This juvenile Blackbird was found in the north-east corner of Highland Road Cemetery today, my second young bird of the year after the juvenile Pied Wagtail at Fishtail Meadows last weekend.
There was no moth box on last night due to the fact I do not want to catch the same moths from the previous night and so it was back to Old Portsmouth for my first bird sightings of the day and then a trip to Highland Road Cemetery with my dogs. This was followed by my second visit to Old Portsmouth to round off a nice day where it was fairly bright and occasionally sunny with a breezy south-westerly blowing.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Fifteen species of birds were noted today from Pembroke Road and although I never took a trip down to Curtain Moat, it was mostly the usual birds that made up the numbers. However, it wasn't till the afternoon shift that I saw probably the best two species, notably a Swallow flying west over Governor’s Green and a Kestrel flying away from me heading west over the houses. I don't often see Kestrel’s here; in fact, it was only the second one I have ever seen over this road. Though I did not have binoculars on me, there was no mistaking that it was a Kestrel.
Above, my first Dove's-foot Cranesbill of the year and below, another 'year-tick', with Herb Bennet found also.
Hop to it! This male Blackbird negotiates the grass in search of more worms. Below, a large clump of Green Alkanet by the perimeter wall.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
There was a glimmer of sunshine through the grey sky overhead now and then and at times, it became quite warm once the wind had dropped; but it didn't drop for long as it became breezy when I started to leave the Cemetery. Just 17 species were noted today and though most of the birds showed very well this morning, the female Sparrowhawk showed very well circling low over the Cemetery, though upsetting a lot of the Pigeons and Starlings below. Two juvenile Blackbirds were found in the north-east corner of the Cemetery, close to the footpath of which one showed well while the other was hiding deep within a bush. I kept checking the sky for any Hirundines or Swifts overhead, but none to be seen here. A Dunnock was heard to sing near the Mausoleum, but no sighting of the bird this time.
Above, four photos of the female Sparrowhawk over the Cemetery this morning.
There were plenty of plants on show within the Cemetery that included my first Herb Bennet and Dove's-foot Cranesbill of the year. I found at least four or five plants in different areas of the Cemy and although a common plant at this time of year, it now joins the Herb Robert in being a common plant flowering now. Even the Ox-eye Daisies are now in full flower which in turn will produce more insects, especially the Hoverflies and Bees.
Above, Ribwort Plantain in flower and below, a male Early Epistrophe Hoverfly.
Above, a Mining Bee species which I think could be Sandpit Mining Bee, but I shall wait for the experts to concur. Below, a close up of one of the 'spikes' from a Horse Chestnut tree.
The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:
Herring Gull
Black-headed Gull
House Sparrow
Starling
Robin
Wren
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Dunnock
Goldfinch
Feral Pigeon
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Sparrowhawk (female)
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Above, a close up of the Ox-eye Daisy and below, I was impressed with the green colouration of this beautiful Conifer.
Above, a female Hairy-footed Flower Bee on some flowering Green Alkanet. Below, a view from the northern end of the Cemetery looking south.
Birding pals Emma and Matt Parkes took the opportunity to go to Fishlake Meadows today and had a staggering 6 Hobbies over the reserve plus 4 Garden Warblers and at least 2 ‘booming’ Bitterns and earlier, they took a trip to Pig Bush in the New Forest where they saw FOUR Cuckoo’s in total. Not a bad day at all. Fellow ‘Lazee’ Gary Fennemore had a good seawatch from Sandy Point this morning where he saw up to 65 Gannets, an Arctic Skua, 10 Common Scoter and a Hobby flying west.
From top to bottom: Cuckoo, Marsh Tit, Garden Warbler and Hobby. Birds that were photographed by Emma Parkes today.
Last night's thunderstorms probably woke up most of Portsmouth last night, including my good self and so bleary eyed this morning, I was up to check on the moth box I put on overnight. Thankfully, I was rewarded with some interesting moths including a first for the year. I was in for a surprise on my first shift in Old Portsmouth this morning, when I had a ‘first for the year’ bird flying in, despite the overcast and misty conditions. In fact, it remained that way for most of the day and it actually got colder in the afternoon!
Narrow-winged Grey moth (Eudonia angustea).
