Sunday 14th September 2025.
At last, Highland Road Cemetery suddenly awoke to migrant birds this morning. I took the dogs for a walk around 8am this morning and thankfully, the entrance gates were open nice and early. This morning's weather was good with a light southerly wind and an overcast sky, which was most helpful in picking out birds on the move high overhead. I spent a good 45 minutes here today because there was plenty to look at and to be honest, I was half expecting (or hoping) for something scarce, but despite plenty to look at, that real special bird did not materialise.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
A gothic look at the Cemy.
There was a healthy number of migrants within the Cemetery today, though the majority of them were Chiffchaffs. Over in the south-west corner, I heard an unusual ‘Chiff’ call coming from the Conifer there and after waiting patiently for the bird to show, it was clearly a juvenile Chiffchaff (it got the blood pumping for a bit). However, I was starting to regret not bringing my binoculars, for there were a lot of small birds flitting around in the trees here, of which I counted at least 10 Chiffchaffs and a lot of both Blue and Great Tits among them. Even a Goldcrest got in on the act as it followed the main flow of birds into the trees. More Chiffchaffs were found throughout the Cemetery and so could easily be 20+ birds around.
Above, a Coal Tit on top of the Monkey Puzzle tree along with a Blue Tit, Both birds flew off south over the rooftops. Below, the red leaves of the Virginia Creeper really stand out on this Conifer over in the northern end of the Cemetery.
I can see you! This Chiffchaff was one of many here today. Below, because I didn't have my binoculars, I was relying on the zoom on my camera to identify this bird on the gravestone. It turned out to be a Robin.
Above, the Holly is now beginning to flower which should in turn attract many Bees, Hoverflies and Butterflies over the coming month. Below, the path leading south down the west side of the Cemetery. I didn't notice the bird flying in on the right and I think it might be a Jay after I zoomed in on the photo.
Above, Chestnuts littered along the footpath. When I was a kid, I would have been hoovering all these up for a good game of Conkers!
The Chiffchaffs were not the only warbler here as I heard the distinctive ‘chacking’ of a Blackcap coming from one of the Bushes. It or another one was heard again near the Mausoleum and I was lucky enough to see the bird fly out of a tall bush and into nearby vegetation. A pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker flew high over my head and headed off southbound over the houses and a Green Woodpecker was heard several times while I was walking round with the dogs, but I didn't get any sightings of the bird. Overhead, there was a bit of visible migration going on with Grey Wagtail, up to 7 Meadow Pipits and a Siskin going over and what was pleasing, a Coal Tit (a rare bird here) was first heard and then eventually seen perched high up on the Monkey Puzzle Tree at the southern end of the Cemy, with a Blue Tit.
Above, a series of Chiffchaff photos taken this morning at various locations in the Cemy.
Above, a Blue Tit picking off seeds with the cones of a Blue Atlas Cedar tree. Below, a preening Wood Pigeon on one of the gravestones.
A Jay was heard and then seen flying over the Cemy while I was talking to an old gentleman walking his dog. He told me he had been coming here over the past 25 years, but also asked me where all the birds seemed to have disappeared. So we had a nice chat on what I have seen here over the years. I had recorded 20 species of birds here this morning, which wasn't a bad total, but the potential of something special here is always on the cards.
No comments:
Post a Comment