From Pigeon House Farm to Hook Heath Farm.

Wednesday 8th February 2023.

While walking down Pigeon House Lane, I found a pair of Firecrests, my first of the year, along these hedgerows in the photo.

After having birding pal Geoff Farwell’s report of his trip down Pigeon House Lane, on top of Portsdown Hill and seeing it was a bright cloudless day, I thought I would try my luck this morning.  He had reported up to 85+ Yellowhammers and 14 Mandarin Ducks while walking from Pigeon House Farm to Hook Heath Farm, which whetted my appetite and it most certainly paid off. Some cracking birds have been found here in the past, including both Ortolan and Little Bunting as well as a Richard's Pipit. Probably well under-watched, it does attract a few birders now and then and can turn up a few oddities too as well as the more familiar farmland birds.

Above, there were plenty of raptors on show this morning including this Common Buzzard and below, Red Kite. Up to two Kestrels were also seen this morning.

I had parked the car within the long lay-by near Pigeon House Lane and eventually walked down the road, taking my time and taking in the fresh air and amazing views looking north over the superb countryside. I was only around fifty yards down the road, when I heard a ‘crest’ calling deep within the leafless hedgerow. I could not make it out at first as the sun was directly behind it, but eventually I got a good view and it turned out to be my first Firecrest of the year! What a great start. I believe a second bird was seen a little further down on the opposite side of the road, but it was too quick for me to get a good look of the bird.

Above, another Red Kite and below, yet another Common Buzzard, all in the same field.

Having seen a hovering male Kestrel earlier near the car park, I knew it was going to be a good morning for raptors and I found an incredible SEVEN Red Kites all in and around one field to the north-east of the road. Intermingled with the Kites were at least 4 Common Buzzards either sitting in the field or on the adjacent hedgerows. Walking further down the road, a gathering of SIX birds were soaring high above the countryside, with at least four more seen further down the road! Then my second new bird for the year, a male Yellowhammer, was first heard calling and then seen distantly perched on a roadside tree before flying off over the countryside.

Above, Common Buzzard and below, a perched Red Kite.

Nearing the Ford at the bottom of the road, both Blue Tits and Great Tits were flying over my head, while out in the field to the west, a large gathering of Corvids (Carrion Crow, Rook and Jackdaw) were bathing in the large puddles and were also joined by a lone Grey Heron. More Rooks were in the trees near the Ford and one had to be careful because there was a lot of melting ice still on the road edges. A Skylark flew high overhead as I made way for a few cars to pass then carried on up to Hook Heath Farm. I cannot recall ever seeing or being at this location before, but it was most certainly not going to be the last time.

Above, the Grey Heron to the east of the main road among the Corvids. Below, Carrion Crows and Rooks settling in the trees above the Ford.

Some of the nearby woods here looked very interesting for a good walk and explore and who knows what could be found here. Being careful not to look too nosey, I gave the garden at Hook Heath Farm a good look, especially due to the fact they had a lot of bird feeders attracting the passerines. A good sized flock of House Sparrows were sunning themselves in the hedgerows opposite and on the opposite side of the Farm, there lies a large pond that was virtually near covered in matted tree branches of Willow and probably a few other species. Here is where the Mandarin Ducks were, as I counted at least four drakes along with two drake Mallard and a pair of Moorhens for company, though it wasn't easy among the tangle of low branches! Maybe we don't have to travel all the way to Eyeworth Pond to ‘year-tick’  the Mandarins now?

These are the best images I could get of the drake Mandarins for the low branches that obscured my view of the birds. In the above photo, the drake is being followed by a drake Mallard. 

Another good species, the Marsh Tit, was also seen close by the Farm; in fact a pair of birds that were scurrying around the hedgerows nearby. I wonder if I can have a chat with the Farm owner if they might let me explore their Farm more seeing they look as though they like their birds? The walk back proved knackering, especially as my chest is still not 100%; so I took my time walking back uphill and took in a lot of the scenery on the way back. In doing so, I clocked a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying high over the trees heading north and a Linnet was heard flying west and a Song Thrush flew out of the hedgerow and quickly landed out of sight.

Above, these signs were dotted about the main road and below, Snowdrops adorned this embankment by the roadside.

That was a superb walk and in the sunshine, this place has so much to offer. The only downside here was the amount of litter along the roadside. This road is infamous for ‘Fly-tipping’ and there were enough signs put up to try to deter such activities, but I still found stuff being dumped by the roadside. Such a shame. A good friend of mine managed to catch someone in the act of Fly-tipping last year and photographed him doing it and his vehicle which led to a successful prosecution.

