First moth in my garden for the year.

Tuesday 4th February 2025.

There was only one moth present in my Moth Box this morning, this Common Plume Moth.

An overcast and fairly cool day with the threat of drizzle or rain later in the day. Thankfully, the rain didn't turn up during my time at Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, today. Just 12 species seen today from Pembroke Road that did include good numbers of Brent Geese flying over and a small flock on Governor’s Green again this morning. Sadly, the school children were using the green in the afternoon as several Brent Geese flocks circled over and then flew off east.

A stunning juvenile White-tailed Eagle over Milkham Enclosure, New Forest. Photo by Emma Parkes.

This morning, an adult Mute Swan flew east low over Governor’s Green and a Chiffchaff was heard calling in the distance, within the hedgerow by the Bowling Green next to the House Sparrows. They were the main birds of note and most of the usual birds here were seen or heard.  

A drake Goldeneye seen at Normandy Marshes. Photo by Andy Friend.

Earlier today, I had my Moth Box on overnight; the first time this year after yesterday’s clean up of the Box plus the change of the bulb. The only moth to be had was a Plume Moth. Sadly, no ‘macro’ moths yet, but one moth is always better than none. Later in the day, I was meeting one of my Brothers to discuss my Father’s funeral arrangements and both Red Kite and a hovering Kestrel were seen near the A3 in Waterlooville. I was hoping to take a look for the Barn Owl over Milton Lakes, but the weather didn’t look all that promising, so I gave it a miss. However, in Hampshire today, Mark Francis had a male Merlin over Posbrook Floods along with the regular three Glossy Ibis. Three Black-necked Grebes were still off Hayling Oyster Beds and one on Blashford Lakes. I have heard that the roosting Long-eared Owls over at Pagham Harbour were disturbed by some very inconsiderate 'toggers' who apparently shined a torch on them. Unbelievable. I do hope the word gets out who actually did this and gets their just rewards! The birds always come first! Consequently, they have moved from their usual roosting site. 

Above, a Goshawk soaring over Nomandsland, New Forest. Photo by Jay Bee and below, a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker photographed at Acres Down, New Forest. Photo by Emma Parkes.

Above, a Water Rail showing remarkably well at Fishlake Meadows and below, a Cormorant struggling with a freshly caught Eel at the Gosport Ramparts. Both photos by Emma Parkes.

Today, I have added some excellent photos from both the ‘Lazee Birders’ and also Emma Parkes, who I am very grateful for as always.

Large Brent flock on Governor's Green.

Monday 3rd February 2025.

Some of the Brent Geese on Governor's Green this afternoon.

Another working week has begun and at least it was a bright and sunny morning. Drizzle then came in around 2pm but soon fizzled out, leaving a relatively mild day. It was back to Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, this morning where there were a few notable sightings. Around 11am, I noticed the Council (or possibly private Tree Surgeons) slowly chopping down the old Beech Tree within Highland Road Cemetery. That tree, which was probably around 80yrs old, had very few leaves in the summer and the Council obviously thought that the whole tree was rotten and had to go.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Up to 13 species were recorded today and that included an impressive count of around 130+ Brent Geese grazing within Governor’s Green this afternoon. It even attracted a couple of ladies who took some film footage of them on their mobile phones. It was good to hear both Great Tit and Robin singing away this morning, heralding Spring wasn’t too far away. This afternoon, my first Buff-tailed Bumblebee of the year, was searching for flowers near where I stood and it actually felt mild this afternoon.

This afternoon, I put out some Apple halves, hoping for Blackcaps to come into the garden. It worked last January.

Later in the afternoon, I not only put out some Apple halves for the Blackcaps (should they return this winter), but I also cleaned up and changed the blown lightbulb on my Moth Box. Some chap up in Horndean was now regularly getting some interesting ‘micro’ moths to his box. So, I put the Box on tonight and fingers crossed, I could get a few. I read with interest that a Barn Owl was hunting this evening over Milton Lakes. Me and the guys tried unsuccessfully on Saturday for the one seen in previous winters over in Warblington. I just might try my luck tomorrow late afternoon.

Great Spotted Woodpecker showing well in the Cemy.

Sunday 2nd February 2025.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen this morning here in the Cemetery.

It was back over Highland Road Cemetery this morning and a glorious morning it was too walking around my ‘local path’ with the sun blazing away. Again, the temperature never got into double figures, but it was a pleasure just to be out in the sunshine after so much rain we have had this week.

Above, this Blue Tit was the first bird seen as I entered the Cemy with my dogs. Below, not many Blackbirds were seen this morning. This female bird showed briefly.

Above, two of the many trees that were pruned by the Council this week. Below, a view of the Chapel looking west.

Sixteen species were recorded this morning that included the male Great Spotted Woodpecker again, high up in one of the Chestnut trees in the centre of the Cemetery. There was no sign of the Green Woodpecker today, but a Jay flew over and landed in a tree close to where I stood. But it was far too quick to grab a photo of the bird as it flew off over the Cemetery with something in its bill. It was good to see the Collared Doves back in the Cemy. I heard one calling first then looked south and saw a pair of birds fly into a tree close to the houses. All the usual birds were present as it will not be long now before the first Wheatear to turn up. They are virtually annual in the Cemetery, so I shall be keeping a very sharp eye out for one.

Above and below, love them or loathe them, I counted 14 Magpie's in all in one of the trees here.

Above, a pair of Carrion Crows were high up in the Oak tree and below, another photo of the male Great Spotted Woodpecker.

The male Great Spotted Woodpecker.

A lot of tree pruning has been going on throughout  the week here by the Council and it was evident with the exposed branches standing out like sore thumbs. Don't get me wrong, but the Council have done a stellar job here and are very tidy too. I was hoping that a Brimstone butterfly might have been on the wing here this morning, but there is a good chance one might be out in the afternoon when it warms up a bit.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Collared Dove
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Herring Gull
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Goldfinch
• Blackbird
• Wren
• Robin
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Great Spotted Woodpecker: male

Earlier today, Matt & Emma Parkes connected with the 'drumming' male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Acres Down. Below, for the second week running, Andy's moth trap yesterday attracted another Acleris notana / ferrrugana micro moth.