A wet day at Gilkicker.

Saturday 18th November 2023.

The female Common Scoter just offshore today.

With poor weather looking to wreck our birding today, I had to make a decision whether it was to be the Hides at Titchfield Haven this morning or give a try at Gilkicker for a sea-watch. We opted for the latter, though at times, I wondered if we made the right decision. Sightings were a little far and few between during the five hours we were there, though there were a few nice birds on show to prolong our interest there.

The weather was not so good, with squally showers frequently coming in from the south and visibility over the Solent at times was poor, so we had to watch from the east side of the shelter to avoid the buffeting wind and rain. On a positive note, there was a female Common Scoter close inshore showing all day while we were there that kept us entertained. However, when a juvenile Kittiwake went through close in eastbound, along with a Tern species that was most likely the lingering Arctic Tern (just didn't get enough on it at the time and my hands were full with a flask of coffee I was holding at the time!), sadly I could not get a photo of it and Andy even dipped on the Kittiwake. However, he picked up an adult bird some distance out heading east low over the waves.

Above, several skeins of Brent Geese were seen and below, the flooded fields attracted good numbers of Gulls.

Above, a distant photo of the female Common Scoter and below, the odd Great Black-backed Gull would fly past.

Above, the only Med Gull seen today was this adult over the sea. Below, this male Pied Wagtail walked just a few feet from us by the shelter.

Several flocks of Brent Geese went through overhead and a few low over the sea along with at least two Great Crested Grebes, two flocks of Shelduck west (3 & 14) and a pair of Sandwich Terns flying close in heading east. A small flock of 3 Sanderling flew close to the beach heading east and two flocks of waders, probably Dunlin, headed east; but they not only flew fast but the light was poor and getting a proper ID was near impossible in the gloomy conditions. I did pick up a probably Diver species some distance out heading west, but near impossible in getting an ID in such poor light.

Behind us, the flooded fields held a large number of Starlings and a variety of Gull species that included Herring, Common, Black-headed and Great Black-backed Gulls, but the only Mediterranean Gull seen today was an adult flying east over the Solent. Though we didn't see all that much we were hoping for, the company I kept was, as always, very entertaining and the hours flew by.    

The female Firecrest again showing well in the Cemy.

Friday 17th November 2023.

The female Firecrest showed well in the north-east corner of the Cemetery.

I made the most of the sunny weather this morning because the rain is back again tomorrow (getting a bit pissed off with it now, especially on the weekends!!) and so I took the dogs out for another walk around Highland Road Cemetery. A healthy 21 species were recorded this morning on my walk round that included reasonable views of the female Firecrest again, though this time in bushes in the north-east corner of the Cemetery (see photos). A pair of Goldcrests were in the Oak tree also in the north-east corner and the female Green Woodpecker showed high up in one of the tallest trees in the centre of the Cemy.

Above, a lot of the leaves are now down with just a few scattered ones now left on the trees in the Cemy. Below, a Robin was trying to hide from my camera it seems.

Above, a male Blackbird enjoys feeding on the Holly Berries and below, a Collared Dove in the now bare branches of this tree.

Above, one of a pair of Goldcrests searching for insects in the large Oak tree and below, I just love the golden colours of the leaves in the bright sunshine.

Overhead, both Siskin, Goldfinch and a Meadow Pipit flew over, though none were actually seen and counted only as ‘heard only’ for today. Earlier today, on my first shift (which was a bit chilly, but at least it was dry), a surprise sighting of a Little Egret heading north over the rooftops was unexpected. Two large flocks of Wood Pigeons flew high over heading west, numbering at least 150+ birds with more trickling through lower down. The Jay was making excursions to and fro from the Holm Oak trees and occasionally on the leafless Sycamore trees. Another unusual sighting here was a probable Mute Swan flying very high heading east and at this time of year, one cannot rule out one of the ‘wild’ Swans, though I did not have binoculars with me at the time. Bugger!  

Above, the female Green Woodpecker was again seen today and below, the familiar sight of Wood Pigeons in the treetops.

Above, someone must have spent a small fortune by putting roses on many of the graves in the north-eas corner of the Cemetery. Below, the female Firecrest showing herself again. 

Above, the female Firecrest about to take flight and below, Toadstools are still abundant here this morning. A species of Melanoleuca toadstool; probably Common Cavalier Mushroom growing in the Cemetery today.

The birds recorded this morning in the Cemetery included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Goldcrest (pair)
• Firecrest (female)
• Green Woodpecker
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin 
• Wren
• Siskin
• Goldfinch
• Meadow Pipit
• Blackbird
• Song Thrush

Firecrest & two Woodpeckers over the Cemy.

Wednesday 15th November 2023.

This Firecrest popped out briefly from its Holm Oak cover a few times.

