Willow Warbler in the Cemetery.

Friday 5th April 2024.

My first Willow Warbler of the year flitting about in the bushes near the Mausoleum this morning.

The weather was much better than yesterday morning, though a tad windy with a strong south-westerly belting across Highland Road Cemetery this morning. The dogs got their daily walk here and this time, a different migrant bird was found - my first Willow Warbler of the year. With more migrants turning up around the south coast, there was always the chance to find something interesting and despite the strong winds, there was still a nice variety here in the Cemetery this morning. The Council were in here again, cutting the grass to the north of the site, but when I arrived around 9am, they had stopped and all was quiet. Phew! 

Above, the male Great Spotted Woodpecker suddenly confronts a Wood Pigeon and below, I think they are happy to share the tree.

Above, the male Great Spotted Woodpecker flew to this tree nearby and below, Goldfinches searching for blown seeds on this rooftop by the Cemetery with a male House Sparrow close by.

Above, a male Blackbird laden with recently caught worms and below, the blustery wind was blowing this Robin about.

Above and below, a hungry Willow Warbler searching for insects in the bushes.

Above, a Chocolate Mining Bee and below, a Tapered Drone Fly were both new for the year.

Above, a Bulbous Butterfly plant and below, my first Field Woodrush of the year growing abundantly throughout the Cemetery.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

The Willow Warbler was not a singing bird. In fact, if it wasn't due to the fact that I thought it was a rather bright individual, I would of easily let it go as a Chiffchaff; so I was glad it lingered around near the Mausoleum where I managed to grab quite a few photos of the bird to confirm its ID. The pale legs, longer primary feathers and its longer ‘hoooeet’ call clinched the ID, though I would have loved it if it was singing. A Chiffchaff also joined the bird and the difference was obvious. Another nice bird for the Cemy was the male Great Spotted Woodpecker. At first, he flew out of the Conifer in the south-east corner and started climbing the tree next to it, which grabbed the attention of a preening Wood Pigeon. It then flew to the top of one of the ornamental Conifers nearby and eventually to the Lime trees further east. A total of 20 species were noted this morning, my highest here for the week so far.

A few interesting plants were seen on my way round that included Field Woodrush and a few flowering Bulbous Buttercup growing in the tall grass around the graves. A few Bees and Hoverflies were on the wing in the sheltered places that included my first Chocolate Mining Bee of the year and also my first Tapered Drone Fly of the year; both sunning themselves on the same Ivy Bush. Sadly, no moths lingering by the entrance gates this time. Again, there were a lot of branches down due to the recent strong winds and with a new storm coming in tomorrow, I expect to see a lot more down. It was good to see a female Blackbird with a huge amount of nesting material flying into a bush, while another male Blackbird had a bill full of worms. I expect it has nestlings to take care of nearby.

The birds seen or heard recorded this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Great Black–backed Gull
• Great Spotted Woodpecker (male)
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Meadow Pipit
• Wren
• Robin
• Blackbird
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Willow Warbler
• Chiffchaff
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Goldfinch

I was chatting to my father on the phone yesterday at midday and he told me that he was positive that he had a flock of Waxwings perched at the back of his garden in Lovedean! To add weight to his sighting, a flock of Waxwings (no doubt returning north to their breeding grounds) was found at Shawford Down, near Winchester. Late last night, around 10.30pm, I heard a pair of Mediterranean Gulls flying over my house; hearing them call from the comfort of my bed! 

Above, this male Redstart was found and photograped by Mark Francis near Posbrook Floods. 

Above, a Sand Martin at Blashford Lakes and below, a Sedge Warbler at Fishlake Meadows. Both photos by Andy Tew. 

In Hampshire today, a male Ring Ouzel was found at Bickerley Common, Ringwood, this morning. Three Garganey were here yesterday at the same site. Fellow ‘Lazee, Mark Francis found a male Redstart near Posbrook Floods and a Sedge Warbler was noted further down the Canal Path and another on Farlington Marshes today.