Though I had a pair of binoculars, I didn't have my main camera and so these distant Sanderling among the Gulls on Eastney Beach was the best I could offer. I could have gotten a bit closer, but a dog walker was about to flush all the birds anyway.
It was a horrible start to the day with squally showers and a strong and very cold westerly wind blowing here on the south coast. However, the showers eventually gave way to a bit of sunshine, but remained very cold in that wind. I returned back to work in Old Portsmouth today, after a nice two week break, but returned in grim weather to start the week. Between shifts, I had the opportunity to take a quick look on the beach for Eastney for Sanderlings and thankfully, they duly obliged.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
There were very few species on show on my first shift with just the usual Herring and Black-headed Gulls, Carrion Crows and Wood Pigeons braving the awful weather. But it wasn't till this afternoon that I managed to get up to 12 species for the day here at Old Portsmouth, but nothing unusual among those species seen or heard today.
A superb close up photo of a Kestrel that was taken by Pete Appleton recently.
Eastney Beach, Portsmouth:
I parked up by Fort Cumberland, flushing a pair of Meadow Pipits from the grass and grabbed my spare binoculars (having left my new ones in Matt’s car last Saturday. Doh!!!) and made my way to the beach. There was a dog walker on the beach with three dogs in attendance walking along the shoreline and in front of them were a small group of two Sanderlings walking fast along the same stretch of shoreline. They did fly off as the dogs approached but looking back westwards, I found a flock of 60+ birds on the shoreline among the many Herring and Common Gulls. The Sanderling was my 96th species for Hampshire and my 97th species overall in the UK and hopefully, with more to come tomorrow!
One of the Long-eared Owls at Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve. Photo by Pete Appleton.
In Hampshire today, the 3 Glossy Ibis remain faithful to Posbrook Floods still and a Yellow-browed Warbler was seen again at Eastleigh Sewage Works and in West Sussex, the Long-eared Owl was still being seen by some of the ‘Lazee’s’ over at Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve.
One of the Long-eared Owls on the Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve today.
The plan today was to either go down to New Hythe for the long staying American Yellow Warbler or for the Long-eared Owls at Pagham Harbour NR and the Lesser Yellowlegs at Pennington Marshes. Matt Parkes was going to do the driving today and with Andy Fisher not feeling well, it was just Geoff Farwell and myself joining Emma and Matt. After discussion the previous night, we decided to give the Warbler a miss; for it really was a big gamble that it might actually show and judging by Birdguides, the bird actually never showed today. As the old chap in the third Indiana Jones movie said, 'We chose wisely!' Though it was damn cold all day, we even finished off at a balmy Blashford Lakes where by the end of the day, my year total reached 96 species for the year of which 95 of those were in Hampshire!
The spectacular sunrise over Langstone Harbour greeted us when we all met up in the Farlington Marshes Car Park.
Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve, West Sussex;
Large numbers of Brent Geese over Pagham Harbour at dawn.
When Geoff and I reached Farlington Marshes Car Park to join Emma and Matt who were waiting for us there, a spectacular sunrise was taking place over Langstone Harbour and beyond. Carefully packing our birding gear in the back of their car, we made our way to Church Lane, Pagham in a very good time. It was overcast, though the sunrise over Pagham Harbour was pretty spectacular too, especially with all the waders and wildfowl taking flight over the harbour.
Wigeon was seen close to the main footpath.
As some birders have put it, the Long-eared Owls were probably Sussex’s worst kept secret as we walked along the North Wall to join a small group of birders looking intently into a hedge that was pretty close to the main footpath. There we had a Green Woodpecker passing by and a good scan in White’s Creek. I picked up my first Shelduck, Wigeon, Lapwing and Grey Plover of the year. Large flocks of Brent Geese were overhead or in the harbour as we walked along the harbour wall with a fierce biting cold wind coming in off the harbour.
Waders and wildfowl resting in Pagham Harbour. Sadly, at the end of our trip to Pagham Harbour, I realised the battery in my camera had died! But I did have Digiscoping to back me up. Phew!
