The Green Woodpecker in the Cemetery this morning.
I thought I would catch up with some of the highlights of what I have seen over the past few days and finish off with a trip over Highland Road Cemetery this morning. The weather has been ranging from quite cold first thing in the morning and much milder in the afternoon, however, it has been relatively dry throughout this week so far. On Tuesday, while taking the dogs out for the early morning walk before I headed off to work, I was happy to see a female type Black Redstart perched on the rooftop at the southern end of my road. The bird first faced me with its back to me and then switched over to face me until flying over the road and out of sight into the neighbouring gardens. Not a bad start to the day and consequently, I put my sighting on the Hants Birding website. If only I had my camera with me! Sadly, there was no further sign of the bird, but that doesn't mean it isn't lingering in someone's back garden?
The Jays have been seen everyday in Pembroke Road this week. This individual was in Highland Road Cemetery this morning.
Pembroke Road has been fairly quiet so far this week, with totals of birds seen/heard averaging around 13 species. This morning, again, thirteen species were noted including a Grey Wagtail flying south over Governor’s Green; while earlier this morning when I walked my dogs, a Redpoll species flew high overhead calling. Unfortunately, I did not see the bird as it was too gloomy at ovehead. A dog Fox was in my garden yesterday, also, until climbing the fence and disappearing over the gardens.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
The male Great Spotted Woodpecker was also seen this morning in the Cemetery.
A respectable 20 species were seen or heard this morning, which wasn't too bad for this time of year. A pair of Mute Swans flew west over the rooftops at the southern end of the Cemetery to kick off the more unusual sightings here and my first Collared Dove for a long time in the Cemy, flew up into a tall tree by the main footpath. A Jay showed well on one of the gravestones until flying off into the nearby trees.
Above, a Collared Dove high up in one of the taller trees. They have been a bit scarce around the Cemetery of late and below, another photo of the Green Woodpecker searching for ants around the gravestones.
Above, watching a Blackbird upturn the leaves in search of insects and worms is always fascinating to watch and below, another photo o the male Great Spotted Woodpecker also in search for food hidden behind the bark of the trees.
I was pleased to see the Long-tailed Tits back in the Cemetery, which totalled around 12 birds that were joined by a pair of Goldcrests and a few Blue Tits. Both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker showed very well today, both busy searching for food and overhead, both singles of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail flew high over. I still get buzz on the colours within the Cemetery as the last of the leaves on the trees hang on for dear life and the already fallen leaves on the ground carpeting the footpaths. The Council have seen fit to leave the grass uncut and it looks a bit more wild rather than that boring sterile look the Council workers have left once cut. Happy days.
Above, there were a few flowers still in bloom here in the Cemy with this probable Autumn Hawkbit growing in the very damp grass. One of the flowers attracted what I think is a Dancefly. Below, The lovely colours of the leaves on the trees or fallen on the ground giving it that classic Autumnal look.
Above, one of about a dozen Long-tailed Tits flitting about around the foliage in the north-east corner of the Cemy and were joined by (below) at least two Goldcrests.
The birds seen or heard in Highland Road Cemetery included the following:
Another week has begun and finally, the sun has broken through this long staying blanket of cloud. Though a tad colder this morning, I was hoping for a bit of visible migration, which started off well first thing when I took the dogs for their early morning walk and a small flock of thrushes contained 4 Fieldfare (calling) with a Redwing among them, flying north high over the rooftops. Also on my walk, I found a Rusty-dot Pearl moth sitting on a lit-up advertising board at a Bus stop!
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Sadly, not a great deal of excitement during my hour here in Pembroke Road, with just 13 species seen this morning. The usual Jays were flying up and down, collecting their acorns from the Holm Oaks adjacent to the main road. The Great Black-backed Gulls were among the thirteen species when an adult and youngster were seen flying over the Garrison Church heading eastbound. Just the one Garden Spider still sitting in its web behind me, though it is supposed to be getting colder as the week progresses; so it is a matter of time these hardy creatures will be here for much longer. On the second shift, a Wren was heard singing somewhere by the Bowling Green to make it 14 species for the day.
Becky and myself on Aberdaron beach last month. This photo was taken from St, Hywyns's Church by Russ Smith.
Birding pal, Geoff Farwell, took a walk around Farlington Marshes yesterday and recorded the following sightings: Kingfisher, 5 Stonechats, Greenshank, 2 Peregrines, Common Buzzard and a Water Rail.
