The heavy rain this morning produced a lot of puddles throughout the Cemetery.
Another day of awful weather with strong winds along with heavy rain at times, though it got a bit drier in the afternoon, thankfully. The wind and rain was so strong in the early hours of the morning, it actually woke me up! Yep, my first shift this morning was grim with heavy rain and the strong westerly wind blowing, but despite all this, I still checked out the birdlife in the area and this morning, I counted 20 Brent Geese on Governor’s Green and the 6 Pied Wagtails on the Bowling Green.
Above, several Blue Tits showed well in the trees and below, several Blackbirds were on show too.
Above, this Robin perched on a statue sang its heart out near the main footpath and below, I found a small flock of Greenfinch in the north-east corner of the Cemetery.
When I got back, the rain and wind had simply vanished and was thankfully replaced by a bright blue sky and blazing sunshine. Even the wind had dropped as we made our way around the perimeter of Highland Road Cemetery again. I really should have worn my walking boots because the footpaths had huge puddles on them, but I managed to keep my feet dry, just! Only 17 species were seen this morning here, but it did include the Green Woodpecker again, within the trees by the Mausoleum and a Dunnock was seen briefly (a scarce bird here) and not a great deal of photo opportunities either this morning. At least it was dry!
This male Blackbird landed just a few feet away from us.
The birds noted this morning included the following:
One of the Braishfield Waxwings photographed recently by Rob Porter.
Well, it's not every day I can add to my blog on the 29th February, what being a Leap Year; however, there is not all that much to write about seeing our weather here in the south was simply horrible today. It was non-stop rain and even heavier in the afternoon where I got a bit of a soaking. Even the School lads playing Rugby on Governor’s Green only played for around 30 minutes before giving up due to the weather. Earlier today, on my first shift, the Brent Geese numbers on Governor’s Green peaked at 65 birds, which topped yesterday’s number here. The Pied Wagtail flock on the Bowling Green still numbered 6 birds and a Common Gull (uncommon here) were among the 18 Black-headed Gulls on Governor’s Green this afternoon.
Above, a Kingfisher in Gosport and below, a male Siskin at Blashford Lakes. Both photos by Rob Porter.
Above, the drake Scaup at Pennington Marshes by Rob Porter and below, a male Dartford Warbler at Browndown by Emma Parkes.
Not a great deal else of note today, but a singing male Blackbird (see below) in my back garden was nice to hear and see in my neighbours garden. I am a little concerned about the lack of any birds eating any of my bird food recently. In fact, I have not seen anything at all on the feeders all week, which I find quite unusual. There has been a cracking male Black Redstart around Haslar Marina slipway, of which quite a few 'toggers' have been filling their boots with. Thankfully, some of my birding friends have taken some superb photos of late and again, have allowed me to put some of them on my blog, which I am most grateful for.
This singing Blackbird in my neighbours garden in the rain typified what the day was like.
This superb photo of a Bittern was taken from the Ivy North Hide, Blashford Lakes, recently by Pete Appleton. Sadly, unless the Fishlake Meadows bird puts in an appearance, it looks like I am not going to see this species this winter.
A fairly mild morning to start the day with and relatively bright too, with the sun desperate to break through the high cloud. However, I hear that there is rain on the way again, but on my first shift this morning in Pembroke Road, it was pleasant. 14 species were seen in total that included my highest number of Brent Geese on Governor’s Green this year; with 60+ birds present, though I think a couple more flew in as well. A small group of three Mute Swans (all juveniles) flew west and a Cormorant looked as though it settled on Long Curtain moat to the south of where I was. Great Tits were singing in the trees and the Pied Wagtail flock on the Bowling Green numbered six birds.
When I got home, the first thing I did was knock on my neighbours houses to get an agreement to put more Swift Boxes up. The guys from Hampshire Swifts are happy to bring and erect the boxes once we get confirmation on how many are going up; with at least 7 boxes so far, I am hoping to get into double figures at least. Brilliant stuff. Below are some of the superb photos of a few birds that have turned up in Hampshire recently. My birding friends have allowed me to put on my blog, for which I am very grateful.
Above, The adult Red-breasted Goose on Normandy Marshes. I was hoping the bird would linger for another week, but sadly not. I had no luck with the Red-breasted Goose in Norfolk, though I heard it returned to a field in Wells yesterday! Photo by Pete Appleton.
Above and below, this superb male Black Redstart has been seen in Gosport recently. Photos by Pete Appleton. Again, I have yet to catch up with one this year, though I am sure one will turn up either at Fort Cumberland or Southsea Castle soon.
Above, a Sandwich Tern past Hill Head. Photo by Emma Parkes. Below, a Corn Bunting at Toyd Down. Photo by Rob Porter.