On reaching the small throng of birders there, we met up with Graeme Loader who kindly pointed out where one of the three Long-eared Owls was sitting. Excellent. I have not seen one of these species since we saw one (Geoff, Andy and myself) on Cley Beach, Norfolk way back in my ‘twitching’ days; probably 25 years ago! The main bird here near the harbour wall was showing out in the open whereas the other two were much harder to see. Emma had brought along her new Thermal Imaging Camera along with her and confirmed there were two more birds partly hidden within the dense brambles. Nevertheless, this individual showed superbly for us.
Another photo of the Long-eared Owl this morning.
Spending around an hour here, despite the jaw-numbing cold, I was picking off ‘year-ticks’ during our time here that included a Spotted Redshank that landed in a creek nearby (the tide was well out currently), two female Marsh Harriers flying over the reedbeds and big flocks of Black-tailed Godwit flying over the fields behind the Owls. A pair of Snipe flew overhead having come off the freshmarsh within the harbour and as we left Graeme and the Owls behind and made our way back to the car, another scan up White’s Creek produced our first Avocet of the year along with a drake Pintail. A Little Egret was fishing in the same Creek and jumped onboard my year list and Emma found a female Kestrel flying low over the reeds and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew overhead and landed in the trees by the houses. to round off our successful trip here. Now onto Pennington Marshes.
Film footage of the Long-eared Owl at Pagham Harbour this morning.
Pennington Marshes, Hampshire:
The Lesser Yellowlegs (right) feeding with a Redshank within the small pool. Patience paid off when the bird actually came into view after a freezing 30 minute wait.
We stopped into the Rownham Services on the M27 on the way there for a Maccy D’s breakfast and picked up our first Rook of the year scrounging for scraps by our car, joining around 20+ Carrion Crows. They obviously get fed well here!!! I was hoping for a Jackdaw, but I did see these birds to add to my year list while driving through Lyndhurst!
Above, one of the many Spoonbills seen today at Pennington. Below, good numbers of Dunlin were present around the reserve. Photos by Emma Parkes.
On reaching the Car Park at Lower Pennington Lane, we made our way to the seawall where we were stopped in our tracks when Matt saw a soaring White-tailed Eagle in the distance. Yesterday, three birds were sitting in a distant Conifer here! The Eagle, though distant, was soaring round and round for a while; they eventually disappeared from view though I think it was heading towards the Isle of Wight. Emma then shouted out that a Spoonbill was passing through and we quickly got onto that bird too. Two ‘year-ticks’ within seconds! Getting onto the seawall, we headed westbound to join a small group of birders watching the said Lesser Yellowlegs. A couple of birders told us that they had seen the American wader, though viewing was very limited.
Above and below, Ringed Plovers on the freshmarsh. Photos by Emma Parkes.
On our way to the spot, we encountered our first Ringed Plovers of the year feeding with a mixed flock of both Turnstone and Dunlin. The tide was coming up within the Solent and that wind coming in off the sea was terribly cold. On reaching the area to view, we really did have a limited viewing area through some brambles where the bird was using a small grassy fringed pool. After ten minutes or so, Matt suddenly had the bird through his scope, but frustratingly, the bird quickly flew off a short distance and was out of view. We had to wait at least 30 long minutes for the bird to reappear but during that time, a Skylark, Meadow Pipit and a Reed Bunting were added to my year list.
The Lesser Yellowlegs on the small pool between Fishtail Lagoon and Keyhaven Marshes.
When the bird finally flew in, I quickly called everyone over to view the bird. After Geoff had a good look through my scope, I managed to reel off some digiscoped photos and film footage of the bird and as a Redshank joined the bird, there was a good comparison between both species. The slender build of the Lesser Yellowlegs plus the yellow coloured legs easily tell it apart from the bulkier Redshank. Not only a very good Hampshire ‘tick’ but also my first for at least ten years when I saw one on Lepe Country Park.
Also while waiting for the Yellowlegs to show, a Kingfisher made several sorties past us and another pair of Marsh Harriers were seen over the reserve. A large group of Avocets were resting on the Saltmarsh behind us and a Kestrel was hovering over nearby Keyhaven Marshes. Happy with our Lesser Yellowlegs sighting, we made our way back to the Car Park. My lips were actually numb from the cold and though the rest of me was well wrapped up, I was actually having trouble trying to get the words out of my mouth. Maybe a good thing, lol?
Another photo of the Lesser Yellowlegs (left) with the Redshank.