Above, this Common Buzzard was either watching me or watching a tractor trimming (butchering!) a hedgerow on the junction just past the Ford! Below, one of the pair of Marsh Tits near the same Farm.

In Hampshire today, the Iceland Gull was showing again at Redbridge Wharf as a few more of the Lazee’s managed to add this rare gull to their year list. The Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were showing well at Acres Down in the New Forest and also in the Forest, the Great Grey Shrike was performing between Shatterford and Denny Wood.  

On the left of this photo, the tangled mess of trees that were hiding the small lake that held the Mandarins etc. To the right, we have Hook Heath Farm.

The Ford at the bottom of the Lane.

Hazel Catkins on show along the Lane.

We are so blessed in Hampshire for having such a diverse landscape. From the top of Portsdown Hill heading north, one can be immersed in pure countryside and nature and it's just twenty minutes up the road from me! How lucky I am.

     

Back to the Cemy.

Monday 6th February 2023.

A cloudless sunny afternoon in the Cemetery.

It seems like a while since I have added anymore entries to my blog, but over the weekend, I have picked up a Chest infection which laid me low all over the weekend and although I felt a bit better this morning and took a stroll around Highland Road Cemetery this afternoon, I don't think I am quite ‘out of the woods’ yet!

Above, this Starling was singing from the well pruned tree at the south of the Cemy. Below, I found the female Great Spotted Woodpecker high up in a Horse Chestnut Tree by the main footpath.

Before I go on about today's birds, the male Blackcap was back again in the garden on Friday and Saturday and my wife was kind enough to get me some more Fat Balls, Suet Pellets and Apples for the birds, which should be enough to feed them for the forthcoming month. More cold weather is predicted over the coming weeks, however, last weekend was rather mild with temperatures down here in Southsea reaching up to 15 degrees.

Above, pairs of Carrion Crows were searching the leaf litter for something to eat and below, one of several Robins around the Cemetery.

Also on Friday, I had to go to the centre of the City of Portsmouth and before my appointment, I took a walk around Victoria Park, which is close to the Guildhall. From here (I have not been here for many, many years), a male Sparrowhawk was seen soaring high over the buildings and a Grey Wagtail was also seen flying over the buildings too. Apart from the Herring Gulls and Wood Pigeons, all was very quiet within the Park, with just a Great Tit to add to a small total of birds.

Some of the Daisies peeking out of the short grass.

Back to today. Again, a rather low number of species were seen or heard today, despite the mild, sunny weather. There was a notable absence of some species, with no sign of the Jays among the graves or any Sparrowhawks soaring over. The female Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen banging away at one of the Horse Chestnut trees by the footpath at the southern end of the Cemetery. Though, yet again, no sign of the Green Woodpecker which leads me to believe that this bird has succumbed to either old age or predation?

I put my moth box on in my garden for the first time this year last Friday night. Despite being overcast at first, the cloud had obviously cleared by morning and as expected, it yielded no moths at all!  

I thought it was mild enough for an early butterfly or two or even a Hoverfly to be on the wing, as it was so mild and windless, but none to be seen; just a few House flies perching on the boughs of trees. A few Daisies were sprouting through the grass and the only other plants to be seen were Common Groundsel and a few Crocuses also in bloom. 

A friend of mine, who recently moved to Middlesborough. He filmed this superb female Goshawk enjoying its breakfast of Wood Pigeon in his garden! I am very jealous!

Birds seen and heard in and around the Cemetery today included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch
• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Wren 
• Goldcrest

Back in Hampshire, both the Shorelark at Hurst Beach and the Great Grey Shrike near Denny Wood were still present this morning and, of course, the long-staying adult Sabine’s Gull is still present at Southmoor. Two Long-tailed Ducks and 4 Black-necked Grebes were nearby in Langstone Harbour along with many Goldeneye, Mergansers and Great Crested Grebes. Just  the two Glossy Ibis seen today behind the Bridge Street Floods near Titchfield.

A quick update on new discoveries this afternoon include a sighting of a Bittern on Farlington Marshes. It was seen from the Viewing Platform overlooking the Lake. Three Short-eared Owls were also seen around the Point Field, though sadly flushed by some walkers going through the field instead of around it. A juvenile Iceland Gull was seen late this afternoon near Redbridge Wharf, Southampton and hopefully, might hang around during the week. I got a text from birding buddy Geoff Farwell this morning, to say that he went birding from Pigeon House Farm to Hookheath Farm, where he had at least 10 Common Buzzard, 3 Red Kite, 14 Mandarin Ducks, 40 Stock Doves, 28 Skylark, a Marsh Tit and 85 Yellowhammers!

Barn Owl at Fort Cumberland.

Thursday 2nd February 2023.

The Barn Owl now occupies one of the holes at Fort Cumberland.

