Birding with Dad over Southwick.

Saturday 25th February 2023.

This beautiful pair of Great Crested Grebes were on the main lake displaying to one another.

I took my father this morning to his favourite fishing lake over Southwick Park Lake, which was on the old HMS Dryad grounds. He mentioned that he would like to take a walk around there some weeks ago and seeing Andy had other plans today, I picked my father up around 9am to take the nice drive through the Denmead countryside to the village of Southwick. On the way there, I even bumped into birding pal John Goodall, who was parked up in a lay by intently looking through his binoculars into a woodland.

Above and below, the smaller lakes near the woodland most certainly have potential for something exciting.

The weather wasn't too bad though the north-easterly wind kept the temperatures down and though it was mostly overcast, the sun did pop out a few times to brighten up the place. Thankfully, we were both wrapped up and now my father is reaching the grand old age of 78. He is walking very slow now; but in a way that's a good thing as you tend to notice things more when moving slowly. My father used to go ‘egging’ here when he was a child and was even shot at here by a lunatic Navy person for probably trespassing on the land with his mates. Can you imagine if that happened now?   

Above, King Edward's Cakes fungus growing on a fallen tree within the small woodland. Below, looking east across Southwick Park Lake. A pair of Grey Wagtails were active around here.

It has been a few years since I have been to Southwick Park Lake and parking up in the car park adjacent to the Golden Lion pub, we made our way through the woodland, taking in the newly created lakes that held a few notable species. Flowering Snowdrops were about and I even found a single Lesser Celandine flower among the leaf litter. One of the small lakes held a reed bed which looked promising for Cetti’s Warbler or a Water Rail, but we had to be content with a few Mallards and Coots. The other lake was much larger, but with most of the vegetation cleared around the perimeter of the small lake, it most certainly has potential.

Above, two drake Mallards have just landed on the main Lake and below, another pair coming in to join them.

There were a lot of birds in song this morning that included Nuthatch, Song Thrush, Robin and Blackbird; while high up in the bare overhanging branches, both Blue Tit and Long-tailed Tit were noted. Passing the old ruins of Southwick Abbey, we made our way to the west end of Southwick Park Lake where we saw a chap fishing for Bream (according to my father. The main Lake holds Carp ). What was noticeable was the lengths of rope stretched across the width of the lake to prevent Cormorants attacking the fish stocks there and though a good idea, it wasn't exactly pretty, though it was effective. Yes, there were at least four Cormorants on the main Lake, much to the scourge of the local Anglers, but a pair of courting Great Crested Grebes grabbed my attention (see photos).

A pair of Great Crested Grebes were displaying to one another with the male even bringing some material for the female to inspect.

A pair of Grey Wagtails were near the main footpath, but proved difficult to photograph as they would not settle. We took the footpath adjacent to the south wall and came across several Goldcrests, Wrens and Robins and even a Song Thrush belted through the trees. A Treecreeper was heard calling high up in one of the trees, but proved too difficult for my father to see as it was right above him! Small numbers of Goldfinches were seen high up in the trees and nearby, a Green Woodpecker was calling in nearby trees of which I got a quick glimpse of the bird flying away from us heading east. We had to make our way across the Golf Course to reach the other footpath and so taking the footpath across the main fairway, we made our way to the opposite side of Southwick Park Lake where we took some verbal abuse from some cowardly pricks telling us to hurry up. Fortunately for them, they were some 200 yards away. F***wits! My father is 78 with a history of poor health of late and it really got my father angry. But I told him they were pathetic and to just move on and enjoy the day. On the lake, we saw a pair of Egyptian Geese land on the water which was unexpected and more Mallards further along. The last time I was here, which was also in early Spring, a Common Sandpiper was flushed by the waters edge.

Above, a lone Lesser Celandine flower making its way through the leaf litter and below, Hazel Catkins overhanging the footpath.

More Long-tailed Tits were seen in the trees and a Common Buzzard flew out of the trees ahead of us and flew off northbound over the trees. Two more birds were seen and heard calling high over the countryside somewhere over Skew Road and another bird flew low over the car park when we arrived back at the car. A Bullfinch was heard though not seen, which was a shame and although nothing really unusual was seen, it was a most enjoyable walk. Dropping off my father at his house in Lovedean, he thanked me for taking him there and I said we will do it again in the Spring when a lot of the Warblers are in.    

From top to bottom: A showy Robin along the main footpath. An entrance to a Badger sett. The pair of Egyptian Geese that landed on the main lake. A Common Buzzard flying away from us. My father. Mallards on the smaller lake by the woodland. A Wren perched on a fence post in the woodland. My first 'Pussy Willow' of the year. 

A drive out in the country.

Friday 24th February 2023.

The Bucks Head car park by the River Meon.

I took a drive out into the countryside late morning with a quest to see both Green Sandpiper and Little Owl, but , unfortunately, I saw neither. The weather wasn't that great either and although there was hardly any wind, the heavy cloud overhead produced a bit of drizzle now and then, though I only popped out of the car long enough to grab a few nice sightings.

Above, the White-shouldered House Moth that flew into my kitchen last night and promptly potted. Below, one of a pair of Grey Wagtails on the Cress Beds at Warnham.

