A large fall of Chiffchaffs here on the south coast.

Tuesday 24th September 2024.

A change of leaf colour on its way here in the Cemetery.

The weather is still playing its part this week with some very heavy showers all over the UK and overnight, there was a prolonged spell of rain, though it still remains to be quite mild. The winds have switched to north-westerly and with a temperature of around 16 degrees, it is sure to down some migrant birds along the south coast? This month sure seems to be producing a large fall of Chiffchaffs around the Portsmouth area. Good numbers were seen this morning around both Pembroke Road and Highland Road Cemetery, with the latter site easily hosting well into double-figures! There was no Moth Box overnight as the rain was falling quite heavily late evening, but I will be putting it on tonight whatever the weather.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Honey Fungus was growing at the base of this old tree stump and Bracket fungus growing on the tree itself still.

It was overcast at 8am this morning when I started work this morning in Pembroke Road; but it was dry and a breezy wind blew down the road. I logged up to 13 species of birds this morning here that included up to 5 Chiffchaffs flitting about around the roadside trees. There were probably more around and if I had time, I would have liked to take a stroll down the footpath leading to the Curtain Moat. Overhead, small flocks of Meadow Pipits headed west and a single Pied Wagtail heading the same direction was noted. The Jay popped in briefly and alighted on one of the smaller trees before heading off west and at least two Robins briefly showed themselves, with one in full song. 

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

Above, one of many Chiffchaffs seen in the Cemetery and below, this singing Coal Tit took me by surprise. A rarity on this site.

After listening to yet another Chiffchaff near my garden calling continuously, this spurred me on to take a trip over to Highland Road Cemetery again with the dogs and so grabbing their lead, we made our way over there. Again, it was very quiet for dog-walkers (always a bonus!) as we slowly made our way along our usual route. Along the west side footpath, there was a lot of activity that included easily around a dozen Chiffchaffs around. Most were heard, but I bet a lot more were in that particular area that were not calling? In fact, throughout my walk, I could hear Chiffchaffs calling from many bushes and trees and I estimated at least 25+ must have been at this site today.

Above, there were two Large White butterflies using this Buddliea bush and below, a singing Starling on top of the rooftops of the neigbouring houses.

A real rarity here is the Coal Tit and this morning, I heard one calling high up in the Pine tree in the south-west corner. I did manage to see the bird clearly and even managed a few record shots, but this is a species that I have only seen on only a handful of occasions. The Jay showed well, but proved very difficult to grab a photo of as it flew higher and higher up a tree and then was heard later further to the north. Meadow Pipits continued to fly high overhead, heading westbound

Above, I just love the way the trees are turning colour and below, a female Blackbird over in the south-east corner.

The birds seen in the Cemy this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Blackbird
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Coal Tit
• Chiffchaff
• Goldfinch
• Meadow Pipit
• Carrion Crow
• Jay
• Magpie
• Starling
• Wren

Above, brightly coloured Virginia Creeper shrouds this Conifer over in the northern section of the Cemetery and below, more Honey Fungus surrounds the base of this Beech tree.

Above, a Speckled Wood butterfly and below, an Ivy Bee.

There were a few butterfly species seen this morning that included an unexpected Peacock; but the more familiar butterflies here included Large & Small White, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood. I was sure I saw a ‘Blue’ butterfly, which was most likely a Common Blue, over in the south-east corner flying low over the grass. At least two Vapourer Moths were seen flying around the Cemetery, but none gave me the pleasure of settling down to be photographed!

Above, a Tapered Drone Fly and below, this Chiffchaff was one of two by the Mausoleum. 

Above, a male Blackbird hunting for worms.

In Hampshire this morning, up to 3 Glossy Ibis were on the Bridge Street Floods, Titchfield, this morning and a good selection of Warblers seen at Hayling Oyster Beds along with a Spotted Redshank there.