Some good insect activity today.

Sunday 19th February 2023.

Spring is on its way and judging by the warm weather today, hopefully it isn't too far away. However, late Winter normally has a sting in its tail! Several clumps of Daffodils were sprouting up by some of the graves.

I was pottering around in the garden this morning, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather and after finishing what I was doing, I sat down enjoying a cold drink and watched the developing nature going on in my small garden. Overhead, the Gulls gave their warning cry over a raptor nearby and sure enough, a male Sparrowhawk was soaring high over and then went into a stoop somewhere east from my house. The temperature easily got up to around 14 degrees centigrade, though it could have been even warmer than that in the bright sunshine.

Above, the Light Brown Apple Moth that flew into my house last night and below, the Silver Y moth that I found in the garden this morning.

A quick look on my mobile and fellow ‘Lazee’ Ollie Crabbe found TWO Barn Owls in the holes where the Little Owls used to reside on the south side of Fort Cumberland! The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Acres Down was also seen again this morning by another ‘Lazee Birder’ this morning. Back to my Gaff; a pair of Goldfinches came down to try their luck on the feeders, but the many House Sparrows present put them off I think as they both flew off. When the House Sparrows departed, a Robin came in briefly, but did not hang around long.

Above, this Great Tit was singing its heart out and below, this Robin was going for it too!

While cleaning the leaves and munge around the flower pots, I found a Silver Y moth perched on our Hare garden ornament; which most likely was the individual I caught earlier this week by the moth box. Yesterday, a Light Brown Apple Moth (my first of the year) flew into the house when I opened the front door and quickly potted it. I let it go into the garden this morning. I shall probably put the moth box on tonight and maybe get my first Early Grey Moth of the year?

Above, the Heather on one of the graves attracted quite a few Bees including this Early Bumble bee and below, a female Hairy-footed Flower Bee enjoyed the flowering Heather.

While enjoying nature in my garden going about its business, I noticed a Bee species high up in my neighbours tree, but what species it was I really do not know. This spurred me on in taking a stroll over to Highland Road Cemetery this morning and so grabbing my binoculars and camera, I gave the Cemy another good look. Though the number of bird species was very low this morning, with just 13 species noted, at least there was a bit of insect life and a few more flowering plants on show. There weren't too many dog walkers this morning and it was nice to see the young birder/photographer lady out and about within the Cemy.

Above, a lone Dandelion was found over on the east side of the Cemy and below, this male Blackbird was searching through the leaf litter for food near the Mausoleum.

Yes, regarding the birds, it was rather quiet in variety today and arguably the lowest total I have had here for a very long time; but that's the way it can go sometimes I suppose as birds do move on as Spring arrives. Though there was nothing to get the pulse racing, it was nice to hear the likes of all the Robins and Great Tits singing in the bright sunshine. The following birds were seen this morning:

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

Insects were most certainly active this morning, especially by the grave that is covered in flowering Heather. Early Bumble bees were evident within the heather with at least four individuals counted fumbling their way through the vegetation. There were two Hairy-footed Flower Bees seen briefly by the heather, one, a male individual would not settle and quickly flew off, however, a female individual was much more cooperative as she was nectaring on the heather among the other Bees. I do get these in my garden in the Spring, so I shall be keeping an eye out over the coming weeks. I was hoping for an early butterfly to be on the wing today, but I didn't spot any at all despite perfect conditions. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a lot of Brimstones on the wing today.

The male Blackbird turning over the leaves.

All the usual plants were present this morning that included Common Speedwell, Common Groundsel, Daisies and a single Dandelion and with a few garden flowers springing through including a few Crocuses, Grape Hyacinth and Daffodils all adding a splash of colour to the leaf litter.     

This Robin was singing just above my head over on the east side.

Just a late bit of news; I saw my first Red Admiral butterfly of the year while walking with our Isabelle down our road in Southsea. Strangely, it was by a house and then seen a little later further south out in Albert Road. Birding pal, Geoff Farwell, texted me later in the evening to say he had his first Brimstone butterfly of the year at Warnford Park this afternoon. 

All three Woodpecker species at Acres Down.

Saturday 18th February 2023.

The male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on its tree within the woods of Acres Down. I had to wait an hour for the bird to show, but it was worth it. The same tree hosted a Great Spotted and a Green Woodpecker this morning! 

Andy could not make today as he had other arrangements, so I decided to go on my lonesome to Acres Down for a second bite of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. The common consensus was that the bird showed well early in the morning and so I left my house around 6.30am to be there for around 7.30am; ‘the early bird catches the worm’ and all that jazz! The weather was looking a bit ‘iffy’ with possible heavy cloud and drizzle towards midday, but that would not put me off one jot.

