Rain was predicted for later today as I awoke to an overcast sky. Again I switched my Moth Box on last night because of the overnight temperatures nearly hovering around the double digit mark.
The Moth Box:
My first Diurnea fagella moth of the year. I found it last night by the Moth Box and quickly potted it. This is the smallest one I have ever come across, but a good record for my garden.
The good news was that another couple of moths that were present were new for the year; both micro moths: Diurnea fagella (March Tubic) & the even smaller Mompha divisella (Neat Mompha), plus an Early Grey & 2 Common Plume’s.
My first Mompha divisella (Neat Mompha)of the year.
Overhead, while checking the moths, a pair of Mediterranean Gulls were seen and heard flying past heading southbound for the Solent.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Though overcast and a fresh breeze from the south-east could and should bring more migrants to our shores, though none were seen during my first shift here in Old Portsmouth and in fact, just 11 species were noted and nothing really of significance among them either. Lets see what this afternoon might bring?
This flock of Mute Swans flew low over the Cemetery while I was walking the dogs today.
We were promised last night that the weather was going to be glorious today and most likely to be the warmest day of the year. It looks as though they were right as I awoke to a clear blue cloudless sky and hardly a puff of wind to be had! My Moth Box was switched on last night due to the fact that overnight temperatures were fairly high and so I was rewarded with a small number of moths to look at.
It was back to Old Portsmouth this morning for my first shift and afterwards, a nice coffee and a chat with a good friend of mine. When I got home afterwards, I took the dogs out for a nice, warm and pleasant walk around Highland Road Cemetery, which held a few notable species, though I had to put up with the noise of the Council workers 'strimming' around the gravestones!
The Moth Box
Above, only my second ever Tawny Pinion that was by my Moth Box this morning. Below, my second Double-striped Pug of the year.
Above, I rescued this Bloxworth Snout moth that had flown into a bucket of water! I can gladly say that it dried itself off and flew off. Below, the Caddis Fly, Cinnemon Sedge.
There were a few moths around my Moth Box this morning, but sadly, none within it again. However, I was really chuffed to find only my second ever Tawny Pinion moth perched on the kitchen wall opposite the Box. I believe I had one of these last year and so to get one two years running bodes well for the future. Other moths present were an Early Grey perched on the fence, a Double-striped Pug, 2 Common Plumes and 2 Light Brown Apple Moths. The light can attract other insects and this morning, a 'Cinnemon Sedge' Caddis Fly was perched on top of the rainguard. Another Tawny Pinion moth was found in a fellow ‘Lazee’s’ garden over in Fareham this morning.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
The weather was looking good when I arrived at Pembroke Road to start my first shift and there were plenty of birds in song while I gave my car a quick clean before starting. I recorded 16 species in all during that hour and it included a male Peregrine flying low overhead and seen landing on the other side of Portsmouth Cathedral. Not a bad start to the day. A Meadow Pipit flew north and a small flock of 6 Brent Geese flew east by Curtain Moat. There was just the one Pied Wagtail on the Bowling Green and the Jay was calling in gardens north of Pembroke Close. Just the one Hairy-footed Flower Bee seen this morning, but that's the first one I have seen here on my first shift.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
This Magpie was searching for food in the freshly mown grass. Unfortunately, the Council staff were in here today using their Strimmers and making an awful noise.
The Council workers were making a right din with their strimmers this morning within the Cemetery, with at least three guys on the go; but I did see some interesting birds while I walked the dog around the Cemetery. A male Sparrowhawk circled high over the Cemy and drifted off west and a flock of four Mute Swans flew first westbound over the Cemy and then returned to go back east, flying very low over the trees. There were no Woodpeckers present today, though probably put off by the noise of the strimming going on, but there was plenty of birdsong going on with Robins, Wrens and Great Tits singing.
The bright, sunny weather brought out the birds and the insects. Above, this Starling was making itself known with its wide vocabulary. Below, the leaf buds of this Horse Chestnut are starting to come out.
Above, a Marmalade Hoverfly was enjoying this flowering Cherry Blossom and below, my first Yellow-legged Mining Bee of the year was bathing in the warm sunshine.
I was hoping that the sun would bring out the insects as I found my second Peacock butterfly of the year nectaring on the graves with all the purple Heather growing over it. A Yellow-legged Mining Bee was seen bathing in the sunshine on an Ivy Leaf and good numbers of Buff-tailed Bumblebees were around too .
Above, a male Sparrowhawk soared high over the Cemetery and below, one of the Mute Swans heading over the Cemy.
