It was back to my 'local patch' with my dogs.

Tuesday 5th August 2025.

A different view of the Cemy. Looking east at the southern end of the site.

So, after the ‘Lord Mayors Show’ down in Cornwall, it was back to my good old ‘bread & butter’ birding over at Highland Road Cemetery this afternoon. The weather was good with bright sunshine with a light north-easterly wind and temperatures into the 20’s (and it's going to get a lot warmer as the week progresses).

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

I found this Rusty-dot Pearl on someone's front of their house on the way to the Cemy.

It was very quiet regarding the birds this afternoon within the Cemetery, but as we neared the end of my walk with the dogs, a few notable species began to appear. A female Sparrowhawk flew high over the Holm Oak trees and then headed off north and the Green Woodpecker was then heard, but not seen, over in the centre of the Cemetery. At least two Willowchiffs were heard within the site, but only one was seen briefly flitting about a tall bush and then quickly flew off into nearby cover. It was all but dead during the first 40 minutes I was there, with just a few Blue Tits and Wood Pigeons being the only birds seen plus a few noisy Herring Gulls over.

Above, a Speckled Wood was in the shaded area along the footpath and below, one of two male Common Blue butterflies seen today.

Above, a female Sparrowhawk flying over was a nice surprise.

At least there were a few butterflies on the wing and making the most of the flowering Buddleia present. This included both Large and Small Whites, a couple of male Common Blues and singles of Speckled Wood and Red Admiral. A few Meadow Grasshoppers were heard and a few Buff-tailed Bumblebees were enjoying the Buddleia.

Above, Hoary Willowherb and below, Great Willowherb.

Above, a Meadow Brown on Buddleia and below, a Borage plant.

Despite the grass being cut to a very low height, some areas did sport some flowering plants that included Great and Hoary Willowherb as well as a Borage plant growing on one of the graves. All the other usual plants were present in small numbers including just the one Field Poppy.

Above, Knapweed was still growing abundantly over in the south-east corner and below, this was the only Field Poppy seen here today.

When I got home, I sat in the garden for a while, but was quick enough to get some photos of one of three Holly Blue butterflies within my garden. Also flying around was a Vapourer Moth that flew around my garden a couple of times, but, as per usual, would not settle for a photo. Hopefully, it might land by my Moth Box tonight.

Above, the Yarrow plants were attracting the insects and below, a Buff-tailed Bumblebee enjoyed this Buddleia flower.

In Hampshire today, two Arctic Terns were off Calshot Spit early this morning and a Whinchat was on Farlington Marshes this morning. It will not be long before the first Wryneck and Pied Flycatcher of the Autumn arrive.