The Green Woodpecker, my first of the year (finally!), in the same tree earlier.

It was still dark while driving west along the M27 and turning off at the Stoney Cross turn off, a Common Buzzard was the first bird of note for my trip into the New Forest this morning. The bird flew low over the road and then headed off north over the heath. Parking up in the empty car park, I then made my way slowly down the footpath leading to the well known tree where the 'LSW' is seen the most. A couple of Firecrests were calling and flitting about in the trees by the car park and the sound of birdsong echoed throughout the woodland including Song Thrush, Robin, Blackbird and of course, the sound of ‘drumming’ Woodpeckers.

Above, another photo of the elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in its favourite tree. Though it's been a year since I saw this species last, I still could not believe how small these birds actually are. Below, the woodland track through Acres Down.  

I made my way to ‘the tree’ and waited patiently for the bird to appear, but it took another hour for it to finally show. Meanwhile, a few birders arrived including one pair of guys who reckoned they had seen the bird very briefly, however, it disappeared into the woodland. I did hear it ‘drum’ distantly in the back of the woodland, but the sound of ‘drumming’ Great Spotted Woodpeckers was much louder including a male bird that perched in ‘the tree’ (see film footage). Up until now, I had not seen a Green Woodpecker this year and so with one calling behind me, I only had to wait a few minutes for the bird to actually fly overhead and land in ‘the tree’ to comfortably add this species to my year list! (see photo).

Stock Doves within Mark Ash Wood.

More birders arrived including a young lady who moved to Hampshire from Devon (sorry, never caught your name) who stood with me waiting patiently for the 'LSW' to show. A Crossbill was heard calling behind us and then I was lucky to see it fly over and head off over the woodland. A few Redwing flew over and a Nuthatch showed well within the trees. Long-tailed, Blue, Great and Marsh Tits were also seen and on the ground, both Blackbird and Song Thrush were busy upturning the leaf litter in search of their breakfast. Best of all was a Firecrest literally several feet above my head, but the light was not great and the sky was getting a lot darker with the threat of rain. 

A Mistle Thrush between a couple of male Chaffinches on the green opposite the car park at Bolderwood.

After an initial scare of a Great Spotted Woodpecker sitting on the topmost branch in ‘the tree’, eventually we all heard a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker ‘drumming’ again in the distance and we didn't have to wait long for the bird to pop up in ‘the tree’ and it showed well for around a couple of minutes; just long enough to grab a few photos of the bird before it flew off to a nearby tree for a few seconds and then disappearing into the woods. Well, at least I saw it and saw it well and therefore I made my way back to the car. A Goldcrest showed well briefly by the footpath as I made my way to the car.

This male Chaffinch came within a feet of where I stood by the Green, hoping for me to give it a bit of food. I had none on me and went back to the car to grab a morsel of food for it, I returned but the bird had flown.  

I then made my way to Mark Ash Wood to see if the Tawny Owl was in its regular tree. Nope! One of the huge trees had fallen nearby and was made safe by the Forestry Commission, but there wasn't much of note here despite a good look. I walked over onto the other side of the main road and took a stroll into the woodland here. Normally a good spot for both Brambling and Hawfinch, none were present so had to make do with a showy Nuthatch and a couple of Stock Doves perched on top of a tall tree.

One of a pair of Ravens flying over Bolderwood this morning.

I made my way back to the large Bolderwood car park and quickly checked the green opposite which hosted at least a dozen Chaffinches and a solitary Mistle Thrush. I did hear a singing Firecrest deep within the Holly Trees and I could also hear a Hawfinch calling, but it was deep within cover and so I took a walk through the Holly Trees to the clearing and searched around here. None to be seen. So, retracing my steps back to the main road, I then heard the Hawfinches again and this time, out flew three birds that promptly rounded the green and landed in a tall tree to the north of the green. They then flew out and flew back towards the Holly Trees, but remained hidden again. That was enough for me and as I made my way back to my car for a bit of refreshment, a pair of Ravens flew over and headed off over the woodland. That was my cue to make my way home with two more ‘year-ticks’ to my year list.    

The 'drumming' Great Spotted Woodpecker at Acres Down this morning.

 

Two moths caught this morning.

Thursday 16th February 2023.

My first Silver Y moth of the year and a very early one too this morning.

I had the moth box on overnight for only the 3rd time this year and I was rewarded with two moths. I didn't realise that there was going to be drizzly rain early this morning, though I should have checked the weather forecast last night. I couldn't see anything on the white sheet behind the moth box and so took the lid of the box and low and behold, behind the box was my first Silver Y moth of the year. Was this an immigrant moth that flew last night over the English Channel or was it overwintering here in the UK?

