Black Redstart and Blackcaps still by my garden.

Monday 16th February 2026.

This superb photo of a Goshawk was taken today by Steve Laycock.

Believe it or not, another dry day here in Southsea and with the kids on half term, there was no Pembroke Road today or the rest of the week. However, I still hope to do some birding this week during my spare time. Though I did little in the way of birding today, the Blackcap was quite active today and sang its heart out again in the back of my garden. Both the Blue and Great Tits are still coming down to feed on the Fat Balls, but I am still not sure if they are still taking any of the sunflower hearts.

Birding pals Emma & Matt spent the weekend at a rather snowy Norfolk over the weekend to see some excellent birds including (above and below) the Eastern Black Redstart at Sherringham.

Above, Snow Bunting at Winterton Dunes, Norfolk and below, the Black-bellied Dipper at Bintree Water Mill, Dereham. Photos by Emma Parkes.

Yesterday, the female Black Redstart was still present in the tall tree in my neighbours garden, despite the poor weather and despite the heavy rain, that did not stop the male Blackcap singing again deep within the Bay Tree. However, there was no sign of the Black Redstart today, despite the weather being much better, though it was rather cold today. More cold weather is on its way and fingers crossed no snow here on the south coast. Though I took no photos today, some of my birding colleagues had taken some superb photos of which I have permission to put them on my blog. Many thanks guys.

In Hampshire today:

The male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on its usual tree at Acres Down this morning. Photo by Andy Tew.

Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were vocal today with the usual birds seen at Acres Down (see photos) and another bird in Harewood Forest near Andover. The Snow Bunting was back near Black Point (grrrrr!) again and over at Keyhaven Marshes, up to 3 Little Gulls were among the Gulls on the Lagoon this morning along with 2 Black-necked Grebes! Another Black-necked Grebe was off Weston Shore and a Great Northern Diver. The bright weather has been bringing out the Goshawks and Hampshire birder Steve Laycock took some superb photos of one bird today (see photos).

Above, the female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Acres Down, New Forest. Photo by Andy Tew. Below, a Goshawk photographed today by Steve Laycock.