Still plenty to see over the Cemetery.

Thursday 16th January 2024.

A small number of Goldfinches were within Highland Road Cemetery this morning.

Though I am still firing on just 3 cylinders, I am always keeping an eye out for the wildlife and this morning, I had the opportunity to take another stroll around Highland Road Cemetery with my dogs again. Beforehand, it was back to Pembroke Road, OId Portsmouth for my first shift of the day where there was another good showing of Brent Geese on Governor’s Green. It was bright this morning, though high cloud dominated and very little wind to keep the temperatures just below double figures.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

As mentioned, the Brent Geese dominated this morning's sightings here in Old Portsmouth as I watched flock after flock join the three birds already present when I arrived. By 8.30am, there were easily 70+ birds present and all moving as one across Governor’s Green, picking off new grass shoots. Only when there was a lull in the traffic passing by, you could hear them mumbling to themselves.

All the usual birds were present that also included a pair of Pied Wagtails on the Bowling Green and a pair of Mute Swans flew in from the harbour and headed westbound towards Canoe Lake. A total of 14 species were noted this morning and though there was no sign of the Jays this morning, I did see at least one bird yesterday afternoon here; so they are still about.

On my second shift to Pembroke Road this afternoon, another two more species were added to my day total with a noisy Jay showing very well on top of the bare branches within the large front garden opposite Pembroke Close. I was checking the increasing number of Brent Geese within Governor’s Green when suddenly, there was a whoosh of wings as everything took off. I was convinced a large raptor had flown over, but despite searching through the many Gulls; including several Great Black-backed Gulls (new for the day here) and Wood Pigeons; there was no sign of the raptor. Very frustrating indeed. About ten minutes later, the Brent Geese looked to return, but they circled a few times and then flew off.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

There is quite a variety of trees within the Cemy.

It still remained fairly bright when I walked the dogs through the Cemetery, with little breeze although the best of the weather was way over in the west with a seam of clear blue sky in the distance. A dozen or so dog-walkers were also present this morning, but all behaved nicely as we slowly strolled along my usual route.

Above, a Collared Dove was one of a pair here and below, it was good to catch up with the small number of House Sparrows too.

Above, a few Robins were noted along the footpath and below, Blackbirds were abundant too.

The Green Woodpecker was heard calling briefly, but there was no sighting of the bird today. I was pleased to see several House Sparrows within the Cemy seeing they seem to be absent from my garden for a few weeks now. I still have the feeders up, but I had to replace the rotten Fatballs in my garden due to non usage! The Jay was briefly seen in one of the ornamental Conifers and a pair of Goldcrests were flitting about among the branches close to one of the Holm Oaks on the eastern side of the site.

This male Goldcrest was flitting about the smaller branches by the footpath with its partner not too far away. Possibly another pair were nearby too. Below, House Sparrows find comfort on the edge of this bush for protection.

There were a few Goldfinches and Greenfinches around today, but no sign of any Redwings in the treetops, though plenty of Blackbirds throughout the area. Up to 18 species were recorded today; which wasn't too bad for this time of year. 

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Green Woodpecker
• Jay
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• House Sparrow
• Robin
• Starling
• Wren
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Goldcrest (pair)
• Blackbird
• Herring Gull
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch

The Brent Geese are back on Governor's Green.

Tuesday 14th January 2025.

An amazing sunrise this morning over the Solent.

I suppose that this flu virus I currently have WILL take time to go, but i am still working nonetheless. Today, the weather was much better and the day started off with an amazing sunrise. On my way to Old Portsmouth, I pulled over by Southsea seafront and took a few photos of the amazing sunrise, along with many other people doing the same thing here. There was hardly a breath of wind today and plenty of sunshine as the day wore on. 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The Brent Geese on Governor's Green this afternoon.

The main birds seen today here in Pembroke Road were the Brent Geese. Governor’s Green, in front of the Royal Garrison’s Church, held over a 100+ birds grazing on the lush grass here. When there were no cars going down the road, you could hear the peaceful cackling between them and when I got the opportunity, I watched them squabbling among themselves. It suddenly felt like I was back walking around Farlington Marshes again.

Above, birding pals Emma & Matt Parkes are spending a few days on the Elmley RSPB Reserve, Kent and took the following photos. From the top: Bittern, Short-eared Owl, Little Owl and a male Bearded Tit.

