Fog rolls into the Cemy.

Sunday 8th February 2026.

One of the Jays showed very well this morning in the Cemy.

It was back over Highland Road Cemetery this morning for the dogs to have their walk. I knew the weather was going to be a gamble as light rain was forecast, but I never expected FOG to arrive when I was half way around the Cemy. Temperatures were around 7 degrees, but I was well wrapped up against the cold as me and the boys took a nice stroll around once again. There were few dog-walkers and those that were there were very pleasant.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

The Holm Oak clump. This has held some very interesting birds over the years. 

I had notched up 16 bird species on my walk around the Cemetery this morning and though it was very overcast, there was no wind and there were plenty of birds in song today. This included several Robins and singles of Wren and even a Dunnock (not very common here) were in full song and such a pleasant sound to listen too. One of the Jays showed very well in the south-west corner though it flew off between the two houses in that corner of the Cemetery. A Goldcrest was heard calling within one of the Conifers near the other Chapel in the north of the Cemetery, but no sighting today of the bird. A pair of Collared Doves sped through the area and headed off southbound.

Above, Daffodils are beginning to flower on some of the graves. Below, one of a couple of Blue Tits searching for insects on the plants.

Above, a singing Robin and below, a female Blackbird searching the damp grass for food.

Nearing the end of my walk, fog had rolled into the Cemetery and put an end to my walk round.

The birds seen here this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Feral Pigeon
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Starling
• Robin
• Wren
• Dunnock
• Goldcrest
• Blackbird

This Common Ragwort was flowering early.

No insects were seen on my walk round, but a few plants of note were seen including an early flowering Common Ragwort by one of the graves. Daffodils were blooming on some of the graves adding a splash of colour on such a grey day. 

My Garden:

The female Black Redstart was again at the back of the garden.

The female Black Redstart was showing well again when I got back from the Cemetery; perched high in the bare tree and sat there long enough to grab my camera for a few photos. I could also hear the Blackcap singing quietly in the neighbouring Bay Tree once again.