A few migrants over the Cemy and a surprise plant.

Sunday 28th March 2026.

The female Great Spotted Woodpecker was unexpected this morning within the Cemy.

The dogs got their early morning walk around Highland Road Cemetery this morning and it wasn't too bad a start to the day either, with a bright yet overcast sky and a light south-westerly wind. Temperatures were hovering around the 13 degree mark, but the weather worsened in the afternoon as we took our Granddaughter, Isabelle, with her Dad over to Moors Valley Country Park, where the skies darkened and the temperature dropped as light rain fell.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

Above, this singing Great Tit was among several seen this morning here.

There were a few notable birds seen this morning in the Cemetery that included a singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff, plus a female Great Spotted Woodpecker seen well up in one of the Horse Chestnut trees. I arrived at the Cemy around 8.30am and slowly took in the lovely Spring atmosphere here, keeping an eye out for anything of note. To be honest, I was hoping for a Wheatear perched on one of the gravestones or the descending trill of a Willow Warbler; but the wait goes on for these two migrant species. 

A pair of Robins sharing the same gravestone! You don't often see that from such territorial birds. Below, a male Blackbird on the hunt for worms in the tall grass.

Above, the Sulphur Tuft toadstools were still growing over on the east side of the Cemy, close to the main footpath and below, an inquisitive Robin about to pounce on a worm.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker was a bit of a surprise as it flew over my head and landed in one of the Horse Chestnut trees near the Mausoleum. Then I watched it fly off heading north-east over the Cemy and out of view. I have still had no sighting of the Green Woodpecker here this year and no sound of it either this morning. The Blackcap was heard singing again and then seen flying out of a bush over on the south side of the Cemy and out of view into other bushes. Even the Chiffchaff was playing ‘Cat and Mouse’ as it flicked about briefly within the Holm Oak clump and occasionally singing.

Above, another Robin on the hunt for food and below, a female Blackbird doing the same.

Above, another photo of the Great Spotted Woodpecker and below, several Blue Tits were around this morning.

A couple of Meadow Pipits were heard flying over and Robins seemed to be everywhere this morning within the Cemy and quite vocal too. The only insect seen here this morning was a Buff-tailed Bumblebee.

Above, Wild Mustard and below, Spanish Bluebell.

Above, a most unexpected find was this clump of Common Fumitory growing near the main entrance.

Near the main entrance, by one of the bigger graves, I found a clump of Common Fumitory growing. I do not think I have ever found this plant growing here in the Cemetery ever! A sprig of Wild Mustard was found close to the footpath; my first of this species here this year. There was a carpet of Spanish Bluebells (the non-native species of Bluebell) growing near the Holm Oak clump by the main footpath. I took my time walking around the site this morning and despite a lot of dog-walkers present here this morning, I thoroughly enjoyed the walk.

Moors Valley Country Park, nr Ringwood:

Above, this Great Tit was sharing the feeder with a Blue Tit near the Cafe.

As already mentioned, we took our Isabelle and her Dad (he drove my car after recently passing his Driving Test) to Moors Valley Country Park as he had booked ‘Go Ape’ for his daughter. Becky and I had lunch while they went off to do that and later we joined them and sat down under the trees, trying to keep warm with the light rain falling. From here, Siskins were heard and occasionally seen up in the tall Conifers and a pair were above my car within the car park when we were leaving; but too quick for me to grab a photo in time. Boo!

Above, a Blue Tit enjoying the nut feeder and below, sharing it with a Great Tit.

I really wanted to take a walk by the Lake, but Becky had other ideas, but I did see several Chaffinches nearby of which some male birds were in song. The feeders near the Cafe held both Blue and Great Tits, but not much else of note was seen here today. The drive to the Country Park and back produced sightings of Common Buzzard and Kestrel from the M27.

Yesterday, birding pals Emma and Matt Parkes took a trip just inside Wiltshire yesterday to see the Stone-curlews at the RSPB site of Winterbourne Downs (above) and below, this excellent photo of a Great Bustard taken at Enford Farm. Photos by Emma Parkes.