Sunday 18th January 2026.
One of the pair of Jays that showed very well this morning within the Cemy.
I took the dogs for a nice walk around Highland Road Cemetery this morning and although it was a bit grey overhead, it was fairly mild around 11am. I had already done the shopping with Becky and so after unpacking, I took the dogs for their well deserved walk. In the afternoon, my wife and I took a drive to Keydell Nurseries for a coffee and a quick look round, but I knew that there were Mandarin Ducks on the large lake there; a regular site for them for many a year. I was thinking of going to Eyeworth Pond in the New Forest to view the birds, but this was much closer to home. Earlier today, the male Blackcap was singing again deep within my neighbours Bay Tree and it was also seen briefly in the bare tree behind my garden before flying off. Sadly, no sign of the female Black Redstart today.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
Arguably, one of my favourite footpaths within the Cemy. From here, I normally stand here for about 10 minutes or so and simply wait to see or hear what birds appear.
As per yesterday, it did seem a little ‘Spring-like’ when I walked my dogs around the Cemetery late morning. There were at least three Robins, all not far from one another, singing their hearts out within the centre of the Cemy and a Great Tit was seen singing high up in one of the Chestnut trees. The regular pair of Jays showed very well again today and a female Goldcrest was flitting about in a small Bay tree close to the main footpath and showed now and then, but such a difficult bird to photograph when it's on the move through the bushes in search of tiny insects.
Above, a male Blackbird was one of several in the Cemy, but only this bird showed itself well. Below, the female Goldcrest skulking by the main footpath.
Above, looking south from the north-east corner. I have seen a Black Redstart perched on one of the gravestones here in the past. Below, one of the Jays showing well again.
Above, we have lift off. A Blue Tit just taking flight at the northern end of the Cemy and below, I counted at least 40+ Starlings high up in the Chestnut Trees and made a lot of noise.
Herring Gulls resting on one of the Chapels.
All the usual birds were seen with a total of 10 species recorded during my 45 minutes or so there. Sadly, no other unusual birds here, but an enjoyable walk nonetheless. Listening to the singing Robins was rewarding enough and will only get better as the year moves onto Spring.
Keydell Nurseries, Horndean:
Becky and I drove north to Keydell Nurseries from which I knew that there were Mandarins on the large lake there. Hidden behind woodland, one can feed the ducks there and though these Mandarin ducks were not introduced here, would they be showing today? Thankfully for us, Becky and I counted at least 8 birds on the lake, with two drakes swimming on the water and then a further four more drakes and two female birds joining them on the water. Unfortunately, I had no camera to hand and therefore I had to use my mobile phone camera to take some photos which came out rubbish. The film footage I took was a little better, but not the sharpest I'm afraid. Still, another ‘year-tick’ to add to my year list, which now stands at 132 species in Hampshire for the year.
The Mandarin Ducks on Keydell Nurseries lake. Film footage taken from my mobile phone (sorry its not so sharp as I would have liked).
We finished our trip here with a lovely cup of coffee and a slice of delicious Lemon Drizzle cake in the cafe here and then back home. Andy Fisher had texted me earlier to say he managed to see the female Black Redstart at Southsea Castle and then off to Farlington Marshes to round his day off. I await to see what Geoff Farwell has seen today.
In Hampshire today:
Most of the sort-after birds seen yesterday at Hayling Oyster Beds were there again today including the Long-tailed Duck which we had missed yesterday. Four Little Gulls were in the harbour later in the afternoon and an incredible 25 Russian White-fronted Geese (just three there yesterday) were on nearby Farlington Marshes! A Great Great Shrike was seen at Holm Hill in the New Forest, but no sightings reported of the bird at Shatterford today. Woodlarks are now singing at various locations including 8 birds noted at Mottisfont.
Red-flanked Bluetail. Emma and Matt Parkes went to Crockham Hill in Kent yesterday to see their first ever of this species. Photos by Emma Parkes.
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