Last night, a small micro moth flew into the kitchen and quickly potted the moth, I knew almost immediately what species it was. It was my first White-shouldered House Moth of the year and although it would not settle for a photo, I decided to leave it in the pot and take a photo the following day instead.

Above, a Rookery that was very much active in Meonstoke. Below, the Warnford Cress Beds.

My first destination was to be Meonstoke for a possible Green Sandpiper and after grabbing a bit of lunch from a nearby Garage shop, I parked up in the Bucks Head car park and took a stroll along the small stream next to the River Meon. Sadly, not a bird to be seen, though I did see a Little Egret in the same spot on the way back from Warnham from the car. Behind the houses, there was a lot of activity from the Rooks in the trees, which were nesting in good numbers there. Not a great deal else of note here apart from a drake Mallard on the river, so I made my way to the Cress Beds at Warnham.

Above, Snowdrops were evident all along the A32 out in the sticks and below, a Little Egret had just landed on the Cress Beds and began searching for food.

After finishing my lunch in the car, I got out and checked the Cress Beds for anything of note. A pair of Grey Wagtails were on the concrete embankment between the Beds and nearby, a pair of Mallard swam on the larger areas of water at the back of the Cress Beds. A Little Egret flew in and landed in the centre of the Beds, but no sign of any Green Sandpipers I’m afraid. Overhead, a pair of Common Buzzards circled high overhead and headed off south over the countryside as I was leaving the area.

Distant Roe Deer were seen in the fields from East Hoe Road.

My next stop was to take the East Hoe Road to Denmead for where I used to see a Little Owl most years; however, I have not been here for a number of years and so it was going to be a bit of a gamble should I see one. The gamble did not pay off as a lot of the trees that used to be there have now fallen, leaving behind just three trees! I did get out of the car and admire the view from a layby, looking north and from here, I saw a small herd of Roe Deer way in the distance, just east of Green Lane and the woodland there. A Common Buzzard was perched in a tree nearby, but very little else of note here. Nothing was seen in the fields bar a few Corvids as I made my way through Hoe Gate and then onto the B2177 to take me up to Portsdown Hill. Just before getting onto the B2177, one of the grass verges held my first Lesser Celandine of the year.

Above, a Common Buzzard in a small group of trees from East Hoe Road and below, the superb view from the same road looking east.

Driving over Portsdown Hill heading east to go to Farlington Avenue, a small group of 3 Common Buzzards were seen soaring high over the hill to round off my nice drive in the countryside. 

 

 

No Owls at Fort Cumberland.

Wednesday 22nd February 2023.

An adult Mediterranean Gull by the harbour entrance at Eastney.

Though the weather forecast was not looking good with showers and a heavy overcast sky overhead, I still ventured out to take a walk around Fort Cumberland again. Two Barn Owls had been spotted by one of the ‘Lazee Birders’ recently, which whetted my appetite and so I took a drive down to Fort Cumberland to try my luck. To be honest, it was looking a lot brighter by the time I got to the car park there and reasonably mild too, with a very light westerly and temperatures around 10 degrees centigrade.

Above, the Common Seal with a fish swimming just off the concrete embankment. Below, one of the four Sanderling on the shoreline.

I will not be long now when the first Wheatear and Sand Martin arrive back to our shores and so I did keep an eye out over the beach, which seemed crammed with dogs this morning. There was just the one ‘Nuder’ walking along the beach, though an old boy who was walking, unfortunately, in my direction. I gave him a wide berth as I went in search for Sanderling on the shoreline and came up trumps with at least four birds going about their business. Though flushed by a dog-walker, the birds gave me an opportunity to grab some flight shots.

Above, Sanderlings about to land on the beach and below, where once were Owls using the holes, a Stock Dove boldly resides there this morning. 

Walking now back up to Fort Cumberland, I gave the ruined buildings some serious scrutiny for a possible Black Redstart, but apart from the usual Feral Pigeons, all was very quiet here. Checking the sea for anything of note, two Mute Swans (an adult and juvenile) hurried past low over the water and a few minutes later, an adult Shag flew south-west out to sea heading towards the Isle of Wight. I was hoping for a distant Gannet over the sea, but apart from a few distant Gulls, nothing out there. Something briefly popped up and eventually showed well; a Common Seal with a large fish in its mouth. The Seal showed well several times, but eventually headed off east underwater.

Above, an adult Shag was a surprise as it flew out of the harbour entrance and out over the Solent and below, an adult and juvenile Mute Swan flew east low over the sea. 

On reaching the end of the concrete embankment, I checked the holes in the Fort Cumberland wall and all that was present was a Stock Dove sitting in one of the holes! No Owls I’m afraid, but up to 6 Stock Doves in the area to make the walk here oh so worth it!!! Never mind, a slow walk back produced the Seal again and this time, a lot closer than expected (see photos). Not a great deal else seen on the walk back to the car and after changing my footwear, a drive to the spit by the Hayling Ferry Terminal was my next destination.

Above, one of the two Mediterranean Gulls by the harbour entrance and below, two of the four Sanderling on the foreshore at Eastney.

