Another new moth for the year.

Saturday 30th March 2024.

My first Garden Mompha moth of the year this morning. These are present quite often throughout the year and often winter in Garden Sheds! Their larvae's foodplant is the Willowherb.

I'm not off birding today as it is my daughter's Wedding Day; but that didn't stop me from putting the Moth trap on overnight. A bright sunny start to the day, a little cool, but at least it was dry. Unfortunately, there were only two moths in the moth box, but at least one of them was new for the year; the micro moth Garden Mompha (Mompha subbistrigella) and my second Angle Shades of the year. There was quite a bit of water in the bottom of the box due to the very heavy rain of late and so, it is currently drying out at the moment. Fingers crossed, all should go well today,  but I will keep my eye out for anything interesting (I cannot help it!). Geoff and Andy went up to north Hampshire yesterday, to the village of Dummer, hoping for Willow Tit, but no diamonds! However, they did see 120+ Siskins, 4 Marsh Tits, 3 Firecrests, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Red Kites and 2 Buzzards. Meanwhile, Emma and Matt Parkes scored with a Guillemot off the Meon Shore and some nice Sanderling at Hill Head.

Above, my second Angle Shades moth of the year.

Two stunning photos from Emma Parkes. Above, Sanderling at Meon Shore and below, a soaring Red Kite.

After Storm Nelson, a walk around the Cemy.

Friday 29th March 2024.

A 'Jenny' Wren in full song. One of several seen or heard this morning here on my 'local patch'.

Things didn't go quite according to plan this morning as I got to the Highland Road Cemetery gates at 7am this morning and found them LOCKED!!! Cursing & swearing, I unhappily walked away and took the dogs for a quick walk around the houses before making my way home. Not the greatest start to the Easter weekend and after Storm Nelson gave the south coast a right battering. Yesterday, I passed Southsea seafront on my way to both my first and second shift in Old Portsmouth and the waves were pounding the seafront with winds up to 50 to 70mph! Maybe the gates being locked were a blessing as the rain came in and it hammered down for a while!

Above, a Collared Dove among the first leaves on this tree by the main footpath, Below, Ivy-leaved Toadflax now in flower on the south perimeter wall.

Above, some of the aftermath of Storm Nelson yesterday. Plenty of branches were down throughout the Cemetery. Below, one of several male Blackbirds seen this morning and some were also in song.

Above, I eventually found this Wren sitting quietly in one of the bushes by the main footpath. Below, a female Blackbird was not worried about my dogs and I walking slowly past.

Above, the footpath over on the east side of the Cemetery looking south. Below, one of the Goldfinches within the Cemy.

Above, the beginnings of a Kidney Fern coming through on the southern perimeter wall. Below, a Blue Tit in search for insects in one of the small bushes.

Above, I think this is the first time I have seen the plant Green Alkanet growing in the Cemetery. Below, this Goldfinch was feeding on the sunflower hearts in my garden this morning. The photo was taken through glass, I might add!

Highland Road Cemetery:

Excluding a Meadow Pipit heard calling overhead, there were no migrants again seen or heard in the Cemetery this morning, but I am sure it will not be long now. Migrants are trickling through into the UK, slowly but surely, but the peak month will be April. All the usual suspects were seen today, though no sign of any Woodpeckers in the occasional very bright sunshine. The southerly wind was still fairly strong at times, but thankfully, nowhere near as strong as yesterday. A lot of broken branches were littered throughout the area and large puddles due to the downpour this morning. At least we didn't get the snow that poor old Devon and parts of Wales got yesterday!! At least ten Goldfinches were seen again with some coming quite close to where I stood. Just the one Greenfinch, a singing male, seen today perched high up in one of the smaller trees. On the plant scene, I found my first Green Alkanet plants by the perimeter wall on the west side of the Cemy. I cannot remember if I have seen them before on my local patch, but I have seen plenty of Ivy-leaved Toadflax growing on the southern perimeter wall. Nearby, I found the first leaf of a Kidney Fern growing on the same wall. My first this year.

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

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Wren
• Robin
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Wood Pigeon
• Carrion Crow
• Meadow Pipit
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Blackbird

Early morning in Hampshire, there were two Little Gulls on the South Scrape on Titchfield Haven this morning and a Kittiwake and Gannet seen on a seawatch from Barton on sea. Geoff and Andy are off to Dummer, in northern Hampshire this morning but sadly, I have too many preparations to do for my Step-Daughters wedding tomorrow!

Some Med Gulls and a nice moth.

Wednesday 27th March 2024.

One of the Horse Chestnut trees now coming out in leaf for another year, giving a life source for many different types of wildlife.

