Tuesday 5th May 2026.
This female Kestrel was hunting at Eastney Point this morning.
After an excellent Bank Holiday, it was back to work again. Today was mostly overcast, though there were a few moments of sunshine, hence, that's why I did the washing today! A very light northerly wind blew over Southsea and it was quite mild in Pembroke Road today, with temperatures hovering around 18 degrees. Between shifts, I took my dogs for a good walk around Eastney Outfall so they could stretch their legs on the beach. Though there were not many birds around the area, there were plenty of plants to look at and I even came across a micro moth that was new for the year and totally by accident too.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
This male Hairy-footed Flower Bee was one of three enjoying nectaring on the Echium plants.
My first Swifts of the year over Pembroke Road were seen on my second shift this afternoon. A pair of birds flew high overhead and I probably would not have seen them if they didn't call. The Green Woodpecker was seen briefly again when it flew out of the nearby Sycamore trees and headed and landed in trees in nearby Penny Street. I did hope it would fly out again, but there was no further sign of the bird. All the usual birds were noted again, but no sign of the Pied Wagtails on the Bowling Green.
There are up to three Giant Tree Echium plants growing in Pembroke Close and now that is the tallest plant (about 9ft tall now!), held at least three male Hairy-footed Flower Bees nectaring on the flowers. As the temperature rises as Summer nears, I expect to see a lot more Bees using these amazing plants.
Eastney Outfall:
This adult Mediterranean Gull was in the Car Park at Eastney Beach. They really are quite stunning birds.
Parking up in Ferry Road Beach Car Park, almost immediately, I came across a mixed flock of Linnets and Greenfinches by the Brambles, though they did not linger, they soon flew off towards the compound behind the Car Park. A large gathering of Black-headed Gulls along with a single juvenile Herring Gull were joined by an adult Mediterranean Gull; but they all were flushed by a car pulling into the Car Park. Thankfully, the Med Gull landed on the beach nearby and posed nicely in a brief spell of sunshine.
Above, Wild Fennel growing abundantly at Eastney Point and below, I accidentally discovered this Cocksfoot Moth while checking out my photos this evening.
This Soft-winged Flower Beetle was nectaring on a Beaks-hawksbeard plant and below, the Med Gull settling on the beach.
I checked the area within the Perimeter fence for a possible Wheatear, but apart from a few perched Stock Doves, it was near empty. A flock of around a dozen Starlings were around the Brambles and perching on the Perimeter fence and I could also hear a Common Whitethroat singing somewhere in the distance. A much closer bird was heard again, but not seen. There were a lot of Small White butterflies around the Brambles and while taking a photo of a Soft-winged Flower Beetle sat on a Beaked Hawks-beard, later in the evening, while checking the photos carefully; I found a very small moth on the Hawkweed that turned out to be the micro moth Cocksfoot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella). I never saw the moth while I was taking the photo, so that was a bonus in finding another Moth ‘year-tick’!
Above and below, a Small White butterfly by Wild Radish.
Above, another photo of the female Kestrel and below, this male Greenfinch was seen in the Brambles.
Above, a male Linnet and below a female Greenfinch.
There were plenty of Wild Radish, Wild Fennel and Periwinkle were all abundant plants here at Eastney Outfall and I even found my first Birds-foot Trefoil for the year. I took the dogs along the beach west of the Pier and seeing it was low tide, I made my way west along the shoreline with my dogs until I got up to the old spit. I was hoping a Wheatear might be perched on the rocks, but there was no sign of any, but a female Kestrel was hovering close by up on the grassy area near the Water Treatment Works and showed very well until flying off north.
Above, a large showing of Common Honeysuckle and below, Buddy and Ted enjoying their seaside adventure.
Above, the Small Dusty Wave moth on a shop window.
Later today, after getting my haircut, I was making my way back to my parked car when a small moth caught my eye that was perched on the window pane of a shop. It was my second Small Dusty Wave for the year. It just goes to show that they can turn up absolutely anywhere.
In Hampshire today:
Above, the Osprey at Fishlake Meadows today. Photo by Andy Tew.
Birding buddy, Matt Parkes was driving to work this morning and he came across a Quail running across the road near Corhampton! Incredible as it sounds, the exact situation happened again two years ago. What are the odds?
The Tawny Owl at Fishlake Meadows. Photo by Andy Tew.
An Osprey was at Fishlake Meadows as was a showy Tawny Owl from the Canal Path. A Common Sandpiper was at Southmoor along with 7 Avocets, 5 Greenshank and 6 Whimbrel. In nearby East Sussex, the Spotted Sandpiper was still present by the River Ouse at Piddinghoe and seen well yesterday by Matt & Emma Parkes (see photos). The ‘big rare’ in the UK currently is the male Lesser Kestrel at Goonhilly Down in Cornwall. I have never seen this species in the UK and unsuccessfully ‘twitched’ one many years ago at Minsmere.
Above, the Spotted Sandpiper by the River Ouse in East Sussex. Photos by Emma Parkes.
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