Above, this was my second Peacock butterfly of the year and below, an Early Grey moth in my garden this morning.
In Hampshire today, the migrants keep pouring in with the county’s first Garganey of the year being found at Rooksbury Mill, Andover. A few Wheatears were seen and a Little Gull graced Titchfield Haven.
Another view of the Governor's green with the Garrison Church in the background.
It was back to Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, this morning and to be honest, though bright and sunny, it wasn’t too cold this time as I arrived early and so took a walk up to Curtain Moat. Earlier today, while walking the dogs around 6.30am, I heard a ‘drumming’ Great Spotted Woodpecker somewhere within Highland Road Cemetery whilst walking the dogs. As the day wore on, the weather on my afternoon shift got much milder, though the cloud rolled in.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
A view of the Curtain Moat looking south towards the Solent.
I got up to 17 bird species either seen or heard today from Pembroke Road and as mentioned earlier, I took a walk first to Curtain Moat to see if there were any early migrants around. Well, there wasn't, but a Dunnock was heard and good numbers of Starlings were around the Moat walls, with some picking up bits of dried grass to line their nests within the holes around the walls.
This afternoon, with the sun shining brightly, this female Hairy-footed Flower Bee warmed itself up on a south facing wall of a house.
I checked out the Solent thoroughly for around five minutes and a flock of around 30+ Brent Geese were seen distantly flying low over the water heading east. This could be a flock making their way back up the North Sea to their breeding grounds. Incidentally, over 900 Brent Geese flew past Selsey Bill this morning, so there was definitely a bit of a movement going on today. A Meadow Pipit was heard flying over though I never caught a sighting of the bird and a few more were seen throughout the day heading north.
The summer plumaged Red-necked Grebe off Osborne View. Photo by Mark Francis.
The Firecrest was heard calling briefly in the Holm Oaks, but again remained elusive. There were plenty of birds singing now including both Great and Blue Tits and of course, the Robins. In Hampshire today, the first Common Tern of the year in Hampshire was seen off Brownwich and a summer plumaged Red-necked Grebe was seen on the sea from the Osborne View. More migrant birds were seen in Hampshire that included both Sand and House Martins, Little Ringed Plovers and an Osprey was seen flying north over Farlington Marshes and then headed north towards Portsdown Hill.
A Little Owl filmed in Fareham today. Filmed by James Cutting.
This weeks 'Blast in the Past' was way back in 1993 when I travelled to the north of the county to see my first ever Citrine Wagtail. It was a cracking Springtime male bird too and though I have seen about three more since, the bird at Fleet Pond was still quite memorable. Again, click on the photo below to read what I put on my Journal at the time.
Not my photo, but another superb one from Emma Parkes of a Red Kite seen over Beacon Hill recently.
Just a quick update on my blog for the last few days and though I am writing this at 5am this morning, I thought I should add some more bird sightings before I forget them. It is always nice to look back at a few years later.
I never went birding last Sunday as I had too many chores to do that included ‘food shopping’ with my wife in the morning and a relaxing look at the new Havant Garden Centre off Bartons Road, Havant (formerly Dobbies). My wife Becky decided to drive (for a nice change) and so I had the opportunity to check out any birds on our way. At the top of the M275, near the Marriot Hotel, I was to be treated to a fine Red Kite soaring overhead and showing well in the bright sunshine as did a Common Buzzard. Other sightings included a pair of Little Grebes on Hilsea Creek; seen when crossing the Langstone Bridge to get onto the M27 and a flock of around a dozen Med Gulls high overhead from the Garden Centre. If they never called, I probably would not have seen them.
It isn't easy trying to catch insects in flight, but Emma Parkes managed to capture this Buff-tailed Bumblebee.
Birding pal, Geoff Farwell, went over to Preshaw, near Beacon Hill, to do a spot of birding last Sunday. From here, he saw at least 5 Red Kites & 5 Common Buzzard, 2 Ravens,Marsh Tit, Firecrest and 70 Linnets.
Yesterday, at Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, it was a cloudy start with a strong breeze blowing down the road. During my time there, I had a total of 15 species seen or heard that included a pair of Jays when I first arrived in the morning shift. They really do possess a very strange call occasionally (not just the ugly loud rasping call they usually make) and sounds as if they are trying to sing, with squeaks and warbles. Two birds, possibly a pair, were in the garden trees by Pembroke Close seemingly calling to one another. Just the one Brent Goose was seen flying eastbound near Curtain Moat, though there is still a fairly large flock on Southsea Common. Finally, a calling Chiffchaff was heard in the Holm Oaks late into my afternoon shift there, which possibly could have been a migrant bird? I have to say, I was absolutely freezing during my time there, despite being well wrapped up; but that north-easterly wind blowing down the road was horrible to say the least! Roll on some southerlies!
