Both Black Redstart & Blackcap again by my garden.

Monday 26th January 2026.

This stunning rainbow was over Highland Road Cemetery as I was driving back home after my second shift at Pembroke Road. I actually pulled over and got out of the car to take this photo.

A grim start to the day with very heavy rain and strong winds overnight and the rain continuing into early morning. However, it soon departed once I arrived at Pembroke Road, though dark and overcast and breezy during my first shift here. The adverse weather conditions has been named Storm Chandra by the Met Office and is battering the north and west of the country, but thankfully, has gone from us on the south coast; but in its wake, Blashford Lake car park is underwater again by the Tern Hide and is closed for the day. This afternoon, it was much better with plenty of sunshine, though just as I was leaving, a nasty shower came in, but it produced the most amazing rainbow over Southsea.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

I recorded up to 14 species this morning here in Pembroke Road and among these birds was a superb male Peregrine that stooped over Governor’s Green at the Pigeons and Herring Gulls there, though I don't think it was successful. It all happened so quickly and I was busy at the time too.

Surprisingly, no Brent Geese were seen flying over, but when I first arrived, there were at least 30+ Herring Gulls on Governor’s Green and among them were two Great Black-backed Gulls also searching for worms on the sodden grass. The Bowling Green didn't escape the heavy rain either as large puddles had formed on the grass there but attracted several Herring Gulls and a few Carrion Crows!

Passerines this morning included the usual House Sparrows calling in the hedgerow by the Bowling Green and Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren and Starling were all heard.

My Garden:

This was the only photo I could get of today's female Black Redstart for as soon as I pressed the shutter button on my camera, it flew off and was not seen again.

Both the female Black Redstart and the male Blackcap were in and around my garden when I got back home from my first shift and were joined by a pair of Great Tits enjoying the Fat Balls; three Blue Tits and a male Blackbird. Luckily, I had my camera to hand and managed just the one photo of the Black Redstart, but the other birds were a bit more obliging.

Above, one of the three Blue Tits enjoying Fat Balls I have in my garden. I recently took down the Sunflower Heart feeder as I am giving it a damn good clean. Sadly, the House Sparrows have gone from my garden and have become a rarity in my garden although I can hear them further south from my garden occasionally. 

Above, who cannot love a Great Tit? When seen close up, they really are a beautifully marked bird. A pair was in my garden today.

In Hampshire today:

The long-staying Killdeer is still at Ripley Farm Reservoir today for those brave enough to put up with the wet weather. A male Black Redstart is still around the Daedelus Airfield area, Lee-on-Solent and another male bird at a private site in Havant. Apart from the already mentioned, the only other birds of note were three Little Gulls off Calshot Spit along with a Great Northern Diver.