A quiet, but enjoyable walk over the Cemy again.

Friday September 15th 2023.

This adult Starling, now going into that lovely spotty Autumn plumage, was singing its heart out on the rooftops at the southern end of the Cemetery.

Another beautiful day with a clear blue sky and the temperatures climbing throughout the morning. There was hardly any wind and so I kept an eye out in the sky for any passing passerines or raptors. Selsey Bill scored early this morning with a Honey Buzzard drifting south around 7am this morning. Alway worth keeping an eye above for these lovely raptors which will now be making their way down to Africa.

A Tapered Drone Fly on Smooth Sow-thistle. This species and other larger Hoverflies were in good numbers again this morning.

On my first shift this morning, I did see a raptor, a female Sparrowhawk (probably yesterday's bird) flying low over Pembroke Road and heading north over the rooftops. A pair of Jays were on the opposite side of the road from me and one was seen to fly north over the road. A Grey Wagtail was first heard to call and then I was lucky enough to see it fly high south over the large field opposite. A few Small White butterflies were on the wing already at 8.15am and a Silver Y moth was fluttering about by the plants until quickly flying off over the houses.

Up to two Migrant Hawker dragonflies were on the wing in one area of the Cemetery. Trust me, it is not easy to get a decent photo of these on the wing with a Bridge Camera!

After my first shift, my dogs got another walk around Highland Road Cemetery and although 15 species were seen, there wasn’t very much to photograph this morning. Even the 5+ Chiffchaffs seen and heard were very elusive in the bushes and trees. A pair of Jays flew out of the trees and headed west over the rooftops and a Grey Wagtail flew high south as well, but not a great deal else regarding the bird life apart from all the regular species.

Even Buff-tailed Bumblebees were enjoying the flowering Ivy Plants.

A pair of Migrant Hawker dragonflies were patrolling one particular area within the centre of the Cemetery and the usual Drone Flies, Tapered Drone Flies and Batman Hoverflies were enjoying the Ivy plants. Several Red Admirals were on the wing, though none were seen resting today. There were plenty of Squirrels around again and yesterday, I actually saw an adult carry one of its young in front of me and then shoot up a tree once it saw my dogs! There were not many dog-walkers today, though it is still sad to see dog mess on the paths occasionally, which is simply down to pure laziness from the dog owners.  On a positive note, it was gorgeous walking through the Cemetery with the leaves now turning brown and shiny Horse Chestnuts on the footpath to the sound of Robins singing in the background.

Above, a good friend of mine is having a break in Iceland currently and kindly sent me this photo of a Redwing that was hopping about near her feet. When my wife and I went there several years ago, I was surprised at how confiding the Redwing were there.

Above and below, a White-tailed Eagle over Amberley Water Meadows, West Sussex. Photo by Emma Parkes.

Above, a superb photo of a Hobby over Pulborough Brooks, West Sussex. Photo by Emma Parkes.

A Gem moth was new for the year.

Thursday 14th September 2023.

I could not get this Gem moth to settle and so the photo of it had to be taken while it was in the pot. Roughly the size of a Garden Carpet moth, it is delicately marked and identified by its small dot on each wing. 

Last night, while checking the moth box before I headed off to bed, an Old Lady moth was perched on the white sheet behind the box and something a little more interesting right beside it. I grabbed one of the smaller pots and managed to pot the said moth which turned out to be my first Gem moth of the year. These are a common immigrant moth from the Continent into Hampshire, but I rarely get them near my moth box, so I was pleased to add another quality moth to my year list.

Left, one of four Clancy's Rustics with an out of focus Vine's Rustic in front of it.

This morning, the Old Lady moth had disappeared, however, I found an Olive-tree Pearl up in the back bedroom window as it must have come through the open window last night. The moth numbers were greatly reduced this morning compared to when we had the heat wave earlier on last week, though the next few days are going to be warm I understand.

Left, a Silver Y moth and right, a Pale Mottled Willow. The latter was easily the most numerous species of moth this morning.

There were 69 moths of 20 species, probably the lowest total of the week so far, but still a reasonable total and a nice variety too with all the Autumn moths starting to come through now. Four Clancy’s Rustics were the highest total ever in one morning within my moth box and is most certainly a very good year for them, not just for me but for many Moth-ers in the UK it seems.

