Raven over the Cemetery.

Friday 2nd February 2024.

This Raven was my first here for a few years, but it didn't linger.

Another chilly start to the day and overcast first thing this morning too with a westerly wind to keep the temperature down. There were just 13 Brent Geese on Governor’s Green, Old Portsmouth, this morning (32 on there yesterday) and a total species count of 15 species today that included a fine male Sparrowhawk flying over the road and a Common Gull on the Green also.

Above, this Goldfinch was one of a few this morning seen here and below, the first Daffodils beginning to bloom.

Above, this Robin had something to sing about with Spring just around the corner. Below, the Jay finally gave itself up in the Cemy.

I took the dogs for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery after my first shift and easily the best find was a Raven flying low overhead, calling in doing so and quickly headed off southbound over the rooftops. A lot of the resident Carrion Crows were not happy with the Raven here as some flew up to chase the intruder off. The Great Spotted Woodpeckers were back in the Cemetery again, with the pair checking out the small trees by the Mausoleum and occasionally chasing each other through the branches. The Long-tailed Tit flock were also back again, with at least 13 birds seen flying away from me over the east side of the Cemetery. Away from the birds, the first Daffodils were on show on one of the graves and a few Crocuses poked out of the grass verges.

Above, a funeral will be taking place here today. Funerals are rare here as all the plots have been used up, so it would have been an existing plot for the burial to take place.

Above and below, the Great Spotted Woodpeckers were busy in search of food within the trees by the Mausoleum.

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

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie 
• Jay
• Raven
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Wren
• Robin
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch
• Great Spotted Woodpecker (pair)
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Long-tailed Tit (13)
• Blackbird
• Pied Wagtail

When I got home, I checked my back garden and noticed a good number of House Sparrows on the food put out for them and I found the male Blackcap among them again. However, everything got a rude awakening when a female Sparrowhawk crashed the party and nearly grabbed one of the Sparrows. She then perched up on the garden fence panel, though obscured by vegetation, then flew off north. Empty handed or not? On my second shift in Old Portsmouth this afternoon, the only addition to my day list there was the Jay, which was being chased by a Magpie through the Holm Oak trees. 

Very occasionally, you can hear a Jay 'sing', which is a mixture of crackles, warbles and whistles which I tried to capture here, though it was mostly drowned out by the other birds present here in the Cemetery.

 

   

Another Diver species flying over Old Portsmouth.

Wednesday 31st January 2024.

An adult and juvenile Herring Gull on top of one of the Chapels. A familiar sight in the Cemy and despite being a common species, always welcome to see the birds go about their business.

Well, that month went quickly and already it's the last day of January and a chilly one too. An overcast sky this morning with a breezy south-westerly blowing down the road while working in Old Portsmouth earlier today. On my first shift, I counted at least 15 species this morning and though there were just 8 Brent Geese on Governor’s Green when I arrived first thing, but as the morning wore on, a further 24 birds flew in to start grazing on the short grass that was being mown by the Council during that time. A male Sparrowhawk was a nice surprise as it flew up into one of the Holm Oaks and then settled briefly on the bare tree overlooking the Outdoor Bowls Green by Pembroke Road. The bird then flew over the road, just above my head, then flew off north bound. My final notable sighting during my first shift was a Diver species…again. This time, I was thinking that this was a Red-throated Diver that was making its way to nearby Portsmouth Harbour. Fast wing-beats, slim and pale looking, though it was a shame I did not have my binoculars on me. Not a bad hour at all.

Above, the ever present Starlings squabbling on one of the neighbours rooftops. below, a lone singing Goldfinch in one of the smaller trees.

One of several Blue Tits seen this morning and a showy individual too. Below, a female Greenfinch also in one of the smaller trees.

When I got back home, I got the dogs ready for their walk around Highland Road Cemetery and made sure that I was dressed properly for the occasion. The cold air can sink right into your bones, or is it my old age? A good total of 22 species were encountered on my walk around the Cemetery that included a calling Green Woodpecker and a solitary Redwing. The former was only heard, twice in fact, but unfortunately, never seen; whereas the Redwing was seen perched high up in one of the small trees over on the east side of the Cemy. Its tell-tale call gave it away and it didn't take long to locate the bird. Earlier today, just before sunrise, a Blackbird was heard singing at the back of my garden and here, within the Cemetery, a Song Thrush was also in full song. Spring is on its way. 

Above, a male Blackbird was one of many seen today and below, one of its northern cousins, the Redwing, showed well high up over on the east side.

