A few surprises at Pembroke Road today.

 Tuesday 14th April 2026.

The Royal Garrison Church at the back of Governor's Green. No Wheatears bouncing on the Green yet!

A fine day here at Pembroke Road today, with a lot of sunshine around, but there was a bit of cloud first thing which produced a little bit of rain, but that soon disappeared, leaving behind sunshine for those on their way to work, including myself. I have been watching the Lazee Birders Whatsapp sightings coming through for those lucky enough to be retired or simply taking the day off and Fishlake Meadows was producing a vast array of migrants today. I didn't have my Moth Box on last night as I wanted yesterday’s Moths to move on before switching the Box on again.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Canal Moat early this morning. Who is the mystery shadow by the Moat?

I was hoping for my first UK Swallow or Swift this morning, seeing it was a bit cloudy with a southerly wind blowing; the chances of one or two arriving was promising, but there were none seen here today. However, a Little Egret heading west over Governor’s Green was a nice surprise as it headed towards Portsmouth Harbour.

On arrival, I was a tad early to start work and so took a walk over to Curtain Moat to see if anything unusual was occurring. All the usual birds were noted including lots of Starlings and Feral Pigeons by the Moat itself and an Oystercatcher was first heard then seen flying east low over the Solent. I had my spare binoculars with me, but I could not find anything of note over the Solent. I shall be doing a bit of sea-watching very shortly, but I need to find a place to look from due to all the building work going on to protect the sea defences.

Curtain Moat with the Solent in the background.

Back in Pembroke Road, all the usual birds were noted as 14 bird species were recorded from my two shifts here today. A Goldfinch flew in and landed on one of the tall trees near the footpath on the opposite side of the road from where I stood and was joined by a pair of Starlings until both flew off. A pair of Blue Tits were giving off their alarm call, but I could see no raptor coming through which was disappointing. There were plenty of House Sparrows calling in the hedgerow by the Bowling Green and at least two male Blackbirds seen during my time there. The Bowling Green is being used now by the Bowling Club and so parking in the afternoons is going to be more difficult than usual.

In Hampshire today:

One of the Curlew Sandpipers at Keyhaven Marshes. Photo by Steve Laycock.

Once again, a lot of migrant birds were reported today (via both Hants Going Birding site and the ‘Lazee’s’ Whatsapp) and pick of the bunch included the following: 3 Arctic Terns past Hill Head early this morning, male Redstart at Woolmer Pond, Velvet Scoter, Common Tern and 3 Swallows at Brownwich,  2 Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Ringed Plover at Keyhaven Marshes, a White Stork flying over Blashford Lakes plus a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Garden Warblers and up to 300+ Sand Martins by the Goosander Hide.

Singing Sedge Warbler at Fishlake Meadows today. Photo by Andy Tew.