The Common Stonechat at Titchfield Haven.
The birds seen over the weekend in Hampshire and beyond have been noteworthy. Firstly, a possible Amur Stonechat (Stejnegeri Stonechat as previously known), a species from Eastern Asia, was found around the southern entrance of Titchfield Haven last Saturday. It has been under an enormous amount of scrutiny from fellow local birders, with some excellent photos thrown in and the conclusion is that it is a Common Stonechat.
The female Pied Wheatear at Seaford last weekend. Photo by Andy Friend.
Another superb bird found over the weekend, was a female Pied Wheatear. Sadly, I have been too busy to go for one of my ‘bogey’ birds, a species I have always wanted to see along with Isabelline Wheatear. The bird was in the Seaford area at first, but moved further west today and relocated by Splash Point. Much further away, in West Yorkshire near Bradford, a Scarlet Tanager, a very rare North American passerine to the UK, was found at a place called Northowram within someone's back garden! This will no doubt bring on a huge ‘twitch’. Finally, good news regarding Farlington Marshes and the broken Sluice. The heavy machinery has arrived at last, due to huge public outcry, on the reserve to finally sort out this outrageous ‘cock-up’ by those supposed to be looking after the reserve. The huge reedbed around the Lagoon area is mostly destroyed by the seawater and will probably take years to get back to normal.
Today was a chance to get my 200th Hampshire bird species for the year and although I had a lovely offer to go to Staines Reservoir for the showy Lapland Bunting with both Matt & Emma Parkes, I decided to keep it fairly local for personal reasons. Again, this anticyclonic weather we are having at the moment (and I have read and heard the explanation for it by a number of experts), which is causing the continuous low cloud and still weather conditions, carried on into Saturday. So, today, Geoff, Andy and myself travelled west to the Hampshire border to Blashford Lakes to hopefully catch up with the long staying female Red-crested Pochard. Afterwards, a visit to Black Gutter Bottom for raptors and then home.
The Moth Boxes:
A poor moth showing this morning, but a Black Rustic is always welcome.
To put it mildly, it was a very poor day for moths with just two in my Moth Box; one Black Rustic and the micro moth, Lead-coloured Tortrix. It was even worse in Andy’s Moth Box where there was nothing at all! Despite all the egg trays scattered all around his Box, there was complete zilch! A Goldcrest was calling nearby as Geoff and I got out of the car by Andy’s house, but nothing more exciting in or around his garden this morning.
My second Lead-coloured Tortrix of the year.
Blashford Lakes, nr Ringwood:
A grey, but calm view from the windows of the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water.
Obviously, the first stop was to be the Tern Hide at Blashford Lakes and on a very still Ibsley Water, it took just a few minutes to see my 200th bird species in Hampshire, just seconds before Andy and therefore the race to 200 was won! Actually, Geoff found the female Red-crested Pochard at first, swimming quietly not too far away, surrounded by a few Wigeon, Coots and a Great Crested Grebe. OK, not the most exciting bird out there, but always nice to get it on your year list anyway.
Above, a drake Pochard swam past in front of the Hide. Below, one of the Meadow Pipits just below the Hide windows.
We spent a good hour here searching through the many wildfowl, gulls and waders present and even a few notable passerines too. At least one Great White Egret was seen by the waters edge, albeit distantly, with at least four Grey Herons in the area. The usual wildfowl were present that included Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Pochard and Pintail; though numbers of each have nowhere near reached the maximum yet. There was just the one Goldeneye present which was in the female type plumage fishing some distance from the Hide. The usual Egyptian Geese were on the islands and banks of Ibsley Water in good numbers and a single Grey Lag Goose grazing the western side of the grassy bank. Great Crested Grebes were in double figures here, with some still in summer plumage too.
Above, a sleeping Great Crested Grebe, still in summer plumage, in front of the Hide and below, Geoff found this resting Peacock butterfly, which was also in front of the Hide.
Above, the female Red-crested Pochard on Ibsley Water.
A small number of both Lapwing (15) and Black-tailed Godwit (20) were resting on the islands with the Black-headed, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls; but I couldn't find a Yellow-legged Gull to add to Andy’s Hampshire year list. On the shoreline directly in front of the Tern Hide, we had amazing views of several Meadow Pipits going about their business looking for insects among the pebbles and plants. A pair of Grey Wagtails popped in briefly with the Pipits, as did a single Pied Wagtail and a few Chaffinches. Outside the Hide, a small flock of Redwing flew over and a Bullfinch was heard but not seen. I was sure that a Ringed Plover was flying over the lake somewhere, for I could hear one calling, but I did not locate the bird.
