Wednesday 5th November 2025.
A grey overcast start to the day with heavy cloud, but very mild with temperatures around 15 degrees centigrade and a light southerly wind. It was back to Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth this morning and there were a few birds of note to add to my day list here. The Boat-tailed Grackle is still at Calshot Spit by the boatyard and will probably be still there for the rest of the week if the visiting birds are still feeding it! I have not been putting my Moth Box on of late due to the fact it is getting rather late, but I have read on the Hants Moths Facebook page that some guys are still getting a variety of moths; so I just might have a try tonight.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
I clocked up 15 species here this morning on my first shift in Pembroke Road where the main sightings were a flock of 20 Siskins flying low east over the Holm Oaks and a single bird about 10 minutes later flying into a nearby garden. At least two Jays were flying back and forth to the Holm Oaks or further along down the road.
All the usual species were around and Governor’s Green held at least a dozen Herring Gulls searching for food on the wet grass.
On my second shift in Pembroke Road, the Jays yet again showed really well; with one bird perched on a neighbouring gate opposite where I stood, though a dog-walker flushed the bird as it flew off into the Holm Oaks. I also had an all too brief sighting of a male Sparrowhawk diving into the neighbouring garden, but I didn't see it fly out and so assume it flew off over Governor's Green or actually caught something?
When I arrived home, my Window Cleaner was carrying out his business on my windows and stopping for a quick chat, I saw a small passerine land on the rooftop opposite my house. I then noticed the bird was quivering its tail. I was in no doubt that it was a female/immature type Black Redstart and then a second bird joined it. Both birds showed for all of 30 seconds and both flew off east over the houses. That was the third Black Redstart I have seen in my road this year, having seen one in early Spring.
In Hampshire today:
In Hampshire, a Scaup was found this morning between Long and the Binness Islands within Langstone Harbour. Yesterday, the Great Grey Shrike was still present around the Wood Fidley area of the New Forest and over at Winchester College Water Meadows, at least 5 Brambling and a Jack Snipe were seen. The Boat-tailed Grackle was still at Calshot Spit and up to 5 Glossy Ibis were on the Bridge Street Floods by Titchfield Village.
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