Both Emma & Matt Parkes also went up to Drayton Watercress Beds last Sunday and got a good photo of the Barn Owl there.
Notable birds in Hampshire today included a Ruddy Shelduck at East End, Sowley (not too far from Pennington Marshes) and a Red-necked Grebe off Chilling Cliffs. Two Sand Martins were seen over Fishlake Meadows and a Swallow was seen coming in off the sea at Titchfield Haven around lunchtime. I am keeping an eye out for my first Hirundine of the year from Pembroke Road. Will I get lucky today?
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
There was unbroken sunshine this morning over Southsea, with a cloudless sky(unlike yesterday) but still a cold easterly blowing down Pembroke Road, keeping this morning's temperatures well below double figures. Brrrrrr! Despite the cold weather, a good species count this morning with 17 species noted during the hour I was there.
Most notable of the species was a singing Chiffchaff (heard but not seen) somewhere on the pathway between the Bowling Green and Governor’s Green and a Meadow Pipit was seen flying northbound high over the houses. One of the Jays entertained again and hung around one of the trees by the Holm Oaks. Again, only one Brent Goose was seen this morning with a single bird heading eastbound; though later in the afternoon, a flock of around 15 birds were seen flying west along the shoreline near Curtain Moat.
Southsea Castle and the Solent:
The three Purple Sandpipers seen distantly west of the Castle.
I brought along my main camera and binoculars this morning, to take a walk around Southsea Castle and see if anything of note, including the Purple Sandpipers, might have turned up. At first, there was no sign of any of the Purple Sandpipers when I walked along the promenade in front of the Castle heading east and all I could find was an adult Shag swimming on the sea, though not too far out.
The adult Shag was much more obliging, fishing just offshore. Below, five Oystercatchers passing off the spit near Southsea Castle. I really needed a scope to ID these birds at the time, but I decided to take some photos and then check it out on my laptop to ID the birds.
It was when I made my west along the promenade, checking the rocks thoroughly, that I eventually found the Purple Sandpipers. However, they were some 200 yards to the west along the rocks and not too far from where the new seawall is being built. Just three birds could just be seen as I took a few photos, but nothing else of note here. As it was a bit blowy over the Solent with ‘white horses’ clearly seen over the sea, I was hoping for a Gannet or Kittiwake to add to my year list. Nope, Bugger all! A few distant Herring Gulls was my lot, but I am looking forward to be doing some seawatching here in the coming Spring.
Eastney and the Harbour entrance:
This female Kestrel was hunting over the scrubby area on Eastney Esplanade.
After grabbing myself a hot coffee from the Coffee Cup to warm myself up, I made my way to the Harbour entrance. Before I got to the end of Eastney Esplanade, I saw a female Kestrel hovering over the scrub on the land side of the road and so pulled over and took a few photos and some film footage of the bird. Beforehand, a gathering of at least 200+ Brent Geese were on the green near the Tenth Hole Cafe, though I couldn't stop as I drove past.
Above, this Fox was right by the roadside as I neared the Harbour entrance and below, an Oystercatcher on the foreshore by Lock Lake, Eastney.
Above, another Oystercatcher joined the other bird and below, a lone Redshank also on the foreshore by Lock Lake.
Lock Lake, Eastney on a receding tide. I think this is a heavily under-watched area and could have the potential of turning up a rare bird or two.
On reaching the Harbour entrance, I looked back over Lock Lake to the west, to check out any waders or wildfowl on the receding tide. Oystercatchers, Redshank and Curlew were in fairly good numbers dotted around on the shoreline and on the mudflats and though very distant, I think there were 4 Black-tailed Godwits over on the far side of Lock Lake. Three Red-breasted Mergansers, two females and a drake, were swimming in the channel, but too distant to get a decent photo. Still, nice to get out and take some wildlife photos in such sunny weather. It is supposed to be getting warmer as the week progresses, which should in turn help the migrant birds to make their way to our shores.
The female Kestrel hunting in Eastney this morning.
I never planned to go and see the Stone-curlews, but when I heard they had arrived in a neighbouring county, then I had to go and try for the birds in the north-east of our county instead! What with three other 'year-ticks', it was a superb day.