I only had an hour spare this morning and so I thought I would give it another try for the Little Owls at Fort Cumberland. There seems to be just one sighting of these birds here this year, but something told me that it was worth having another try (4th time this year!) for the birds and if they are not here, I shall try for the Newlands Barn bird instead! The weather looked a bit indifferent as heavy clouds slowly made its way in from the west. 

Above, one of the two Sanderlings on the foreshore and below, a Common Gull on the sea. 

The tide was ebbing when I arrived at Eastney Beach, though I was lucky enough to pick out a couple of Sanderling running along the shoreline and even managed to grab a few photos of the birds. Not a great deal else here though, with just a few Common Gulls for company, I walked close to the fence line to check if any Black Redstarts might be hiding here. They should be coming in now and this species here can get quite numerous. I have heard them singing here in the late Winter / early Spring in the past and I am sure it can be repeated.

Above, the Barn Owl and below, another one of the Sanderlings.

There was another young chap just ahead of me, but I kept my distance from him as he made his way to the very end of the fence. Funny thing is, though he gave me a few quizzical looks, I had a chat with him back at the car and he apologised to me for looking a bit dodgy as he was dying for a pee! He asked me about the Owls here and I was a bit reluctant at first, but he said he saw the Little Owls here in December.

Above, another photo of the Barn Owl and below, a calm sea over the Solent. Sad there was nothing on it to look at.

I made my way to the usual viewing area to check out the holes in the south facing wall of Fort Cumberland and to my surprise, I could see one of the holes was occupied. Excitedly, I moved up some more along the embankment to get a better view and low and behold, it wasn't a Little Owl, but a Barn Owl occupying one of the holes! I grabbed a load of photos and decided to leave the bird in peace, wondering if the Barn Owl had pushed the Little Owls out of their territory?

The Blackcap was still in my garden this morning.

Apart from the usual Feral Pigeons, there was absolutely nothing else of note here, not even any Stock Doves either! When I got home, I quickly done myself something to eat and checked out the garden feeders and I was pleased to see the male Blackcap back again for its 4th day in my garden. In Hampshrie today, the Great Grey Shrike was still present near Denny Wood in the New Forest. The adult Sabine’s Gull is still present at Southmoor and it looks as though it is even coming to bread according to one birder!   

A bit quieter around the Cemy.

Wednesday 1st February 2023.

Starlings on one of the neighbouring house rooftops.

Though I have a nice ‘Cold’ to enjoy, I took another stroll over Highland Road Cemetery, seeing that it was not only the first day of the new month and also a pleasant day. Though there was a bit of cloud overhead, the sun did come out now and then, in a balmy 9 degrees and a westerly breeze. 

Above, a juvenile Herring Gull on the roof of the Chapel. Below, this Robin was in full song as I passed by underneath it.

The number of species of birds here was lower than usual, with just 15 species seen or heard, but with Spring on its way, there will be more in the coming months. I was also keeping an eye on any plants starting to appear this morning and came up with some flowering Common Field-speedwell growing on some of the graves. The Winter Heliotrope was also still in bloom below the Holm Oak clump (see photo), but little else yet.

Above, Common Field-speedwell growing on the graves and below, flowering Winter Heliotrope.

Yet again, still no sign of the Green Woodpecker, but the Jay finally gave itself away, though this bird was very quiet this morning. At least three Wrens were seen this morning including two that were chasing each other. I was hoping that a returning Firecrest would be around the Holm Oaks this morning, but I was happy to make do with a couple of Goldcrests instead. 

Above, Magpies and a Carrion Crow in one of the Chestnut trees and below, the Jay eventually put in an appearance.

The birds seen or heard this morning within the Cemetery were as follows:

• Herring Gull
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Wren
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Goldcrest (male + female)
• Carrion Crow
• Jay
• Magpie
• Feral Pigeon
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Goldfinch
• Blackbird

Above, these Robins came close to where I stood in the middle of the Cemy. Below, one of several Wrens seen this morning. 

When I got home, a quick check of the birds enjoying the feeders in my back garden, I noticed the male Blackcap again flitting around by the Suet feeder. I did notice it was empty, so I topped it up along with the Sunflower Heart feeder. I wonder if there is a female bird around our gardens.

My turn for a Blackcap!

Monday 30th January 2023.

The male Blackcap in my garden this morning. That was totally unexpected.

The birds were still enjoying the food I put out for them this morning within my Southsea  garden and on checking them around 11am this morning, I noticed something interesting on the Suet Pellet feeder. After Andy Fisher got one in his garden yesterday, I then also got a gorgeous male Blackcap in my garden! The weather was sunny, with a bit of patchy overhead cloud, but nowhere near as cold as the weekend just gone.

