Finally, some migrants in the Cemy.

Friday 19th April 2024.

This Willow Warbler was having a stretch in Highland Road Cemetery this morning.

The wind had shifted to the north-west this morning and being overcast too, it was like being back in winter again. Though dry, the strong blustery wind was horribly cold and not pleasant to be standing there for a length of time either. I was pleased to get my first shift in Pembroke Road over with and then later, when I got back home, I took the dogs for a walk back over Highland Road Cemetery where, at last, there were a few migrant birds that had arrived.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

There was a reasonable total of 15 bird species seen this morning and though nothing that exceptional, all the usual suspects were present again. The Pied Wagtail was on the Bowling Green and a male Linnet flew low over the road heading westbound. I was sure the Sparrowhawk was around, having flushed a lot of Pigeons from the trees, but there was no sighting of the bird this morning.

The footpath walking south on the west side. The Great Spotted Woodpecker was in these trees this morning. Below, this Ivy-leaved Toadflax grew abundantly on the south perimeter wall. It attracted a few Bees, including this male Hairy-footed Flower Bee.

Above, the male Hairy-footed Flower Bee nectaring on the flowers. Below, one of 8 Goldfinches in the trees.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

A total of 16 species were recorded this morning on my walk around the Cemetery and at last, there were a few migrant birds within. A Willow Warbler was heard briefly somewhere near the Mausoleum, but it wasn't relocated till I got to the north-east corner where it was eventually seen singing high up in the Oak tree. While checking this bird out, I could hear a second bird calling just north of here and so as I walked up to the bird, I soon picked it out in some hanging overhead branches within the Plane tree. A little earlier, there was a snatch of Blackcap song and then I spotted the bird flying out of a bush then flew into a nearby garden bush, but out of sight. Still, two Warbler species in a matter of minutes. What else could be around? Sadly, no more Warblers or other migrants, but the Great Spotted Woodpecker was around again. I first heard it calling over on the west side and eventually saw the bird flying overhead at great speed and landing in the furthest tree in the north-east corner.

Above, a Collared Dove posing nicely for me and below, one of many Common Banded Hoverflies present today.

Above, when the sun did break through the clouds, the whole place lit up in various shades of green. Below, the Willow Warbler high up in the Oak tree.

Though mostly overcast, there were spells when the sun broke through the thick cloud and everything looked ‘Spring-like’, but it didn't last long as the wind returned. But hey, at least it was dry! 

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon 
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Blackcap (singing male)
• Willow Warbler (2 singing males)
• Blue Tit
• Robin
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch
• Blackbird
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Starling
• Wren  

Above, this female Blackbird was collecting nesting material and below, another shot of the Willow Warbler high up in the Oak tree.

It is fairly quiet in Hampshire currently with a few notable sightings including 4 Common Terns at Blashford Lakes and a singing Garden Warbler at Bickerley Common. Over in West Sussex, the Purple Heron is still present from the North Wall at Pagham Harbour. Over on the Isle of Wight, Brading Marshes scored yesterday with SIX Wood Sandpipers and a Temminck’s Stint and three of the Wood Sands are still present today. Checking our local ‘Lazee’s & Hants Rarity Apps’ this afternoon, a male Pied Flycatcher was at Sandy Point, Hayling Island this morning and now, a superb Marsh Sandpiper has been found at Normandy Marshes. What a find. 

The Marsh Sandpiper on Normandy Marshes this afternoon. Film footage by Mark Francis.