Wednesday 27th March 2024.
I made the most of the early morning bright sunshine this morning both on my first shift in Old Portsmouth and then with the dogs in Highland Road Cemetery. Though to be honest, there wasn't too much to write about on either trip, probably owing to the strong southerly wind blowing in off the Solent. But, alas, more rain was expected and it came in around 10am this morning as I was just returning from the Cemetery. Again, lots of nice comments on Facebook about the Moth boxes and birding pal John Goodall, who made the boxes, has texted me to say the other two boxes should be ready probably next week. All good stuff. It was interesting to read that some people who were unlucky not to attract the Swifts to their boxes are actually trying to tape lure the birds!
Old Portsmouth:
Just 12 species were recorded this morning during my first shift in Pembroke Road. The strong wind did not help, but the Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls seemed to enjoy it! The local Great Tit was vocal again this morning, but little else was. A Carrion Crow was carrying twigs into its nest high up in a nearby Holm Oak tree, but sadly, little else of note this morning here, despite being very sunny. This afternoon, another four species were added to my day total here, which included Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Jay (heard only) and Black-headed Gull.
Highland Road Cemetery:
As I literally walked out the front door to take the dogs to the Cemetery for their daily walk, three adult Mediterranean Gulls sailed high overhead, heading east over the rooftops, calling loudly. Good start. The Cemetery is now really starting to blossom with many trees starting to leaf and a few more wild flowers coming out in bloom. The Green Woodpecker put in a brief appearance, after I flushed it from the ground underneath the Holm Oak clump. A Jackdaw was heard and then briefly seen flying southbound over the houses, which is always a good record here. Sadly, not many photo opportunities this morning on my walk round as the birds seemed to keep out of sight today.
The birds recorded here this morning included the following:
- Herring Gull
- Black-headed Gull
- Wood Pigeon
- Feral Pigeon
- Blue Tit
- Goldfinch
- Wren
- Robin
- House Sparrow
- Starling
- Green Woodpecker
- Carrion Crow
- Jackdaw
- Magpie
- Blackbird
Other notable sightings included a Bloxworth Snout moth perched on what is becoming a damn good house for attracting moths. Just outside the main gates, there is a house where the front of it is painted a gleaming white and I always check the front of the building for moths, as I've seen quite a few here over the years. Three-cornered Leek was growing in its usual place under the Holm Oak clump; a species that has escaped from gardens and seems to be well established out in the wild. Very few insects were on the wing this morning again; maybe the wind put them off, but worryingly, no butterflies again! It was sad to see some dogs off their leads and I had to chastise one stupid woman who let her dogs come up to me and mine and bark their heads off. I shall be reporting this to the Council lady again. Good to see also that the pollution caused by the Water Treatment Works at Bedhampton got the attention of Good Morning Britain this morning. They showed the pipe leading into Langstone Harbour causing the problems and the shoddy excuses Southern Water are making, It turns out that a lot of the wildlife (shellfish, fish and seaweed) contain the likes of Cocaine and Emphitimines within them! What the hell is going on?? Around midday, I clocked a Peregrine sitting on the steeple of St. Judes Church by Marmion Road, Southsea as I was driving past. A Brimstone butterfly was seen in the grounds of a Retirement Home off Queens Crescent.
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