Still few migrants in the Cemy.

Friday 1st September 2023.

There were hardly any birds to really take a photo of this morning, so these Collared Doves had to make do! 

It was back over to Highland Road Cemetery again this morning for our dogs regular morning walk and now that the rain had gone earlier this morning, eventually, the sun broke through and it was quite warm, getting up to around 20 degrees once the sun came out. Again, there was very little wind with a very light westerly along the coast. Could there be any migrants in the Cemetery this morning?

Above, it's Conker season! I remember in my youth climbing 40ft Horse Chestnut trees and going out on the furthest branches to shake off the Conkers from the trees, risking life and limb to do it (and I did fall out of a tree once!). But we had no fear then and now the 'Beige Brigade' would be horrified if they saw kids up a tree. Always brings back great memories. Below, both Cat's Ear and Yarrow avoided the Council strimmers this week.

16 species seen or heard this morning, which included the female Sparrowhawk for a third day running! Again, she flew into a small bush by the wall in the south-east corner of the Cemetery and again, with no luck and was ushered out of the Cemy by two Magpies. While I was talking to a fellow dog-walker with her small dog, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over my head and disappeared into the canopy of a tree on the east side of the Cemy. Sadly, that was the only sighting of the bird, but the first time I have seen it this week.

Above, a clump of Common Field-speedwell was found between one of the graves and below, this Elbow-striped Grass-veneer moth was resting on a different gravestone.

The only migrant seen (or should I say heard) was a Chiffchaff, but now we are in September, anything could possibly turn up during this month.We shall see. The only butterflies on the wing were a few Small White’s and a single Red Admiral. I did find a couple of micro moths this morning here which included a Straw-barred Pearl and an Elbow-striped Grass-veneer; the latter perched on a gravestone. Tonight, I am taking my moth box over to the Oaks Crematorium in Havant. I have a good friend who spoke highly of me to the management who then gave me permission to take my box over there. Could be very interesting indeed.

This is one of the tallest Ragwort plants I have seen in the Cemetery; easily standing 5ft high.

The birds recorded this morning included the following:

• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Sparrowhawk: female
• Goldfinch
• Starling
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Collared Dove
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Chiffchaff
• Wren
• Robin
• Herring Gull
• Blackbird

A late Swift over the Cemetery.

Thursday 31st August 2023.

Plenty of Buddleia was still growing in the Cemetery, though after todays rain, only a couple of butterflies were seen this afternoon.

Eventually, the rain finally let up and by 4pm, I could take my dogs out for their walk and of course, it was back over Highland Road Cemetery again. Yet again, they behaved themselves relatively well as I let them sniff a couple of dogs (with the consent of their owners) and thankfully, behaved themselves. My only concern over the Cemetery is that some dog owners let their dogs off their leads, which could lead to all sorts of trouble.

Above, there were at least six Robins seen today and below, a few House Sparrows were seen over on the west side of the Cemetery.

Above, a late Swift flew south high over the Cemetery, (sorry for the poor photo) which was totally unexpected. Below, a Great Black-backed Gull on the rooftops over on the east side.

Back to the wildlife, I didn't expect many insects on the wing, but I did see both a Small White and Holly Blue butterflies on my walk round and even a Migrant Hawker dragonfly was on the wing near the Holm Oak clump. There were a few birds of note seen on my walk round the Cemetery and included a Swift flying high over, heading slowly southbound. I tried to take a photo of the said bird, but looking through the viewing screen at the back of the camera, I simply could not locate the bird. However, somehow, I managed to get a record shot of the bird. They have all but disappeared from Southsea, though a few late birds will no doubt pass through.

Above, this male Blackbird was enjoying eating these berries and below, a Chiffchaff was in a nearby bush.

A couple of Chiffchaffs were also in the Cemetery, but again, not easy to get a photo. A larger number of species than yesterday, 17 species in all, was not a bad number, but I could do with something rarer within the Cemy. Time will tell. When I got home, there was another Chiffchaff calling in one of the back gardens.  

A rather tatty Holly Blue butterfly near the main footpath.

The following birds were recorded today at this site:

• Herring Gull
• Great Black-backed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Blackbird
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Robin
• Wren
• Swift
• Chiffchaff
• Goldfinch
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie   

From top to bottom: Eyed Hawk-moth caterpillar, Large Emerald moth and a Scorched Carpet moth. All photos taken by Paula Slape. The Caterpillar was found in her garden and the two moths were found at The Oaks Crematorium, where, incidentally, I am taking my moth box tomorrow night! 

Moth numbers are still low for the time of year.

Thursday 31st August 2023.

The immigrant moth White-point. This is a common moth for this time of year.

Rain is forecast for today, coming in from the west and so I had to get a move on if I was to check my moth box this morning. Yes, I broke protocol by trapping two nights in a row, but I just had a feeling something interesting was going to turn up this morning. Sadly not. The usual moths were all present and correct, but there was no harm in trying was there? Spots of rain started falling while I was halfway checking the egg trays and so I had to get my ‘skates on’. There was nothing new to add to my year list, which currently stands at 246 species of the year, though that does include moths seen in both Andy’s garden and elsewhere.