A large group of Golden Plover flew over the fields and out onto the fresh marsh to add to our ever growing year list and then with a large group of Brent flying off the fields, a large group of Canada Geese and a small flock of Grey Lag Geese also jumped onboard my year list! The guys then found a male Stonechat amongst the brambles just before we reached the Car Park to round off another successful trip.
Blashford Lakes, Hampshire:
A Tufted Duck on Ibsley Water. Photo by Emma Parkes.
On our journey to Blashford Lakes, the slow traffic through Lyndhurst was to our advantage as I pointed out to Emma two large passerines in someone's garden and she quickly identified them as our first Bullfinches of the year! How lucky was that? Driving along the Roger Penny Way road through the New Forest to Fordingbridge, we kept a sharp eye out for any Harriers along the way and though no Harriers to be seen, we encountered our first Raven of the year flying low close to the roadside!
A Great Crested Grebe in front of the Tern Hide. Photo by Emma Parkes.
On reaching the Reserve Centre at Blashford Lakes, we stayed briefly for a toilet break and during our brief time there, my first Siskin of the year flew over. Everyone now relieved, Matt drove over to the Tern Hide (the Centre Car Park was virtually full) where we stopped for lunch, where Matt & Emma kindly fed me!!! I was hoping to buy some lunch in a garage, but who could refuse being fed a couple of Rolls and a packet of crisps?
A drake Gadwall in front of the Tern Hide. Photo by Emma Parkes.
Refreshed, we then made our way to the Tern Hide where many more new birds for the year were found. Of the wildfowl, Gadwall, Goldeneye (around 4 birds including two drakes) and best of all, a female Red-crested Pochard; that was picked up through the scope over on the west side. I pointed it out to a stunned birder next to me and he kindly then put me onto my first Green Sandpiper of the year at the back of Ibsley Water sitting quietly on the waters edge. Other new for the year included Great Crested Grebe, two Great White Egrets and, eventually, the two Black-necked Grebes. Seeing that there is only one bird in Langstone Harbour currently, this was a real bonus to see these Grebes here and they showed very well too, swimming just south of the Goosander Hide.
The Black-necked Grebes on Ibsley Water. Photo by Andy Tew.
Pleased with our sightings here, we then finished our day off with a quick look within both Woodland and Ivy South Hides. It seemed to be getting a bit darker here, especially when we were in the Woodland Hide, but we managed to pick up Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Coal Tit and finally Chaffinch to add to our year lists and we even had time to check out the Eye-lash Fungus growing on a small fallen branch. My God, it is tiny! Yes, there were a few omissions here at Blashford that included Goosander and Egyptian Goose, but they can be seen later in the year. But I have to say, though it was damn cold at times; we all certainly had a brilliant days’ birding. Just sorry Andy wasn’t here today to enjoy the spoils.
A drake Tufted Duck on Ibsley Water. Photo by Emma Parkes.
An early frosty start for a walk around the Cemetery.
The temperatures seriously dropped last night as a thick frost settled on our cars outside our house overnight. I still had to take the dogs for their walk and so, with a bright blue sky overhead and a heavy frost to boot, I took them for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery to see if anything of note could be seen today.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
Incredibly, I picked up FIVE more ‘year-ticks’ over the Cemetery; kicking off with a Great Spotted Woodpecker calling over in the centre of the Cemy. Walking to the bird, I did actually see the bird flying off eastbound over the Cemy and seconds later, a Green Woodpecker was heard calling. It was over in the south-west corner, perched up in a tree until flying off back north and landing in one of the Lime trees. Two ‘year-ticks’ in a matter of minutes. My third ‘year-tick’ was a Goldcrest flitting about and calling in the Conifer in the south-west corner; but more were to follow. I didn't take my binoculars or camera with me, but I still got to see at least two Jays flying over the Cemy (4th ‘year-tick’) and finally, as I made my way to walk west again, I heard and briefly saw a Firecrest deep within cover by the main footpath to round off five ‘year-ticks’ for the day.
A lot of the usual birds were quite showy this morning that included several Blackbirds, Wren, Goldfinch and Greenfinch, though just the one Robin. It certainly was Arctic weather this morning with the grass covered in heavy frost, but I was well wrapped up to tackle the cold today.
Later in the afternoon, travelling up the M275 northbound, up to 3 Common Buzzards were seen perched on the roadside lamp posts and kindly jumping onto my year list.
