A large total of species in Pembroke Road.

Friday 6th March 2026.

The view from my Office window this morning.

A day of two halves regarding the weather. It was dry and bright first thing this morning when I walked the dogs and then checked my Moth Box and then it started to cloud over and in came the rain for the first time this week. I noticed early this morning that my car was dotted with the Saharan sand from a shower overnight, but all was washed away when the steady rain came down from around 11am onwards.

My Moth Box:

My first Common Quaker of the year.

This morning, I finally got my first ‘macro’ moth of the year in my garden. Though not the most glamorous of Moths, a Common Quaker sat on the outside of my Moth Box, which put a big smile on my face. Strangely, this species is not guaranteed to be annual in my garden, so I was rather pleased with this Moth. Sadly, the only other moths present in my garden were two Common Plume’s; the first for March.

One of two Common Plume moths today.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A very good total of bird species were obtained at Pembroke Road this morning with a grand total of 20 species in all. It was sunny and bright on my first shift and a lot of birds were in fine voice and showed quite well, especially the Wrens, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Robins. By 8.20am, I had already reached 13 species and to see another 5 more species during the next  40 minutes was quite exceptional for this time of year.

While talking to a friend of mine, a Mute Swan passed by over Governor’s Green, heading eastbound towards Canoe Lake, no doubt. A small flock of 5 Brent Geese and a singleton following behind also headed east, while overhead, I could hear a small flock of Meadow Pipits flying over, but I could not find them within the blue sky. The Jay flew in and landed in one of the Sycamore Trees opposite where I stood, called several times and then flew off, flashing its bright white rump as it headed off down the road. Finally, the last notable bird was a Goldcrest that was heard calling somewhere within the Holm Oaks to round off a good morning here today.

The following bird species were seen or heard this morning:

Carrion Crow	Starling
Jay	House Sparrow
Magpie	Blackbird
Feral Pigeon	Wren
Wood Pigeon	Robin
Black-headed Gull (3)	Great Tit
Great Black-backed Gull (2)	Blue Tit
Herring Gull	Goldcrest
Brent Goose (6)	Meadow Pipit
Mute Swan

In Hampshire today:

The Great Grey Shrike at Pig Bush, New Forest. Photo by Emma Parkes.

I expect most of the birds were seen this morning and so during that time, a Water Pipit and a White-tailed Eagle were seen at Blashford Lakes today. Nearby, the Great Grey Shrike was seen at Pig Bush, New Forest and also in the Forest, a Wheatear was seen at Holmsley Airfield (never heard of this place!). Nearer to home, up to 6 Purple Sandpipers were in the inaccessible area west of Southsea Castle. 

Nationally, migrants are coming in thick and fast with good numbers of both Sand Martin and Swallow being reported throughout the UK. Even Little Ringed Plovers have been turning up this week at various locations.

Yesterday, birding pal, Geoff Farwell took a stroll around the World’s End area near the Chairmakers Pub (west of Denmead) and had the following sightings: 3 singing Firecrest, 2 singing Chiffchaff, 2 singing Marsh Tits, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Stonechat, several Siskins, Goshawk, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and a Red Kite.