Back to the Cemetery.

Tuesday 23rd April 2024.

This Starling was collecting nesting material from this garden at the southern end of the Cemy. 

Apologies for not updating my blog of late, but that toothache I had on Saturday got a lot worse, but yesterday, I got the antibiotics I needed from the Dentists to hopefully get rid of this horrible pain. Since Saturday, there has been a nice variety of birds seen in Hampshire and still this morning, the Marsh Sandpiper is still showing well on Normandy Marshes; along with a Curlew Sandpiper and a Spotted Redshank. The Purple Heron is still showing occasionally around the reedbed by the Breach Pool, Pagham Harbour and the arrival of Swifts has at last arrived, although I am still awaiting my first sighting. Last night, I put the moth box on overnight, hoping for a few more new for the year.

The only moth this morning, a Brimstone Moth.

The Moth Box:

Sadly, it wasn't to be, for the moth box only attracted just the one moth, a Brimstone Moth that was perched on the wall opposite the box. Absolutely bugger all inside the moth box. Looking back to last year, it was also the same for last April where it was fairly quiet too, though May is just around the corner and things should pick up.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth: 

Though under a lot of painkillers, work continued yesterday before my Dentist appointment and up to 15 species of birds were seen from Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, that included sightings of both a Mallard (a ‘first’ here) and a Willow Warbler. The former simply flew high over the road and then headed south and the Warbler was calling (not singing) in the Holm Oaks and then seen flying over the house opposite and into the properties garden. Still no Swifts flying over yet. This morning, only 12 species were seen and nothing out of the ordinary either. It was still rather cool this morning, but at least it was bright at times and no sign of that horrible northerly wind! This afternoon, on my second shift, at Pembroke Road, two more species were added to my day total here that included a Great Black-backed Gull and both male and female Sparrowhawk were seen overhead.

Above, a Wood Pigeon snuggled up within one of the trees and below, House Sparrows gathering by the houses on the perimeter. 

Above, a Blue Tit in search of insects and below, a pair of Collared Doves on the main footpath.

Highland Road Cemetery:

It was back over the Cemetery again this morning with the dogs after my first shift and though fairly quiet, there were a few notable sightings here today. The sun had come out now and then, warming the place up and a few more plants had started to flower among the usual plants. The male Sparrowhawk was seen again this morning, although briefly, carrying a freshly caught prey up into one of the trees near the Mausoleum. A male Blackcap sang just once deep within cover, but I never got a glimpse of the bird this time; but no other migrants were noted this morning. Only 16 species noted today, but plenty to look at again which is always good news.

Above, my first Ox-eye Daisies of the year just about to come into bloom and below, the red 'spikes' all on show on the Horse Chestnut Trees.

Above, a singing Goldfinch and below, the male Sparrowhawk probably dispatches its latest kill.

Germander Speedwell is now starting to flower within the Cemetery as is Ox-eye Daisies, which in turn, gives more food to the insects and consequently, they give more food to the birds. I could be cold and callous and say this gives more food to the Sparrowhawks!!! Anyway, as Spring moves on, more and more plants are starting to come through and it was nice to see the red ‘spikes’ coming out on the Horse Chestnut trees this morning. Today, birding pal, Matt Parkes scored with his first Swifts of the year at his workplace in the north of the County and also a Cuckoo!

Above, there has been a small flock of Goldfinch in the Cemy for a few weeks now and below, Germander Speedwell is now in flower here.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Blackcap
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Goldfinch
• Starling
• Sparrowhawk (male)
• Robin
• Wren
• House Sparrow
• Blackbird

Above, the Marsh Sandpiper is still showing well on Normandy Marshes. Photo by Graeme Loader.

Above, a Lesser Whitethroat and below, a male Redstart. Both photos were taken recently by Pete Appleton.

Matt Parkes kindly sent me this film footage of Fox cubs playing where he works in the north of Hampshire today.