Always nice to see the Jay within the Cemetery, adding a splash of colour.
A much better morning today with bright sunshine and though cold (5 degrees centigrade) with a light northerly wind, it was still pleasant enough. Yesterday was a lot colder with a stiff strong northerly wind making it feel a lot colder than today, but I still notched up 15 species in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth that included a small flock of 4 Brent Geese and best of all, a pair of Ravens flew in from the south and headed low north over the rooftops. This morning, 14 species were noted that included the highest number of Brent Geese on Governor’s Green I have seen this year, with 45 birds present grazing on the short grass. A Goldcrest was heard calling in the Holm Oak trees, but no sighting of the bird this time. It has been a while since I have noticed one here.
Above, one of the many Wood Pigeons picking off vegetation within the Cemetery, close to the footpath and below, a not so fortunate individual. Sparrowhawk kill, perhaps?
Above, a real splash of Spring with flowering Daffodils and Bluebells on one of the graves and below, a pair of House Sparrows. Sparrows are not always guaranteed to be seen in the Cemy, though they do take a liking to some of the bushes on the east side.
Above, Self-healand below, the Sweet Violets are still present this morning.
Above, one of several singing Wrens and below, I noticed a lot of this particular tree had lost its larger branches. The actual tree is rotten throughout and I expect the Council will fell it sooner rather than later.
The Jay showed well again this morning and posed quite nicely at times.
Above, this male Blackbird went about upturning the leaves on the damp grass.
After my first shift, I grabbed the dogs and took them for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery to join the many other dog-walkers present. The lady from the Council, checking for dogs off leads, was present again today, which is always a good thing I believe. Sadly, too many dog-walkers are flouting the law regarding their animals and the dog mess it seems is sadly getting worse. Not a large species tally this morning with just 17 species noted, though the Green Woodpecker showed again this morning. Unfortunately, I could not get any photos of the bird this time, what with it flying through the tree branches, but I had more luck with the Jay that showed reasonably well. Cloud cover came in as the morning progressed and therefore the light was a bit difficult to get any decent photos this morning. I think the cold weather has put a hold on any insects to be on the wing here, despite a good search for any Hoverflies and butterflies. Both Self-heal and Sweet Violet were on show again this morning still and some of the graves did look stunning with flowering Daffodils on them.
The species recorded in the Cemetery this morning included the following:
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Collared Dove
Starling
House Sparrow
Wren
Robin
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Green Woodpecker
Jay
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
In Hampshire today, fellow ‘Lazee’ Gary Fennemore recorded 7 Common Scoter, Great Northern Diver, Eider, 6 Sandwich Tern and a Slavonian Grebe from Sandy Point and the two very long staying Waxwings were still at Braishfield, Romsey as well. The Bittern at Fishlake Meadows was still ‘booming’ this morning (something I have never heard yet!). Yesterday, a House Martin was seen several times hawking over Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve. Nationally, the Baikal Teal was again at Greylake RSPB Reserve in Somerset and the superb Myrtle Warbler was again at Kilwinning in Ayrshire (see photos below).
Above and below, the Myrtle Warbler at Kilwinning. Many thanks to Paul Coombes for these photos of the bird.
Before my second shift, I got there early in the afternoon and gave myself around an hour to take a walk around Governor’s Green and onto the promenade by the Long Curtain moat. A lot of money has been spent in renovating this area of Old Portsmouth and not only does it look very modern, but it has kept a lot of the old architecture here as well. Governor’s Green only held a large flock of ‘grazing’ Wood Pigeons at first, but eventually, two adults and a juvenile Brent Geese flew in and landed on the Green for a spot of lunch. There was an outside chance of a Black Redstart lurking about around the moat, but all I could find were a large number of Feral Pigeons and a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls; the latter were swimming on the moat, though I was not impressed by the amount of rubbish laying on top of the water! Very sad.
Above, a swathe of Wood Pigeons 'grazing' on Governor's Green with the Old Garrison Church behind. Below, a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls swimming on the moat. Just a shame about all the rubbish floating in the moat.
Above, when I reached the moat, looking back I noticed three Brent Geese about to land on Governor's Green. Below, an adult Shag was a nice surprise swimming on the sea not too far out.
Above, another photo of the adult Shag and below, the footbridge going over the moat.
Above, just the three Brent Geese on Governor's Green this afternoon; though they didn't stay long.