The following moths were present this morning:

• 1 Gem (NFY)
• 1 Small Dusty Wave
• 8 Large Yellow Underwing
• 2 Silver Y
• 1 Vines Rustic
• 17 Pale Mottled Willow
• 4 L-album Wainscot
• 4 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 3 Square-spot Rustic
• 4 Clancy’s Rustic
• 7 Willow Beauty
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 1 Beautiful Plume
• 1 Dark Neb
• 1 Dingy Dowd
• 1 Apple Leaf Miner
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 3 Ruddy Streak
• 7 Box Tree Moth
• 1 Gold Triangle 

Just the two Collared Doves were seen in the Cemy today.

Overhead, there was a trickle of Meadow Pipits going over and even a small flock of House Martins flew very high over. I managed to even see one and believe you me, it was very high up and I was going by its call it was making otherwise I would not have noticed them. A Siskin flew over and was actually seen this time and the bird was picked up flying low eastbound.

Purple Toadflax is now starting to flower among the Smooth Sow-thistle.

This morning, on my first shift at Pembroke Road, a pair of Chiffchaffs were seen flying into a tall tree opposite where I was, both calling in doing so. I could hear a few more Meadow Pipits flying over and even a Grey Wagtail, but both species were heard only. Yesterday afternoon, something was making a very strange sound from the trees where I saw the Chiffs this morning. It turned out to be a Jay making all these grunts and whistles. 

I cannot emphasise enough on how many Bees and Hoverflies were enjoying the flowering Ivy plants this morning. So I took a photo of several in flight over the plants.

Another trip over the Cemetery this morning at around 11am wasn't quite as memorable as yesterday, but nonetheless, plenty to see again with at least four Chiffchaffs noted, though I am sure there were more and a few passing Swallows overhead. Meadow Pipits were vocal overhead as several small groups flew over, though very hard to see in the bright sunshine. 

This juvenile Blackbird was taking refuge in a bush over in the south-east corner.

I have to say that the Bee and Hoverfly population seems to be increasing every time I go over to the Cemetery, especially now that the Ivy plants are now flowering. Large numbers of Drone Fly, Tapered Drone Fly and Batman Hoverfly were making the most of the flowering plants and even a few Hornet-mimic Hoverflies were seen, especially on the tall Ivy plants over on the east side of the Cemetery. Easily, the most numerous butterflies today were the Red Admirals which were well into double figures. The path through the centre of the Cemetery seemed to have most of them with at least 5 individuals on one of the Ivy plants! A few Large and Small Whites were seen and another Vapourer Moth was seen on the wing. I just wish one would land, so I can grab a photo!

Above, the Hornet-mimic Hoverfly and below, a pair of Common Field Grasshoppers.

As well as good numbers of Garden Spiders utilising every amiable bush, Common Field Grasshoppers were abundant on the dried out graves. I am lucky to say I can still hear them ‘stridulating’ down in the grass below and if you wait patiently, one would eventually move enough to catch sight of them. I did keep an eye out in the bright, sunny sky in case we had a repeat of yesterday's Spoonbills flying over, but not even a raptor could be seen today.      

Red Admiral butterflies were the most abundant species today.

Spoonbills over the Cemetery!

Wednesday 13th September 2023.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a flock of four Spoonbills flying high over the Cemetery this morning. Thankfully, I had my camera to hand to record this moment. 

A lot cooler this morning (down to 16 degrees Centigrade) with a blanket of overnight cloud and a breezy north-easterly wind. My day kicked off with my first shift at Pembroke Road where I had sightings of a female Sparrowhawk soaring low over the rooftops and then heading off south-east. A small flock of three Meadow Pipits flew north, possibly from the Isle of Wight? But it's good to see a bit of visible migration even from my working area.

Two more photos of the Spoonbills this morning.

Once I got back home, after a quick coffee, I headed off back over Highland Road Cemetery to walk my dogs and see if there were any migrants within. A few Chiffchaffs were noted (possibly up to 5 birds) and at least three Swallows flew low over the trees, all heading west. But it was when I was making my way around the northern end of the Cemetery that I just happened to look at and was amazed at a flock of four Spoonbills flying over in a line and heading west! I quickly managed to grab a few record shots of the birds flying away from me and checking the viewfinder on my photos, I could then confirm they were most definitely Spoonbills, which constituted a superb ‘Patch tick’! I have only seen one Spoonbill this year and that was way back in January over Titchfield Haven. Just goes to prove that you should check the sky every now and then. Well pleased.

Above, this Chiffchaff was seen in the Conifer over on the south-west side of the Cemetery. Below, this particular Wood Pigeon was reluctant to take flight as me and the dogs walked just a few feet from where it sat over on the south-west corner.

