Very Spring-like around the Cemy.

Sunday 18th February 2024.

Blossom is now coming out on some of the fruit trees here in the Cemetery. That should soon attract the Bees and Hoverflies.

After a relaxing holiday in North Norfolk, it was back to the hustle and bustle of Portsmouth and once the rain had gone, I took the dogs for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery in the now bright sunshine. Spring is just around the corner and with the daytime temperature around 15 degrees, I was expecting to see some butterflies on the wing and possibly some different flowers in bloom. How right I was.

Above, a Ruby Tiger caterpillar on a gravestone and below, one of several singing Robins in the Cemy this morning.

A total of 18 species were recorded this morning that included the female Green Woodpecker and up to 3 Jays. Even a Mistle Thrush flew over and headed south-west low over the Cemetery; a rare bird here. The female Green Woodpecker was first heard and lucky for me, seen a little later flying up into a tree and showed well in the bright sunshine. Seconds later, a Jay flew past then followed by two more birds.

Above, Blossom adorned some of the Ornamental Cherry Trees and below, my first butterfly of the year, a gorgeous Red Admiral. A little while later, my first Brimstone butterfly of the year was also seen.

I was hoping for my first butterfly of the year and was duly rewarded when I spotted a Red Admiral fluttering low down around the graves and thankfully, it landed on one of them as I managed to grab some photos of this pretty insect. About ten minutes later, I saw my first Brimstone butterfly of the year flying around by the tall Silver Birch near the Holm Oak clump, but it didn't settle and flew off north through the trees. I did see a few Bumblebee’s on the wing today, which were most likely queen Buff-tailed Bumble bees, but none settled on the ground.  Regarding the plant life, my first Sweet Violet and Self-heal plants of the year were found while walking around the perimeter. With a lot of birds singing in the Cemetery today, it most certainly felt like Spring. 

Above, a Wren sunning itself and below, a Self-heal plant, my first of the year, growing in the Cemy. 

Above, me and the dogs stood still as we watched a male Blackbird bathed in one of the many puddles along the footpath. Below, the female Green Woodpecker was eventually spotted in one of the tall trees in the centre of the Cemy.

The following birds were seen or heard within the Cemetery today:

• Herring Gull
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay (3)
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Doe
• Blackbird
• Mistle Thrush
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Green Woodpecker
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin 
• Wren
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch

Above, the Mistle Thrush flying south-west low over the Cemetery and below, Sweet Violets growing in the short grass. I think this is the first time I have ever seen them growing here in the Cemetery.

Above, another Ruby Tiger moth caterpillar found on a different gravestone. Below, this Bittern was seen from the Ivy North Hide, Blashford Lakes this morning. Photo by Andy Tew.

On a worrying note, a petition has gone viral regarding the future of Farlington Marshes Nature Reserve. I’m not sure why this happened but it was requesting people to write in to explain why they go to the reserve and what they get out of it by going there. I have been going there since I was about 12 when my Dad introduced me to the place. I even got to see my first Yellow Wagtail on that particular summer's day, a species that does not breed there now, sadly. I am wondering if the Council is wondering about the cost of replacing the sea wall that has to be maintained every other year. What with the sea levels rising, it is another cost to the Council (or should I say the taxpayer). Let's hope common sense prevails and may this wonderful reserve entertain for the rest of my lifetime at least.