Chiffchaff calling in the afternoon rain.

Wednesday 29th January 2025.

I love the first rays of light coming over Highland Road Cemetery when I am walking the dogs past there and also especially the first bird calls of the day.

It was cool and clear as I took my dogs for their early morning walk this morning, with hardly any wind at all; but even with the first bit of daylight showing over Highland Road Cemetery to the east, the first birds were calling in the darkness that included a scolding Wren, a ‘seeping’ Blackbird and ‘mewing’ Herring Gulls soaring overhead. This mornings clear, dry weather gave way to rain in the afternoon and remained so into the evening.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

There were up to 14 species of birds recorded this morning, however, though a couple of small flocks of Brent Geese were seen flying over Governor’s Green, none actually settled on the grass therefore just the Herring and Black-headed Gulls plus a small number of Wood Pigeon were noted here. Again, all the usual birds were present, but a calling Chiffchaff was a bonus as it was heard somewhere deep within the Holm Oaks adjacent to Pembroke Road. Up to 5 Pied Wagtails were on the short grass of the Bowling Green, whereas up to 8 birds were present on the Green yesterday.

Above, a Purple Sandpiper at Southsea Castle and below, a superb Red-necked Grebe floated past on the sea. Photos by Ollie Crabbe.

Above, the regular adult Shag was also off Southsea Castle. Photo by Ollie Crabbe.

In Hampshire today, up to three Red-necked Grebes were seen in our waters here on the south coast: one at Hill Head, one at Weston Shore still and finally, fellow ‘Lazee’ Ollie Crabbe found one drifting close in on the sea at Southsea Castle while looking for the Purple Sandpipers! Two Purple Sandpipers were there along with an adult Shag. Four Velvet Scoters were still off Brownwich Cliffs along with 13 Common Scoters.