An early walk around my local patch.

Sunday 21st September 2025.

It was back to my local patch this morning.

I did my regular walk around Highland Road Cemetery this morning with the dogs and it was a lovely start to the morning with unbroken sunshine and a clear blue sky. It was a lot cooler than yesterday, but there was hardly any wind. I was a little concerned the Cemy wasn't going to be open as I arrived around 8am, but thankfully, it was open. I gave the Moth Box a miss last night due to the fact it was going to be clear and cool overnight and I also wanted some of the moths to depart, including my long staying Sombre Brocade. On that subject, a couple of other Moth enthusiasts also had this rare species in the garden in Hampshire.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

This female Sparrowhawk caused havoc among the local birds this morning.

It was a gorgeous start to the morning as I slowly strolled around the perimeter of the Cemetery. Overhead, there was a large movement of House Martins going over and all heading in a westward direction. This was the story all along the coastline here in the south as many other birders were reporting this event today. Both good numbers of Meadow Pipits and Siskins were also noted, with most heard but not seen as they flew high up and proved a bit difficult to locate in the bright blue sky.

Above, a beautiful morning walking along the footpath.

Above and below, House Martins were going high over in large numbers.

Above, this was the only Blackbird seen today on my walk round.

The most interesting sighting I saw today was of the female Sparrowhawk and a Green Woodpecker. I had earlier seen and photographed the female Sparrowhawk soaring low over my head and was very pleased with that. As I was making my way to the entrance gate, I heard the Green Woodpecker giving off its alarm call as the Sparrowhawk sped into the tall Lime trees. I was convinced that the Hawk had caught the Green Woodpecker, but when I saw the Sparrowhawk fly out of one of the trees and land in another, I could not see anything in her talons, yet the Green Woodpecker was calling in the tree she landed in. I can only assume that the Woodpecker was being chased, but the hawk left empty handed as it flew off to the trees in the north of the Cemy.

Above, the female Sparrowhawk soared low over my head and showed very well.

There was a large number of Chiffchaffs here today with at least 10 birds noted throughout the Cemetery; however, they proved very difficult to grab a photo. A few other species of birds proved much easier to see and photograph as the light was terrific for photography. A total of 15 bird species were seen this morning and hopefully, will increase over the coming weeks. 

Above, a Red Admiral basking in the early morning sunshine. Below, a small flock of Blue Tits were flitting about the trees over in the northern end of the Cemy.

Above, a clump of Field Mushrooms were growing by some gravestones and below, the only flowers I could find growing still were Yarrow.

There were good numbers of Red Admirals on the wing around the Ivy plants, making the most of the flowering plants and many seen basking in the sunshine here. The only other butterfly species was a Small White. I think it was a bit too cool and early for the Hoverflies to be on the wing, but later in the morning, my back garden was attracting good numbers of Hoverflies and Bees on the Ivy, which included a Hornet-mimic Hoverfly; the first one for my garden this year. Several Red Admirals and a Comma butterfly were also nectaring on the Ivy flowers.

Above, a Red Admiral enjoying the flowering Ivy and below, my first Hornet-mimic Hoverfly in my garden for the year.

Above, this Comma butterfly was in my garden again this morning.

The bird species recorded in the Cemetery this morning included the following: 

• Chiffchaffs 
• Green Woodpecker
• Sparrowhawk
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Robin
• Blackbird
• Siskin
• Meadow Pipit
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Starling
• House Martin

In Hampshire today:

The Grey Phalarope picking off insects at Keyhaven Marshes today. Photo by Andy Tew.

Farlington Marshes hosted 16 Curlew Sandpipers this morning at high tide (there were 20 birds there yesterday) along with 10 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 2 Marsh Harriers, 100 Knot and a Whimbrel today. Keyhaven Marshes still held a single Grey Phalarope along with 2 Little Stints and 2 Golden Plovers. The summer plumage Red-throated Diver was still in Langstone Harbour, while over at Titchfield Haven had a single Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Ruffs, 3 Glossy Ibis and up to 4 Bearded Tits. Up to 9 Eiders were offshore there. 

The Little Stint on Keyhaven Marshes. Photo by Andy Tew.