Large number of Mute Swans on Canoe Lake.

Friday 12th January 2024.

An impressive count of Mute Swans on Canoe Lake this morning.

Though overcast this morning, it was still damn cold today, with a north-westerly blowing making it seem near freezing again. Snow (allegedly) is set to arrive on the south coast next Wednesday, which could bring in something interesting this way, but for now, it was my sightings at Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth followed by a walk with my dogs to Canoe Lake, east along the seafront and then through the gardens leading to the Park by Canoe Lake and home.

A Great Black-backed Gull flanked by Herring Gulls.

This morning's total of species at Pembroke Road reached 15 species where the female Sparrowhawk put in an appearance by sailing low over the road and over my head. A lone Redwing flew high over heading south then dropped like a stone into vegetation south of Governor’s Green. There were no Brent Geese on there this morning, but good numbers of Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls and Wood Pigeons.

The lone Cormorant with Herring Gulls on Canoe Lake.

The walk to Canoe Lake was quiet but when I reached the Lake, I did a quick count of the Mute Swans present and there was an impressive 102+ counted. I'm not sure I have ever seen so many here and probably due to a lot of lakes and ponds being frozen further north in the County. I couldn't find any Yellow-legged Gulls among the many Herring Gulls here, but a lone Great Black-backed Gull was perched on one of the Swan Boats as was an adult Cormorant. Walking along the seafront, the sea was calm and quiet, with only a few Gulls and a distant Cormorant fishing. The walk through the gardens produced a pair of Goldcrests flitting through the trees. A passer-by was curious about what I was looking at and so explained to her what they were. She said she would look them up when she got home.

One of the two Goldcrests in the trees near the Park.

Already, there are some nice birds being reported on the Lazee’s and Hants Birding that includes sightings of both Black-throated Diver and Black-necked Grebe off Hill Head and Sandy Point has hosted the same species as well as several Great Northern Divers.  The Northern Waterthrush is still in Essex this morning, but there was incredible news of a 1st winter Golden Oriole in gardens at Gulval, near Penzance, Cornwall for its second day!