A very wet day here on the south coast.

Tuesday 3rd February 2026.

This Robin was wading in the flooded footpath near the Canal Path, Titchfield.

Today was a complete washout with persistent rain all day here in the south, but on a positive side, I still had a reasonable total of bird species in Pembroke Road. I think everyone now is getting a bit fed up with this rain, but like previous recent Winters, we should now expect more and more rain although judging by some of the flooding in areas, especially in the likes of the west country, they seemed to really have suffered.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Despite the poor weather all day, I did manage to see up to 14 bird species here in Pembroke Road within both of my shifts. Two flocks of Brent Geese came in off Portsmouth Harbour and headed eastbound and a Cormorant flew north over my head, circled and then flew back south towards Curtain Moat. The usual three species of Gull were seen again (Herring, Black-headed and Great Black-backed) and on arrival for my first shift, the wet grass on Governors Green attracted around 20+ Herring Gulls searching for worms.

The usual passerines were seen and heard and included a singing Great Tit and Robin and the House Sparrows were yet again very vocal in the Bowling Green hedgerow. It was much quieter on my second shift, but a pair of Black-headed Gulls were seen flying low north over my head to add to the day total.

Back in my garden, while having lunch I had a quick look at the large tree at the back of my garden and saw the female Black Redstart briefly perched high up, quivering her tail against the overcast sky. It surely will not be long before she departs and tries to find a mate? Today, I have added some photos I took from last Saturday that I have not put on my blog yet. Enjoy.

Above, a showy Grey Wagtail at Brownwich Pond and below, a Long-tailed Tit in mid-flight along the Canal Path.

Above, a Common Buzzard on the look out near the Bridge Street Floods and below, resting Cormorants and Gulls in the same area.

In Hampshire today:

Unsurprisingly, there were few records on the Going Birding website though a good count of 97 Great Crested Grebes off Lee-on-Solent was exceptional and an additional 45 off Weston Shore, Southampton was impressive too. A Razorbill was off Lee-on Solent as well. A Black-throated Diver was seen distantly in the harbour from Hayling Oyster Beds. 

A male Stonechat along the Canal Path, Titchfield.