Sunday 5th October 2025.
Looking very Autumnal in the Cemetery.
I was up early this morning and with a clear blue sky outside, I thought I would take the dogs out for their early morning walk around Highland Road Cemetery. It was still windy, but not as strong as yesterday as we made our way to the entrance gates where a pair of Cormorants flew high over the Cemy and headed off northbound. We are now entering Yellow-browed Warbler territory as we go into October and although many have been seen on the Scottish Islands and down the east coast of the UK, none have been reported yet here in the south. Could there be one lurking in here again?
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
This Speckled Wood butterfly was showing well in the sunshine upon this Ash tree.
The trip here kicked off nicely with at least three Goldcrests in the Blue Atlas Cedar Conifer near the main entrance and a Chiffchaff calling close by. Sadly, the birds would not stay long enough for a photo or two and although many Chiffchaffs were present throughout the Cemy, I simply could not get a decent photo of the birds. There was a good movement of Siskins flying over, though apart from a small group of three birds heading south, many were virtually invisible in the bright blue sky. A few Meadow Pipits also went over and a small flock of Greenfinch flew up to one of the tall Lime trees but did not linger long enough.
Above, a fleeting glimpse of a Chiffchaff within this Ash tree. They were so difficult to photograph this morning. Below, many Ivy Bee's were enjoying the flowering Ivy.
Above, a Red Admiral soaking up the morning sunshine and below, a male Greenfinch flying over was part of a small flock.
That was virtually the story of the morning here as the birds were so active, they did not linger enough to get a decent photo. The zoom on my camera lens is too slow to capture a lot of the birds as they flit in and out of the vegetation, but at least the butterflies were more co-operative! A Coal Tit was heard calling again and reasonable numbers of both Blue and Great Tits were heard and sometimes seen throughout the Cemy.
Above, a pair of Jays were seen fleetingly near the Mausoleum and below, one of many Herring Gulls flying overhead.
Above, yesterday's wind had blown off most of the cones from this Blue Atlas Cedar Conifer (below).
The early morning sun attracted a few butterflies and both Red Admiral and Speckled Wood were seen this morning as well many Bees and Hoverflies enjoying the flowering Ivy still. I didn't have too long here as my wife was making breakfast and so my dogs and I said ‘Adios’ and so made our way back home.
Hayling Island seafront:
The lovely view from the Beach Huts. The sea was a lot calmer than yesterday!
At midday, Becky and I met up with our friends to catch up and also talk about the forthcoming funeral of one of my best friends, Chris Warren. Sadly, we lost Chris a few weeks ago who was one of the most loveliest men I have ever met. His partner, Allison, invited us down to the Beach hut on the seafront for Fish & Chips along with her brother and his family and also Becky’s cousin Jane and her husband Rob. We spent the next couple of hours there and though it was a bit breezy, the Beach huts protected us from the wind and when the sun came out from behind the clouds, it was actually very warm!
As per usual, I am always looking for birds or anything else of note flying over and sure enough, there was a strong movement of Meadow Pipits going over and I think I must have counted around 40+ birds during that time. Not only Mipits, but a Skylark also flew low over as did several flocks of Linnets. On our way out of the Car Park, I found a Clouded Yellow butterfly close to the roadside, which was only my second one of the year to round off a lovely couple of hours here on the island.
Above, this Bloxworth Snout moth followed me into my house last night through the back door! Below, a Looped Flutter Fly (Toxonevra muliebris) was on my kitchen ceiling this morning.
Above, a good friend of mine, who lives in South Africa, kindly sent me this photo of a Cabbage Tree Emperor Moth that was outside here house this morning. Its a monster of a moth!