I made the most of the early morning bright sunshine this morning both on my first shift in Old Portsmouth and then with the dogs in Highland Road Cemetery. Though to be honest, there wasn't too much to write about on either trip, probably owing to the strong southerly wind blowing in off the Solent. But, alas, more rain was expected and it came in around 10am this morning as I was just returning from the Cemetery. Again, lots of nice comments on Facebook about the Moth boxes and birding pal John Goodall, who made the boxes, has texted me to say the other two boxes should be ready probably next week. All good stuff. It was interesting to read that some people who were unlucky not to attract the Swifts to their boxes are actually trying to tape lure the birds!

Old Portsmouth:

Just 12 species were recorded this morning during my first shift in Pembroke Road. The strong wind did not help, but the Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls seemed to enjoy it! The local Great Tit was vocal again this morning, but little else was. A Carrion Crow was carrying twigs into its nest high up in a nearby Holm Oak tree, but sadly, little else of note this morning here, despite being very sunny. This afternoon, another four species were added to my day total here, which included Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Jay (heard only) and Black-headed Gull. 

Above, this male Blackbird was searching for food by the main footpath. Below, I just managed to grab a quick photo of the passing Jackdaw over the Cemetery before disappearing behind the trees.

Above, a few clumps of Three-cornered Leek were growing in their usual spot under the Holm Oaks. Below, a Lesser Celandine flower adding a drop of colour in the leaf litter.

Highland Road Cemetery:

As I literally walked out the front door to take the dogs to the Cemetery for their daily walk, three adult Mediterranean Gulls sailed high overhead, heading east over the rooftops, calling loudly. Good start. The Cemetery is now really starting to blossom with many trees starting to leaf and a few more wild flowers coming out in bloom. The Green Woodpecker put in a brief appearance, after I flushed it from the ground underneath the Holm Oak clump. A Jackdaw was heard and then briefly seen flying southbound over the houses, which is always a good record here. Sadly, not many photo opportunities this morning on my walk round as the birds seemed to keep out of sight today.

The birds recorded here this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Blue Tit
• Goldfinch
• Wren
• Robin
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Green Woodpecker
• Carrion Crow
• Jackdaw
• Magpie
• Blackbird 

A Bloxworth Snout moth on the front of a house was a nice surprise on the way back home.

Other notable sightings included a Bloxworth Snout moth perched on what is becoming a damn good house for attracting moths. Just outside the main gates, there is a house where the front of it is painted a gleaming white and I always check the front of the building for moths, as I've seen quite a few here over the years. Three-cornered Leek was growing in its usual place under the Holm Oak clump; a species that has escaped from gardens and seems to be well established out in the wild. Very few insects were on the wing this morning again; maybe the wind put them off, but worryingly, no butterflies again! It was sad to see some dogs off their leads and I had to chastise one stupid woman who let her dogs come up to me and mine and bark their heads off. I shall be reporting this to the Council lady again. Good to see also that the pollution caused by the Water Treatment Works at Bedhampton got the attention of Good Morning Britain this morning. They showed the pipe leading into Langstone Harbour causing the problems and the shoddy excuses Southern Water are making, It turns out that a lot of the wildlife (shellfish, fish and seaweed) contain the likes of Cocaine and Emphitimines within them! What the hell is going on?? Around midday, I clocked a Peregrine sitting on the steeple of St. Judes Church by Marmion Road, Southsea as I was driving past. A Brimstone butterfly was seen in the grounds of a Retirement Home off Queens Crescent.

 

A bit of seabird passage through the Solent.

Tuesday 26th March 2024.

Barn Owl at Warblington. Photo by Ollie Crabbe.

There was a bright start to the day with the weather this morning and with a light westerly wind and it was pleasant to be out on my first shift this morning. However, it had completely changed in the afternoon as a weather front had come in and non stop rain all afternoon greeted me on my second shift in Old Portsmouth. There were some interesting sightings in Hampshire today by some of Hampshires birders that bodes well for the coming month, though the rest of the week is looking a bit of a damp affair.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Up to 16 species could be seen or heard this morning here and arguably, the best sighting today here were the 3 Jays. There was a loud commotion going on within the Holm Oak trees and I knew they were Jays making all that noise and then not one, but three flew out, with two of the birds chasing off another bird. One was later seen in the afternoon on my second shift as I pointed out to one of my work colleagues. Again, a rather quiet day here in Old Portsmouth and hardly any insects to be seen around the flower beds too. The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Great Black-backed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Robin
• Blackbird
• Dunnock
• Cormorant
• Jay
• Magpie
• Jackdaw
• Carrion Crow
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Pied Wagtail

The male Black Redstart at Haslar Marina, Gosport. Photo by Graeme Loader.

