The male Giant House Spider where I am working in Pembroke Road. Old Boris has been here for the past two days. Heaven knows how big the female is.
The weather turned again today as the temperature dropped considerably and it was most certainly glove weather! Overcast, with a westerly blowing down the road, my first shift was a little uncomfortable at times. Not a great deal of excitement on my first shift in Old Portsmouth and after this, the dogs got their regular walk around Highland Road Cemetery where, unfortunately, there were no new migrants today. Rain did threaten with a bit of drizzle in the air, but it did not materialise during my walk round this morning. I had the Moth box on overnight and this morning there was bugger all in or around the box. It really is a lottery at the moment with the moth box and I am glad Andy Fisher is getting some in his up at Cowplain Marshes!
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
A total of 15 species were recorded here this morning, with all the usual species being recorded and apart from a female Sparrowhawk sailing north low over the trees, it would have been a rather quiet morning here. Not literally though as a Great Tit was in full song throughout the time I was there and a burst of both Robin and Dunnock songs in the distance too. It looks as though the Brent Geese have now gone as none were on Governor’s Green nor Southsea Common. I have been hoping for a Swallow to buzz through, but I suppose it's only a matter of time now. Those grey skies overhead could hold something good. An Alpine Swift flew in over the Isle of Portland yesterday, so worth keeping your eyes peeled overhead. Yesterday’s Giant House Spider was still present above the front window of the house I am close to (not everyone's cup of tea), but a fellow Council worker I was talking to yesterday was most interested as we yapped about the birds we have seen over the years. On my second shift this afternoon, a male Sparrowhawk flew low over my head and headed north.
Above, one of many Blackbirds seen today and most in good voice too. Below, at least a dozen or so Goldfinches were still present today.
Above, there would have been a large Pine tree a few weeks ago and now just Ivy and a few plants grow here now. Below, a flock of Starlings overhead and making use of the recent cut grass in search for insect.
Above, unfortunately, the camera could not get a better photo of this blurred male Great Spotted Woodpecker in one of the Lime trees. Below, a singing Blackbird along the main footpath.
Above, this Buff-tailed Bumblebee was enjoying nectaring in the Heather and below, I found this Barren Strawberryplant growing by one of the graves.
Above, there is a pale winged pair of Carrion Crows that roam the Cemetery, which have been present here for several years.
Highland Road Cemetery:
So it was back for another walk with the dogs around the Cemetery again, but there were no migrants seen this morning, despite a good search. All the usual suspects showed well and I suppose the bird of the morning here had to go down to a ‘drumming’ Great Spotted Woodpecker high up in one of the Lime Trees. I did manage to grab some awful photos of it, but it was obscured by a lot of small branches and twigs. Blackbirds, Robins and Wrens were in full song and there were still good numbers of Goldfinches around too, with at least a dozen seen in one area. Just 16 species were recorded today, which was down from a few days ago, but I am sure it will pick up later.
A Buff-tailed Bumblebee was seen and photographed on the grave with all the flowering Heather on it; this particular grave on the east side of the Cemetery does attract a lot of Bees and I always make a point of checking it out. The usual plants were in flower that included my first Bulbous Buttercup and Barren Strawberry of the year, Red Dead-nettle, Daisiesand Common Groundsel.
The birds recorded in the Cemetery this morning included the following:
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Collared Dove
Carrion Crow
Magpie__
House Sparrow
Starling
Robin
Wren
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Goldcrest (2)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (male)
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Above, this Osprey had been seen earlier past Hayling seafront and then past Hill Head. Photo by Mark Francis. Below, this Robin nested in someones Horse Riders hat over in Funtley.
I got a text from Matt Parkes this morning to say that a Quail flew across the road in the Corhampton area, while he was driving to work! Just goes to show that things are most certainly on the move. Yesterday, a pair of Whooper Swans were seen offshore at Medmerry RSPB Reserve, West Sussex. The birds then drifted west and were seen from Sandy Point from fellow ‘Lazee’ Garry Fennemore. An Osprey was also seen flying past Hayling Island and then seen from Hill Head (see photo). This morning, up to 25 Sand Martins were over Posbrook Floods.
Another couple of nice surprises this morning greeted me today and made life that bit more pleasurable. Even the weather was rather nice too, with a bit of sunshine thrown in and very mild temperatures for this time of year. My day kicked off with my first shift at Pembroke Road and when I got back, the dogs got their walk around Highland Road Cemetery where I was in for another treat. I read on the ‘Lazees’ Whatsapp site among all this foreign stuff on there, that local birder Mark Francis had found a Little Ringed Plover at the top end of Bridge Street Floods.