The Moth Box:
My first Silver Y moths of the year were present this morning with six individuals counted in and around the moth box. These are one of our commonest immigrant moths to see throughout the year and I wondered how many came in on the thunderstorm last night into Portsmouth; though I see none reported on Hants Moths today. Other ‘macro’ moths recorded included one Brimstone Moth and one Double-striped Pug. Macro moths recorded Light Brown Apple Moths, with 11 counted and just the one Narrow-winged Grey. Apart from a few House Flies, the moth box attracted my first Lacewing of the year too.
The Ring-necked Parakeets in Old Portsmouth this morning. Sorry for the quality, but that was the best my mobile phone could manage!
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
I had a total of 15 bird species recorded during both shifts here at Pembroke Road today, but I wasn't expecting to see a ‘year-tick’ when my first Ring-necked Parakeets flew in! They were seen flying over the road, calling loudly and then settling in the trees of a nearby garden. Sadly, all I had to record them was my mobile phone camera, but what an unexpected bird to see. I thought I would have the grim trip over to Southampton to see the Parakeets there, but to see them in Portsmouth was exceptional. I have never seen them in our City before and probably birds that we're looking for somewhere to nest. Could they nest in Portsmouth this year? Like them or loathe them, they really are fascinating to watch. Not a great deal else unusual seen here this morning, but a Cormorant heading west high over was probably the most unusual bird.
Eastney:
I met up with my pal Gary Cole after my first shift and went for a coffee at the Coffee Cup. From here, I was facing the window and despite the fact you could hardly see the Isle of Wight due to the sea mist, nearer the shoreline, I could see at least two, maybe three Sandwich Terns fishing just offshore on the very still water along with an adult Mediterranean Gull nearby. A flock of around 6 Swallows flew over the beach heading west, which was a bonus and a small flock of finches that were most likely Linnets. All this was seen within a space of 90 minutes or so.
The view of the Solent from Curtain Moat this morning.
April this year was some month for rarities not only for the UK but also for Hampshire. Will the month of May follow suit? The weather was changing again late this afternoon with rain coming in (and possible thunderstorms) as the temperatures started to climb and along with it were my first Swifts over Portsmouth. At last! They are definitely later than last year, but the sound of them screaming overhead and picking them out over a greying sky is always a pleasing sight.
The Bowling Green. This regularly attracts the Blackbirds, Starlings and Pied Wagtails first thing in the morning. A Hoopoe would be nice?
My first shift this morning produced 15 different bird species sightings and although they were mostly the common birds around Old Portsmouth, it took the second shift to produce a pair of Swifts flying over to cap off a reasonable haul of birds. Earlier today, while eating my lunch around 1.45pm, I heard the distinctive call of another pair of Swifts high overhead as I watched the birds head off westbound. On my first shift, there was chaos around Pembroke Road when a Sparrowhawk belted through over the Bowling Green and then into the Holm Oaks, in turn scattering all the birds that were within there.
Grasshopper Warbler recently photographed by Pete Appleton.
Fishlake Meadows was the place to be today with sightings of at least FIVE Hobbies and a couple of Cuckoos to the sound of the ‘booming’ Bittern in the background. It is only recently that I have been coming to this reserve and already, I can understand why birders keep coming back.
The Oak tree within Highland Road Cemetery can hold some interesting birds including a few Willow Warblers recently.
The Moth Box went on overnight, the first time in quite a few days and I was optimistic that there was to be some decent moths to be had. My day saw me first checking the moth box and then on to Pembroke Road for my first shift. Though it was a near cloudless sky and a southerly wind blowing, it was still cool at first thing, but as the day wore on, it got warmer and so I took the dogs for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery. More cracking birds are turning up nearby which included a Woodchat Shrike near Littlehampton in West Sussex and a pale-phased Pomarine Skua went through the Solent this morning and into West Sussex.
Above, though a common moth, this Bright-line Brown-eye was my first for 2024. Below, up to three Brimstone Moths were present by my box today.
The Moth Box:
My first Bright-line Brown-eye moth of the year was inside the moth box this morning and up to three Brimstone Moths and a Double-striped Pug represented the ‘macro’ moths today. ‘Micro’ moths included 1 Common Plume, 1 White-shouldered House Moth, 1 Ruddy Streak and up to 6 Light Brown Apple Moths.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Sadly, it was a lot quieter around Pembroke Road this morning, although I did not take a walk around Curtain Moat this time. All the usual birds were noted, but nothing out of the ordinary this morning. I got a text from Matt Parkes that he had a 30 Swifts above his head in Alresford, in north Hampshire this morning! I have yet to see a single Swift over Portsmouth this year, though it should be imminent. A total of 14 species were seen today here at Pembroke Road where both Dunnock and Great Black-backed Gull were added here for my day total where the temperature climbed up to around 17 degrees. Very nice.
