Back over to my 'local patch'.

Thursday 26th December 2024.

Hope you had a great Christmas everyone!

With the Christmas period nearly coming to an end and a good walk overdue, it was back over to Highland Road Cemetery for a nice relaxing walk with the dogs. As per usual, there was far too much to eat and drink and though I took it easy this year, I still enjoyed myself and I think my family did too. The weather has been somewhat indifferent over the past few days. Though fairly cool, with hardly any wind, it remained mostly overcast and even drizzle set in later in the afternoon today, which was very much like yesterday.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

A dull, overcast quiet morning over at the Cemetery

Though there was nothing unusual around the Cemetery late this morning, it was a pleasure to be out walking the dogs instead of sitting watching awful Xmas telly programmes surrounded by sweets and alcoholic beverages!! Within the Cemy today, up to three Jays showed reasonably well and a flock of 14 Goldfinches flew over the tops of the trees with several seen high up in the southern end of the Cemy. It was good to see a Collared Dove here today for they have been scarce this winter here. I remember getting double-figures of this species in previous winters; so where are they going?

Above, Herring Gulls upon the Chapel by the main entrance of the Cemetery and below, a small flock of Starlings in the trees at the southern end.

Above, a lone Collared Dove was a surprise. Sadly, their numbers here have drastically declined from recent winters. Below, one of a flock of Goldfinches in the tall trees in the southern half of the Cemy.

Above and below, one of the Jays showed well.

Above, a few Wrens were heard and this one was actually seen. Below, there were plenty of Blackbirds present here today with this one close to the Mausoleum.

The birds noted within the Cemetery today included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay (3)
• Goldfinch (14)
• Starling
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Blackbird
• Robin
• Wren

Nationally, easily the biggest ‘twitch’ in the UK would be for the American Yellow Warbler that was found on Christmas Eve at New Hythe Gravel Pits, in Kent and was still present and showing well today. Though I have never seen one in the UK, I remember finding one on the island of Nevis, in the West Indies many years ago. Stunning little birds. One of my Facebook friends, Dave Hutton, went to see the bird today (see photo) and managed to at least get a couple of decent photos of the bird.

The American Yellow Warbler at New Hythe Gravel Pits, Kent, today. Photo by Dave Hutton.

In Hampshire today, within the Weston Shore and Hythe area today, the Red-necked Grebe was showing still and both Black-throated and Great Northern Diver were seen today, but the long staying Black-throated Diver in Emsworth looks as though it has gone. On Christmas Eve, birding pal Geoff Farwell went birding around the Cheriton area and saw the following birds: 6 Red Kites, 4 Common Buzzard, Raven, 37 Little Egrets, Water Rail, 450 Common Gulls, 9 Common Snipe, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Stonechat, 1000+ Starlings, 25 Fieldfare, 28 Linnets, 15 Meadow Pipits and 7 Yellowhammers.