Light-bellied Brent Goose & Moths.

Friday 7th March 2025.

The Light-bellied Brent Goose (left) with Dark-bellied Brent on Southsea Common.

It has warmed up considerably from the beginning of the week with temperatures around 10 degrees this morning; enough for me to have my Moth Box on overnight and thankfully, I ACTUALLY had some moths to look at, though it took me two checks to find the additional three more near the moth box after discovering just one before 7am. With migration fully underway with the UK now seeing more Wheatears, Sand Martins and even Little Ringed Plovers arriving, it shouldn’t be long now before I could get one of these birds soon and hopefully over the weekend?

The Moth Box:

Above, Double-striped Pug and below, a Light Brown Apple Moth.

Finally, after drawing many ‘blank’ mornings in and around the Moth Box, a total of four Moths were discovered this morning. Mild overnight temperatures probably encouraged them to disperse more and the first moth I found was a Light Brown Apple Moth; my first of the year. After checking the Moth Box, I then took the dogs for their early morning walk. When I got back from my first shift this morning, I let the dogs out in the garden and checked the area by the Moth Box and low and behold, I found three more moths: Common Plume, Beautiful Plume and a Double-striped Pug; the latter two were also new for the year.

Above, Common Plume and below, Beautiful Plume.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Light rain was falling when I arrived at Pembroke Road to start my first shift today, hence the rainbow over the Garrison Church.

Light rain was falling early this morning and during my first shift, but it didn't deter the bird sightings where, like yesterday, I notched up 16 species. The Bowling Green is attracting a good number of Pied Wagtails and yesterday's total of 12 was a record, but couldn't be matched today with 11 individuals on the Bowling Green. I brought my camera along with me today and took a stroll before 8am over to the Curtain Moat. A Chiffchaff was heard nearby calling (not singing) and somewhere within the Holm Oaks on Pembroke Road, a Firecrest was heard to call. Another notable sighting was of a Grey Heron flying towards the Gosport area. All the usual suspects were heard or seen today and I am looking forward to what my afternoon shift brings.

The Curtain Moat.

Southsea Common:

The Light-belled Brent Goose among the more familiar Brent Geese within the fenced off area.

Of late, a Light-bellied Brent Goose has been seen with around 50 Dark-bellied Brent in the fenced off area on Southsea Common and so I took the opportunity to see the bird which was easily picked out among the other Brent. There are still a good number of Brent Geese using the fields in Southsea though they should be dispersing soon to their breeding grounds. I did see several flocks passing east this morning, but likely to join other birds in the area.

The Light-bellied Brent Goose among Brent on Southsea Common.

A foggy day in Southsea.

Wednesday 5th March 2025.

The view of the Cemetery at 7am this morning. Fog had rolled in overnight and the foghorns were heard from the Solent.

Today will be remembered for the fog that we all awoke to this morning and lingered most of the day and got thicker as the evening wore on. There was a brief glimpse of sunny weather mid afternoon, but it always remained a bit chilly with temperatures hovering around 10 degrees. I didn't expect too many birds to be seen with just only 8 species seen in the morning, but later in the afternoon, a further 6 more species had been seen. When I got home after my second shift, I took my dogs for another walk, this time around Highland Road Cemetery and then the fog rolled in again.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

One could only just see the Garrison Church early this morning on my first shift.

The fog put paid to many birds being seen on my first shift but the Bowling Green surprised me when I counted up to 7 Pied Wagtails on the turf! One day, there could be a Hoopoe on there or is it just wishful thinking. If there were any migrant birds arriving, I’m sure they will be regretting landing on the south coast today. Small passerines do get disorientated in this type of weather and sadly end up lost or worse.

My first Tree Bumblebee of the year was seen in Pembroke Road this afternoon.

This afternoon, there was a bit more activity when a female Sparrowhawk flew south over the road and disappeared into the nearby Holm Oaks. Brent Geese flew past in the afternoon over the Curtain Moat area, all heading east. Three birds actually landed on Governor’s Green and remained there till I left the area. A Chiffchaff briefly called in the Holm Oaks, but there was no sighting of the bird.

Brent Geese on Yomper's Green.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea: 

This Fox was a big surprise when we made our way south down the Cemetery this afternoon.

The fog was starting to roll in when I arrived at the Cemy with my dogs and at one stage, I thought I was not going to see anything. But it came in slowly and the birds began to appear. However, the first sighting wasn't a bird, but a Fox, which was curled up by a bush and fast asleep. Another large number of Starlings landed on the heavily pruned tree and then I heard the distinctive call of a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Eventually, I found the bird perched high up in a tree and then flew off north.

Above, Starlings in their favourite tree and below, one of the Jays put in a close appearance.

Above, the fog was rolling into the Cemy, reminiscent of a Hammer Horror film (showing my age now!). Below, a few Blackbirds put in an appearance. 

