Friday 13th November 2026.

Another bright but very cold start to the morning here in Southsea. The dark blob was a Herring Gull passing south over the Cemetery.

Another very cold but bright and sunny start to the day with a frozen windscreen to take care of first thing. Temperatures were down to just above freezing when I walked the dogs early this morning and remained that way throughout my first shift in Pembroke Road today. As I was walking the dogs early this morning, I noticed the planet Venus shining brightly to the south-east and was also seen again yesterday morning.

However, on a positive side, there were up to 14 species noted from my first shift and the rest of the day looks bright and sunny. Tomorrow doesn’t look too bad so far, but I still have not made my mind up yet on where to go tomorrow. I am still stuck on 198 bird species in Hampshire for the year and should I get to the magic 200 species, there is always the Franklins Gull, White-fronted Geese and the Water Pipit to hopefully choose from, should they still be around.

There was no Moth Box on overnight as I knew it was going to be very cold overnight and most likely leave it for tonight too as the overnight temperatures is set to drop into the minus’s.

 

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The sun was shining strongly this morning over Governor's Green.

Fourteen bird species were recorded today at Pembroke Road and all of them seen or heard this morning on my first shift. Sadly, though the weather was perfect (though still a bit cold), I could not add to my total this afternoon. Again, the Jays showed very well doing their thing with the Acorns and at least two Pied Wagtails were seen today; on the Bowling Green in the morning and on Governor’s Green in the afternoon.

The Starlings came down again to feed on the New Zealand Cabbage Palm Tree berries and put on quite a show to the passing public as they ravenously devoured many of the small green berries.

The birds seen or heard today included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Jay (2+)
• Magpie
• Carrion Crow
• Pied Wagtail
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Blackbird
• Starling
• Robin (heard)
• Wren (heard)

In Hampshire today:

Once again, the adult winter Franklin’s Gull entertained the birders in Winchester and only 10 Greater White-fronted Geese remained in the fields at Chilling Barn. A ‘ringtail’ Hen-harrier flew over Hayling Oysterbeds this morning and another at Lepe Country Park was seen.

I spotted a pale buzzard flying high over Southsea, alerted by the noisy Herring Gulls. Without binoculars, I assumed it was a Common Buzzard rather than a Rough-legged Buzzard. A Chiffchaff called from the back gardens near my house, and I was fortunate to see it fly into the large tree behind my house before heading south.