Redwing & Purple Sandpipers today.

Monday 24th March 2025.

A Black-headed Gull with two of the Purple Sandpipers in front of Southsea Castle.

It was chilly again this morning although the temperatures did rise throughout the day. The low cloud still lingered here in Southsea with a light westerly wind. It was back to Old Portsmouth again today and after my first shift, I made my way to Southsea Castle, hoping for yesterday’s Red-necked Grebe to be still present.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A reasonable total of 15 species were present today during my first hour here at Pembroke Road. A good start with a small flock of 4 Redwing flying low north was a nice surprise; a species that has had a scarce presence here on the south coast and now making their way back north to their breeding grounds. On the opposite spectrum, a Chiffchaff was in song somewhere near the Bowling Green and overhead, Mediterranean Gulls have returned with a pair of birds circling with Black-headed Gulls high overhead. Around Spring time, they turn up frequently around this site, passing from one harbour to another. A total of 17 species were recorded today.

Southsea Castle & the Solent:

There was no sign of the Red-necked Grebe but this flock of Brent Geese were just offshore.

After a very frustrating time with the dreadful Pay Machines in the Car Park near the Castle, I eventually made my way to the front of Blue Reef Aquarium to find yesterday’s Red-necked Grebe but it was all in vain. All I could find was a flock of Brent Geese swimming just offshore and even someone from the ‘Lazee’s’ could not find the bird either. So I made my way east, checking the rocks below the new promenade for the Purple Sandpipers.

Above, the rock layout all along the promenade and below, bathing Purple Sandpipers.

Above, a large gathering of the Purple Sandpipers and below, an adult Mute Swan flying east over the Solent.

Above, a few House Sparrows were on the hedgerows beside the Car Park.

I got to the usual spot below the Castle and it didn't take long to find the birds. Twenty were reported yesterday and I found all 20 Purple Sandpipers (the most I have seen here this winter) sat nicely on the rocks altogether though some were preening while a few more were hopping about among the rocks. It was low tide when I arrived and the sea over the Solent was very calm. Though there was no sign of yesterday’s Grebe, I did see a small flock of 3 Med Gulls flying east low over the sea and a Mute Swan soon followed them in the same direction. All the while I was watching and photographing the Sandpipers, a Chiffchaff was calling behind me, somewhere in the vegetation near the Castle. You can hear it calling on the film footage below.

The Purple Sandpipers below Southsea Castle this morning.