Above and below, Starlings were very busy searching for food on the grass within Highland Road Cemetery.
Above, this Robin was one of several seen today in full song and below, this Carrion Crow keeping an eye on its nest site within the Cemy.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
There was hardly a cloud overhead when I entered the Cemetery at around midday and the wind had lightened up a bit too. I was thinking of doing a seawatch this morning, but it is a little exposed on where I sat last time, but I must think about trying it this week, possibly. Now that Pomarine Skua’s are passing through (and I probably would have seen that bird as it did pass Gilkicker this morning).
Above, Germander Speedwell was growing abundantly throughout the Cemetery and below, this grave was entirely covered with Herb Robert plants.
17 species were recorded this morning and it kicked off nicely with a pair of Swallows belting across the Cemetery heading north over the rooftops; birds that have no doubt freshly arrived into the UK. The Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard again, but with the leaves now on the trees, it was near impossible to see the bird; though I did hear it twice. No warblers were noted this time on my walk round, but it was noticeable that the local Starlings were very busy searching for food on the recently mown grass and allowing a close approach even with my dogs!
Above, this Robin was doing a 'Flycatcher' impression and below, this male Blackbird posed nicely in the sunshine.
The only butterflies seen here today were Holly Blue’sthat were quite numerous if truth be said. One gave itself up well and perched on a tree for me to grab a nice photo in the sunshine. When I got home, not only a Holly Blue flew over the garden, but also a Small White; which was only my second of the year. Batman Hoverflies were abundant too under the canopy of the Horse Chestnut trees.
Above and below, Batman Hoverflies (Myathropa florea) basking in the sunshine.
The birds seen or heard within the Cemetery this morning included the following:
Herring Gull
Black-headed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Collared Dove
House Sparrow
Starling
Wren
Robin
Blackbird
Goldfinch
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Swallow (2)
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Holly Blue butterflies were in good numbers today in the Cemetery.
I had the dreaded Dentists this afternoon in Waterlooville and on the way there, I saw an adult Mediterranean Gull flying low over the A27 and a couple of Common Buzzards over the same road. Someone reported a couple of Swifts over Old Portsmouth this afternoon, so at least some have arrived over our lovely City.
The alleyway from the Curtain Moat back to Pembroke Road. I took the right hand path back to Pembroke Road where a Willow Warbler was in full song.
It was bright and sunny this morning, although a steady southerly (yes, southerly!!!) wind kept the temperatures down early this morning, but as I arrived early at Pembroke Road, I thought I would take a stroll over to the Curtain Moat and also check out the Solent. This in turn gave me that chance to build up my day's total of birds seen here at Pembroke Road, with a few surprises along the way.
This Cuckoo was found in the New Forest. Photo by Pete Appleton.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
A good total of 20 species were recorded this morning, which wasn't too bad for just over an hour being at Pembroke Road and the Curtain Moat. Among the many species seen or heard this morning included my second Yellow Wagtail of the year. Frustratingly, the bird had called just as it had flown over my head and I missed the chance in locating the bird as it must have flown off northbound over the houses. However, I was a bit more successful with a lovely singing Willow Warbler in one of the Ornamental trees down the alleyway leading to Curtain Moat. There was possibly a second bird nearby, but I couldn't locate the bird as I made my way along.
I heard from a fellow birder last weekend that the winds are going to change to south-easterly this week and so checking Solent thoroughly through the binoculars, I could not find anything of note over the sea; though the wind coming in off the sea hampered my vision somewhat! Nothing really of note around Curtain Moat, I had to make my way back to my usual spot in Pembroke Road where I watched a male Sparrowhawk chasing a poor passerine in one of the trees at the western end of Pembroke Road. This afternoon was much better with the temperature being nearly into the 20 degrees. Good old sunglasses weather and most appreciated for an old codger like myself! Nothing new was seen during my second shift in Pembroke Road, but while on my deliveries during lunchtime, I saw a couple of Foxes together sunbathing on the Green of the Royal Marine Buildings on the seafront. Just a shame I never had a camera handy.
