tick’ for many birders. But this species is getting rarer in the UK and global warming is now being blamed for the birds not travelling as far as the UK in the numbers that used to in the past. On a positive note, both Stonechat (a male) and a Chiffchaff climbed aboard my year list and although there was a large gathering of Gulls out in the fields to the south, nothing of note among them. A Common Buzzard, my first of the day, was seen hovering in the wind north of the road and a male Kestrel was also seen hunting nearby.
The male Hen-Harrier hunting over the other side of the main road.
Our last stop was to be Blackgutter Bottom before we made our way home and parking up by the side of the road, both Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare flew over the main road and landed in a nearby bush. Both species were ‘year-ticks’ for me, but it was going to get even better. We walked down the hill by the Gorse bushes and got some shelter from the wind using a large bush. Almost immediately, I saw the pale shape of something very interesting on the heath some distance away and it turned out to be a pristine male Hen-Harrier hunting over the heath. What a way to round off our day with another superb ‘year-tick’. When we got back to the car, I spotted the same bird over on the other side of the road and watched it fly south very low over the main road and back over the heath where we discovered it first. Fantastic. Both Andy and myself were in awe in watching one of our most beautiful raptors gliding over the heath. It was simply mesmerising and I was glad I caught some of it on film. It was also my 105th species of the year. We saw a female bird here in February last year and this area is one of the most reliable sites in the New Forest.
Above and below, the male Hen-Harrier quartering the heath at Black Gutter Bottom.
The long drive back produced another Great White Egret sighting when I spotted it in a flooded field with a gathering of Little Egrets seen near the bird. Another Kestrel and a Common Buzzard were also seen from a rather quiet M27 (makes a nice change!). Yes, a cracking day's birding, though I had to get home reasonably early for more household chores from the Boss! I read on the Hants Birding site that an adult Ring-billed Gull was found in the Gull roost on Ibsley Water later in the afternoon along with a single Mediterranean Gull.
The male Hen-Harrier over Black Gutter Bottom in the New Forest this afternoon.