A much settled day with ‘wall to wall’ blue sky with a breezy north-westerly blowing across Highland Road Cemetery. Unfortunately, this lovely weather does bring out many dog-walkers, though thankfully, all were on leads today. There was a reasonable number of species around the Cemetery today that included very good views of the Green Woodpecker and even the Great Spotted Woodpecker put in a brief appearance. Best of all though, was a Firecrest flitting about the Holm Oaks near the entrance of the Cemetery; my second sighting of this species this month here on my local patch. Nineteen species were recorded this morning, which is about average for this time of year.

The species recorded this morning included the following:

• Green Woodpecker
• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Firecrest
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Goldcrest
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin
• Wren
• Blackbird
• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay
• Goldfinch

Above, the female Green Woodpecker showed well this morning. Below, Prickly Sow-thistle still in flower on a few graves.

Above, plenty of Carrion Crows this morning present and below, the same could be said of the local Wood Pigeons. Easier to see now due to the leaves being down in most of the trees.

Most of the leaves on the trees are down now and this makes locating the bird in the trees a lot easier, though some of the ornamental trees are still sporting their golden leaves and they looked magnificent in the sunshine this morning. A few insects took advantage of the glorious sunshine with a few Hoverflies, Common Wasps and House Flies around flowering Ivy plants still. A sprinkling of plants were also still in flower with both Smooth and Prickly Sow-thistle, Yarrow and the odd Cats Ear plants still on show as well as a few carpets of Daisies.

Above, a few insects were out on the wing in the sunshine including Common Wasps, a female Syrphus species of Hoverfly (below).

Above, Common Field Mushrooms are still around in the long damp grass. Below, a Blue Tit shared the same leafless tree with a Great Tit.

It was interesting reading and looking at some of Hampshire's finest photographers posts on Facebook over the past few days. The female Long-tailed Duck was still attracting more admirers, including Christine Whiffen who incidentally found a Purple Sandpiper roosting with the waders on the Oyster Beds (see photo). I am going to do a ‘recky’ to see if there are actually any at Southsea Castle this week, despite the work being carried out there still incomplete. On a sad note, there have been reports of some photographers disturbing the Short-eared Owls on the Point Field at Farlington Marshes, just to get a photo of a bird that quite often just flies past you, totally oblivious of you being there. Sorry, I wont tolerate this when I am out in the field and will confront them about their behaviour. Sadly, there is no Warden for the reserve to keep an eye out for irresponsible behaviour and so it goes on. Over the past few days, the weather has been awful again, with heavy rain at times and 50mph winds here on the south coast, but it did produced another Leach’s Petrel again off Hill Head, found by the reliable Mark Francis again. Well done mate.

The Purple Sandpiper (middle bottom) among Dunlin, Grey Plover and Turnstone on the Hayling Oyster Beds. Photo by Christine Whiffen.

Some good birds around Hampshire today.

Sunday 12th November 2023.

Two of the three Brent Geese flying high south over the Cemetery.

The weather turned again today with rain early this morning and a lot more in the afternoon, but there was enough time this morning to have a dry walk around Highland Road Cemetery with my dogs. The Green Woodpecker was seen again, this time on the ground having a go at an Ants nest (presumably) at the southern end of the Cemetery. It was heard earlier, but a dog-walker (who I have met a few times before) came over with her dog and so I had to abandon temporarily trying to find the bird. However, while talking to the lady, three Brent Geese flew high over heading south. This is only the second time ever I have seen the Brent fly over the Cemetery.

Above, the Carrion Crows are quite confiding and you can walk quite close to them at times. Below, most of the leaves have come down from the trees.

Above, only one Jay was seen this morning, though distant and below, you can just see the head of this Green Woodpecker prospecting an Ants nest by the side of a grave.

Above, this Agaricus species of toadstool is starting to come out of the grass.

A good start to the walk, I thought, but there were not many species seen this morning, compared to the last few times I have been there. But I suppose 21 species wasn't too bad in overcast, damp conditions. A Jay was over in the south-east corner and a pair were making a real racket just north of the Mausoleum, though I never saw them. I was pretty sure that I heard a Firecrest in the northern half of the Cemy, but it only called once and not seen either. Bugger! Three Song Thrushes were noted flying from the top of one of the trees and heading off south and mostly migrant birds. Again, all the regular birds were present and correct, but not many opportunities for any photos this morning.

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Wren
• Robin
• Blackbird
• Song Thrush
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Green Woodpecker
• Jay
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Pied Wagtail
• Goldcrest
• Firecrest (probable)

Above, the male Ring Ouzel at Longslade Bottom in the New Forest and below, a Woodcock showed there unexpectedly too. Photos by Emma Parkes.

Above, a Rock Pipit and below, a Spotted Redshank. Both were photographed by Andy Tew at Pennington Marshes.

Above, not only was the Long- tailed Duck at Hayling Oyster Beds, but this cracking male Black Redstart was also there. Photo by Chris Geary.

A good variety of birds in Hampshire today with the likes of a Black Redstart at the Oyster Beds (see photo) and two on the roof of the Langstone Hotel, Northney, a male Ring Ouzel at Longslade Bottom, New Forest (see photo), 5 redhead Goosanders on Sinah Gravel Pit (also on Hayling Island), a Yellow-browed Warbler in a private garden near Southampton and 3 Little Gulls and a Red-throated Diver off Gunner Point, Hayling Island. The female Long-tailed Duck was still on Hayling Oyster Beds today too.

