No more Beech Tree in the Cemy.

Thursday 6th February 2025.

A lovely, but cold, walk around the Cemetery. 

I was itching to get back over Highland Road Cemetery this morning after my first shift in Old Portsmouth; not for the birds, but to see the result of what the Tree Surgeons had done and how far they had cut down the old Beech Tree. I was in for a surprise. It was a cold morning, but a clear sky overhead with unbroken sunshine throughout the day and a north-easterly wind.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A fairly quiet day here in Pembroke Road with just 12 species seen during both shifts. A few parties of Brent Geese flew over, but none came down to feed on the lush grass on Governor’s Green while I was there. The dog walkers does not help, with some coming onto the Green and letting their dog run free doesn't help matters.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

A pair of Collared Doves showed well in one of the tall trees that was now full of buds.

As mentioned, I was interested in seeing how many trees had been lopped or taken down and as expected, the old Beech Tree (it really has looked sick for some years now) had been taken down, leaving behind a large brown stain where it once stood. I give those Tree Surgeons some credit, they really are efficient. It was most likely taken down for safety purposes. Fungi growing around the base of the tree was a tell-tale sign that the tree was sick.

There weren't many Blackbirds around this morning, but this female bird showed well by the main footpath.

Back to the birds and again, it was fairly quiet within the Cemetery with just 15 species noted today and nothing of real significance to report either. Good to see a pair of Collared Doves back in the trees over in the southern end of the Cemetery and a Greenfinch was heard giving its ‘wheezing’ song somewhere in the treetops. Just two Goldfinch seen this morning and the large gathering of Magpies near the Holm Oaks was present again with at least 15 individuals seen and making a loud din.

Above, one of the Collared Doves joining a nearby Wood Pigeon. Below, several Blue Tits were chasing one another by the main footpath.

The birds seen or heard in the Cemetery this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Wren
• Blackbird
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Robin
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit 

Above, the Holm Oak clump was spared the Chainsaw, but (below), this poor ornamental Conifer did not! It looks ridiculous now!

There used to be a 60ft Beech tree here!

In Hampshire today, a Long-tailed Duck had been found off the Weston Shore for its second day; a species I would like to see this winter. It was joined by the regular Red-necked Grebe and also 2 Great Northern Divers and a Black-throated Diver.

The Long-tailed Duck off Weston Shore today. Photo by Andy Tew.