Another busy day’s ‘birding’ with Geoff Farwell and Andy Fisher produced four more ‘year-ticks’ for us at a variety of sites in the north-east part of Hampshire and also a good variety of birds to be seen too. The weather was superb with near unbroken sunshine for most of the day, however, it was tempered by that awfully cold north-easterly wind. It was positively balmy if you were out of the wind, but if exposed, we were glad that we were well wrapped up! Today, my target bird was the Water Pipit at Drayton Watercress Beds at Alresford, which was present yesterday along with a Barn Owl and then onto nearby Alresford Pond and finally, once we had heard that the Stone-curlews were back at Winterton Down in Wiltshire, why not try for one at a site in north-east Hampshire we knew of?
The Moth Boxes:
Andy had all the moths this morning by his Moth Box. From top to bottom, Small Quaker, Hebrew Character and an Early Grey.
Sadly, there were no moths whatsoever in or around my Moth Box this morning, though it was bitterly cold with that wind breezing through the garden and with a clear overhead sky, I wasn't really surprised. However, we had much better luck at Andy’s Moth Trap with the discovery of up to FIVE moths that included my first Hebrew Character of the year. TwoEarly Greysand two Common Plume moths made up the rest of the moths present. A good start to the day.
Drayton Watercress Beds, Alresford:
The Drayton Watercress Beds. Two tractors were working the Beds when we arrived, but after the workmen had left, it didn't take too long to find the Water Pipit.
I have to say, that it was a pleasure driving through the countryside to get to the Watercress Beds as the 'Sat Nav' took us past Old Winchester Hill (a Raven flew high over the road and a Red Kite was at eye level low over a field close to the roadside), through West Meon and then on north to Alresford. We arrived around 9.30am and already, there were a few ‘birders’ already present and most likely after the Water Pipit too. Joining these guys, we picked up at least three Green Sandpipers over the far side, while overhead, both Common Buzzard and at least three Marsh Harriers were in the sky; the latter species contained two female birds and a male that was displaying to the females. Even a Red Kite drifted over the fields on the other side of the Beds, but to trump that, a Barn Owl was hunting over the scrub behind us and though a bit distant, it showed well perched up in some trees.
Above, up to three Red-legged Partridges were present here and below, the Barn Owl put in an appearance as it hunted briefly over the scrubby field behind us.
There were plenty of raptors around with Marsh Harriers (above) and Red Kites present. Geoff even found a Kestrel nearby, though I missed that!
Actually, on arrival, a Red-legged Partridge flew across in front of us and then settled just below a hedgerow. As I was making my way to the entrance of the Beds, two more Red-legged Partridges flew across my path and settled briefly by the edge of one of the Beds close by. There were two tractors working the Beds at the northern end, but soon the workmen here got into a lorry and headed off into town and so leaving us in peace to check the Beds thoroughly for the Water Pipit. I found a few Pied Wagtails dotted around on the concrete edges and also a Meadow Pipit, but after ten minutes or so, then I found the Water Pipit through the scope, walking close to the water's edge, though it was not easy to see through binoculars as Geoff found out. I quickly got Andy onto the bird through the scope as we notched up our first ‘year-tick’ of the day.
Happy with the Water Pipit sighting, we walked back to the car and had a refreshing cup of coffee from my flask to warm up. Though it was bright and sunny here, it was damn cold with that wind! Geoff picked out a Little Egret hunched up against the cold over on the far side and several Mallard were present on the Beds, dabbling in the shallow Beds.
Alresford Pond, Alresford:
There was a good number of a mixed flock of Gulls present on Alresford Pond and what with Marsh Harriers over the reedbeds, it was a lovely place.
An adult Yellow-legged Gull was present on the Pond yesterday among the many Gulls present and Geoff knew of a parking place nearby and so we got back into the car and made our way there. However, we had to walk a stretch of the B3046 to reach a gate that took us to a superb viewpoint overlooking the Pond, but it was scary with cars passing close to where we walked. On reaching the viewpoint, there was a nice bench for the guys to sit while I checked the distant large Gull flock. While checking the Gulls, Geoff picked up at least SIX Marsh Harriers flying over the reedbeds, while other birds present included up to three Shelduck, 20+ Teal and numerous Mute Swans dotted around the Pond (it really should be called a lake for it was quite big!).
Above, Teal swimming on the Pond and below, another photo of the Gull flock with more birds coming into bathe on the Pond.
