A quiet walk around the Cemetery.

 Sunday 20th September 2026.

An overcast but brightening start to the morning walk over the Cemetery.

It was overcast this morning and still mild with temperatures around the 17 degree mark. A north-easterly wind was blowing lightly over Southsea as I took my dogs for their morning walk and this time, it was back over my local patch, Highland Road Cemetery. It has been a few weeks since I have been here and as Autumn marches on, the possibility of something unusual within the Cemy could be on the cards.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

Another view of the Cemetery looking east. Finding the birds wasnt easy this morning, but a few gave themselves up.

There was nothing out of the ordinary here this morning and although it was bright but overcast, it was rather quiet. Very few birds were actually calling, but as I casually walked around anticlockwise along the main footpath, birds did start to appear as well as call. Small numbers of Meadow Pipits were flying overhead, heading southbound towards the coast, but that was all that the ‘Vis Mig’ had to offer here this morning.

On the way to the Cemetery, there is a house nearby in Highland Road that always seems to hold a moth that is attracted to its bright white walls. This Common Plume was present there this morning. Below, the Virginia Creeper is starting to glow red on this large bush.

A couple of Chiffchaffs were heard calling deep within cover, but it wasn’t till I was nearly walking towards the exit of the Cemy that I saw one of the birds flitting about in one of the large Yucca Plants near the Chapel. Over on the east side of the Cemy, I could hear the Starlings giving off their alarm calls as a swirling flock gave way to a male Sparrowhawk flying through and heading north over the Cemetery; but too quick for a decent photo.

Above, one of the Chiffchaffs that was in the Cemetery this morning. Below, several clumps of Honey Fungus were now in full bloom.

Up to 13 bird species were recorded this morning, either heard or seen, but I said to myself that I must get over here a lot more to increase this number. It is the time of year that Fungi are starting to appear and there were at least three very large blooms of Honey Fungus growing along one of the footpaths, notably where the large, but dying Beech Tree used to be. Hardly any plants were flowering, with Yarrow easily the most common plant seen.

Above, this Atlas Cedar tree was full of cones near the Cemetery entrance. Below, a Grey Squirrel on the footpath leading to the Mausoleum. 

Yes, it was rather quiet, but this oasis in the middle of Southsea never fails to produce something to look at and enjoy.

Above, a clump of Honey Fungus growing next to some late flowering Ragwort. Below, flowering Hoary Plantain plants close to the main footpath.

Yesterday, birding pal Geoff Farwell went to Beacon Hill, in the Meon Valley and recorded the following sightings that included 2 Red Kites, 2 Common Buzzard, 10 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest, Marsh Tit and at least 150+ House Martins through overhead. A Tawny Owl was also heard too on his trip there.