Over in the south western area of the Cemetery, for a nice change, I followed the footpath around this particular area and was rewarded with a female Sparrowhawk flying into a small bush. Whether she caught anything, I don’t know, but I think she flew out the other side. Also from this side, a Greenfinch flew high over; a species that has been erratic in sightings of late, but good to see nonetheless. Even a lone Black-headed Gull made a change from all the Herring Gulls flying over or on the rooftops nearby.

I rarely walk around the south-east corner of the Cemetery, but you never know what could be hiding there and this morning, I had the pleasure of watching a female Sparrowhawk flying in and also a flock of Goldfinches.

I think the overcast conditions (which eventually gave way to some broken sunshine) put paid to seeing many insects on the wing and the only insect of note was a lone Large White Butterfly flying low over the Cemetery.

Chiffchaffs were abundant again in the Cemetery including this showy bird.

Birds seen or heard within the Cemetery this morning included the following:

• Spoonbill (3 adults + a juvenile) * Patch tick.
• Sparrowhawk (female)
• Chiffchaff
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Blue Tit
• House Sparrow
• Robin
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Swallow 

A couple of the local Carrion Crows here are sporting a lot of white feathers including this one on the left.

Wheatear found at the southern end of the Cemetery

Tuesday 12th September 2023.

Bloxworth Snout moth near the moth box.

I checked the weather last night and they said it wasn't going to rain in the morning. How wrong could they be!!!! I could hear the rain falling outside from the bedroom window before my 6am alarm went off, so when I got up, the first thing I did was put the rain guard on in case the rain got inside the box.

Above, my second Neat Mompha micro moth of the year and below, a Blair's Mocha.

Sadly, nothing new within the moth box but again, a nice haul of moths despite the wet weather, which soon disappeared as we neared 7am. A pristine Bloxworth Snout was present on the garden fence and 2 Old Lady moths were within the moth box. 2 Clancy’s Rustics and Blair's Mocha were arguably the pick of the bunch, but my second Neat Mompha (Mompha divisella) of the year (the first was in April) was the best of the micros. My first Light Emerald in my garden this year was also present among the 122 moths of 30 species today.

Left, a Box Tree Moth and right, my first Light Emerald moth for my moth box this year.

The moths present this morning included the following:

• 14 Willow Beauty
• 2 Silver Y
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 4 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 2 Vines Rustic
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 18 Pale Mottled Willow
• 1 Small Dusty Wave
• 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character
• 2 Old Lady
• 1 Bloxworth Snout
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 9 Square-spot Rustic
• 1 White-point
• 12 L-album Wainscot
• 13 Large Yellow Underwing
• 2 Clancy’s Rustic
• 1 Lime-speck Pug
• 1 Light Emerald
• 1 Blair’s Mocha
• 15 Box Tree Moth
• 1 Apple Leaf Miner
• 3 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 1 White-shouldered House Moth
• 3 Narrow-winged Grey
• 1 Gold Triangle
• 3 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 4 Ruddy Streak
• 1 Neat Mompha
• 1 Pellitory Cosmet

A distant Wheatear on a rooftop just south of the Cemetery this morning was a real surprise.

Overhead, Siskins flew high overhead and of course, no sighting of them for being too high up, but I did see the lone Meadow Pipit flying east high over the houses. Once I got back from my first shift in Pembroke Road this morning, I decided to take the dogs around Highland Road Cemetery again. I wasn't going to at first as I was going to take them around the block instead, but that rain this morning had me thinking and possibly it might have possibly dropped off a migrant or two. How right I was (makes a change!).

Bracket Fungus growing on the old bough of a fallen tree.

Truth of the matter is that it wasn't till I was processing the photos I took in the Cemy this morning that a small passerine perched on a rooftop to the south of the Cemy was in fact a Wheatear! I was more than surprised, for it was some distance away and I did not have binoculars at the time. I have had Wheatears in the Cemy before, but not for many years, so that was a nice bonus.

A Starling was in full song on the Chimney Pots at the southern end of the Cemy.

Other migrants present included a Willow Warbler (heard only) and a Meadow Pipit flying south, but apart from that, again, all the usual species present. It might seem a little tedious mentioning the same birds each time I go to the Cemetery, but in say 10 or 15 years time, a lot of these birds could have disappeared from the UK if the current trend of birds disappearing in the south carries on. Look at Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail and Willow Tit, which are near non-existent as breeding birds here in the south. Sad indeed.

A Red Admiral butterfly perched up on a house also at the southern end of the Cemy.

Very few insects on the wing this morning in the Cemy, with just a few Large White and Red Admiral butterflies seen this morning and one Vapourer Moth. On my afternoon shift at Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth; there were sightings of the Hummingbird Hawk Moth again enjoying nectaring on the blue flowering bush by the houses and overhead, a female Sparrowhawk soared low over the houses, with a squadron of Starlings keeping a close eye on the bird.

