Fascinated by Spiders!

Friday 29th November 2024.

Another beautiful dawn over Southsea this morning.

Another gorgeous start to the day and not too cold either. I kicked off my day by taking my dogs for their early morning walk and the sun was yet to rise in the east, the light coming over Highland Road Cemetery was stunning to say the least. The silhouette of a Grey Heron flying east and being hassled by Gulls was seen while walking the dogs.

Above, the beautiful sunrise this morning over Southsea and below, two Spiders, Lace Weaver (left) and the oddly named Missing Sector Orb-weaver.

Fifteen species were recorded at Pembroke Road today that included a pair of Jays in the Sycamore trees and a lone Brent Goose flying northbound. However, it was a pair of Spiders that caught my attention today, when a Lace Weaver (the larger of the two spiders) and a Missing Sector Orb-weaver looked as though they were going to have a tussle; but they both eventually went their own way. They were on the house by the main road as I watched them for around 5 minutes.

Two colourful ducks that frequent Hampshire in the Winter. Above, a drake Red-breasted Merganser and below, a drake Goosander. Both photos by Rob Porter.

In Hampshire today, a Red-necked Grebe was off Farlington Marshes this morning, seen in Russell’s Lake within Langstone Harbour while another bird was seen off Black Point, Hayling Island, again along with 3 Great Northern Divers and 18 Avocet seen. A Black-necked Grebe and a Great Northern Diver were seen in Portsmouth Harbour this afternoon.

One of the Purple Sandpipers at Southsea Castle. Photo by Ollie Crabbe.

Red-necked Grebes & Whoopers in Hampshire.

Thursday 28th November 2024.

While walking the dogs at 7am this morning, I couldn't resist taking a photo of the dawn over Highland Road Cemetery.

Personally, it has been an extremely difficult week of which birding and the like has taken second choice. Currently, I have a poisoned finger, which typing my blog up proved very difficult; but I felt with all the sightings this week locally in Hampshire, I thought it was time to update the blog. The weather has been all over the place this week and even this morning, it was an icy start to the day after all the rain we have had. The flooding in the UK has been horrendous, but we have had it not as bad here down in Southsea.

The Red-necked Grebe off Hill Head. Photo by Christine Whiffen.

One species I have not seen for a few years now is the Red-necked Grebe and there have been three birds seen locally including one off Weston, Southampton and another off Hill Head. Then another was found off Black Point, Hayling Island! The question is, will any be still around by the weekend? So, while everyone was looking for one of these birds, Jason Crook found a flock of five Whooper Swans on the mudflats in Langstone Harbour but eventually flew off westbound at 3.46pm.

Above, the herd of Whooper Swans in Langstone Harbour this afternoon. Photo by Jason Crook. Below, one of the birds heading west. Photo by Ollie Crabbe.

It has been rather quiet here at Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth; though I think the weather has a lot to do with that. I managed to get up to 13 species seen or heard this morning with the Jay being the most notable bird again.

A 'Blast from the past'. This Spotted Sandpiper was at Lower Brook, Romsey, 15 years ago this very week.

Storm Bert still present.

Sunday 24th November 2024.

A breezy overcast morning over the Cemetery.

Though it was very tempting to go back down to Gilkicker again this morning as Storm Bert is not quite done yet, I had too many chores to do with my wife and so I walked the dogs around Highland Road Cemetery early this morning. It was overcast but dry as we did our usual circuit around the Cemy, but I was getting updates by the ‘Lazee’s’ on what was going past Gilkicker and nearby watchpoints.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

Above, a showy Wood Pigeon close to the main footpath and below, these two Magpies were part of a group of six birds together exploring the thick grass.

Gulls were flying overhead constantly including this Herring Gull.

Though it was very windy within the Cemetery (of which I kept an eye out for falling branches!), there were a few notable sightings as we slowly walked around. A Jay flew in and landed close by on a Gravestone, but flew off before I could get a photo of it. Three species of Gull flew over that included Herring, Black-headed and a single Great Black-backed Gull. It wouldn't have surprised me if a Kittiwake went over with so many flying through the Solent. Geoff saw one yesterday flying inland at Gilkicker! There were no Woodpeckers seen or heard this morning, despite most of the taller trees now void of leaves, but a Pied Wagtail flew over and both a Redwing and a Greenfinch were heard only.

Above, over in the north-east corner, this small Sycamore glowed brightly with its yellow leaves  underneath the huge Oak tree. Below, sadly, human pollution is not only in rivers and nearly everywhere you look, but even in the actual trees! Isn't it time these balloons were banned from being released outdoors?

The only insects seen was a single Buff-tailed Bumblebee flying low over the tall grass. Yet again, though there weren't too many birds on show this morning, I still enjoyed looking at the picturesque sight of all the colours of the leaves that were either in the trees or on the ground. 

This Great Black-backed Gull along with a Herring Gull was heading south over the rooftops.

Many Kittiwakes were passing Gilkicker again this morning along with a Velvet Scoter. Also three adult Little Gulls there and a first winter off Hill Head. A Little Auk was off the Milford Shelter this morning, a species I have not seen for many years now. I am sure there are more good birds to follow today. 

It actually got even better for those sea-watching today. A Leach's Petrel was seen along with 220+ Kittiwake, 7 Little Gulls and 2 Great Northern Divers from Gilkicker Shelter; but not only did the Milford Shelter have a Little Auk this morning, but both a Sooty and a Cory's Shearwater entertained the crowd there.

One of the seven Little Gulls seen today from the Gilkicker shelter. Photo by Andy Friend.