After all the rain, it's back to the Cemy.

Friday 23rd February 2024

One of the many footpaths within the Cemetery. You just never know what could be lurking in the bushes and trees here.

Finally I managed to grab a bit of birding done today when I took my dogs for a walk around my local patch, Highland Road Cemetery. The weather here on the south coast has been absolutely awful over the past few days, with heavy rain, strong winds and even a bit cold too. Typical wintry weather I hear you say, but it has been so mild of late, it was a bit of a shock. This morning, though a tad cold at 8 degrees, it was bright and fairly sunny with the occasional bit of heavy cloud. A breezy westerly wind blew down Pembroke Road this morning, that kept me a bit cooler than I would have liked as I notched up 16 species this morning on my first shift. Three Brent Geese were on Governor’s Green first thing, but they soon moved off; the first time I have seen them this week here. There was nothing out of the ordinary this morning, though there was a decent flock of 7 Pied Wagtails on the Bowling Green yesterday in the grotty weather.

Already, a few summer migrants have been reported nationally that have included a House Martin in Kent, a few Swallows (one seen this morning over Paulsgrove!) and even a Little Ringed Plover. A few Wheatears have also turned up; one in Dorset and another further inland. The big rarity in the UK currently is a Myrtle Warbler in a back garden at Kilwinning, Ayrshire. The bird has been favouring a particular garden and enjoying the nut feeders it seems. Incredible that this American warbler has made it through the winter there. The drake Baikal Teal is still at Greylake RSPB Reserve, Somerset and the drake Ferruginous Duck is still on Posbrook Floods, Titchfield!

Above, a male Blackbird in search for worms in the long grass. Below, Starlings had gathered on the chimney pots, keeping a sharp eye out for the local Sparrowhawk that eventually came their way. 

Above, these Collared Doves are joined by a few Wood Pigeons in their favourite tree; the old Yew tree over in the south-east corner. Below, the Lords & Ladies plants are now getting quite big.

Above, plenty of Robins were heard, but only this one was actually seen. Below, Blue Tits were abundant throughout the Cemetery this morning. 

Above, a record shot of the Green Woodpecker flying over and below, I was lucky to get a quick distant photo of the female Sparrowhawk heading north over the houses.

Above, this male Greenfinch was giving its spring call and below, this Wren was seen singing over in the north-east corner.

Back to earth now with my hour long walk around where there were 18 species recorded this morning. The Green Woodpecker eventually put in an appearance when it was flushed by a passing female Sparrowhawk and calling loudly, it flew over the Cemetery and eventually landed in the tall Oak Tree in the north-east corner. The Sparrowhawk never settled and sailed off northbound over the rooftops, followed noisily by a posse of Herring Gulls! It was nice to hear the Greenfinches singing this morning and I wonder when the first Chiffchaff will start singing here?

• Herring Gull
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin
• Wren
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Green Woodpecker
• Sparrowhawk (female)
• Carrion Crow
• Jay
• Magpie
• Blackbird
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon

Fox on the Rocks!

Tuesday 20th February 2024.

The dog Fox on the rocks by Southsea Castle.

It was a lot colder than I expected it to be this morning as I went about my first shift at Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth. Thankfully, I had the cold weather gear in the car and this morning, I notched up 18 species in all, which included a flock of 12 Brent Geese plus a single bird; a Cormorant and a singing Dunnock! Nothing, I suppose, that would set the birding world alight, but the ‘day-ticks’ came thick and fast during the first 20 minutes there.

Above, a small flock of Brent Geese flew over the Castle area.

Above and below, a 'sinensis' race of Cormorant heading west low over the Solent. Unfortunately, very little else over the Solent.

Afterwards, before heading off home, I brought my camera and binoculars along with me this morning for I wanted to check out Southsea Castle for a possible Black Redstart and also to see the Purple Sandpipers again. Sadly, there were neither on show today and the weather got worse too with a drizzle in the air making visibility over the Solent very poor. For my efforts, a dog Fox was sat on the rocks staring at me in my high-viz gear, but at least he posed for the camera nicely. The only other birds around here were a couple of Cormorants, a few Black-headed Gulls loafing on the sea and good old Feral Pigeons sat on the Castle Wall. A few Brent Geese flew over, but apart from that, naff all (as Fletch from Porridge would say)!  

Very Spring-like around the Cemy.

Sunday 18th February 2024.

Blossom is now coming out on some of the fruit trees here in the Cemetery. That should soon attract the Bees and Hoverflies.

After a relaxing holiday in North Norfolk, it was back to the hustle and bustle of Portsmouth and once the rain had gone, I took the dogs for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery in the now bright sunshine. Spring is just around the corner and with the daytime temperature around 15 degrees, I was expecting to see some butterflies on the wing and possibly some different flowers in bloom. How right I was.

Above, a Ruby Tiger caterpillar on a gravestone and below, one of several singing Robins in the Cemy this morning.

A total of 18 species were recorded this morning that included the female Green Woodpecker and up to 3 Jays. Even a Mistle Thrush flew over and headed south-west low over the Cemetery; a rare bird here. The female Green Woodpecker was first heard and lucky for me, seen a little later flying up into a tree and showed well in the bright sunshine. Seconds later, a Jay flew past then followed by two more birds.

Above, Blossom adorned some of the Ornamental Cherry Trees and below, my first butterfly of the year, a gorgeous Red Admiral. A little while later, my first Brimstone butterfly of the year was also seen.

I was hoping for my first butterfly of the year and was duly rewarded when I spotted a Red Admiral fluttering low down around the graves and thankfully, it landed on one of them as I managed to grab some photos of this pretty insect. About ten minutes later, I saw my first Brimstone butterfly of the year flying around by the tall Silver Birch near the Holm Oak clump, but it didn't settle and flew off north through the trees. I did see a few Bumblebee’s on the wing today, which were most likely queen Buff-tailed Bumble bees, but none settled on the ground.  Regarding the plant life, my first Sweet Violet and Self-heal plants of the year were found while walking around the perimeter. With a lot of birds singing in the Cemetery today, it most certainly felt like Spring. 

Above, a Wren sunning itself and below, a Self-heal plant, my first of the year, growing in the Cemy. 

Above, me and the dogs stood still as we watched a male Blackbird bathed in one of the many puddles along the footpath. Below, the female Green Woodpecker was eventually spotted in one of the tall trees in the centre of the Cemy.

The following birds were seen or heard within the Cemetery today:

• Herring Gull
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay (3)
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Doe
• Blackbird
• Mistle Thrush
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Green Woodpecker
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin 
• Wren
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch

Above, the Mistle Thrush flying south-west low over the Cemetery and below, Sweet Violets growing in the short grass. I think this is the first time I have ever seen them growing here in the Cemetery.

Above, another Ruby Tiger moth caterpillar found on a different gravestone. Below, this Bittern was seen from the Ivy North Hide, Blashford Lakes this morning. Photo by Andy Tew.

On a worrying note, a petition has gone viral regarding the future of Farlington Marshes Nature Reserve. I’m not sure why this happened but it was requesting people to write in to explain why they go to the reserve and what they get out of it by going there. I have been going there since I was about 12 when my Dad introduced me to the place. I even got to see my first Yellow Wagtail on that particular summer's day, a species that does not breed there now, sadly. I am wondering if the Council is wondering about the cost of replacing the sea wall that has to be maintained every other year. What with the sea levels rising, it is another cost to the Council (or should I say the taxpayer). Let's hope common sense prevails and may this wonderful reserve entertain for the rest of my lifetime at least.