Large Brent flock on Governor's Green.

Monday 3rd February 2025.

Some of the Brent Geese on Governor's Green this afternoon.

Another working week has begun and at least it was a bright and sunny morning. Drizzle then came in around 2pm but soon fizzled out, leaving a relatively mild day. It was back to Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, this morning where there were a few notable sightings. Around 11am, I noticed the Council (or possibly private Tree Surgeons) slowly chopping down the old Beech Tree within Highland Road Cemetery. That tree, which was probably around 80yrs old, had very few leaves in the summer and the Council obviously thought that the whole tree was rotten and had to go.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Up to 13 species were recorded today and that included an impressive count of around 130+ Brent Geese grazing within Governor’s Green this afternoon. It even attracted a couple of ladies who took some film footage of them on their mobile phones. It was good to hear both Great Tit and Robin singing away this morning, heralding Spring wasn’t too far away. This afternoon, my first Buff-tailed Bumblebee of the year, was searching for flowers near where I stood and it actually felt mild this afternoon.

This afternoon, I put out some Apple halves, hoping for Blackcaps to come into the garden. It worked last January.

Later in the afternoon, I not only put out some Apple halves for the Blackcaps (should they return this winter), but I also cleaned up and changed the blown lightbulb on my Moth Box. Some chap up in Horndean was now regularly getting some interesting ‘micro’ moths to his box. So, I put the Box on tonight and fingers crossed, I could get a few. I read with interest that a Barn Owl was hunting this evening over Milton Lakes. Me and the guys tried unsuccessfully on Saturday for the one seen in previous winters over in Warblington. I just might try my luck tomorrow late afternoon.