In Hampshire today, a dark-phased Arctic Skua flew east past Hill Head and then past Sandy Point and was even seen later to go past Selsey Bill in West Sussex. A Kittiwake was also seen past Lee on Solent too. In the New Forest, an early male Redstart was seen at Shatterford and on Blashford Lakes, a Spoonbill settled in briefly by the Tern Hide and some Sand Martins showed well too. I got a lot of praise today on some Facebook sites regarding the installation of the Swift Nest Boxes last Sunday. Another two more are to be put up soon.

My first Angle Shades moth of the year.

Monday 25th March 2024.

My first Angle Shades moth of the year by the moth box early this morning.

A damp start to the week this morning though it did fizzle out as the morning went on. It was cool as well (8 degrees) with a southerly wind blowing. My first shift on Pembroke Road was fairly quiet, but not as quiet as the second shift I might add. I was constantly looking up into the brightening sky for a Hirundine to fly over or even a raptor, but neither were seen, which was disappointing. In between my shifts, I took the dogs back over Highland Road Cemetery, but it was void of any migrants again. Surely soon, my first Willow Warbler or Hirundine will fly over?

This White-shouldered House Moth was the only other moth found this morning.

Moth box: 

My day kicked off early at 6am with a check of the moth box. It was raining first thing and so I had a quick check outside of the box and found my first Angle Shades moth of the year perched nicely on the main box itself. An hour later, I came back out when the rain stopped and check the inside. Sadly, all that was present was just one moth; a White-shouldered House Moth. April is just around the corner and the moth numbers will increase (hopefully!).

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

It was quiet this morning first thing, but it started off well when a small family flock of Mute Swans flew over Governor’s Green (two adults and two juveniles) all heading east and most likely to Canoe Lake. Dunnock, Great Tit and a Blue Tit were heard singing and a Great Black-backed Gull flew low over Governor’s Green. Only 12 species were seen here this morning and just two more were added in the afternoon. A Bumblebee species quickly flew in, but did not settle and I had a Drone Fly briefly on the house wall.

Above, Dandelions were abundant in the Cemy this morning; good news for the Bumblebees. Below, a Blue Tit in one of the trees over on the west side.

Above and below, Goldfinches were still in numbers over the Cemy.

Above, you can just see this Goldcrest in the Holm Oak tree and below, one of many Robins seen this morning.

Above, the only Lesser Celandine flower I saw this morning and below, my first Herb Robert flower of the year.

Highland Road Cemetery:

Again, as mentioned before, there were no migrants found in the Cemetery, but as usual, plenty to look at again; not just the birds but also the flowers that are coming out in bloom now. Remember, this Cemetery is like a little oasis within a concrete jungle here in Southsea and there is plenty of wildlife to check up on. Just 17 species were recorded this morning and probably pick of the bunch was a Goldcrest seen briefly flitting about in the Holm Oak tree over on the east side of the Cemy. Around a dozen Goldfinch were still present, flying around the Lime Trees near the Mausoleum. My first Lesser Celandine and Herb Robert plants in the Cemetery were found in different areas and in turn, will attract the insects, especially the Dandelions that were now abundant throughout the Cemy. Not many insects were noted, though I did find a Drone Fly settling nicely on a Gravestone up until my dog Buddy stuck his big nose in and flushed the Fly. Grrrr!

The birds recorded this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Great Black-backed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Blackbird
• Robin
• Wren
• Starling
• House Sparrow
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Goldcrest
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch  

Terry installed the last of 10 Swift nest-boxes yesterday morning. Below, some film footage of the nest-boxes put up yesterday.

Yesterday, my Window Cleaner, Terry Griffiths, came over in the morning and put up the ten Swift Boxes that my birding pal John Goodall had made for me. It took Terry nearly two hours to put the boxes up (he owned a long ladder), which included my house, and four of my neighbours' houses. Someone living up the road from me came over and asked if he could have a couple and so I shall contact John if he can knock up a few more. John made them for absolutely nothing (though I gave him some cash for doing it) and even Terry didn’t charge much for putting the boxes up. While Terry was up the ladder keeping busy, I also saw a flock of 12 Meadow Pipits flying west low over the houses.

This female Kestrel was seen in Southampton Common. Around midday, I saw a Kestrel today flying over Henderson Road, Southsea, while I was driving through. Photo by Rob Porter. 

Birding pal Geoff Farwell went birding over the Soberton area yesterday and notched up the following sightings: 5 Wheatears, 3 Firecrest, Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaff, Red Kite and a Buzzard plus a Tawny Owl heard. Emma and Matt Parkes went over to Blashford Lakes and scored with their first Sand Martins of the year. In Hampshire today, a 1st winter male Common Scoter was on Fishlake Meadows for its second day along with a few Sand Martins and Willow Warblers. Another large flock of Sand Martins were over Posbrook Floods early this morning.