A rare sighting of a Fieldfare in the Cemy.

Sunday 30th November 2025.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

The female Sparrowhawk high up in one of the Horse Chestnut trees.

It was back over to Highland Road Cemetery this morning where the morning kicked off bright and sunny, with a cloudless sky and temperatures around 5 degrees at 8.30am today. There is always a chance of something unusual here if you can get here early enough and I was rewarded this morning with a superb Fieldfare and a brief, but showy, female Sparrowhawk.

Above, a Fieldfare was most unexpected here and below, a male Blackbird high up on one of the trees in the bright early morning sunshine.

The large Oak tree in the north-east corner. I have seen some nice birds here over the years.

Kicking off with the Fieldfare, I had got over to the east side of the Cemy when I heard a Fieldfare ‘chacking’ loudly somewhere in the bushes by the Mausoleum. The last time I had seen this species here was when there was snow on the ground many years ago and feeding on apples that someone had kindly put out. There was a large flock of them plus many Redwing too. Will the same happen again this Winter? This bird here this morning was hiding until it flew out and landed high up in one of the Horse Chestnuts trees. The bird then flew west and landed in one of the tall Lime trees and after grabbing some nice photos of the bird, I carried on with my walk around my local patch.

Above, another photo of the male Blackbird sitting proud and below, another photo of the female Sparrowhawk.

Above, one of the four Jays seen on arrival and below, a Wood Pigeon high up preening.

Shortly before the Fieldfare sighting, the female Sparrowhawk flew in and landed high in one of the tall trees by the Mausoleum. Fortunately, this bird showed well this time and I managed to grab a few nice photos and looking at that yellow eye, I swear it took a good look at me looking at her! It is always a pleasure watching a Sparrowhawk and to see one perched is a privilege.

Above, the Fieldfare showing well again in the Lime tree and below, the female Sparrowhawk gliding in to rest in one of the Horse Chestnut trees.

Above, another one of the four Jays present and below, all four Jays together.

In third place for a good sighting was a Coal Tit; though I only saw the bird very briefly as it flew out of one of the ornamental Conifers and into another (and still hid from me!). On arrival at the Cemy, as I walked south down the footpath with the dogs, I saw a group of four Jays together in one of the Lime trees. I know they do group up as Winter approaches, just like the birds I see in Pembroke Road during my working week. All the usual birds here were seen or heard this morning, although in small numbers as expected for this time of day and I did find a large number of Magpies in just one tree (see photo). A pair of Collared Doves were seen and heard calling in the southern half of the Cemy briefly; a species that has become scarce here of late.

So how many Magpies, dear readers, are in this tree. Answers on a Postcard to..........

Away from birds, another Red Admiral and a Buff-tailed Bumblebee was again seen within the Cemy, despite the low temperatures. All the same plants were in flower as per the last time I was here. Yes, it was a trifle nippy this morning, but a good day for birding nonetheless wherever you are.