Whinchat at Hook-with-Warsash. Photo by Graeme Loader.
Yesterday, birding pal Geoff Farwell took a stroll over Ramsdean Down, near Butser Hill, where he had a Cuckoo for company (his words) for most of the afternoon. Other sightings included a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Firecrests, 2 Red Kites, 2 Common Buzzards and a Tawny Owl flying out of a Yew tree!.
The female Black-winged Stilt on the Links Pool (right) shares a stretch of mud with Mallards and Avocets. Yet another superb scarce bird to be found in Hampshire this month.
I think this April could go down as one of the best ever when it comes to rare birds in Hampshire. With the likes of Marsh Sandpiper, Hoopoe, Alpine Swift, Montegue’s Harrier and Purple Heron being seen this month, the fine run of these amazing birds continued today when a female Black-winged Stilt had been found this morning on the reserve of Hook-with-Warsash. I have been very lucky in seeing two of the above birds and now we had the chance of seeing the Stilt this morning. Not only did we get to see this superb wader, but there (for me) was something even more amazing to come later in the afternoon. The day kicked off with Andy Fisher’s moth box, which, unfortunately, pulled in no moths whatsoever overnight. Not a great start to the day (it was raining overnight so I didn't put my own moth box on), but it was going to get better. We took in three locations today and spent a lot of the day with good friends Matt and Emma Parkes and also got a chance to increase our birding year list too.
Above, this Seal was fishing off the beach in front of the shelter at Gilkicker. Below, Sandwich Terns resting on the buoy in the Solent with the Isle of Wight in the background.
Above, a trio of Whimbrel were flying east over the Solent and below, a female Wheatear on the beach were a regular feature during our time at Gilkicker.
Top three photos of the Wheatears at Gilkicker this morning.
Gilkicker, Gosport:
After having fun and games with the ticket machine in the car park by Gilkicker, we eventually joined another birder and both Matt and Emma in a sea-watch. Geoff, Andy and myself had already missed a pale-phased Arctic Skua by around ten minutes (I blame that ticket machine!! Grrrrr!) that had sped off east over a very calm Solent, but we quickly got onto our first Whimbrel of the year. At least 5 more birds were seen including a small flock of three birds all heading east and some uttering their distinctive call. Hirudines were trickling in low over the sea that included both Swallows and Sand Martins and offshore, good numbers of Sandwich Terns were fishing and at least two Common Terns headed east too. A Seal was fishing just offshore and was even seen wrestling with a large fish. On the beach, a few Linnets were seen, but at least four Wheatears were flying up and down the beach and looked stunning in the weak sunshine. We soon got the message that a Black-winged Stilt had been found on the Links Pool at Hook-with-Warsash. The sea passage here went very quiet and so we made our way to our next destination.
Above, this male Linnet was one of several by the beach at Hook-with-Warsash and below, the two Whinchats out in the fields south of the main pools.
Above, 'top togger' Emma concentrating on her subject and below, one of the many Avocets on the Links Pool.
Above, the Holly Blue butterfly enjoying the Gorse flowers and below, one of several Wheatears present on the reserve. This one is a female.
Above and below, this showy Skylark was present on the beach amongst the Sea Kale.
Above, another female Wheatear on the beach here and below, flowering Sea Campion growing on the beach.
The female Black-winged Stilt with an Avocet (digiscoped photo).
Hook-with-Warsash:
Parking up in Hook Park Road, we made our way to the reserve and passed some fellow birders, they confirmed the Stilt was still there an hour ago. Excellent. But also a couple of Whinchats and Wheatears too! Even better! It didn't take too long to walk along the shingle on the edge of the beach to catch up with fellow birder, Simon King, who kindly let us use his scope to view the pair of male Whinchats perched within the dead Gorse Bushes. We do not often get to see ‘Spring’ Whinchats, but there were two scrumptious birds in front of us. Linnets were all around and the occasional Swallow and Sand Marten was flying over our heads too. After enjoying our second ‘year-tick’ of the day, we caught up with both Matt and Emma Parkes watching the female Black-winged Stilt still on the Links Pool on a thin stretch of mud within the pool. The last time I saw this species was on Sidlesham Ferry Pool, the successful breeding birds from Medmerry RSPB Reserve. The bird was busy preening during our time there and only occasionally moved away from its location, but eventually, it disappeared entirely even though we never saw it fly away. But it turned out that the bird had moved behind a stretch of reeds. Also present were up to 5 Common Sandpipers, which were also new for the year for us all; about a dozen Avocets and a gorgeous pair of Little Grebes in their fine summer plumage. While watching the Stilt through the scope, a pair of Stonechats were seen in the reedbed behind as well as a Sedge Warbler. While chatting to the Parke’s, a blue butterfly flew past us and fortunately, the butterfly landed close by on some Gorse, which turned out to be a Holly Blue.
