A sunny walk back in the Cemetery.

Sunday 15th March 2026.

This singing Wren was just a few feet away from where I stood.

The dogs got their Sunday walk over Highland Road Cemetery today as the sun was shining though with a fresh south-westerly wind and temperatures around 11 degrees. Light rain was predicted for this afternoon, but the dogs and I would be home by then. I was hoping for a migrant or two this morning; perhaps a singing Chiffchaff or a Wheatear (saw my first one for the year here in 2025).   

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

 

A sunny morning here in the Cemy today.

There was a fair selection of birds around today within the Cemetery and I was pleased to hear the Green Woodpecker again after a very long absence within the Cemy. I still have yet to actually see the bird, but I am sure it will not be long and sadly, no sighting of the bird today as my dogs and I took a slow stroll around my local patch.

There were plenty of flowering plants within the Cemy today as Spring arrived. Above, Common Field Speedwell and below, Lesser Celandine.

Above, Bulbous Buttercup was also growing in the Cemy and below, Sulphur Tuft toadstools growing around the east side of the Cemy, quite close to the footpath.

Other notable birds included a pair of male Greenfinches flying over and heading off south over the houses and a Meadow Pipit was heard to call, but I could not find the bird in the bright sunshine. A distant Mediterranean Gull was seen to fly off north, but far too quick for me to grab a photo as it disappeared behind the trees. There were plenty of the more common birds including a couple of singing Wrens close in plus several Robins and Blackbirds seen searching for food around the bushes. It was good to hear the House Sparrows in their usual bushes as they really are getting quite scarce around these parts!

Above and below, one of the old rotting trees was down and blocking the centre footpath. It will not be long before the Council will be clearing it away.

Above, one of several Robins seen this morning and below, the first leaves coming out on this Horse Chestnut tree.

There were a lot of plants in flower throughout the Cemy which included Lesser Celandine, Smooth Sow-thistle, Red Dead-nettle, Common Field Speedwell and I even found a clump of Bulbous Buttercup growing over on the east side of the Cemy. All these plants, as well as the flowering Cherry Blossom was attracting the Bees, though only Buff-tailed Bumblebee’s were seen today; maybe a bit too breezy for the insects? I couldn't find any Butterflies on the wing today of which I can only assume they prefer much calmer conditions. Still, a pleasant walk nonetheless and I know the dogs enjoyed their daily exercise too.

Above, a Buff-tailed Bumblebee nectaring on the Cherry Blossom and below, another photo of the showy Wren.

Above, both Wood Pigeon and a Collared Dove were preening in the tall conifer in the south-east corner of the Cemy. Below, the Lords and Ladies plants are getting much bigger than the last time I saw them.