Monday 2nd February 2026.
It doesn't look good with the weather this week with more heavy rain coming in again, but today, it mostly remained dry though a strong easterly wind got up in the afternoon at Pembroke Road. There was a bit of drizzle early on today, but it did clear up and there was some sunshine in the afternoon. There were some interesting birds around in Hampshire today, but it was the start of the working week and it was back to the birds of Pembroke Road.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
It was lovely to see a carpet of Crocuses in bloom below the Holm Oaks in Pembroke Road this morning.
OK, nothing really exciting was seen today; though I thought I had a pair of Ravens flying south-west over Governors Green, but I did not see enough of the birds as they flew off strongly towards the Garrison Church. A total of 14 bird species were seen from both shifts at Pembroke Road today and on arrival first thing this morning, the House Sparrows were really making a noise in the Bowling Green hedgerow and probably getting excited with Spring on the way.
Three species of Gull were seen again with Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull all seen well. But what was noticeable was the amount of birds actually singing that included Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Wren and Great Tit. The Jay was heard calling deep within the Holm Oaks, but no sighting today.
In Hampshire today:
The Snow Bunting at Black Point, Hayling Island, today. Photo by Andy Friend.
The Snow Bunting that had been frequenting East Head, near West Witterings finally made it into Hampshire and was found this morning at Black Point, Hayling Island. It eventually moved further south along the beach, saving a lot of admirers a long walk. Farlington Marshes birder, Jason Crook, found TWO Caspian Gulls in the middle of the reserve and earlier, he watched a juvenile Black-throated Diver fishing off Broadmarsh within Langstone Harbour. Nearby, he also saw the Great Northern Divers, Long-tailed Duck, Scaup and two Black-necked Grebes. A Little Gull was seen briefly off Southsea Castle this morning along with a Shag. Two Slavonian Grebes and a Red-necked Grebe were on the sea off Brownwich this morning.
A drake Eider off Hill Head recently. Photo by Emma Parkes.
Yesterday, birding pal Geoff Farwell took a drive to Preshaw Down, near Beacon Hill, yesterday and saw the following species: 2+ Corn Buntings, 50+ Redwing, 30 Fieldfare, 4 Firecrests, 2 Ravens, 3 Red Kites and 4 Common Buzzards. A Firecrest has been singing at Cowplain Marsh (Andy’s house) for the 4th day in a row!
No comments:
Post a Comment