Butser Hill & Catherington Downs.

Saturday 30th September 2023.

Some of the moths were seen this morning from the moth box and egg trays.

Another nice morning with plenty of blue sky at first and a southerly breeze coming in, making the temperature reasonably cool first thing this morning as I went about checking on my moth box. The plan today was a little uncertain as there wasn't that much to go for in Hampshire to add to our year list and so, I decided to take a risk and go to Butser Hill for a possible Ring Ouzel with both Geoff and Andy.

Probable Sycamore Slender moth or Pale Maple Slender.

But first, the moths came first and it wasn't till I got to the end of checking the contents of my moth box. It was a micro moth that grabbed my attention, a species of Caloptilia species, which are quite distinctive due to the way they pose; however, what species. It looked good for something unusual and though I could not put a name to it after checking my Micro moth book, I put it out there on UK Micro Moth identification Facebook page and it was Mike Wall (Hampshire County Recorder) to conclude it was either a Sycamore Slender (Caloptilia hemidactylella) or another rare moth, Pale Maple Slender (Caloptilia honoratella). Both of which would be a ‘lifer’ for me, but the only way to be totally sure would be dissection! Well, that put an end in identifying the moth, for not only I do not have the facility to do that but it flew off anyway!

Other moths present included my third Delicate moth of the year, up to 4 Feathered Ranunculus and my first Privet Tortrix of the month. Overhead, I heard a Yellow Wagtail flying over, but failed to see it. An ‘alba’ Wagtail flew over as did several Meadow Pipits and in a nearby garden, I could hear the soft ‘hooeett’ of a Chiffchaff.  

The moths in and around my moth box this morning included the following:

• 4 Feathered Ranunculus
• 1 Delicate
• 1 Willow Beauty
• 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 3 Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 3 L-album Wainscot
• 2 Lunar Underwing
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 2 Common Plume
• 2 Box Tree Moth 
• 1 Beautiful Plume 
• 4 Ruddy Streak
• 1 White-shouldered House Moth
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Sycamore Slender or Pale Maple Slender.
• 1 Privet Tortrix

Andy’s moth box was less productive in his Cowplain garden with just the following moths present:

• 3 L-album Wainscot
• 1 Narrow-winged Grey
• 4 Common Plume

Good numbers of Meadow Pipits were flying over with at least four large flocks going over and a distant Siskin was heard as well.

Incredible views from Butser Hill as we walked along the escarpment footpath.

After picking up Geoff, we made our way to the car park at Butser Hill. We have had some nice birds here over the years and so our hopes were high with some possible migrating birds to be seen. We made our way north to the steep escarpment where we saw the Ring Ouzels last year and on the way there, there were several Chiffchaffs to be seen, while overhead, there was a constant stream of Meadow Pipits heading over. A pair of Skylarks flew over and showed well and both Swallows and House Martins were seen hawking low over the hill.

Above, Clematis vitalba or the familiar name of Old Mans Beard growing all over these brambles is a familiar sight at this time of year. 

One of four Skylarks seen flying over the Hill this morning.

We had a brief view of a Green Woodpecker heading towards a group of trees and a small flock of Long-tailed Tits and Goldfinch were flitting about the brambles and bushes above us as we slowly made our way along the gravelled track by the escarpment. Down below, we picked out a female Kestrel waiting patiently for something to feed on as we enjoyed the amazing views looking north towards the village of East Meon.

Above and below, this Red Kite sailed effortlessly over the valley below.

When we got to the furthest point north, we stood and admired the view and checked anything that would fly by. A pair of Woodlarks flew over our heads was a nice surprise and flew north and a Red Kite was seen soaring down below in the valley. Walking east along the footpath, we came across a couple of bushes that held some passerines. On closer scrutiny, I picked up our first Blackcap, a male, of the morning and he was quickly followed by two female / immature individuals along with at least 6+ Chiffchaffs. Better still, Geoff picked out a Spotted Flycatcher behind the bush as I eventually got onto the bird with the camera.

Above, one of three Blackcaps seen in this small group of bushes. Below, they were joined by a Spotted Flycatcher. 

Above, Chiffchaffs were abundant in just these two bushes on the Hill.

Further along the hill, several flocks of Siskins joined the many Meadow Pipits flying over and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen flying onto a conifer in the distance, calling in doing so. We rounded the Hill and eventually made our way across a field to get back to the main road leading to the car park where we saw a Goldcrest and a Coal Tit. While enjoying a Latte coffee by the small Cafe, overhead, at least four Common Buzzards soared until eventually dispersing to go their separate directions.

Above, Meadow Pipits were everywhere today, but it was nice to see some on the deck and below, the two Bushes that held a good number and variety of passerines.

Above, Andy just shows how big the Parasol Mushrooms were on top of the Hill. Below, enjoying a hot drink, two of the four Common Buzzards soaring above our heads.

