Little Egret & Chiffchaff seen in Pembroke Road.

Thursday 13th February 2025.

Starlings in Highland Road Cemetery this afternoon.

The cold, overcast weather carried on into today and by God, I was damn cold down at Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth. The only saving grace is that we actually saw the sun this afternoon, albeit briefly, but the cold was still there. There were a few surprises in Pembroke Road today and I rounded the day off with a walk with the dogs around Highland Road Cemetery again.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Despite the cold, there was a good variety of birds to be seen during my two spells in Pembroke Road and easily, the pick of the bunch was my second Little Egret for this site. The bird was seen flying over Governor’s Green and then over the houses heading north. That wasn't a bad start to the day, especially after birding pal Matt Parkes had seen several Barn Owls this morning up in the Alresford area this morning! Up to 15 species were seen today here, easily the highest number this week.

Up to six Pied Wagtails were using the Bowling Green and Governor’s Green, looking for insects in the short grass, while several Brent Geese flocks headed east over the Curtain Moat; however, none decided to settle on Governor’s Green while I was there today. The Jay popped in again until flying off north and this afternoon, I saw something small and green fly across the road and land in a small bush by the houses. I never saw it fly out, but a Chiffchaff began calling on the opposite hedgerow by Governor’s Green.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

Starlings in the heavily pruned tree at the southern end of the Cemetery. 

The sun did show a few times while walking around the Cemy with the dogs, but it was still very cold, though I was well wrapped up against it. There were no Woodpeckers on show this afternoon, which was a shame, but the Long-tailed Tit flock were back again, flitting around the branches of one of the Chestnut trees over in the north-east corner and close by, a male Greenfinch was ‘wheezing’ high up in the same tree.

Above, a Wren actually showed itself this afternoon in the Cemy. Normally, all I get to know is that there is one singing or scolding deep within a bush! Below, the last of the sun showing through the clouds late afternoon.

Above,  one of around ten Long-tailed Tits in the north-east corner and below, a male Greenfinch was seen 'wheezing' high up in the same tree.

A large flock of Starlings, at least 30+, were around the south-east corner and then perched up in one of the heavily pruned trees like the last time I was here. The Jay showed very well again, looking to dig up acorns it had buried last Autumn on the grass and stayed long enough for a few photos. Even a Wren came down and actually showed himself as it searched for insects within a grave. It was good to see (or should I say hear) two separate flocks of House Sparrows chattering among themselves in two different areas of the Cemy. Sadly, this species is in decline in the UK too along with many other small birds. Another bird that is scarce of late, especially in the Cemetery, is the Song Thrush. I heard one call and managed to watch it fly into a bush and out of view. Pleased with that.

Above, a few Daffodils were in flower this afternoon and below, a male Blackbird posing nicely on a gravestone.

Above, this Jay showed well in the short grass near one of the main footpaths.

In Hampshire today, I think the sighting of the day had to go down to the 23 Hawfinches seen at the entrance of the Four Seasons Hotel near Church Crookham. Two Red-necked Grebes were seen; one off Weston Shore and one off Southsea Castle for its second day. Three Velvet Scoter were seen off Gunner Point, Hayling Island and a male Black Redstart was seen on the harbour wall in Gosport.

Three Velvet Scoters flying over the Solent recently. Probably the same birds that were seen off Hayling Island today. Photo by Andy Friend.

The cold weather continues but some interesting birds around.

Tuesday 11th February 2025.

The Blackbirds are enjoying the Apples I am putting out in my garden.

Another very cold day and dull day with heavy cloud overhead and a very light north-easterly wind. The trend for this week is the same weather conditions virtually all week. It was back to Old Portsmouth again today and after both my  shifts there, I took the dogs for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery to grab the last hour there before it was closed at 5pm.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

It was damn cold this morning and things didn't really improve at all this afternoon either. During my first shift in Pembroke Road, a few small flocks of Brent Geese headed eastbound high over Governor’s Green and three birds actually landed there. But it was this afternoon when there were a few more interesting sightings that included a flock of 11 Pied Wagtails flying silently over and headed off northbound. A Goldcrest was heard several times within the Holm Oaks, but I didn't get not one sighting of the bird. Finally, a Kestrel was seen flying south over Governor’s Green and then went into a stoop and landed briefly on the Royal Garrison’s Church, some distance away. The school kids were playing football on the Green this afternoon, so the Kestrel didn't stay long. In all, just 12 species were seen all day here.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

This Jay showed very well for about a few minutes, Did it bury this acorn or dig it up?

Once I got back from my second shift, I made my wife a cup of tea and then grabbed my camera and took the dogs over Highland Road Cemetery for a slow walk round. I had an hour left before the Cemy actually shut for the day and surprisingly, there were a few interesting sightings here today. Both the Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker were present this afternoon, but only the Great Spotted was actually seen, albeit briefly.

Above, one of the Long-tailed Tits in the Oak tree and below, a male Greenfinch in the same tree. 

Over near the lone Holm Oak in the north-east corner, I found a flock of Long-tailed Tits high up in the Oak Tree; numbering around 10 birds and along with them, there was a small flock of 6 Greenfinches within the same tree. This species has gone through a major decline of late, a loss of down to a disease called Trichomoniasis that has wiped out about 80% of the British population. So, any numbers here are noteworthy.

Above, another male Greenfinch in the same Oak Tree and below, Starlings perching on a heavily pruned tree in the southern half of the Cemy.

Apart from the birds, Daffodils were starting to bloom in the Cemetery, despite the cold weather and this should provide the necessary nectar for our insects to arrive. Spring is just around the corner? 

Above, a lead grey sky overhead and a heavily pruned tree. What's not to love? Below, Daffodils about to bloom on one of the graves.

In Hampshire today, both Red-necked Grebe and a Long-tailed Duck were seen off Hill Head and a small flock of 5 Black-necked Grebes were off Hayling Oyster Beds with another on Ibsley Water, Blashford Lakes.

There have been a good number of Hawfinches in the village of Wherwell, near Basingstoke of late. Film footage of one by James Cutting.