Out on the Solent and not too far from Portsmouth Harbour entrance, there was a close adult Shag swimming / fishing on the sea and it showed very well during the 15 minutes I was there. Unfortunately, apart from a few Black-headed Gulls, very little of note here I’m afraid. There was a flock of 6 Pied Wagtails on the Bowling Green when I had just parked up, but were soon flushed by a Groundsman as the birds headed off north. At least the weather picked up and got a lot warmer than this morning. I enjoyed that walk and as Spring is not too far away, there could actually be a few surprises in the area as the migrants come in.
Hurst Point Lighthouse and Castle with the Isle of Wight in the background. It was raining when I took this photo, but when the sun eventually came out, the island reminded me of one of those in the Hebrides.
It was just Geoff Farwell and myself that went birding this morning as our Andy had car troubles and had to stay behind to sort that out. When I left my home this morning, it was clearly evident that there was a heavy frost overnight, so I didn't expect some heavy rain showers when we arrived at our destination this morning. Driving through the New Forest towards Lymington, the heavens really opened and judging by the heavy clouds overhead, it did not bode well for a dry morning's birding. We arrived at the small car park at Pennington Marshes around 9am and thankfully, the rain had stopped for a while.
Above, Rock Pipits were abundant along the seawall at Pennington Marshes. Below, the drake Scaup on Fishtail Lagoon. The last time I was here, the pools had hardly any water on them and now, most were flooded!
Above and below, this male Marsh Harrier flew across the path leading to the seawall. A good start to the day.
I thought I would go to Pennington Marshes today to catch up with some of the birds I missed when I went up to Norfolk (which now seems like an age ago!).Though I knew the Red-breasted Goose had seemed to have left the area, it didn't stop me checking the many Brent Geese that were still present here, just in case. Today, I picked up 6 more Hampshire ‘year-ticks’ here this morning, with three of them new for the year on my overall total for the year. But it's not all about year ticks, for the birds here most certainly entertained and the variety was superb. As always, Geoff is great company as we made our way to the seawall, enjoying views of passing wildfowl and a few waders overhead.
Above, small numbers of Turnstone walked close to the footpath by the seawall and below, a pair of Mediterranean Gulls flew past overhead.
Above, a sleeping Ruff with a Redshank on Keyhaven pool. Below, a pair of Pied Wagtails, a male Reed Bunting and a Rock Pipit amazingly altogether in one area.
From the sea wall, we headed west first to the lagoons that held good numbers of both waders and wildfowl. A superb male Marsh Harrier drifted east in front of us and headed off over the marshes, scattering a few ducks on the way. The tide was up within the Solent and the sea was very still, which helped pick off any Grebes on the water. At least four Great Crested Grebes were seen and a distant Shag, but I was more than happy when I found our first Slavonian Grebe of the day (my first ‘year-tick’) ; a solitary bird near the fresh marsh. More were to follow later in the afternoon. Among the many Tufted Duck and Shovelers, the long staying male Scaup was present on Fishtail Lagoon and showed very well as it busied itself diving in the shallow water (see film footage). A good number of waders were mixed in with some of the resting wildfowl on the islands, for all the pools were virtually flooded due to high water levels. I found my first ‘Hampshire’ Ruff with Redshank and at least two more were picked out along with good numbers of both Dunlin and Bar-tailed Godwit. Even the main footpath along the sea wall held small numbers of Turnstone that were more than happy searching for food close to where we stood!
Above and below, this Cormorant on Fishtail lagoon caught, tackled and eventually consumed this large Plaice in the rainy weather.
Above, yet another Rock Pipit below the seawall and below, a male Pied Wagtail in the wet conditions.
The drake Scaup on Keyhaven Lagoon.
I checked the Solent thoroughly for anything of note, including the many Brent Geese dabbling around by the Saltmarsh and then I picked out a female Peregrine flying away from us heading west. Also looking west, a distant Great White Egret was sleeping on the edge of Keyhaven Lagoon along with a few Little Egrets. Annoyingly, another huge rain shower came in and so we slowly made our way along the seawall and headed east towards Oxey Marsh. By the edge of the seawall, there were a good few Rock Pipits around and a small flock of three birds also held a male Reed Bunting (several heard singing this morning too) and a pair of Pied Wagtails.
Above, this Curlew was on the seawall until flushed by a Cyclist. Below, the Spotted Redshank on Oxey Marshes showed very well.
Above, one of at least three Greenshank seen today and below, the lone Avocet was nearby on Oxey Marshes.