Minutes later, the Green Woodpecker was seen as it flew up from near the main path and landed in one of the Cherry trees. The bird did not hang around long and also flew off north. Both Greenfinch and Goldfinch were heard and eventually seen, despite the incoming fog. When I got to the north-east corner, both the Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker were seen in the same tree. There were two Jays seen on my walk around the Cemy and at times, one would get quite close to where I stood with the dogs. There were no migrants to be seen here today and with a Black Redstart seen recently in nearby Kingston Cemetery, I constantly checked the gravestones in case a bird was perched on one. On the 15th of March last year, I found my first Wheatear of the year here on one of the gravestones.

Above and below, the Green Woodpecker showed well in the north-east corner.

Above, the male Great Spotted Woodpecker also showed reasonably well and below, my first Germander Speedwell plant of the year.

Around midday, I was in the Eastney area and a Meadow Pipit flew over (passage bird, hopefully) and a Chiffchaff flitting about a Conifer in Melville Road. There was a flock of Brent Geese, around 380 birds on the grass on the Old Royal Marine Barracks called Yompers Green! 

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Acres Down is still pulling in the birders. Film footage by Simon King.

 

Dartford Warbler in the bag!

Tuesday 4th March 2025.

There were plenty of Dunnocks on Fort Cumberland Common this afternoon and there was even one singing from gardens near Pembroke Road today.

Yet another very frosty start to the day that led to bright sunshine and a clear blue sky. There was hardly any wind whatsoever and so to anyone who was out there birding today, I’m sure they were most grateful for such beautiful weather. However, I was working again in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth early this morning, but after my first shift was finished, I had to try again for the Dartford Warbler over Fort Cumberland, despite the drake Ferruginous Duck on Posbrook Floods still there after Mark Francis found it late afternoon yesterday.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

I managed to get up to 15 species today in Pembroke Road, of which three were added on my afternoon shift. Pick of the bunch was the Grey Heron this afternoon, flying low eastbound and a Chiffchaff was calling somewhere   within the canopy of the Holm Oaks, though I never actually saw the bird. A few very early Willow Warblers have been found of late, but I was sure it was a Chiffchaff calling. Also this afternoon, now that the temperature had risen to around 10 degrees, up to 5 Pied Wagtails were seen on the Bowling Green nearby. The only Brent Geese seen from Pembroke Road were a flock of 6 birds flying east. I did see a large flock of around 60+ Brent on the field south of Duisburg Way, which is, apparently, conveniently fenced off for the birds!

Fort Cumberland, Eastney:

Thanks to Ollie Crabbe in giving me a ‘Pin Drop’ on where he saw the Dartford Warblers on Sunday, before heading home, I took a drive back down there (negotiated the awful pothole Car Park) and took a stroll up to the eastern end of the Common at Fort Cumberland. Thankfully, there were hardly any dog-walkers when I arrived and so enjoying good numbers of Dunnocks, Greenfinches and Collared Doves on the way, I got to the fenced off area at the far end of the Common and waited.

A few pairs of Collared Doves were around the Common too.

Dunnocks, Greenfinches were seen and the brief song of both Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaff were heard during my 15 minutes waiting for any Dartfords to show and eventually, I heard the distinctive ‘churr’ of a Dartford Warbler. But where the hell was it? Mostly a mixture of tussocky grass and short brambles to hide in; it was in there somewhere! I had to wait another ten minutes for it to call again and then it flew across from bramble to bramble and thankfully climbed onboard my year list. I was a little peeved that there were none on Farlington Marshes last weekend and so I took the opportunity to see this one. Thanks again Ollie. Annoyingly, I was hoping to take some photos of the Dartfords, but my battery in my camera had run out! Hurrumph!

A couple of great photos by Emma Parkes recently. Above, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the woodland at Acres Down, New Forest and below, a Purple Sandpiper on the rocks by Southsea Castle.

Yes, the Ferrruginous Duck was still on Posbrook Floods in exactly the same place where we saw one last year; but the thought of driving all the way over there did not inspire me enough to get the bird. Sometimes I feel like it and other times I don't and I certainly do not like leaving my dogs on their own for too long either. I am glad James Cutting saw the bird and kindly allowed me to put a short film of the bird he took today.

The drake Ferruginous Duck on Posbrook Floods, Titchfield, today. Film footage by James Cutting.

A good tally of species in Pembroke Road.

Monday 3rd March 2025.

The sun rose low over a misty and frosty Highland Road Cemetery this morning while I was walking my dogs.