Micro moths are still arriving and this morning, (above) Narrow-winged Grey's were in good numbers and below, my second Elbow-striped Grass-veneer of the year.

Just 39 moths of 18 species today and although the numbers were low, a couple of nice moths among them including a White-point and L-album Wainscot. 5 Narrow-winged Grey’s (Eudonia angustea) have risen in numbers and my second Elbow-striped Grass-veneer in my moth box this year (Agriphila geniculea) was a nice surprise. 

Just the one L-album Wainscot moth this morning.

The moths recorded this morning included the following:

• 2 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Silver Y
• 4 Willow Beauty
• 1 Small Dusty Wave
• 3 Lime-speck Pug
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Square-spot Rustic
• 2 Marbled Beauty
• 2 Large Yellow Underwing
• 2 Vines Rustic
• 1 L-album Wainscot
• 1 White-point
• 1 Ruddy Streak
• 7 Box Tree Moth
• 3 Apple Leaf Miner
• 1 Broom Shoot Moth
• 5 Narrow-winged Grey
• 1 Elbow-striped Grass-veneer

The female Sparrowhawk is back again.

Wednesday 30th August 2023.

The female Sparrowhawk keeping an eye on her domain.

A clear blue sky overhead and bright sunshine was all that I was asking for as I took my dogs around Highland Road Cemetery early this morning. They had their new lead on today, a split lead which was bought for us by our Sinead and it was a success. They behaved themselves throughout our walk and even got up for a sniff with another dog. All good, phew! I was hoping for a few migrants within the Cemetery this morning and was pleased to see a Chiffchaff and hear a sub-singing Willow Warbler this morning.

This female Sparrowhawk scared off the young Blackbirds.

I was watching three juvenile Blackbirds feeding in the grass in the south-west corner, when suddenly, they all flew off in mad panic. A female Sparrowhawk flew in and I thought it grabbed something in a bush by the garden wall. It hadn’t and therefore perched on the wall and then flew up on a nearby rooftop - arguably the Queen of the Cemetery? Luckily, I got some half decent photos of the bird.

Above, one of the Robins showed very well and below, even the Collared Dove was rather confiding this morning; both seen in the south-east corner. 

There were at least two, possibly three Chiffchaffs within the Cemetery this morning and one individual calling over on the far east side of the Cemetery, deep within a canopy of a Scots Pine tree, did sound a little unusual. Though I did not have my binoculars with me, I still got a reasonable view of the bird as it flew into a smaller bush and perched briefly. A Willow Warbler was singing deep within the canopy of the Holm Oaks, but I did not get a view of the bird. There was a large number of Carrion Crows all perched up in the Beech Tree in the centre of the Cemetery, with at least 14 birds present and quite possibly the highest number I have seen here at this site. Finally, a Pied Wagtail; a species I hardly see over the Cemetery, flew over, but I did not get a sighting of the bird.  

Over on the east side of the Cemetery, it was a lot more unkempt and could there be something good lurking within there. Above, one of the few plants in flower here, Smooth Sow-thistle.

Birds seen in the Cemetery this morning included the following:

• Sparrowhawk: female
• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Goldfinch
• Blue Tit
• Willow Warbler
• Chiffchaff
• Pied Wagtail
• Robin   

Good numbers of Carrion Crows were in the lone Beech Tree.

Both Red Admiral and Small White butterflies were seen over the Cemetery, but very little insect life bar a few Hoverflies and Bumblebees. The Council workers were in the Cemetery again, strimming around the graves and despite the noise, there were plenty of birds and wildlife to be seen. There were not many wild flowers on show, with Smooth Sow-thistle, Mallow and Ox-eye Daisies the most notable. In Hampshire today, the Osprey was still showing well on North Binness Island this morning within Langstone Harbour.  

A female Striped-backed Fleckwing (Dasyrphus albastriatus) hoverfly on a Smooth Sow-thistle near the main entrance this morning.

Quieter in the moth box.

Wednesday 30th August 2023.

Just the one Marbled Beauty moth this morning.

Though I put the moth box on in the rain last night, I knew it was going to ease up by midnight and therefore, a chance to get some interesting moths by early morning. Both our dogs joined me this morning in the garden and behaved themselves, which was a bonus. There were a few moths present, but numbers are most definitely decreasing as cooler overnight temperatures arrive.

Lesser Yellow Underwing.

There were just 34 moths of 18 species this morning and one can see that a lot of these moths are familiar for Autumn species. Box Tree Moths are a familiar sight now for those into moths and up to 8 were in and around the moth box today. Some more familiar Autumn moths will hopefully grace my moth box soon. Eventually (and I have been saying this for ages), I will take my moth box over to Andy’s house to see what I can catch.

Mother of Pearl. This dainty, yet large moth, is in fact a micro moth! Work that one out! 