Above three Swifts with a House Martin over Fishlake Meadows. Below, the Garden Warbler that was seen briefly.
Above, the Garden Warbler about to fly off into deeper cover and below, this Chiffchaff was seen bringing in feathers to line its nest just below us by the Canal Path.
Fishlake Meadows, Romsey:
What better place to finish off a superb day's birding? There was a long list of good birds seen here today and something the three of us were going to remember for a long time too. Though it was overcast and we knew rain was coming in later this afternoon, it didn't take long to find our first Swifts of the year. In fact, there must have easily been around 30+ birds flying over the reserve looking west over the reserve from the Canal Path and also among them were both Sand and House Martins and a few Swallows too. A great start. Close by, with Cetti's Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers and Blackcaps singing all around us, a Garden Warbler was singing its heart out within a Willow tree. The bird showed only briefly now and then, but remained faithful to the area throughout the afternoon. While checking the Hirundines and Swifts, Andy spotted a Hobby flying over the far side, but it disappeared quickly into the woodland. Thankfully, the Hobby came out again and this time showed very well and was joined by a second bird, both hawking over the reserve throughout the afternoon. A pair of Ravens flew over the reserve and headed off north to add to an already growing list of excellent sightings and it got better.
Above and below, this Hobby was soaring over the reserve which was one of two birds present here today.
Above, clumps of Yellow Iris were flowering and below, this was one of many Sedge Warblers seen today. Delightful birds.
Meeting up with both Matt and Emma again, they told us they were chatting to a birder who claimed he had seen a Black Kite (a serious rubbing of chin on that one!) earlier today over the reserve. He also told them that the flooded fields to the north of the reserve held both Little Ringed Plovers and Yellow Wagtails and so we all headed in that direction. Earlier today, a putative Iberian Chiffchaff was seen and heard in the location we were making our way too and we believe we actually saw and heard the bird. My theory is that it was a Willow Warbler that also sang the Chiffchaff song as part of it and not a classic Iberian Chiffchaff after comparing it to the bird Andy and I had in a Winchester wood a few years back.
Above, another Sedge Warbler in full song and below, Emma found this female Blackcap up in a tree beside the Canal Path.
This Roe Deer was seen north of the reserve.
When we reached the said field to the north of the reserve, the area held good numbers of GreyLag and Canada Geese as well as a single Egyptian Goose. Pied Wagtails were everywhere with at least a dozen birds present and we even found a juvenile bird among the adults that had us scratching our heads for a while. There was no sign of any Yellow Wagtails that we could find, but a female Grey Wagtail popped up and showed very well and then the shout went up from Matt that he had found a Little Ringed Plover hiding in the muddy area within the field. Not one, but three were found in total and there we added another new species for the year. Also present were at least three Little Egrets and up to 5 Lapwings present among all the other birds. Emma found a Red Kite flying high overhead and further out in the fields, a Roe Deer came out and stared at us before walking back into the woods. On our way back, we saw a carpet ofCuckoo flowers on the adjacent field and at least three Muntjac Deer were seen in the woodland on the opposite side.
The Black-winged Stilt at Hook-with-Warsash.
We all decided to make our way to the screen overlooking the pools, but the deep water on the footpaths held me, Geoff and Andy back and there we said goodbye to Emma and Matt. Earlier, Matt had picked out a small flock of Common Terns in the same pool, but they were distant. But from the same stretch of footpath, we heard our first Bittern ‘boom’. I have never heard a Bittern in the 40+ years of birding and have to say, I think we were all not only surprised, but even elated. Earlier at this site, Andy was sure he heard the Bittern ‘boom’ from the Canal Path. I even got a text from Emma asking if we heard the Bittern ‘boom’ too! The rain started to fall now and so we ‘hot footed’ it back to the car, but not before ‘clocking’ a Marsh Tit to add to our impressive list of superb birds today. Great company, great birds and a ‘lifer’ too!