The male Blackcap this morning took a liking to the food I put out for the birds.

I ran to grab my camera and waited patiently for the bird to return having been flushed by one of the House Sparrows and eventually, it flew in and I managed to grab a few photos of this most welcome garden visitor and my first one of the year too. The bird, I noticed, was taking a liking to both the Suet Pellets (which I topped up again this morning) and also the half Apples I have scattered in the front of my flower bed at the back of the garden. I noticed the Blackbirds were also interested in the Apples too.

Above, even the Robin came in to pick off a seed or two. Below, the ever-hungry House Sparrows enjoying their feast.

During a 15 minute spell, the bird came into the garden a few times more until it all went quiet, though a male Blackbird, a single Starling, a Robin and a pair of Great Tits also came into the garden to make use of the bountiful supply of food put out for them. The Blackcap now puts me on 129 species for the year, which is rather good for just the first month of the year.

Above, the male Blackcap on the Suet Pellet feeder. Below, one of our local Starlings came in to feed on the Pellets.

I sent Andy a text to say what I had seen and he replied that he was taking a walk down the Canal Path at Titchfield and happily added the Glossy Ibis to his year list.  

One of the pair of Great Tits enjoying a sunflower heart.

RSPB Garden Birdwatch.

Sunday 29th January 2023.

This Blue Tit took a liking to the Fat Balls this morning.

This weekend is the RSPB’s Garden Birdwatch and so I took time out this morning to record what birds were feeding or around my garden from 8.30am to 9.30am. It was overcast this morning, even with a threat of a bit of rain and still quite cold too (about 5 degrees), though hardly any wind at all. I was well wrapped up after topping up all the feeders and so armed with my binoculars and camera, I sat down outside by the back door and waited.

The local House Sparrows enjoying the bounty of food I put out for the birds this morning. Yes, they are common, but they have declined since the 1970's by an enormous number. 

As expected, the House Sparrows totally dominated proceedings, with at least 14+ birds present, but sitting there quietly, it is amazing how many different calls they make, especially when there is some sort of dispute going on between them; one hell of a din! Though the Goldfinches came a close second, I think the Robin was probably the best of all the sightings during my time here, though it proved a difficult individual to photograph. There were actually two Robins, though one was a few gardens away and singing its heart out.

Above. though this Robin was slightly out of focus, it was eyeing up the food this morning. Occasionally, it would fly onto the sunflower hearts and pick one out, though it never settled long. Below, another photo of one of the Blue Tits checking out the Fat Balls.

A pair of Goldfinches came down to inspect the feeders briefly in my neighbours tree, but did not venture onto the feeders. Though later on during the morning, they came back with five more of their chums in the same tree, but again, none ventured into my garden. A pair of Blue Tits came down to have a go at both the Fat Balls and the sunflower hearts at least twice during the hour, but there was no sign of the Great Tits this morning, which was a shame. First thing this morning, a male Blackbird came into the garden to feed on one of the Apples put out for the Thrushes. It or another bird didn't manage to get into the garden during the hour I was sitting out there, but remained in my neighbours Holly Tree, doing a bit of sub-singing instead! Another male bird simply belted across the garden and headed off south giving off its alarm call.

Above, four of the seven Goldfinches in my neighbours tree and below, a pair of Magpies flew into the same tree later in the morning. 

Several bird species flew over the garden including Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Herring Gull and even a pair of Magpies landed in my neighbours tree briefly before flying off south over the gardens. I did see a Wagtail species fly over heading east, but it never called and so will remain a Wagtail sp. Both Grey and Pied Wagtails fly over my house in the winter quite regularly, though I have not seen the Grey Wagtail for a while now. Finally, I did get just the one Starling feeding in my garden, though a passing Cat put paid in the visit as the bird shot out of one of the feeders and up onto my roof of the house. 

Eventually, a Starling joined the other birds in my garden, paying particular attention to the seed pellets. 

Total birds seen this morning included the following:

• 14+ House Sparrow
• 6 Herring Gull
• 3 Wood Pigeon
• 3 Collared Dove
• 1 Robin + 1 heard singing.
• 7 Goldfinch
• 2 Blue Tit
• 1 Starling
• 2 Blackbird
• 2 Magpie.    

Andy Fisher struck lucky this morning when he spotted a male Blackcap coming onto his feeders within his Cowplain back garden. I was only asking him yesterday about any sightings of the Blackcaps that regularly winter in his garden! Thankfully, he filmed the bird on his mobile this morning (see below). I have had Blackcaps wintering around the garden here a few years back, but none of late, sadly.

Above, the male Blackcap in Andy's garden this morning. Film footage by Andy Fisher.