Other nature present included flowering the purples of Wild Marjoram, the yellows of Rough Hawkbit, blue coloured delicate Harebells and various other chalkland plants. A few Red Admiral butterflies flew past us as did a single Speckled Wood and several Vapourer Moths (still none of these species would settle!). After our hot drink, before heading home, I decided we should take a quick look at Catherington Downs; one of my old haunts when I used to live up this way.

Above, on Catherington Downs, a flock of Long-tailed Tits joined the many Chiffchaffs present (below).

Above, this Red Kite flew overhead over the Downs, causing the Long-tailed Tits (below) to give off their alarm calls. 

It was quiet at first when we arrived, with just a single Chiffchaff seen, but it wasn't till we got to the southern area where all the passerines were. Easily at least 20 Chiffchaffs were seen among a small flock of Long-tailed Tits and a single male Blackcap was noted. Overhead, both Red Kite and Common Buzzard were seen during our walk around the reserve, but still no Lesser Whitethroats for my Hampshire year list! I had strict orders from my wife to be home around 1pm and so we made our way back home.   

  

Bird species numbers are climbing.

Friday 29th September 2023.

The usual throng of Herring Gulls searching for Earthworms on the wet grass within the Cemetery this morning.

I arrived at work earlier than normal this morning and so took the opportunity to take a walk from Pembroke Road, through an alleyway by the Bowling Club and up to the Kings Battery and Long Curtain Battery, by the moat just before the seafront. It even involved walking through a lit tunnel to the moat which was quite exciting, though it was sad to see someone sleeping rough in a tent along that alleyway. I would have not noticed them hidden behind the bushes till I heard someone cough. Very sad.

Above, some of the old Kings Bastion brickwork. Below, one of the footpaths leading to the Bastions and Pembroke Road.

Above, the Royal Garrison Church and Governors' Green. Below, the old and new. The Spinnaker Tower is between the Royal Garrison Church above the Curtain Moat.

Above, the tunnel I walked through to get to the moat.

On a positive note, I have never been in this part of Old Portsmouth and so kept an eye out for anything of note. Luckily for me, a very showy Chiffchaff was by the footpath and a ‘ticking’ Robin showed well on the edge of a bush. Overhead, flocks of Meadow Pipits were flying over, heading south. By the moat, good numbers of both Starling and Feral Pigeon were making use of the holes in the walls and back in my workplace, a Linnet flew high over, calling in doing so. Where I had been had so much potential for something unusual to be lurking about, like a rare Warbler or a Wryneck. Maybe next time?

Again, there were several Blackbirds present this morning, possibly involving around 8 birds. Below, a rather fancy bird feeder in one of the neighbouring houses attracted a host of House Sparrows and these Starlings.

This gave me the urge to take the dogs back over Highland Road Cemetery again this morning and so after my first shift, off we went. My highest species total this week was achieved with 23 species seen this morning. I wonder how many I would see if I spent all day here? I had a chat with some ‘old boy’ who was complaining about the lack of birds here!! I suggested that it was Autumn and I had seen over 20 species here yesterday. He asked where all the breeding birds were, so I had to explain what Autumn entails and the birds that come and go here. Some people you have to educate, but there is a way in doing it and smiling, he left having that bit more knowledge to think about. Sometimes, I have seen people ridiculed for simply not understanding, but what's wrong with some reasonable education and some simple explanations. I might be approaching 60 years old and have been birding probably 50 years, but I am still learning all the time. We all are.

I noticed the Carrion Crow with the white wings flying over the Cemetery and I was pleased with how these photos came out of the same bird about to land in a tree. From these photos, you can see that the bird simply lacked any pigmentation on the wings.

Back to the birds and while chatting to the ‘Old Boy’, a Grey Wagtail flew over, as I pointed it out and later along my walk, a Pied Wagtail was heard to fly over, though not seen. The early morning patchy cloud was now disappearing and a clear blue sky was now in its wake as a pleasant sunny day beckoned. A pair of Sparrowhawks circled low over the Cemetery, much to the annoyance of the local Corvids, but it was nice to see them passing each other until one flew off and the other flew higher and higher heading south.

The Sparrowhawks over the Cemetery.

The Woodpeckers have not been seen for a while, especially the Green Woodpecker, but the female Great Spotted Woodpecker was first heard then eventually seen flying into the old Conifer over on the south-east corner of the perimeter path. It showed well for a while, but a bugger to photograph in the shadow of the branches. Again, the only Warblers to be seen in the Cemetery were the Chiffchaffs with at least a dozen scattered around the area. Four were seen together over on the east side and one bird over on the west side was heard briefly singing.

Above, this female Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen in the south-east corner of the Cemetery and below, this 'ringed' Chiffchaff (too far away to get any numbers on the ring) was one of four on the east side. 

