Ring-necked Parakeets in Old Portsmouth.

Thursday 2nd May 2024.

One of 6 Silver Y moths found this morning.

Last night's thunderstorms probably woke up most of Portsmouth last night, including my good self and so bleary eyed this morning, I was up to check on the moth box I put on overnight. Thankfully, I was rewarded with some interesting moths including a first for the year. I was in for a surprise on my first shift in Old Portsmouth this morning, when I had a ‘first for the year’ bird flying in, despite the overcast and misty conditions. In fact, it remained that way for most of the day and it actually got colder in the afternoon!

Narrow-winged Grey moth (Eudonia angustea).

The Moth Box:

My first Silver Y moths of the year were present this morning with six individuals counted in and around the moth box. These are one of our commonest immigrant moths to see throughout the year and I wondered how many came in on the thunderstorm last night into Portsmouth; though I see none reported on Hants Moths today. Other ‘macro’ moths recorded included one Brimstone Moth and one Double-striped Pug. Macro moths recorded Light Brown Apple Moths, with 11 counted and just the one Narrow-winged Grey. Apart from a few House Flies, the moth box attracted my first Lacewing of the year too.

The Ring-necked Parakeets in Old Portsmouth this morning. Sorry for the quality, but that was the best my mobile phone could manage! 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

I had a total of 15 bird species recorded during both shifts here at Pembroke Road today, but I wasn't expecting to see a ‘year-tick’ when my first Ring-necked Parakeets flew in! They were seen flying over the road, calling loudly and then settling in the trees of a nearby garden. Sadly, all I had to record them was my mobile phone camera, but what an unexpected bird to see. I thought I would have the grim trip over to Southampton to see the Parakeets there, but to see them in Portsmouth was exceptional. I have never seen them in our City before and probably birds that we're looking for somewhere to nest. Could they nest in Portsmouth this year? Like them or loathe them, they really are fascinating to watch. Not a great deal else unusual seen here this morning, but a Cormorant heading west high over was probably the most unusual bird.

Eastney:

I met up with my pal Gary Cole after my first shift and went for a coffee at the Coffee Cup. From here, I was facing the window and despite the fact you could hardly see the Isle of Wight due to the sea mist, nearer the shoreline, I could see at least two, maybe three Sandwich Terns fishing just offshore on the very still water along with an adult Mediterranean Gull nearby. A flock of around 6 Swallows flew over the beach heading west, which was a bonus and a small flock of finches that were most likely Linnets. All this was seen within a space of 90 minutes or so.