Nearing Oxey Marshes, something caught my eye out in the Solent and so setting up my scope, it turned out to be a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers. Scanning further east towards the small islands off Normandy Marshes, I found a flock of 15 resting Eiders; mostly drakes and a few females and quickly got Geoff onto the birds. These were my first ‘Hampshire’ birds after seeing one a few weeks ago in Holkham Bay, Norfolk. Sadly, too distant to get a decent photo of these smart birds. As we neared the point by Oxey Marshes, the long staying Spotted Redshank made an appearance (again, my first ‘Hampshire’ bird of the year). The bird was busy feeding and put on a wonderful performance just below us on the main pool (see film footage). There were plenty of Redshanks around the area and then Geoff found a Greenshank that also performed well in front of us along with a lone Avocet.
Above, another photo of the Avocet and below, the Spoonbill flock on Normandy Lagoon.
Above, one of the immature Spoonbills decided to take flight and we think it ended up on one of the islands out in the Solent. Below, a large contingent of Avocets joined the remaining Spoonbills.
Above and below, the Slavonian Grebes off the seawall. Arguably, the best views of this species I have had in a very long time.
As we passed the creek by Oxey Marshes and followed the footpath to Normandy Marshes where the Spoonbills were seen earlier today, Geoff found an Egyptian Goose among the many Canada Geese on one of the pools (another first for Hampshire this year!). There were plenty of people walking dogs (a lot were unfortunately off their leads), ramblers and Cyclists along the seawall and believe it or not, several birders too! We eventually got to Normandy Marshes and as Geoff said, arguably the best pool we had come to this morning. The 11 Spoonbills showed very well, but remained in a resting flock on one of the islands along with at least 30+ Avocet and good numbers of Dunlin and Ringed Plover.There was a good variety of birds here as I enjoyed my flask of coffee and checked out the birds before us through my scope.
Above, a singing Song Thrush greeted us when we got to Farlington Marshes. Below, a rainbow over Hayling Island to the east as the rain departed in that direction, thank God!
Above, a Little Egret with a Black-headed Gull by the Sluice gate near the seawall at Farlington Marshes. Below, a flock of Shelduck flew into the harbour.
Wildfowl here included Pintail, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Teal, Wigeon and Mallard, with smaller numbers of Pochard (they seem to be scarce away from Blashford Lakes this year), three Red-breasted Mergansers (a drake and two females) and a lone gorgeous drake Goldeneye. There were plenty of waders present as mentioned earlier, but no Little Stints among the many Dunlin present despite a good search. Several Great Crested Grebes also swam in the pool and a few Little Grebes too to add a bit more variety here. So, after around an hour here, we made our way back to the car. Walking around the seawall past Oxey Marshes, we came across at least two Slavonians Grebes close in on the Solent. These birds were a lot closer than our first sighting earlier this morning and showed very well with a few Great Crested Grebes present.
Above, a Curlew was on the mudflats in the harbour and a Little Grebe swam towards us by the Viewing Platform on the reserve.
Sunset over Langstone Harbour and Farlington Marshes.
It was 2.30pm when we finally got back to the car park and I wanted to finish the day off with either South Boarhunt for the Little Owls or Farlington Marshes for a possible Bittern. There have been a few Bittern sightings at dusk at the latter site this week and so I made the decision to try my luck there, even though it was hammering down with rain on the way back. We sat in the car within the car park on arrival, waiting for the rain to stop and when it eventually did, it was then a glorious late afternoon right up to dusk. As we walked past the Bushes area, a Song Thrush was in full song on top of a bramble and I caught sight of a Green Woodpecker briefly flying away from us.
Above, the Spotted Redshank on Oxey Marshes searching for food.
We made our way to the viewpoint that looks west over the site and was a little dismayed at how high the water level was on the main lake. Was the Sluice here actually working properly for it certainly doesn't look like it! The tide was now out within the harbour, but the creek here held good numbers of waders and wildfowl, that included several Avocets in the distance. The light now was perfect as I scanned the fields for anything of note. A good scan through the hundreds of Brent Geese in the fields didn't reveal a Red-breasted Goose hiding among them, but I did find a Pale-bellied Brent Goose among them. Raptors were prominent on the reserve that included a pair of Marsh Harriers quartering the main reedbed, which occasionally tussled with the local Buzzards here. A pair of Sparrowhawks were also seen hunting over the reserve along with at least two Kestrels, but there was no sign of any Short-eared Owls during our stay here right up till dusk. A male Stonechat was on a fence post behind the main reedbed, with one of the Common Buzzards looking towards it. Supper? As mentioned before, the light was amazing as the sun slowly set behind us, but sadly, despite watching the main reedbed for any Bitterns, none appeared during our stay. Never mind, for it was really enjoyable being here watching the birds coming into roost. The light was so good that I could see Skylarks running about in the fields through my scope and even a perched Marsh Harrier on a post that was partially hidden by the reeds; things to look back on in the future. It’s little things like that which makes our hobby so fantastic.
