A nice variety of birds this morning.

Thursday 2nd January 2025.

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.