A bright start to the morning in Southsea.

Monday 29th September 2025.

A misty start over Highland Road Cemetery this morning when I walked past with the dogs.

A beautiful start to the day with a clear blue sky overhead, though a cool 11 degrees to start the day off. There was a heavy dew on the grass within Highland Road Cemetery when I walked past with the dogs and a Chiffchaff was calling frequently close to the main entrance and I even saw the bird fly from a bush to a nearby tree. Overhead, a few Meadow Pipits went over as did a Grey Wagtail again. A small flock of 5 Siskins flew low over the houses heading west.

No Moth Box overnight as I felt a bit unwell yesterday and thought it would linger into today; but miracle of miracles, I felt a lot better this morning. So it was left to the bird sightings from Pembroke Road.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A lovely bright start to my first shift in Pembroke Road this morning. A couple of Chiffchaffs were calling frequently in these Sycamore trees.

My first shift was particularly interesting with a variety of birds seen and heard as I notched up 15 bird species on my first shift. A pair of Chiffchaffs kept me entertained high up in the two nearby Sycamores and a pair of Grey Herons lazily flapped westbound just behind the Royal Garrison Church. Mipits were going over occasionally, though nowhere near the number I had last Friday. A pair of Pied Wagtails were on the Bowling Green and a Grey Wagtail flew low north over my head.

On my second shift, though a lot warmer, the only other bird species added to my day list here was a singing Wren. Again, the Chiffchaffs were active this afternoon in the Sycamore trees with at least two birds flitting about. I was sure I heard Jackdaws calling, but I could not locate the birds.

Above and below, a Comma in my garden.

Above, a Speckled Wood flew into the garden and below, at least two Chiffchaffs were flitting about here as well.

Back in my garden, the flowering Ivy attracted several Butterflies that included a Small White, a Comma and much rarer, a Speckled Wood; plus a couple of Chiffchaffs in the garden. All of which I tried to take photos of them using my mobile phone camera. Apologies about the poor quality.

Yesterday, birding pal Geoff Farwell was back down Farlington Marshes, despite the poor weather and recorded the following sightings: Osprey, 2 Peregrines, 2 Sparrowhawks, 4 Cattle Egrets, Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Stints, 300+ Brent Geese, Kingfisher, 4 Wheatear, 9 Stonechat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 90+ Mipits, 10+ Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher and numerous Chiffchaffs. Earlier in the morning at the same site, a Ring Ouzel was seen by the Stream area and another three birds were seen at Butser Hill area. A good case of trying our luck this Saturday?

Matt and Emma Parkes were in the New Forest where there was bright sunshine and this brought out a superb White-tailed Eagle over Longslade Bottom.

The juvenile White-tailed Eagle over the New Forest. Below, a good size comparison with a Common Buzzard. Photos by Emma Parkes.