Kestrel and Swallow over Pembroke Road.

Friday 3rd May 2024.

This juvenile Blackbird was found in the north-east corner of Highland Road Cemetery today, my second young bird of the year after the juvenile Pied Wagtail at Fishtail Meadows last weekend.

There was no moth box on last night due to the fact I do not want to catch the same moths from the previous night and so it was back to Old Portsmouth for my first bird sightings of the day and then a trip to Highland Road Cemetery with my dogs. This was followed by my second visit to Old Portsmouth to round off a nice day where it was fairly bright and occasionally sunny with a breezy south-westerly blowing.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Fifteen species of birds were noted today from Pembroke Road and although I never took a trip down to Curtain Moat, it was mostly the usual birds that made up the numbers. However, it wasn't till the afternoon shift that I saw probably the best two species, notably a Swallow flying west over Governor’s Green and a Kestrel flying away from me heading west over the houses. I don't often see Kestrel’s here; in fact, it was only the second one I have ever seen over this road. Though I did not have binoculars on me, there was no mistaking that it was a Kestrel.

Above, my first Dove's-foot Cranesbill of the year and below, another 'year-tick', with Herb Bennet found also.

Hop to it! This male Blackbird negotiates the grass in search of more worms. Below, a large clump of Green Alkanet by the perimeter wall.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

There was a glimmer of sunshine through the grey sky overhead now and then and at times, it became quite warm once the wind had dropped; but it didn't drop for long as it became breezy when I started to leave the Cemetery. Just 17 species were noted today and though most of the birds showed very well this morning, the female Sparrowhawk showed very well circling low over the Cemetery, though upsetting a lot of the Pigeons and Starlings below. Two juvenile Blackbirds were found in the north-east corner of the Cemetery, close to the footpath of which one showed well while the other was hiding deep within a bush. I kept checking the sky for any Hirundines or Swifts overhead, but none to be seen here. A Dunnock was heard to sing near the Mausoleum, but no sighting of the bird this time.

Above, four photos of the female Sparrowhawk over the Cemetery this morning.

There were plenty of plants on show within the Cemetery that included my first Herb Bennet and Dove's-foot Cranesbill of the year. I found at least four or five plants in different areas of the Cemy and although a common plant at this time of year, it now joins the Herb Robert in being a common plant flowering now. Even the Ox-eye Daisies are now in full flower which in turn will produce more insects, especially the Hoverflies and Bees.

Above, Ribwort Plantain in flower and below, a male Early Epistrophe Hoverfly.

Above, a Mining Bee species which I think could be Sandpit Mining Bee, but I shall wait for the experts to concur. Below, a close up of one of the 'spikes' from a Horse Chestnut tree.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin
• Wren
• Blackbird
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Dunnock
• Goldfinch
• Feral Pigeon
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Sparrowhawk (female)  
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie

Above, a close up of the Ox-eye Daisy and below, I was impressed with the green colouration of this beautiful Conifer.

Above, a female Hairy-footed Flower Bee on some flowering Green Alkanet. Below, a view from the northern end of the Cemetery looking south.

Birding pals Emma and Matt Parkes took the opportunity to go to Fishlake Meadows today and had a staggering 6 Hobbies over the reserve plus 4 Garden Warblers and at least 2 ‘booming’ Bitterns and earlier, they took a trip to Pig Bush in the New Forest where they saw FOUR Cuckoo’s in total. Not a bad day at all. Fellow ‘Lazee’ Gary Fennemore had a good seawatch from Sandy Point this morning where he saw up to 65 Gannets, an Arctic Skua, 10 Common Scoter and a Hobby flying west.

From top to bottom: Cuckoo, Marsh Tit, Garden Warbler and Hobby. Birds that were photographed by Emma Parkes today.