Early morning over Langstone Harbour from Milton Lakes.
What a difference in weather! Yesterday was simply awful in the afternoon and thankfully, the storm from yesterday blew away leaving a dry, bright and sunny day today. The light winds were from the north, but it was quite still throughout the morning as I took full advantage and spent the day birding in the Portsmouth area. As mentioned earlier, one must get to see some of the rarer birds before they fly off and then add the more common birds to pick off a decent year list and I took the opportunity to go down to Milton Lakes for the three long staying Scaup present and then off to Southsea Castle to get the Purple Sandpipers.
Milton Lakes, Portsmouth:
The female and drake Scaup on Swan Lake. These really are a sought after species in Hampshire and with three birds here and one off Hill Head, we certainly are blessed this year.
I parked up in Moorings Way and then took the footpath east to the seawall and along the way, a calling Chiffchaff stopped me in my tracks. It didn't take long to find the bird flitting about with bare vegetation below a tree and a second bird was heard in nearby brambles. Of course, this was a ‘year-tick’ and soon many more would climb aboard my 2025 list. Robin, Song Thrush, House Sparrow, Wren, Long-tailed Tit and a flock of Brent Geese also climbed onboard and once I reached the harbour wall overlooking Langstone Harbour where a quick sweep of the binoculars, I also picked up Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Redshank and Curlew for my year list. High tide was roughly 1pm and by the time I left Milton Lakes, the tide was rising gradually.
Above, it did not take long to find my first Chiffchaff of the year flitting about within a small bush by Moorings Way. Below, a Grey Heron posing nicely in the bright early morning sunshine.
Above, one of many Curlews out on the mudflats within Langstone Harbour and below, a small flock of Teal dabbling in the harbour near the seawall.
My quest here were the three Scaup which were allegedly on Duck Lake; the middle lake of the three Lakes here and so on reaching the said Lake, I waited patiently for the Ducks to show. In fact, I waited a good hour but there was no sign of the Scaup during my lengthy stay here. However, at least four, possibly six Water Rails were calling deep within the reeds and a couple of calling Cetti’s Warblers as well, which were eventually on my year list. A female Sparrowhawk flew through and headed north, while on the Lake itself, Coots, a drake Shoveler and a small flock of four Teal were seen. A Great Tit was singing over the other side within the brambles, but not a lot else I’m afraid.
Above and below, the female Sparrowhawk spooked the passerines as it flew north over Milton Lakes.
Above, the view I had of Duck Lake during my hour or so there. Plenty of both Water Rail and Cetti's Warblers calling here, though very difficult to see. Below, Swan Lake looking north.
I made my way north and rounded Frog Lake, hoping the Scaup might be on there, but viewing the Lake was nearly impossible due to the reedbed and brambles in the way. Anyway, they were not there. So I circled the said Lake and made my way briefly back to Duck Lake where I had a flyover Greenfinch and Goldfinch. Another 20 minutes passed but still no sign of the Scaup. I checked the harbour for anything interesting and picked up my first Red-breasted Mergansers of the year, some distance out within the harbour.
Above, the drake Scaup asleep and below, my first Little Grebe of the year. This bird was on Swan Lake along with a nearby Mute Swan.
I gave up on waiting for the Scaup to show up on Duck Lake and so made my way back to Swan Lake; the southernmost Lake here on Milton Lakes. Low and behold, I found the Scaup! Three birds were sleeping comfortably in the middle of the Lake and when joined by a fellow Birder, he told me that he had seen the Purple Sandpipers this morning at Southsea Castle, plus a male Black Redstart by the Castle! Excellent news! The Scaup, two females and a drake (I thought they were all supposed to be all females???) remained in sleep mode throughout my time here, but I also picked up both Mute Swan and Little Grebe here as well as the Grey Heron and Cormorant swimming here I saw early while passing Swan Lake. The pleasant walk back, with a good species for my year list, produced a few Moorhens that were also quickly added to my year list. Now for the Purple Sandpipers.
Southsea Castle, Southsea seafront:
Two of the three Purple Sandpipers seen this morning at Southsea Castle.
After purchasing my parking ticket, I quickly walked towards Southsea Castle, keeping an eye out on the walls and perimeter of the Castle. A female Kestrel was seen perched on the wall of the Castle (first of the year) and she didn't mind me taking photos of the bird even though I was very close to the bird. As I descended the footpath leading to the promenade, I caught a very quick glimpse of the Black Redstart on the wall of the Keep, but it flew off before I could get a good look at it.