As I checked the Gulls, it didn't take long to find the Yellow-legged Gull, well two birds actually, sitting on the water behind the main flock of Gulls, which contained Black-headed, Mediterranean (at least 60+ birds) and Common Gulls, all of various age groups. The Yellow-legged Gulls looked a tad dark as the sun disappeared behind some clouds, but clearly identified when the sun came out again and also when they took flight, Our second ‘year-tick’ of the day! Having heard news that a flock of House Martins were seen over Fishlake Meadows this morning, it was eyes to the skies again, but no Hirundines were found during our half hour here. A Grey Wagtail was heard calling nearby, but I failed to find the said bird. Another check of the Whatsapp pages revealed that the Stone-curlews had returned to Winterton Downs in Wiltshire with 7 birds present. So I made a decision to go back to where we saw them yesterday in the north-east of the county.
North-east Hampshire:
The male Wheatear Geoff found in the field at our first destination looking for the Stone-curlews.
As you can expect, I will not reveal the actually site where we headed too for the security of the Stone-curlews and so when we arrived at the site where we saw them last year, we parked up at the edge of the road and scanned the ploughed area in front of us through the hedgerow. We spent a good hour or so here in search of the birds, but it was all in vain. However, Geoff found a stunning male Wheatear hopping about in the field, our first of the year and so it wasn't to be a disappointing trip here after all. The bird, though a bit distant, showed well for a good twenty minutes or so as we scanned the neighbouring field for the birds.
Above, this Violet Oil Beetle was found on the track and below, Marsh Violets were growing by the hedgerow nearby.
Geoff found a more comfortable spot to view and also out of the wind, but a gate where we had lunch and enjoyed the variety of birds here. It included a sizable flock of Fieldfare and Redwing (both species have been quite scarce this Winter in Hampshire) in the fields and on the hedgerows, we found at least two Corn Buntings and a single Yellowhammer. A flock of around 30+ Linnets passed overhead and a small flock of Lapwing were nearby too with some birds ‘tumbling’ in the sky. Sadly, there was a lot of distant gunshot going off, which I think Wood Pigeons were the target birds as we saw some guy putting out decoy Pigeons on the ground close to where he was hiding close to the hedgerow. Dickhead! Well over a thousand Wood Pigeons were seen in the fields way in some of the distant fields and much closer was a very pale Common Buzzard sitting on the field to the north until flying off strongly to avoid being shot hopefully. I really don't trust some of these shooters with their guns who couldn't resist a passing shot at the raptors.
Above, one of a sizeable flock of Fieldfare and below, a male Yellowhammer by the track.
So after an hour, I decided to try another area for the Stone-curlews where we were successful in the past, which was only 15 minutes away. On arrival, we parked carefully and then took the walk down the muddy track, checking the fields all the time for any of the Stone-curlews and other birdlife. Geoff found a large Beetle scurrying along the track, which I eventually identified as a Violet Oil Beetle; and quite a large individual too. A flock of Fieldfare along the track was unexpected with at least a dozen birds seen flying in front of us and as we neared the site for the Stone-curlews, it or another flock of Fieldfares flew across the field again along with a small flock of Starlings.
Another distant 'ropey' photo of the Stone-curlew.
I was sure I heard a Stone-curlew calling and when we arrived at the site, I quickly got the scope set up to check out the area set up for the birds. Nearby, a Corn Bunting was singing in the neighbouring hedgerow and by the edge of the set-aside area, a large flock of Linnets were seen feeding, though most of the birds soon flew off. We had to wait a while for the Stone-curlews to show and when they did, there were big grins on both our faces as our fourth ‘Year-tick’ of the day was achieved. There were actually two birds present; one sitting on the ground and close by, just behind it, another bird was standing; though with the distance and the heat-haze, viewing and even photographing the birds was not as straightforward as one would have hoped. Never mind, the birds ALWAYS come first as we soon put Geoff onto the birds and then slowly made our way back to the car and the long trip back home, but not before the birds called again. Hopefully, another good breeding season for these individuals.
Some shaky (because of the wind) film footage of one of the Stone-curlews this afternoon.
A cracking day again where we managed to see all our target birds today; including an unexpected Wheatear into the bargain too. Another Wheatear was found on Toyd Down this morning as well and a flock of 7 Sand Martins were seen over Ibsley Water today. Andy wasn't done with getting more ‘year-ticks’ today as he made his way to the Bat & Ball pub, Hambledon, to find his first Tawny Owl of the year.
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