Warmest day of the year? Not in Southsea.

Wednesday 18th March 2026.

Governor's Green looking north-west. Pembroke Road is on the right hand side with both the Spinaker Tower and Portsmouth Cathedral in the centre of the photo. A lovely day today.

Today was tipped to be the warmest of the year and although there was wall to wall sunshine throughout the day, I think temperatures hovered around the 13 degree mark with a breezy easterly wind in the afternoon being most notable. It was probably a lot warmer further north into the county, but I cannot complain. It certainly had the birds singing and insects on the wing, which kept me happy. I didn't put the Moth Box on overnight, but I just might put it on tonight instead.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

All these photos were taken from my mobile phone camera, so not the highest quality I'm afraid. The pair of Mute Swans I saw on the sea and then flew off east.

An impressive 17 bird species were recorded today although I did get a good head start by taking a walk to the Curtain Moat before starting my first shift. There was always a chance of a migrant in the area, but I got all the usual birds in the area including at least two Meadow Pipits that were flushed from the grassy area near the Moat. A pair of Mute Swans were seen distantly sitting on the sea as I watched the Hovercraft come in. The Swans were not too keen on all the noise and soon took off, flew towards me and then headed off eastbound (see photo).

The Curtain Moat in the early morning sunshine. Both Starlings and Feral Pigeons nest in the cavities within the walls of the Moat.

The birds seen or heard included the following:

• Mute Swan (2)
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Great Black-backed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Starling
• Robin
• Wren
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• House Sparrow
• Blackbird
• Dunnock

One thing I have noticed is that there has been no Finches seen for a few weeks now, which I am surprised about. Yes, maybe it is timing as I am only spending a couple of hours a day here and I am glad the House Sparrows are still thriving in the hedgerow by the Bowling Green. But for how long? We shall see.

This singing Dunnock was perched on the perimeter fence of the Bowling Green.

On a positive note, the warm weather is bringing in the insects and today, I saw my first Comma and Small White butterflies today; the latter was in Pembroke Road this afternoon and the former was seen in the Eastney area around midday. A probable Red Admiral was also seen this afternoon in Pembroke Road, but flew off too quickly to be 100% sure. Other insects today were several Buff-tailed Bumblebees and my second Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) of the year perched on a wall in Milton. My garden held another couple of Hairy-footed Flower Bees this afternoon and are always most welcome.

My second Batman Hoverfly of the year. This one was in Milton, near Southsea.

In Hampshire today:

Farlington Marshes hosted a few interesting sightings today that included a White-tailed Eagle (another, an adult, flew over Shatterford in the New Forest) high over the reserve and also a Water Pipit was seen on the east side of the reserve. Birding pal Andy Fisher and a few other ‘Lazee Birders’ connected with the Short-eared Owl on one of the islands within Langstone Harbour this evening.

Other sightings in Hampshire involved quite a few migrants recorded including an Osprey over Lower Test Marshes this morning, a Little Ringed Plover and Sand Martin at Keyhaven Marshes (the 7 White-fronted Geese were still present by the Balancing Pools), a Little Gull at Blashford Lakes (the female Red-crested Pochard was still there) and a Wheatear at Barton on Sea Golf Course. Finally, a Swallow was seen flying over Rockbourne. I do hope I might see one fly over Pembroke Road? Two chances: Fat & No!!!