In the centre of this photo, I managed to get a photo of the Hummingbird Hawk-moth from my mobile camera.

This superb image of a Common Whitethroat was recently photographed by Pete Appleton.

A strange day!

Monday 11th September 2023.

One of several Willow Warblers in the Cemetery this morning.

Today most certainly had its ups and downs and although I never had my moth box on overnight, I saw some pretty good moths today while at work. I took my dogs over Highland Road Cemetery again this morning and it was virtually the same as yesterday regarding the sightings, but there was always something to look at as usual in one of my favourite sites. The weather was a bit cooler than yesterday as well, which was a bonus, with a nice breeze blowing across the Cemy too, so a better night's sleep tonight I hope.

Mike Wearing, who sadly passed away today.

Unfortunately, the day got off to a sad start when I found out by Mike Wall, on the Hants Moths Facebook page, that birding/ moth-er friend, Mike Wearing, had passed away overnight. I have known Mike since my teenage days when he worked at Queen Elizabeth Country Park and I will never forget when he let me feed a young Badger cub with milk. Mike was a very keen birder / twitcher and I always bumped into him now and then throughout the year and in his latter years, we shared sightings of our various moths including a superb, my one and only, Spurge Hawk-moth in his garden. Another great memory was trapping moths in both his Allotment and on Butser Hill; but sadly, Mike’s eyesight deteriorated badly and both the birds and then moths became impossible to see. He leaves behind his lovely wife, Coraline. Rest in peace my friend.

This Willow Warbler was searching for food in this Sycamore.

On my first shift this morning, a pair of Meadow Pipits were seen flying over and a Grey Wagtail also did the same, but I did not see the bird. During my time in Pembroke Road, a couple of small micro moths eluded me and flew off, but I was a bit more fortunate with a Lesser Yellow Underwing that showed well on top of a bush by the houses. Later in the afternoon, on my second shift, I could not help noticing a huge moth perched on the apex of the corner house. Easily judging by its size, I knew immediately it was going to be a Clifden Nonpareil (Blue Underwing) and fortunately, I had a pair of binoculars in the back of my car and sure enough, I confirmed my sighting. Just a shame it was roughly 30 feet up and near impossible to get a decent photo.

Above, good numbers of Small White butterflies were present this morning. Even where I was working this morning, there were at least three dancing about by the garden plants. Below, a Tapered Drone Fly on Smooth Sow-thistle.

Above, Garden Spiders and their webs were all over the place in the Cemy and below, my first Ivy Bee of the year with several seen on one particular Ivy bush.

A couple of Batman Hoverflies on the Ivy and below, a Hornet-mimic Hoverfly on the same bush.

Above, a Tapered Drone Fly and below, a record shot of the Grey Wagtail passing overhead.

A few Chiffchaffs were present also this morning.

When I got back from my first shift, I grabbed the dogs and took them over to Highland Road Cemetery. It was a bit more hazy with a nice breeze blowing through this morning and this morning's highlights involved one Grey Wagtail flying high overhead, heading east and a mixture of both Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers in various locations within this site. Again, all the usual birds were present and correct and regarding insects, it was the Ivy Plants that were sporting some unusual numbers of Hoverflies nectaring on them including a single Hornet-mimic Hoverfly, Drone Flies and Tapered Drone Flies. Even a few Ivy Bees were present this morning, which was my first of the year. Butterflies included both Large and Small White and just the one Red Admiral.

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Blue Tit
  
• Great Tit
• Goldfinch
• Wren
• Robin
• House Sparrow
• Grey Wagtail
• Chiffchaff
• Willow Warbler
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Blackbird     

On our way out of the Cemetery, my dogs and I bumped into a lovely lady called Tracy, who also was interested in the nature of the Cemetery and told me that she lived nearby and also had a Slow Worm in her garden! It has been years since I have seen a Slow Worm and I most certainly didn't expect to see one in my garden. There have been a few interesting birds on the south coast including a superb showy Aquatic Warbler at Upper Beeding in West Sussex. Fellow ‘Lazee’ John Manley went to ‘twitch’ the bird and got some superb shots (see below).

Video footage of a flock of Starlings going into the roost at the Gosport Ferry Terminal last night. Film footage taken by Sinead Townsend.

The Aquatic Warbler at Upper Beeding today. John Manley took the trip to West Sussex to see this very elusive species and which was a 'lifer' for him. Photos by John Manley.