A walk to Curtain Moat.

Monday 28th April 2025.

I walked the dogs around 6.30am today and a low mist covered the ground within Highland Road Cemetery.

The weather is getting a lot warmer this week and today was no exception either as the temperature got up to around 23 degrees. It was back to Pembroke Road again today and also a bit of driving around Southsea and Eastney but there was nothing out of the ordinary today. Geoff had a good day down Farlington Marshes yesterday and a surprise from Woolmer Pond last night was an adult Whooper Swan on the water. Sadly, I had too much to do and had to give the Swan a miss and of course, there was no sign of the bird today. Amazingly, the Least Sandpiper was on the Stilt Pool again today at Medmerry RSPB Reserve!

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A lovely bright start to the day as I took an early walk down the alleyway to Curtain Moat. This is a view of the Garrison Church and Governor's Green.

I took a walk before my 8am start in Pembroke Road and made my way through the alleyway and over to Curtain Moat. The Solent was flat calm again under a clear blue sky and the only birds of note were a pair of Cormorants heading towards Gosport and a lot of Gulls loafing on the sea in the distance. Both Starlings and Feral Pigeons were seen taking in nesting material within the walls of the Moat.

Above, Curtain Moat and below,White Dead-nettle in flower.

Above, Cow Parsley growing near the Moat and below, Red Valerian growing on the alley wall.

Red Valerian.

A total of 17 species were recorded in Pembroke Road today from both my shifts there, but nothing out of the ordinary again. A male Pied Wagtail was on the Bowling Green and was joined by a small flock of Starlings. With Andy Fisher having seen 3 Med Gulls, a Common Buzzard, a Red Kite and a probable Hobby during his tea break at work, I kept a good eye out for any passing raptors, of which I saw bugger all!

Emma & Matt's Moth Box only had this insect, a Cockchafer Beetle.

I never had my Moth Box on overnight, but Matt and Emma did, but the best they could muster was a Cockchafer Beetle! Yesterday, Geoff Farwell went to Farlington Marshes and had the following sightings: 15 Avocets, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, 10 Whimbrel, Cuckoo, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Common Whitethroat, Bearded Tits, 3 Wheatears, 7 Little Tern and a Sparrowhawk.

This beautiful male Orange-tip butterfly was photographed by Emma Parkes at Testwood Lakes last Saturday.