A good tally of species in Pembroke Road.

Monday 3rd March 2025.

The sun rose low over a misty and frosty Highland Road Cemetery this morning while I was walking my dogs.

And so it was back to work again this morning, but not before taking the dogs out for their early morning walk on a frosty, very cold but bright morning. The sun was just coming up over the houses as I passed Highland Road Cemetery and a Wren popped up right in front of me and began singing before it flew into nearby gardens by St. Margarets Church off Highland Road. I got some info from fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ Ollie Crabbe this morning that he saw a pair of Dartford Warblers by Fort Cumberland yesterday and he kindly gave me a ‘pin drop’ on where he saw the birds. I was to try for that later today after my second shift.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A very frosty Bowling Green in Pembroke Road this morning.

It certainly was very cold overnight as I had to use de-icer on the car this morning. Temperatures were just above freezing when I made it to Pembroke Road, but it turned out to be another glorious sunny day. A very good total of 19 species were seen here this morning, which included a male Great Spotted Woodpecker calling from the top of one of the Sycamore trees on the opposite side of the road. I think they hold territory in gardens near here as I have heard the male ‘drumming’ over the past couple of Springs. Also notable was a Collared Dove, also in one of the Sycamores, but it didn't hang around long and flew off strongly west.

Also frosty on Governor's Green though the many Wood Pigeons didn't mind it.

There was just the one flock of Brent Geese seen today here, with a flock of 6 birds heading strongly eastbound. The Jay showed well again, flying over the road near where I parked and headed off north over the houses. A Wren flew across the road and landed in a nearby pot plant close to where I stood. It then looked at me and promptly flew off. Something I said? There were just a pair of Pied Wagtails on the Bowling Green this morning and up to three species of Gull were seen flying over: Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gull. It won't be long now before the Mediterranean Gulls start flying over as their numbers increase in the harbours.

Fort Cumberland Common, Eastney:

As mentioned earlier, I tried my luck to find the Dartford Warblers on the Common here and of course, very wary of dog-walkers. Luckily, it looked as though I was the only one here and so keeping a sharp eye and ear out for the birds, I made my way anticlockwise around the Common. I gave it a thorough examination but all I could muster were mostly Greenfinches and Collared Doves! I did see one Stock Dove and a singing Great Tit as well as a few Robins; but no sign of any Dartfords. Sob!  

I might have 'dipped' on the Dartford Warblers on Fort Cumberland Common but Emma and Matt scored with this gorgeous male bird on Thursley Common last Saturday.