The putative Depressaria daucella in the pot this morning.

The second moth was a micro moth and I had to wait for an ID on a couple of Facebook moth sites for confirmation. At first, a Parsnip Moth looked the likely candidate and then Ben Sale reckoned it looked like the micro moth, Depressaria daucella and judging by the photographs of the latter moth, I would tend to agree with him. I released both moths tonight when it was dark.

A late afternoon look by the Harbour entrance.

Wednesday 15th February 2023.

The sheer spectacle of the calling Brent Geese overhead is truly memorable. Yes, an all too common sight down here in Southsea, but one of the great moments in birding of Winter geese flying over.

I couldn't resist grabbing some time out of the house late this afternoon and watching the sunset over Portsmouth from the Hayling Ferry Terminal over at Eastney. It was nearly 5pm when I arrived and though the tide was high, there was still a lot of activity going on in Langstone Harbour. Yes, a tad cold, but I was well wrapped up and with a lot of high cloud overhead, I didn't get the sunset I was hoping for, but still not bad nonetheless.

Above and below, the Brent Geese were first seen taking off from the College Fields by the Eastern Road. 

Out in the harbour, looking north from the spit opposite the Ferry Terminal, a large flock of Turnstone were jostling for somewhere to land among the boats and buoys within the harbour, though some soon took off and headed off eastbound low over the harbour. A small flock of Redshank flew overhead, also heading east, but nothing could be more spectacular than the ‘babbling’ Brent Geese flying overhead in the same direction. First seen way over the west, probably taking off from the College Playing Fields, at least 150+ soon headed in my direction and then split into smaller groups all heading towards Hayling Island. Truly a magnificent sight. They will be making their way back north up through the North Sea next month, signalling the end of Winter and the onset of Spring.

Above and below, Turnstone were using whatever they could to rest on the oncoming high tide.

Also out in the harbour, the calm waters produced a flock of around at least 8 Red-breasted Mergansers over on the west side of the harbour. I have heard that these birds have been seen displaying in the harbour already along with the local Goldeneye within the harbour. There wasn't all that much else flying around of note, though a Pied Wagtail flew off from the shoreline and over the car park to round off a nice 30 minutes in one of my favourite areas. Though there wasn't a spectacular sunset, I was more than happy just to be out enjoying the wildlife.

Above, a distant flock of Red-breasted Mergansers out in the harbour and below, the sun setting behind the clouds over Portsmouth.

In Hampshire today, the Great Grey Shrike is still entertaining the Birders at Bishop's Dyke, New Forest. Also in the New Forest, fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ Graeme Loader enjoyed good views of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker early this morning at Acres Down (see photo) and another fellow ‘Lazee’ Becky Ladd, saw the long staying juvenile Iceland Gull at Redbridge Wharf, along with a Common Sandpiper.  

Above, the male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the woods of Acres Down. Photo by Graeme Loader. Below, this Smooth Sow-thistle was in flower within my garden this morning.

Golden Plovers on Titchfield Haven.

Tuesday 14th February 2023.

No sign of any Little Owls, but a good number of Redwing present.  

I was reading last week that a Little Owl had been seen again at a place called Newlands Farm over in Stubbington. I have never been to this site and even looking it up on Google, it wasn't all that clear where it exactly was. The Owl had been seen last week and so, doing a bit of investigative work on Google Maps, I decided to give it a try. Luckily for me, it was very bright and sunny, with the early morning fog clearing when I arrived at Longmead Avenue,

A mixed flock of Lapwing and Golden Plover over Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve.

Parking the car up, I took the footpath south adjacent to the grounds of HMS Excellent where I kept an eye out for anything interesting. A Skylark was heard singing over the fields to the west and as I neared the end of the footpath, there was a large gathering of Redwing in the trees on the MOD site, with some birds sub-singing as well. On my approach, a good number flew off east into nearby trees and I was sure I heard a ‘chacking’ Fieldfare among them. At the end of the footpath, I took a right and walked down Tanners Lane which led into Stroud Green Lane and up to a small fishing pond. Sadly, no sign whatsoever of the Little Owl and to be honest, I wasn't even sure I was actually in the right place!

Another photo of the mixed flock of Golden Plover and Lapwing.

The walk back was rather quiet with a few Great Tits, Greenfinches and the Redwing seen on the way back to the car. My next destination was to be Hill Head, where I could check out Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve from the roadside. After consuming some grub I had bought on my way here, it was actually warm enough to leave my coat in the car. Very little was on the sea, bar a small flock of Brent Geese and a single Great Crested Grebe, so most of my attention was looking north over the River Meon and the reserve itself.