Above, a pair of Great Tits were seen well over on the east side and below, yet another showy Blackbird close to the perimeter footpath.

As well as the regular dog-walkers that I met and chatted with (some can be quite interesting with tales of their sightings here), I met a lady from the Council from the Safe Clean Tidy Team. She asked me about how many dog-walkers let their dogs off the lead (it's not allowed here) and if I had seen any recently. Thankfully, I haven't, but I have seen them in the past and promised here I will report it to her should I see any. The news is full of dog attacks throughout the UK and aggressive dogs towards other dogs; something I will not tolerate. I am very careful with my dogs, who would simply lick you to death!!! 

The birds seen this morning within the Cemetery included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Great Black-backed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin
• Wren
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch
• Pied Wagtail
• Green Woodpecker
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Blackbird
• Song Thrush
• Redwing

In Hampshire today, the two Waxwings are still in the Braishfield area of Romsey and a Bittern was both seen and heard ‘booming’ in nearby Fishlake Meadows and someone claimed a Black Redstart by its call using an App at Sandy Point. Draw your own conclusions at that one!

Above, fellow 'Lazee' Andy Tew took this photo today of a Razorbill off Sandy Point and below, the Glossy Ibis are still present at Posbrook Floods. Photo by Emma Parkes.

Moth box on overnight.

Monday 29th January 2024.

A very foggy start to the day in Old Portsmouth with the Garrison Church looking something out of horror movie? There were actually 38 Brent Geese in this field too!

A very foggy start to the morning here in Southsea and the foghorns were at full blast too, especially when I was on my first shift in Old Portsmouth this morning! However, I could see a good gathering of Brent Geese on Governor’s Green and a count of 38 birds was easily my best of the season so far. There were also at least 20 Herring Gulls (and a few Black-headed Gulls among them) and 30+ Wood Pigeons on the same field. A total of just 13 species were recorded this morning, though the foggy weather played a big part in that number I think.

Above, a Light Brown Apple Moth and below, a Beautiful Plume.

I had my moth box on overnight for the first time this year seeing the overnight temperatures were up to around 9 degrees and I was rewarded with two micro moths; a Beautiful Plume and a Light Brown Apple Moth. Yes, two very common moths, but it's always nice to get your first ones of the year and also to get ANY moth here in January is a big bonus.

Great Spotted Woodpecker showing well again.

Sunday 28th January 2024.

The male Great Spotted Woodpecker in the Cemetery this morning.

A nice morning here in Southsea and it was back over to Highland Road Cemetery this morning with the dogs, taking in the somewhat ‘spring-like’ conditions and the mild temperature. It was over 10 degrees this morning with a bit of hazy sunshine poking through the white clouds and it was evident the birds were liking the weather too. Almost immediately, you noticed the many birds singing within the Cemetery, but what was also notable this morning was the amount of Carrion Crows here today. I counted at least 40+ birds in the trees alone, though there could have been many more here. Their nesting season starts soon, so I guess they all gather up with their respective partners for a good old chinwag on who is nesting where!

Above, there were a few Goldfinches here this morning, though kept to the taller trees and below, the Collared Doves in the favourite tree in the south-west of the Cemetery.

Above, several singing Robins were along the footpath and below, this female Blackbird allowed a close approach near where the above Robin was singing.

On entry to the Cemetery, I heard the Great Spotted Woodpecker calling somewhere over the north-east end of the Cemy and later on my walk round, I spotted the male bird high up in one of the trees by the Mausoleum, busy searching for grubs hidden within the branches. Three Jays flew high across the Cemetery towards the Holm Oaks, the most I have seen here for a while and a Great Black-backed Gull flew over heading south-east (not a common bird here) and a Pied Wagtail flew over and headed south to round off the uncommon birds here; but it is always nice to watch the common stuff, especially up close like a singing Robin or a Blackbird in sub-song. In fact, I heard my first Blackbird singing very early this morning in my garden. 

Above, this male Blackbird totally ignored me and the dogs as we walked past and below, the Great Spotted Woodpecker again. There was no sign of the Green Woodpecker today.

Above, my final favourite Great Spotted Woodpecker photo I took this morning and below, some of the 40+ Carrion Crows in the Cemy this morning. Two birds literally had a scrap just feet away from us as small branches nearly came crashing down on top of us!!! 

The birds recorded here this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Great Black-backed Gull
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin
• Wren
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Blackbird
• Song Thrush
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay (3)
• Pied Wagtail
• Great Spotted Woodpecker (male)