Some of the birds on show in front of the Ivy North Hide included this Robin (above) and (below) a Grey Heron.
After a brief look in the Park Centre, we made our way to the Ivy North Hide where there was an outside chance of a Bittern. Once in there, for we had the place to ourselves most of the time, Andy and myself were conveniently sitting at the ‘right place right time’ to watch at least two Water Rails crossing between two reedbeds. The birds were calling a lot of the time deep within the reeds, but at least we got to see them this time! Sadly, no photos of the birds because they were too quick to get from one reedbed to the other! A skulking Cetti’s Warbler showed itself briefly in the reedbed in front of us, but again, too quick to grab a photo. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew off southbound over the trees, but apart from a few ducks and a Grey Heron flying over, all was relatively quiet here.
Above, Trooping Funnel toadstools and below, the macabre named Dead Mans Fingers toadstools. Both species were seen on the path from the Woodland Hide to Ivy South Hide.
Our next stop was to be Ivy South Hide and on the way there, we had sightings of a large flock of Siskins flying over the treetops. A brief look at the feeders by the Woodland Hide produced sightings of a Jay, Coal Tits and a Nuthatch and some interesting Toadstools were seen along the way, that included Turkeytail fungus, Trooping Funnel and what we think was Sordid Blewit; a very pale purple coloured toadstool.
Above, a Jay on the feeders and below, a Nuthatch also on the feeders.
Above, a Sordid Blewit toadstool along the main footpath and below, a pair of Gadwalls sail passed a Cormorant in front of the Ivy South Hide.
Above, Wigeon in front of the Hide.
Above, a Great Crested Grebe taking flight from Ivy Lake and below, one of many Long-tailed Tits by the Woodland Hide.
Above, a Nuthatch joined a few other species in front of the Woodland Hide.
From Ivy South Hide, Ivy Lake produced a few ducks that included Wigeon, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Mallard. Several Great Crested Grebes swam on the water some distance from the Hide and several Cormorants were present also. Two Kingfishers flew past together at pace in front of the Hide, but little else to be seen here during our 30 minute stay here. Walking back to the car, the lake opposite Ivy Lake held a Little Grebe by the edge of the reeds and a drake Mallard swam on the same lake. Overhead, a Goldcrest was calling and eventually seen in the trees while near the Woodland Hide, a large flock of Long-tailed Tits had a Chiffchaff, Nuthatch and a Treecreeper among them to round off our trip here to the superb Blashford Lakes.
Black Gutter Bottom, New Forest:
It certainly looked bleak looking over the expanse of heathland from Black Gutter Bottom; with the low cloud cover not helping. On the positive side, there was no wind and it was dry as we made our way to the Gorse Bushes that were just west of the small car park. From here, we spent the next cold hour searching the heath and sky for raptors of which just a Common Buzzard and a male Kestrel were seen. Sadly, no Hen-harriers or Merlins to liven things up and remarkably, not a single Redwing or Fieldfare seen either! I scanned the distant trees and bushes consistently, but all we noted were a few Song Thrushes and Blackbirds during our time here.
A few small flocks of Meadow Pipits flew over the heath and a distant Raven was seen also flying over the heath, but no Stonechats either! A Dartford Warbler was heard calling twice, but no sightings of the bird as we entertained ourselves by talking about 70’s and 80’s comedy programmes and where the actors/actresses are now. A couple of birders also arrived and started looking out for the Harriers as we eventually got back into the car and made our way home. Another great day’s birding with Geoff and Andy as always.
The Lapland Bunting at Staines Reservoir. Photo by Emma Parkes.
In Hampshire today, fellow ‘Lazee’ Mark Francis found a very late Whinchat north of Posbrook Floods and a possible Amur Stonechat was found at the southern end of Titchfield Haven. Two Black-necked Grebes were in the harbour entrance off Sandy Point, Hayling Island and a Short-eared Owl was seen in the north of the County. Emma and Matt Parkes successfully saw the Lapland Bunting at Staines Reservoir (a ‘lifer’ for them) and were going on afterwards to Seaford, in East Sussex, for the female Pied Wheatear that had been reported there for its second day! However, the bird disappeared in the afternoon.