Overhead, small numbers of Siskins were heard calling, but virtually impossible to see against the blue sky; though the Meadow Pipits were a tad more easier. The Jay showed well over on the north side, flying down to plant an acorn between the edge of the path and a gravestone. Then it flew back up into the trees as me and the dogs slowly approached. A second bird was heard some distance behind us, which was probably its mate. The dogs behaved well this morning and I even introduced them to a couple of Special Constables that were walking around the perimeter footpath. I had a nice chat with them of which they asked me if I had seen any unruly behaviour or drug-takers within the Cemy. I told them I have seen the occasional chap smoking a ‘joint’ and the odd homeless chap (I assume?) sitting on the benches, but nothing dodgy. Good to see the Special Constables around though patrolling the area. A dangerous dog was reported here on Facebook recently, in which I was shown a photograph of the dog. I think I had seen it before, though all dogs have the potential to get a bit stroppy now and then. I personally want to see them all on leads, but I see it all too often, some not on their lead within the Cemy. 

• Sparrowhawk (male + female)
• Herring Gull
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin
• Wren
• Dunnock
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Chiffchaff
• Goldfinch
• Siskin
• Meadow Pipit
• Grey Wagtail
• Pied Wagtail
• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Blackbird
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay

The only butterflies seen this morning within the Cemy were Red Admiral's. 

I have just started reading my latest edition of Birdwatch magazine and I read with interest Mark Avery’s column he has written about the state of our present Government and the broken promises made by this shower of undesirables. I hate politics with a vengeance, but that's not what this blog is all about. I am watching Paul Whitehouse's interesting programme about the state of our rivers, streams and even the sea and the pollution that is allowed to go unchecked. I will be voting next year and lets say, this current Government will NOT be getting my vote. Enough said. The weekend is nearly here and more birding with the boys tomorrow. Happy days.

This Jay posed nicely over in the northern end of the Cemy.

Late this afternoon, after my second shift, my garden hosted a Hummingbird Hawk-moth briefly. The moth came in, had a nosy around the last remaining Lavender flowers and then headed off fast south over the gardens. While I was watching this, I heard the alarm calls of some birds and looking up, a female Sparrowhawk was soaring high above my house until drifting off east and most likely one of the birds seen this morning over the Cemetery. 

Toadstools are now starting to appear. These Field Mushrooms were near the main entrance.

Mute Swans over the Cemy.

Thursday 28th September 2023.

You have to be prepared for the unexpected and three Mute Swans flying west high over the Cemy proved that.

After last night's strong winds and a bit of rain, I felt there was always a chance of something interesting over Highland Road Cemetery this morning and so after my first shift (very quiet, bar a few Meadow Pipits over), I took the dogs for a slow stroll around my local patch. There was hardly any wind at all and with it being overcast, it was easy to pick up any flying birds overhead. As expected, there were numerous flocks of Meadow Pipits going over, but, surprisingly, very little else. Nevertheless, I saw up to 21 species in and over the Cemetery this morning; my highest total for many months.

Above, up to three Collared Doves were seen this morning; all in the south-west corner of the footpath. Below, Ivy Mason Bees enjoy the flowering Ivy plants.

Probably the highlight was the small flock of three Mute Swans flying over heading west and most likely heading to Canoe lake on Southsea seafront. I knew immediately what they were even before I saw them as they have that distinctive whistle they make with their wings. There is still a reasonable number of Chiffchaffs within the Cemetery as I counted at least four in the south-west corner and two over on the east side. I did hear the familiar ‘chack’ of a probable Blackcap, but I only heard it once and the bird never showed. The female Sparrowhawk, with prey in its talons, flew in from the south and looked to have landed in the Holm Oak clump.

Above, this Buff-tailed Bumblebee was about to be joined by an Ivy Mason Bee. Below, this Conifer is beautifully draped by a plant, of which, I have no idea! But it is like this every Autumn.

The birds recorded this morning included the following:

• Mute Swan (3)
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Goldfinch
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin 
• Wren
• Dunnock
• Chiffchaff (4 seen + 2 heard)
• Carrion Crow
• Jay
• Magpie
• Blackbird
• Meadow Pipit  
• Sparrowhawk (f)

Above, one of the many Meadow Pipits flying overhead this morning and below, the female Sparrowhawk made another appearance this morning.

On the insects front, there were good numbers of both Honey Bee and Ivy Mason Bees around the flowering Ivy; but the number of Red Admiral butterflies have dropped considerably, which could be due to it being overcast. I think I only saw three and the big Ivy bush where I had nearly 50 the other morning, held only the one individual. The only other butterfly seen was a Large White. 

Above, up to at least 6 Chiffchaffs were recorded this morning and below, Blackbirds are increasing in number, including this individual sporting a whitish head.

There was not a lot reported in Hampshire so far this morning, though the Grey Phalarope is still showing in front of the Meonshore Hide on Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve. Nationally, there is still a Magnolia Warbler in Pembrokeshire, but I wonder what else is hiding away along the west coast of the UK?

Above, another Chiffchaff was seen near the Mausoleum and below, the remains of this Wood Pigeon were scattered over a large area near the Holm Oaks.