Above and below, the female Kestrel perched on the Castle.
Above, another photo of the obliging female Kestrel and below, two of the Purple Sandpipers.
I searched the rocks below for the Purple Sandpipers, but to be honest, it was going to be a lot harder than it used to be when it was far easier to find the birds last winter. They could easily hide between the big rocks now, but after ten minutes or so, I managed to find a sleeping bird close to the shoreline. Then a second bird was found close by and on studying my photos later in the afternoon, there was actually a third bird in the photo! I also checked further along the promenade for more birds but there was no sign of any. I then saw my first Shag of the year, an adult bird, that was flying west low over the sea to add to my total.
Above and below, me and my shadow! The male Black Redstart eventually showed very well by the Castle grounds.
Walking back up to the Castle, I noticed an awful lot of people making their way here and so I had to be patient for the Black Redstart to show. Fortunately, the ‘BR’ was flushed from the grass below the Castle, but where had it gone? I then saw something flitting about on the lights below and there it was, a gorgeous male Black Redstart. I managed to make the most of the strong sunlight today and took several photos of the bird before it eventually flew back into the Castle grounds. Another excellent species added to my year list.
From the car park by the Harbour Entrance at Eastney, Starlings (above) and Collared Doves (below) showed well without getting out of the car!
Happy with my sightings here, I drove along the seafront eastbound and headed to the harbour entrance at Eastney for a bit of ‘scoff’ and then to check out the harbour from here. A pair of Pied Wagtails (first of the year) flew over the road and parking up by the harbour entrance, I managed to get my first Collared Doves of the year. In fact, the small bush that normally holds both Starlings and House Sparrows within it, also housed up to 8 Collared Doves! I have never seen so many here before. Out in the harbour entrance, a flock of around 20 Turnstone were on one of the buoys and more were on the boats within the harbour. A Great Black-backed Gull flew south while I was there, but sadly, no Sanderling through flew the harbour entrance today.
Above, a Black-headed Gull wading in a small puddle within the car park and below, a Common Gull also seen close by.
So, I finished the day with 47 species for the year so far and pleased with that total in roughly three hours, I headed off home. News came in later today that a Lesser Yellowlegs had been found on Fishtail Lagoon, Pennington Marshes! I knew that the storm yesterday would bring in something good. Though tempting to go for the bird, I wanted a relaxing afternoon instead before going back to work tomorrow.
Above, a Lesser Yellowlegs (right) was a real surprise today at Pennington Marshes. This bird was alongside a Redshank. Photo by Steve Laycock.
I would therefore like to wish all my readers a very Happy New Year and good birding throughout.
Back over the Cemy to start the New Year off during a break in the rain.
Our ‘Dawn to Dusk’ birdwatch planned for today was cancelled last night due to the fact that gale force winds and heavy rain was predicted for New Years Day. However, the dogs needed walking and so I took a stroll during a break from the rain around Highland Road Cemetery to see what birds I could add to my new 2025 year list. Birding pal, Andy Fisher, also had plans as he went out in his car and notched up with 43 species. Well done mate. The Fly/Pye Cup could be winging its way to you yet again? In 2024, I notched up 215 species for the year, which wasn't too bad and of those, 202 species were in Hampshire.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
The wind was howling across the Cemetery.
The wind was howling across the Cemetery and I had to be careful with falling branches as I made my way around the usual circuit within the Cemy. Earlier, I had seen both Herring Gull and Wood Pigeon from my garden, but all I could muster on my walk round was another 5 more species: Feral Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Blackbird and Black-headed Gull. The weather, though stormy, didn't put off a good number of dog-walkers this morning, but all were pleasant enough.
A 360 degree view of the Cemetery this morning.
The trick is to get the uncommon species and then build up the species with all the common birds and with the 3 Scaup on Milton Lakes and a Black-throated Diver over at Weston, Southampton; these are a couple of species one must get on their year list. But hey, who knows what this wind has dropped into Hampshire and with a number of Gannets going through the Solent today, something good could be around tomorrow?
Yesterday, there was at least a 100+ Brent Geese on the old Royal Marine Barracks, Eastney, grazing on the front lawn.