The moths present this morning included the following:

• 2 Willow Beauty
• 1 Marbled Beauty
• 2 Brimstone Moth
• 2 Vine’s Rustic
• 1 White-point
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 1 Large Yellow Underwing
• 3 Square-spot Rustic
• 2 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 2 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Narrow-winged Grey
• 1 Mother of Pearl
• 8 Box Tree Moth
• 1 Common Plume 

One of eight Box Tree Moths today.

Sadly, there was no ‘visible migration’ going on overhead this morning during the time I was out in the garden, but I am going to take the dogs out again this morning around HIghland Road Cemetery again for their morning walk. The incredible spectacle of both Selsey Bill and Sandy Point (Hayling Island) of the Balearic Shearwaters was also echoed off the Isle of Wight. 235 were seen flying east off Selsey and 125 were counted off Sandy Point, whereas the Isle of Wight (not sure where exactly), an incredible 500+ birds were recorded! 

Above, a Spotted Flycatcher and below, a Whimbrel. Both photos were taken recently by Pete Appleton.

On Farlington Marshes yesterday, an Osprey was perched on the North Binness island in the dead tree and other sightings on the reserve included a Ruff, 8 Cattle Egret and a Wigeon. Titchfield Haven hosted a Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper and a Spotted Redshank and most likely the birds present when we were there recently.

Above, this Redstart was seen and photographed by Graeme Loader and below, a female Black Adder was photographed in Pig Push, New Forest by Emma Parkes.

More 'Vis Mig' & Highland Road Cemetery.

Tuesday 29th August 2023.

It is looking very Autumnal now in the Cemetery and hopefully, there will be a few passing migrants there over the coming months. The dogs are certainly getting better with their walking and I was very pleased with their behaviour today.

Up early again this morning, though not to do the moths. I left the moth box off last night as I didn't want to re-trap the same moths (gives them a fighting chance!), but putting my dogs out in the garden, up to 15 Yellow Wagtails flew over, with a flock of 14 flying west and a single bird a little earlier around 6.30am. High patchy white cloud was overhead, but again, not a drop of wind and so picking out the bird's calls was easy.

The female Sparrowhawk dashed in this morning to try and grab a small bird then settled briefly in nearby tree. A Magpie came in to check on the raptor. 

I took them for another walk around HIghland Road Cemetery, hoping for a migrant or two, but the only migrant I could find was a Chiffchaff; with just the one seen during my 45 minutes there. There was no sign of the Green Woodpecker again, but while standing in the south-east corner of the main footpath, I watched a female Sparrowhawk swoop in and I think it grabbed a small bird from a bush in front of me and then landed nearby in some trees (see photos). That was probably the highlight of the walk this morning, although my dogs behaved brilliantly with some other dogs they met at the gates today. So pleased.

Above, a female Sphaerophoria species of Hoverfly nectaring on a Yarrow plant and below, Horse Chestnuts are ripening, which is providing a banquet for the local Squirrels here in the Cemetery. The leaves can clearly be seen that they have been infested with the Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner moth caterpillars.

Above, both Yarrow and Lady Bedstraw grow well between the graves. Below, a Robin singing by one of the smaller footpaths. I can hear them 'ticking' now deep within the vegetation; a typical Autumn sound. 

Again, all the usual birds were present this morning between 8 and 8.45am including a small flock of 9 Goldfinches heading high west (migrant birds?). One or possibly two Chiffchaffs were seen this morning, though near impossible to get a photo of as both birds were deep within vegetation and would not pop out to show themselves fully. Buggers! At least the Sparrowhawk showed well out on the edge of the tree.

Above, a couple of Goldfinches with a pair of Starlings on a nearby Aerial. Below, a Honey Bee is attracted to a Rose on a grave.

The following birds were present this morning:

• Goldfinch
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Blackbird
• Herring Gull
• Sparrowhawk: female
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Starling
• Dunnock
• Robin
• Chiffchaff 

On the way to the Cemetery, I found a Small Dusty Wave moth perched on the front of a white painted house along Albert Road; the only moth seen this morning and no butterflies either, though I suppose it was a bit early for them.

Above, just a few Collared Doves were seen this morning, though their numbers will be increasing as the year gets older. Below, the Small Dusty Wave moth that I found while walking to the Cemetery.

I found out before writing this up on my blog, that Selsey Bill had recorded over 238+ Balearic Shearwaters  (Is that a record for Selsey Bill?) that flew east this morning!!!! Incredible numbers. Possibly the same three Glossy Ibis that were on the Meander Pools over at Hook with Warsash early last Saturday morning (they had flown off by the time we were there), are currently on Posbrook Floods this morning. More incredible news on a National scale is the report that BOTH Brown Booby and Red-footed Booby could be seen on Bishop Rock Lighthouse yesterday! Who would of thought that a pair of Boobies would be seen together here!!! What on earth is going on!! The latter bird even made the Good Morning Britain news last week. I think 2023 has to go down as the year for seabirds. Finally, as I am writing this in my garden currently, there is a Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff calling in the garden behind me and also a Grey Wagtail has just flown over heading west. Autumn is certainly coming.