The Swifts are back over the house and Cemy.

Tuesday 7th May 2024.

A sunny evening over Highland Road Cemetery today.

It was back to work this morning and today turned out to be very warm indeed. A light northerly wind blew across Southsea on a nice sunny day where on both my shifts in Pembroke Road, there were all the usual birds on show today. Sadly, nothing was out of the ordinary here today, but at least it was dry. In the evening, I took the dogs for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery and it was pleasing to finally hear the Swifts over my local patch.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

As mentioned, all the regular birds were present with up to 14 species seen today. Surprisingly, there were no Swifts seen over Old Portsmouth, but I am sure they will be here sometime this week. A Small White butterfly was seen flying close to the main road and a small micro moth fluttering around by my plants looked good for a Carnation Tortrix.

A pair of Swifts high over the Cemetery this evening and below, a pair of Collared Doves flying over the southern end of the Cemy.

Above, one of the Collared Doves landed close to the main footpath and below, I believe I was near where a Robin was nesting nearby.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

Earlier today, I was finishing off potting some plants in my back garden and I noticed a good number of Swifts overhead. A flock of 8 birds were wheeling high in the sky, calling loudly until dispersing across the sky. Though a lot of the birds within the Cemetery were keeping a low profile, you could still hear them singing their hearts out within the trees. Again, more Swifts were heard overhead and at least four birds were seen sailing high in the sky. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was found flying around by the west perimeter wall along with several Herring Gulls. I think it's the first Lesser Black-backed I have seen here in the Cemy this year. There was nothing else out of the ordinary here this evening and now it's No Mow May. I will be looking forward to checking the growth of the plants here.

Above, a female Blackbird searching for food and below, the adult Lesser Black-backed Gull on one of the houses by the perimeter wall.

In Hampshire today, there was a small Red Kite movement with double figures passing high overhead. A Fulmar was seen off Sandy Point, Hayling Island and a pair of Hobbies were flying over Portsdown Hill. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen briefly at the IBM Lake, Cosham and a Yellow Wagtail was on Posbrook Floods. Elsewhere in the UK, a staggering 265 Red Kites went west over Abbotsbury Swannery, Dorset! More locally, a Temminck’s Stint was on the Stilt Pool, Medmerry RSPB Reserve and a Wood Sandpiper tonight near Honer Reservoir, Pagham Harbour.

Above, the Alpine Accentor that was found at Pitstone Quarry, Buckinghamshire last Saturday. Photos and film footage by Toby Carter. It is one species I have always wanted to see, but this was yet another 'one day' bird.