And so it was back to work again this morning, but not before taking the dogs out for their early morning walk on a frosty, very cold but bright morning. The sun was just coming up over the houses as I passed Highland Road Cemetery and a Wren popped up right in front of me and began singing before it flew into nearby gardens by St. Margarets Church off Highland Road. I got some info from fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ Ollie Crabbe this morning that he saw a pair of Dartford Warblers by Fort Cumberland yesterday and he kindly gave me a ‘pin drop’ on where he saw the birds. I was to try for that later today after my second shift.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A very frosty Bowling Green in Pembroke Road this morning.

It certainly was very cold overnight as I had to use de-icer on the car this morning. Temperatures were just above freezing when I made it to Pembroke Road, but it turned out to be another glorious sunny day. A very good total of 19 species were seen here this morning, which included a male Great Spotted Woodpecker calling from the top of one of the Sycamore trees on the opposite side of the road. I think they hold territory in gardens near here as I have heard the male ‘drumming’ over the past couple of Springs. Also notable was a Collared Dove, also in one of the Sycamores, but it didn't hang around long and flew off strongly west.

Also frosty on Governor's Green though the many Wood Pigeons didn't mind it.

There was just the one flock of Brent Geese seen today here, with a flock of 6 birds heading strongly eastbound. The Jay showed well again, flying over the road near where I parked and headed off north over the houses. A Wren flew across the road and landed in a nearby pot plant close to where I stood. It then looked at me and promptly flew off. Something I said? There were just a pair of Pied Wagtails on the Bowling Green this morning and up to three species of Gull were seen flying over: Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gull. It won't be long now before the Mediterranean Gulls start flying over as their numbers increase in the harbours.

Fort Cumberland Common, Eastney:

As mentioned earlier, I tried my luck to find the Dartford Warblers on the Common here and of course, very wary of dog-walkers. Luckily, it looked as though I was the only one here and so keeping a sharp eye and ear out for the birds, I made my way anticlockwise around the Common. I gave it a thorough examination but all I could muster were mostly Greenfinches and Collared Doves! I did see one Stock Dove and a singing Great Tit as well as a few Robins; but no sign of any Dartfords. Sob!  

I might have 'dipped' on the Dartford Warblers on Fort Cumberland Common but Emma and Matt scored with this gorgeous male bird on Thursley Common last Saturday. 

My first Peacock butterfly of the year.

Sunday 2nd March 2025.

The male Firecrest was seen again and also showed very well too.

Another beautiful day here on the south coast and though a tad cold, it was bright and sunny with a clear blue sky overhead. I decided to take my dogs for a walk around 7.15am this morning over Highland Road Cemetery, but when I arrived there, the gates were locked! I always thought they opened the gates around 6.30am as they do during the week; so I carried on with my walk and rounded the street I live in and headed off home for breakfast. Later in the afternoon, I returned to the Cemetery with the dogs for a nice slow walk in the sunshine.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

View of the Cemy looking south-west. Another beautiful day with wall to wall sunshine.

Though quiet at times, the Cemetery produced a few notable sightings that included the Firecrest again; this time by the bushes near the Holm Oaks and showed very well. However, the bird was never heard to call as it searched for food following a pair of Great Tits. The Jay showed occasionally, but distant; though it showed a little later very close to where I was standing hence the close up photos of this beautiful bird. Just the one Goldfinch seen here today and that was a singing bird high up in one of the Chestnut trees, but no Greenfinches around today. Sadly, no sign of any migrants if you don't include the Firecrest, which is probably a passing bird that will soon leave.

On the insects seen today, my first Peacock butterfly flew past me, but too quick to grab a photo and on the Heather covered grave, both Buff-tailed Bumblebees and Honey Bees were enjoying nectaring on the plants.

Above, a Buff-tailed Bumblebee and below, a Honey Bee; both enjoying the flowering Heather on one of the graves.

Above and below, this inquisitive Jay was watching my dogs and I was watching him!

The birds recorded there this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Carrion Crow
• Jay
• Magpie
• Feral Pigeon
• Wood Pigeon
• Blackbird
• Robin
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Firecrest: male
• Goldfinch
• Starling

Earlier today, the noisy Gulls outside my home were sounding a little distressed and so looking up from my garden, a female Sparrowhawk was circling overhead and showed superbly in the sunshine, however, despite rushing back indoors to grab my camera, the bird had disappeared when I arrived back out into the garden. Fume!

Above, this Goldfinch was the only one I saw here this afternoon and below, even Robins were hard to see, though this individual showed well.

Above, four more photos of the delightful Firecrest.

I got a text from Geoff to say he was birding in the Chidden / Teglease Down area where he saw 10 Common Buzzards, 6 Red Kites, 2 Ravens, 33 Stock Doves and 30+ Yellowhammers. He also took a trip to Coombe (near Old Winchester Hill) and saw 2 Little Owls and then two Barn Owls hunting in the nearby fields. Also there were 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Red Kites, a Raven, 500 Wood Pigeons and 20 Lapwing.