I first checked the Gulls on the shingle and among the dozen or so Black-headed Gulls, there were two adult Mediterranean Gulls quietly resting among them. Always a pleasure to see these attractive birds. I checked out the northern half of Langstone Harbour and over by the Milton Lakes area, I found at least four Red-breasted Mergansers and a Great Crested Grebe swimming on the high tide close to the shoreline. There were no sign of any Turnstone resting on the boats nearby and in fact, I couldn't find any waders at all here looking north over the harbour, but I did see another flock of Sanderling flying over the harbour entrance towards Eastney beach.      

The two Med Gulls present by the harbour entrance this morning.

In Hampshire this morning, a male Black Redstart was found by another ‘Lazee Birder', Mr Andrew Dickety, at Archers Road in Lee on Solent. He also saw the four Glossy Ibis at the Bridge Street Floods, Titchfield. He is still currently ahead in the most species seen in Hampshire leader board.

A blast from the past. This juvenile Iceland Gull spent several days at Broadmarsh Slipway 11 years ago today!

Some good insect activity today.

Sunday 19th February 2023.

Spring is on its way and judging by the warm weather today, hopefully it isn't too far away. However, late Winter normally has a sting in its tail! Several clumps of Daffodils were sprouting up by some of the graves.

I was pottering around in the garden this morning, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather and after finishing what I was doing, I sat down enjoying a cold drink and watched the developing nature going on in my small garden. Overhead, the Gulls gave their warning cry over a raptor nearby and sure enough, a male Sparrowhawk was soaring high over and then went into a stoop somewhere east from my house. The temperature easily got up to around 14 degrees centigrade, though it could have been even warmer than that in the bright sunshine.

Above, the Light Brown Apple Moth that flew into my house last night and below, the Silver Y moth that I found in the garden this morning.

A quick look on my mobile and fellow ‘Lazee’ Ollie Crabbe found TWO Barn Owls in the holes where the Little Owls used to reside on the south side of Fort Cumberland! The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Acres Down was also seen again this morning by another ‘Lazee Birder’ this morning. Back to my Gaff; a pair of Goldfinches came down to try their luck on the feeders, but the many House Sparrows present put them off I think as they both flew off. When the House Sparrows departed, a Robin came in briefly, but did not hang around long.

Above, this Great Tit was singing its heart out and below, this Robin was going for it too!

While cleaning the leaves and munge around the flower pots, I found a Silver Y moth perched on our Hare garden ornament; which most likely was the individual I caught earlier this week by the moth box. Yesterday, a Light Brown Apple Moth (my first of the year) flew into the house when I opened the front door and quickly potted it. I let it go into the garden this morning. I shall probably put the moth box on tonight and maybe get my first Early Grey Moth of the year?

Above, the Heather on one of the graves attracted quite a few Bees including this Early Bumble bee and below, a female Hairy-footed Flower Bee enjoyed the flowering Heather.

While enjoying nature in my garden going about its business, I noticed a Bee species high up in my neighbours tree, but what species it was I really do not know. This spurred me on in taking a stroll over to Highland Road Cemetery this morning and so grabbing my binoculars and camera, I gave the Cemy another good look. Though the number of bird species was very low this morning, with just 13 species noted, at least there was a bit of insect life and a few more flowering plants on show. There weren't too many dog walkers this morning and it was nice to see the young birder/photographer lady out and about within the Cemy.

Above, a lone Dandelion was found over on the east side of the Cemy and below, this male Blackbird was searching through the leaf litter for food near the Mausoleum.

Yes, regarding the birds, it was rather quiet in variety today and arguably the lowest total I have had here for a very long time; but that's the way it can go sometimes I suppose as birds do move on as Spring arrives. Though there was nothing to get the pulse racing, it was nice to hear the likes of all the Robins and Great Tits singing in the bright sunshine. The following birds were seen this morning:

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Goldfinch
• Robin
• Wren
• House Sparrow
• Starling

Insects were most certainly active this morning, especially by the grave that is covered in flowering Heather. Early Bumble bees were evident within the heather with at least four individuals counted fumbling their way through the vegetation. There were two Hairy-footed Flower Bees seen briefly by the heather, one, a male individual would not settle and quickly flew off, however, a female individual was much more cooperative as she was nectaring on the heather among the other Bees. I do get these in my garden in the Spring, so I shall be keeping an eye out over the coming weeks. I was hoping for an early butterfly to be on the wing today, but I didn't spot any at all despite perfect conditions. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a lot of Brimstones on the wing today.

The male Blackbird turning over the leaves.

All the usual plants were present this morning that included Common Speedwell, Common Groundsel, Daisies and a single Dandelion and with a few garden flowers springing through including a few Crocuses, Grape Hyacinth and Daffodils all adding a splash of colour to the leaf litter.     

This Robin was singing just above my head over on the east side.

Just a late bit of news; I saw my first Red Admiral butterfly of the year while walking with our Isabelle down our road in Southsea. Strangely, it was by a house and then seen a little later further south out in Albert Road. Birding pal, Geoff Farwell, texted me later in the evening to say he had his first Brimstone butterfly of the year at Warnford Park this afternoon.