Thursday 13th March 2025.
It certainly felt like Winter had returned as a cold northerly wind had been blowing over the UK and although there has been a lot of sunshine over the past few days, if you were in the wind, it was quite uncomfortable. However, when you were out of the wind, it was fairly mild, if not warm, especially on Tuesday when it was positively balmy in the sun. Then the weather turned on its head!
There are going to be a few changes on my blog as I am going to introduce some of my old Birding exploits from the past. I was birding when I was in my early teens, picking up my late fathers interests in birds and I have notebooks / diaries going as far back as the late 70’s (Christ, I am that old!!!) and so I will be sharing my notes I made, of which some made some very interesting reading; especially due to the fact that some bird species do not habit Hampshire anymore! Enjoy.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
As mentioned before, the weather over the past couple of days has been somewhat damn freezing; especially early in the morning and at the end of my first shift, my fingertips were so cold, despite wearing thick gloves! However, it has been very bright and sunny. With migrants pouring into the UK currently (Wheatears, Sand Martins and Little Ringed Plovers), I have been keeping my eye to the sky more often than not, but have yet to see anything of note. Up to 16 species of birds were noted yesterday in Old Portsmouth that included at least 9 Pied Wagtails on the Bowling Green as I took a walk before the start of my first shift to Curtain Moat. Sadly, no migrants about, but good numbers of both House Sparrow and Starling in the area. The only noteworthy bird while looking over the Solent through my binoculars was a Cormorant heading east. I’m sure the first Common Tern will be seen soon. Back over the Holm Oaks in Pembroke Road; a Firecrest was heard calling again within the trees, but no sighting again. Boo!
The afternoon sunshine yesterday brought out the winged insects. No Pollen Beetles thankfully, but at least two male Hairy-footed Flower Bees and my first Pied Hoverfly of the year, but too quick for a photo using my mobile phone camera. Bugger!
Today, Pembroke Road also notched up 16 species and this time, it included a Sparrowhawk circling very high overhead. I knew there was something going on above me when I heard the alarm call of the Herring Gulls and sure enough, six Herring Gulls were hassling the Sparrowhawk until it sped off eastbound. A Chiffchaff was calling in gardens to the north of where I stood and remained hidden. Migrant bird, perhaps? The number of Pied Wagtails on the Bowling Green numbered just 7 birds today. It will not be long before the first Yellow Wagtail flies overhead; though I rarely see the buggers as they fly so high. Though there were no Brent Geese on Governor's Green, I am keeping an eye out for a possible Wheatear hopping about here, but all I could muster were 33 Wood Pigeons grazing on the grass. Incredible as it seems, this species is actually 'Amber' listed!
A cracking Queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee perched on a window ledge this afternoon and bathed in the afternoon sunshine, but no other insects of note to witness. Lately, I have been reading a lot of Hummingbird Hawk-moths that have been seen and filmed in various parts of the UK. I had one here at Pembroke Road on the 20th March last year, so I shall be keeping an eye out for this fantastic moth.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
Around midday, I took the dogs for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery as it had now warmed up a bit and still very sunny. Though to be honest, it was much quieter of late with only 15 species of bird recorded. The Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen again, though this time flying away from me and calling in doing so. I think it landed in the big Oak Tree but I could not relocate the bird. A Jay showed briefly flying high over the Cemy while I was having an interesting chat with a dog-walker. I think I have got a new admirer to my blog? Unfortunately, I couldn't find any Bees on the wing here today or any other insects, though that northerly wind really does not help.
More cold weather is due over the next few days and overnight temperatures could even be below freezing! I will not bother with the Moth Box over the coming days either.
The birds recorded in the Cemy today included the following:
- Jay
- Great Spotted Woodpecker
- Herring Gull
- Black-headed gull
- House Sparrow
- Robin
- Starling
- Wren
- Blackbird
- Goldfinch
- Carrion Crow
- Magpie
- Wood Pigeon
- Feral Pigeon
- Blue Tit
In Hampshire over the past few days, three Sand Martins were seen over Hinton Ampner, just north of the A272 and a Brambling there too. Incidentally, it's been a very poor winter here for Brambling. There have been a few Little Ringed Plovers reported in Hampshire this week, including one bird on Drayton Farm WaterCress Beds along with three Water Pipits. We were there a few weeks back too!
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