Unfortunately, there was a little else on offer here today with just 12 species seen or heard today and even the Jays have disappeared this week. Lets see what the coming week will bring.

The drake Ferruginous Duck on Brownwich Pond. Photo by Andy Friend.

In Hampshire today, the drake Ferruginous Duck is now on Brownwich Pond, near Chilling, having been seen on Normandy Marsh last Sunday. The Lesser Yellowlegs are still on Keyhaven Marshes and a couple of distant Velvet Scoter were off Brownwich. The Black-necked Grebe numbers off Hayling Oysterbeds have now increased to four birds. Numbers of this species of Grebe have sharply declined over the years where there used to be well into double figures.

Finally, a chance for some birding.

Sunday 12th January 2025.

A rather scenic look over the Cemetery.

I finally got to walk the dogs this morning around Highland Road Cemetery and although I am still not feeling 100%, I made the effort to make the most of a cold but dry walk around my ‘local patch’. It was around 6 degrees centigrade this morning and overcast too, but pleasant enough to take a nice slow stroll in search of the wildlife on offer here. I have to admit, I was envious of all those friends of mine birding yesterday as I rested all day instead; but it seemed I didn’t miss too much yesterday and even the Lesser Scaup had looked to have departed too.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

One of the star birds of the Cemy, the Green Woodpecker, which showed well several times today. I am pretty sure that this is a female bird.

Yes, it was really fresh this morning while walking around the Cemy, but there was no frost and the light wasn't too bad once I got down to the southern end of the Cemetery. A very impressive 21 species were recorded here this morning where the trip here kicked off superbly with a female Sparrowhawk flying in from over the rooftops and then seen flying through the nearby Holm Oaks, which in turn, got the birds giving off their alarm calls. I could hear Long-tailed Tits calling deep within the trees, but though I heard the birds several times over in the north of the Cemy, I didn’t actually see them this time.

Above and below, a few Starlings were seen over in the southern end.

The Green Woodpecker showed well several times though I did struggle in getting any decent photos of the bird. I believe there were probably two birds involved this morning. Though not seen, when I was down the southern end of the Cemetery, I could hear a flock of Brent Geese flying somewhere close to the beach, but the houses were in the way to grab a sighting.

Above, I normally get better photos of the Jays here, but they were quite elusive today. Below, Blackbirds were abundant throughout the area.

I noticed a good number of Blackbirds here this morning with an estimated 12 birds counted but there were no other thrush species found today. A male Goldcrest was seen singing in one of the Holm Oaks on the east side of the Cemy, though trying to grab a photo of the bird was near impossible as they hardly stayed still among the leaves.

Above, the Mausoleum stood out when the low sun reflected on the building. Below, a female Blackbird hopped around close to where I stood when I passed the same building.

Yesterday, I watched the Urban Birder David Lindo on the excellent Love Your Weekend programme and as he explained, though it is great to see something special when you are out and about birding, the best part of all is simply just being there and taking it all in. My sentiments entirely.

The Green Woodpecker among the tangle of branches.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Sparrowhawk: female
• Jay
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Herring Gull
• Brent Geese (heard only)
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Green Woodpecker
• Long-tailed Tit
• Blue Tit
• Goldcrest: singing male
• Blackbird
• Wren
• Starling
• House Sparrow
• Robin
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Pied Wagtail

Though there was no sighting yesterday of the drake Lesser Scaup, much to the annoyance of many a ‘Lazee Birder’, a first winter Little Gull was a good record on the sea off Chilling Cliffs. The Lesser Yellowlegs entertained the birders on Keyhaven Marshes still, while from the Weston Shore, Southampton; the trio of Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe and Great Northern Diver would have sat nicely on someones year list. However, news just in this morning, a drake Ferruginous Duck has been found with Tufted Ducks on Normandy Lagoon, near Pennington Marshes. There has most certainly been some quality wildfowl to start the new year off!

Two quality photos by Emma Parkes taken yesterday at Acres Down, in the New Forest. Above, Marsh Tit and below, a female Firecrest.

Birding pal, Geoff Farwell, took himself up to Abbotstone, near Alresford, yesterday and notched up the following sightings: Green Sandpiper, 10 Lapwings, Egyptian Goose, Raven, Sparrowhawk, 3 Red Kite, 6 Common Buzzard, Kingfisher, 3 Stonechat, 30 Skylark, 38 Fieldfare, Chiffchaff and Reed Bunting.