After all the rain, it's back to the Cemy.

Friday 23rd February 2024

One of the many footpaths within the Cemetery. You just never know what could be lurking in the bushes and trees here.

Finally I managed to grab a bit of birding done today when I took my dogs for a walk around my local patch, Highland Road Cemetery. The weather here on the south coast has been absolutely awful over the past few days, with heavy rain, strong winds and even a bit cold too. Typical wintry weather I hear you say, but it has been so mild of late, it was a bit of a shock. This morning, though a tad cold at 8 degrees, it was bright and fairly sunny with the occasional bit of heavy cloud. A breezy westerly wind blew down Pembroke Road this morning, that kept me a bit cooler than I would have liked as I notched up 16 species this morning on my first shift. Three Brent Geese were on Governor’s Green first thing, but they soon moved off; the first time I have seen them this week here. There was nothing out of the ordinary this morning, though there was a decent flock of 7 Pied Wagtails on the Bowling Green yesterday in the grotty weather.

Already, a few summer migrants have been reported nationally that have included a House Martin in Kent, a few Swallows (one seen this morning over Paulsgrove!) and even a Little Ringed Plover. A few Wheatears have also turned up; one in Dorset and another further inland. The big rarity in the UK currently is a Myrtle Warbler in a back garden at Kilwinning, Ayrshire. The bird has been favouring a particular garden and enjoying the nut feeders it seems. Incredible that this American warbler has made it through the winter there. The drake Baikal Teal is still at Greylake RSPB Reserve, Somerset and the drake Ferruginous Duck is still on Posbrook Floods, Titchfield!

Above, a male Blackbird in search for worms in the long grass. Below, Starlings had gathered on the chimney pots, keeping a sharp eye out for the local Sparrowhawk that eventually came their way. 

Above, these Collared Doves are joined by a few Wood Pigeons in their favourite tree; the old Yew tree over in the south-east corner. Below, the Lords & Ladies plants are now getting quite big.

Above, plenty of Robins were heard, but only this one was actually seen. Below, Blue Tits were abundant throughout the Cemetery this morning. 

Above, a record shot of the Green Woodpecker flying over and below, I was lucky to get a quick distant photo of the female Sparrowhawk heading north over the houses.

Above, this male Greenfinch was giving its spring call and below, this Wren was seen singing over in the north-east corner.

Back to earth now with my hour long walk around where there were 18 species recorded this morning. The Green Woodpecker eventually put in an appearance when it was flushed by a passing female Sparrowhawk and calling loudly, it flew over the Cemetery and eventually landed in the tall Oak Tree in the north-east corner. The Sparrowhawk never settled and sailed off northbound over the rooftops, followed noisily by a posse of Herring Gulls! It was nice to hear the Greenfinches singing this morning and I wonder when the first Chiffchaff will start singing here?

• Herring Gull
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin
• Wren
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Green Woodpecker
• Sparrowhawk (female)
• Carrion Crow
• Jay
• Magpie
• Blackbird
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon