Singing Blackcap in my garden & a selection of excellent photos.

Monday 5th January 2025.

I took this photo of a Common Buzzard with a Magpie at Budds Farm around 5 years ago as it flashed up on my Facebook Account today. I'm quite pleased with this.

We had a flurry of snow overnight and though it was a light dusting in Southsea, the temperatures early this morning were below freezing. On top of that, one part of the Eastern Road is shut to southbound traffic which caused very long delays in Portsmouth for many commuting motorists, including my good self who was travelling to Halfords at Ocean Park. 

Sanderling at Hill Head roosting in the sunshine at Hill Head. Sadly, some irresponsible so-called  birders were taking photos of these birds from just feet away from them. This photo was taken from some distance away. Photo by Emma Parkes.

So today, the only bird of note for me today was the singing Blackcap in my garden when I eventually got back home. I did have a good look for the Black Redstart, but no sign of the bird within the ten minutes I was in the garden. However, the sound of that singing Blackcap was lovely to hear and I do hope it survives this very cold snap we are experiencing and the Black Redstart.

In Hampshire today:

This Black Redstart photo was taken by Emma Parkes recently at Lee-on-Solent. It made one of the best photos taken on Birdguides this week. Well done Emma.

Off the Oysterbeds today, the Red-necked Grebe was seen again along with one Black-necked Grebe, Scaup, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck and also a Merlin over the Reserve. In the New Forest, the Great Grey Shrike was showing well at Shatterford and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was in the vicinity too. At Titchfield Haven Canal Path, up to 6 Glossy Ibis were at the Bridge Street Floods as well as a Water Pipit. Though very cold, a good day to be out birding if you have the day off or retired!

A couple more of Emma Parkes photos. Above, a Feral Pigeon being fired out of a Canon by Southsea Castle! Below, a fine portrait of a drake Pintail at Pennington Marshes.

The Great Grey Shrike near Shatterford today. It had caught and was eating a Dunnock. Film footage by Simon Colenutt.