Back to Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth.

Wednesday 4th September 2024.

My first day back after the Summer break produced a variety of birds this morning.

It was back to Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, this morning to start a new School year and thankfully, it was sunny with a clear blue sky overhead, with hardly any wind to speak of either. As soon as I stepped out of the car, a Yellow Wagtail was heard to fly over, but it was virtually impossible to locate the bird in the blue sky, which is so typical of this species. A little later, a Grey Wagtail flew over and it was the same situation as the Yellow Wag earlier! A male Kestrel was seen flying low over the Governor’s Green opposite me and seen to land on Garrison Church; a good record here for this species. A Chiffchaff was heard calling deep within the cover of the Holm Oaks on the opposite side of the road; a familiar Autumn sound for this time of year. That was my morning shift where 16 species were recorded. What will this afternoon produce although I hear there could be a few rain showers this afternoon.

Above, a Yellow Wagtail. Photo by Pete Appleton. Below, a Spotted Flycatcher. Photo by Rob Porter. Two familiar Autumn species here in the south and superbly photographed. 

Birding news in Hampshire this morning included a Curlew Sandpiper on the Willow Pool on Farlington Marshes and out in Langstone Harbour, both an Osprey and a Peregrine were on North Binness Islands again.