A walk with my dogs at the harbour entrance.

Sunday 14th December 2025.

Beams of light over the Solent.

I made a change this morning and instead of taking my dogs for their walk around Highland Road Cemetery, I decided to try my luck around the harbour entrance at Eastney. There was always a chance of a Diver or an Auk in the area and so, with the weather being dry and bright; though most certainly not as gorgeous as yesterday, it was pleasant enough to stretch the dogs and my legs.

Harbour Entrance, Eastney:

A pair of Shags with three different age groups of Herring Gulls perched on one of the platforms within the harbour entrance.

Though it was a pleasant walk, there were no Divers or Auks to be found on my walk here this morning, but there were always birds around to look at. On reaching the harbour entrance Car Park, I did my usual walk up to the Hayling Ferry and checked the harbour entrance, Lock Lake and the northern half of the harbour. There were at least two Shags swimming in the harbour entrance and a possible third bird that flew out of the harbour into the Solent, but apart from the usual Herring and Black-headed Gulls, all was quiet.

Above, an Oystercatcher on the shoreline and below, a Black-headed Gull riding the waves near the Pier.

Ted and Buddy enjoy having a runaround on the beach and below, a female Kestrel hunting near the perimeter fence.

Looking into Lock Lake, a few small flocks of Brent Geese were nearby including a party of 6 juvenile birds, which is always a good sign. A Grey Heron was seen flying by the boats and a lone Great Crested Grebe swam very close to shore after virtually disappearing earlier after I saw it a long way out in Lock Lake. A few Oystercatchers were along the shoreline as I drove off later to make my way to the Car Park by Eastney Pier.

Above, the female Kestrel by the Perimeter fence and below, some of the Collared Doves present in the area.

Above, a scenic view of the Eastney Pier and below, the Great Crested Grebe near the Hayling Ferry.

From here, again, all was very quiet within the harbour entrance, so I gave it a good look around the perimeter fence where I found at least four Collared Doves (they seem so scarce this winter around Southsea) and a female Kestrel hovering nearby. Up to 9 Oystercatchers were feeding within the Perimeter fence but little else of note. I let my dogs off their lead so they could stretch their legs on the beach and as they went about their business, I checked out the Solent, but all was quiet again with just a Cormorant and a Black-headed Gull easily negotiating the waves.

Above, the same Great Crested Grebe just before it dived and below, a group of mostly juvenile Brent Geese in Lock Lake with one adult and a Black-headed Gull.

Above and below, Brent Geese in Lock Lake.

As we made our way back to the car, I noticed several clumps of flowering Oxford Ragwort growing by the perimeter fence along with Yarrow plants. I can only assume that the mild conditions of late have kept these plants in bloom. It was good to see the Council workers litter picking within the Car Park and even the Police Car turned up for good measure! We then got back into the car and headed for home.

Above, Black-headed Gulls on the University Buildings by the harbour entrance and below, an adult Shag swimming just offshore.

Above, flowering Oxford Ragwort by the Perimeter fence.