Above, the mixed flock of Golden Plover & Lapwing and below, a drake Gadwall on the River Meon.

I was checking the edges of the reedbed for a possible Water Rail but despite a good 45 minutes here, there was no sign of any at all. However, all was not lost as among a large flock of Lapwing flying over the reserve having been flushed by something, intermingled among them were at least a dozen or so Golden Plover, my first of the year. Happy days! The birds flew up with the Lapwing and then settled back down on the South Scrape in front of the Meonshore Hide. A little later, all the waders and gulls flew up again as a female Marsh Harrier was seen hunting over the reedbeds to the north and eventually settled on a large Willow to preen.

Above, the island on the River Meon held Oystercatcher, Lapwing and a Redshank, while both Gadwall and a Little Grebe were seen swimming beside it. Below, my view of the reserve from the roadside.

Near the roadside, a lone Black-tailed Godwit was feeding, while at least two pairs of Gadwall were dabbling in the shallow water along with a few Teal. Several Med Gulls flew in from the Solent and landed in front of the Meonshore Hide, while other Med Gulls flew off northbound up the valley. The cool weather soon took its toll and so I made my way back home.

Above, a pair of Gadwall on the River Meon and below, the female Marsh Harrier that put up all the waders on the reserve.

Yesterday, the big news was the juvenile Ross’s Gull that was found at Dorchester Water Meadows. There were no other Gulls present and therefore seeing the bird was going to be easy beside the roadside. However, the bird had disappeared overnight and no further sign today. I have been lucking enough to see two of these birds; my first a long time ago at Plymouth Hoe in Devon and my last one was on Radipole Lake, in Dorset. Both superb individuals. Will it be refound in Hampshire? Back in Hampshire, the Shorelark was still at Hurst and a Spoonbill was on Farlington Marshes along with at least 3 Short-eared Owls. I must get down to see these birds before they leave.  

The micro moth Acleris notana / ferrugana, which was found by Andy Fisher in his house recently.

Another walk in the Cemy.

Sunday 12th February 2023.

There are plenty of areas within the Cemetery to find something interesting, but not today!

The weather wasn't really up too much at first this morning, with heavy cloud and a bit of drizzle when I took a walk around Highland Road Cemetery. I wasn’t feeling all that great, all bunged up etc., but taking a walk around here is far better than being stuck in front of a TV. I did not expect anything out of the ordinary here today, but you just never know that something good could be lurking about between the graves! A Hoopoe would be nice!

Above, the regular flock of Starlings here flying north over the Cemy. Below, some of the Greenfinches in the centre of the Cemy. This species was in double figures this morning, by far the largest number here for some time.

Well, to cut a long story short, there was nothing really all that exciting here, but counting the species here and getting more than 15 species during my hours walk round the site is always a bonus. A total of 20 species were recorded here today that included a Great Black-backed Gull over and a good number of both Goldfinch and Greenfinch feeding in the large Oak Tree in the north-east corner of the Cemetery. At least 30+ Goldfinch flew over my head and at least 14 Greenfinch were seen in one flock as well.

Above, the Heather on one of the graves over on the east side is now in bloom, so Early Bumble bee should be on the wing soon as will a few Hoverfly species. Below, a Jay was just above me in one of the smaller trees.

The Jays reappeared again and showed very well in the northern half of the Cemetery. A Pied Wagtail flew over again, but as per usual, proved elusive for a sighting. A female Goldcrest was also showing very well in the large Oak tree, though with the poor light and the bird being so active, getting a decent photo was proving difficult.

Some more photos of the Jays in the Cemy. It was surprising how close they allowed me to be before flying off.

Away from the birds, the usual plants were on show and there was even a showing of Daffodils coming through on some of the graves and with Spring on its way, hopefully a few migrants will be gracing the Cemetery. I was up at ‘silly o’clock’ this morning and got on with doing my blog from yesterday's sightings. Though it was still dark, I could hear a Blackbird singing at around 6.15am somewhere outside; a sure sign that Spring was on its way. Despite the feeders all being topped up, there has been no further sign of the Blackcap in my garden. Fellow ‘Lazee’ Graeme Loader told me yesterday that he has had a female Blackcap in his Waterlooville garden of late.

Above, a couple of Goldfinches among a large flock in the large Oak tree and below, the female Goldcrest was joining them in the same tree.

Birds seen and heard this morning included the following:

• Great Black-backed Gull   
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Goldcrest (f)
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch
• Robin
• Wren
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Pied Wagtail
• Blackbird
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie 
• Jay

Above, the Daffodils are now pushing through to brighten up the Cemy and below, one of several singing Robins seen this morning. Always a joy in hearing them.