Hayling Oyster Beds and Sandy Point.

Saturday 11th November 2023.

The female Long-tailed Duck showed very well on the Oyster Beds.

On a very cold but fresh start to the morning, Andy Fisher and myself paid a visit to both Hayling Oyster Beds and Sandy Point on Hayling Island today. I fancied having a look at the long staying female Long-tailed Duck first on the Oyster Beds and then take a look in the harbour entrance down at Sandy Point, seeing the tide was up first thing today. The weather was simply gorgeous, with wall to wall blue sky and it has to be said, if you were out photographing birds, I think today was perfect. Andy had his moth box on overnight, despite quite a heavy frost and just when I thought he was going to draw a blank, I found a probable November Moth (there are several very similar species and the only way to be absolutely certain, it has to be dissected!) perched on his garage door.

Above, a probable November Moth on Andy's garage door. Below, a peaceful scene of some chap fishing near the Oyster Beds.

Above, there were five Red-breasted Mergansers on the Beds and below, the female Long-tailed Duck which joined the Mergs for a brief time. The latter brought in a few admiring birders during our time there.

Above, another photo of the Long-tailed Duck and below, a flock of Turnstone coming into roost with the other waders on the Beds.

Above, one of two Sandwich Terns flying past over the Beds and below, a record photo of the near summer plumage Great Northern Diver out in the harbour; one of four Great Northern Divers seen.

Kicking off with the Oyster Beds, as expected, the waders put on a fine show around the reserve and the female Long-tailed Duck did not disappoint as she also put on a nice show in front of u on the main pool, though a little distant at times, but occasionally associating with a small flock of 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, including a male bird. The Mergansers were seen a little earlier and were swimming with 3 Little Grebes, while a large flock of resting Redshank, Grey Plover, Turnstone and Dunlin looked on from the shoreline. Overhead, the shrill call of Rock Pipits echoed across the reserve as we watched a pair of birds fly over to the centre island. 

Walking up to the point overlooking the harbour, a few sea-anglers were also present along with some chap crouched down taking photos of the waders coming in to rest. Out in the harbour, good numbers of Great Crested Grebes were noted, but I failed to find any Black-necked Grebes in the harbour despite a good search and low and behold, one was picked up late in the day within the harbour. However, I did find not just one pair of Great Northern Divers, but TWO, of which one was still showing signs of summer plumage. Apparently, Jason Crook had seen all four Divers in the harbour on Thursday! While checking out what had spooked all the waders out over on the North Binness Islands, a huge female Peregrine was found bombing the birds and in turn, flushed a female Marsh Harrier that headed off bemused towards Farlington Marshes! A pair of Sandwich Terns flew low over our heads calling excitedly as we made our way back around the east of the reserve, getting better views of the Long-tailed Duck in doing so. From the footpath, a female Goldcrest was seen and a Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Green Woodpecker were all heard but not seen on our way back to the car.

Above, a flock of Dunlin coming into the roost and below, a pair of female Red-breasted Mergansers on the Beds.

Above, one of many Oystercatchers passing overhead and below, more Oystercatchers on the edge of the Oyster Beds.

Above and below, the sky was full of waders at times. A superb spectacle.

Above, some of the waders settling on the edge of the Beds including Grey Plover, Dunlin and Redshank. A few Brent Geese in the background too. 

Above and below, a few more photos of the female Long-tailed Duck. We really struggled earlier in the year to view a distant bird out in the harbour, but this was a very showy bird. 

Above, a Little Egret flew low right over our heads and below, a flock of Brent Geese flying over the harbour entrance at Sandy Point.

One of two Parasol Toadstools seen along the footpath leading to the harbour entrance at Sandy Point.

After Andy had bought us breakfast at nearby Greggs, we made our way to Sandy Point to take our seats overlooking the harbour entrance by the RNLI Building. From here, at least 10 Great Crested Grebes were either on the water or seen flying in or out of the harbour. There were a lot of boats out on the water within the harbour and therefore not a lot of birds floating on the calm water. An adult Shag was seen in the harbour entrance and I picked up a duck flying in towards the entrance and eventually settled on the sea. It was a female Common Scoter, but she didn't settle and flew back out to sea. Hardly any waders were seen, with just the one Sanderling noted flying into the harbour. Andy spotted a pair of Sparrowhawks soaring overhead and then both birds split up and went their separate ways. We also saw several Red Admiral butterflies crossing the harbour entrance and even a Bee was in my field of view through the scope! I had to be home earlier than usual for more chores to do and so we left around midday, reflecting on a superb morning's birding. On the way back home, a pair of Common Buzzards were seen soaring low over the A27 near Bedhampton and a male Kestrel was seen being mobbed by a Crow over the Eastern Road into Portsmouth; therefore making it a five species of raptor seen today. Happy days.