Above, Three-cornered Garlic plants were growing along the footpath between Pembroke Road and Curtain Moat.
Above and below, the Hummingbird Hawk-moth in Pembroke Road this morning.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
I arrived early to start my first shift of the day and so took a walk with my spare pair of binoculars up to Curtain Moat. Sadly, no migrant birds going over (surely I shall get my first Hirundines soon?), but a variety of birds were seen including a small flock of 5 Brent Geese flying low over my head. The usual Feral Pigeons, Starlings and House Sparrows (saw the latter species mating in the hedgerow!) by the Canal and a pair of Mute Swans were on the water. Another large flock of Brent Geese came in with around 21 birds counted and a further five more came in and joined them on Governor’s Green. A Meadow Pipit was heard flying over, though I never saw the bird, but I was much luckier when a Jay flew into a tree to the west of the house opposite and showed very well. A distant Grey Heron was also seen to head west high overhead to add to an impressive morning total here. In all, a total of 18 species were counted, which was a good start to the day. Yesterday afternoon, in the gloomy drizzle here on my second shift, a Raven was seen being chased by a Carrion Crow and later seen flying back south. My morning shift got even better when I found a Hummingbird Hawk-moth buzzing around and nectaring on the flowering Daffodils just a few feet away from me! I think this has to be the earliest I have seen this species ever and must have come in on the southerly winds of late.
Above, a large contingent of Herring Gulls took off from the Cemetery on my arrival. Below, a Magpie going over the recently cut grass.
Above, a singing Blue Tit in the sunshine and below, Starlings gathering up in a back garden adjacent to the Cemetery.
The above four photos are of the gorgeous male Wheatear; my second in as many weeks on my local patch. Below, some film footage of the male Wheatear.
Above, this male Blackbird was one of about 6 birds seen this morning and below, many Robins were about too.
Above, Red-dead Nettle growing amongst the Daisies. Below, a Wren was in full song over on the north-east corner.
Highland Road Cemetery:
A total of 18 species seen or heard in the Cemetery this morning and incredibly, my second Wheatear of the year and a cracking male bird too. The bird I saw last week was most definitely a female bird, but I was in no doubt about the sex of this bird. It remained low down perched on the gravestones and occasionally flew about to avoid passing dog-walkers. A Meadow Pipit was heard to fly over, but there was no sighting of this bird either. Thank God my hearing is still good! Even the Jay proved elusive as I only heard it deep within the Holm Oak trees. The Council were in the Cemetery this morning, cutting the grass for the first time this year and though the din of the machinery wasn’t pleasant, it attracted quite a few birds to come down and pick off any insects exposed within the newly cut grass. I did speak to a passing dog-walker who also liked the ‘natural look’ to the Cemetery and was not best pleased about the Council cutting the grass. She told me she had lived around here all her life and when she was a child, there were Slow-worms and Hedgehogs seen all the time within the Cemetery. I have to say, I have not seen a Fox in here for quite a long time and I used to take photos of them all the time.
Other wildlife I noticed this morning were good clumps of Red-dead Nettle dotted around and another passing Bumblebee eluded me on its ID as it belted past low over the Cemetery. There looks to be a lot more sunshine today, which should encourage more flowers to bloom and leaves to come out on the trees and therefore, a lot more insect life too. There was a good sprinkling of Wheatears about in the southern half of Hampshire this morning including 8 birds at Barton on Sea Golf Course area.
The birds recorded in the Cemetery this morning included the following:
Curtain Moat looking east. There was always the possibility of something unsuaul here, but all I could find were a few Starlings and House Sparrows occupying the holes in the walls here as well as plenty of Feral Pigeons. A pair of Meadow Pipits did fly over while I was there.
Another start to the working week and on my first shift today down Pembroke Road, it was overcast, yet cool at first thing at 7.15am, but as the morning wore on, drizzle came in, but it only lasted about an hour or so. A light south-westerly was blowing over Southsea and hoping a migrant or two might be found this morning, I decided to get to Pembroke Road early and check out the area around Curtain Moat nearby. I had my moth box overnight and all that was present were just two Plume Moths. Hurrumph!
The top three photos are of the female Sparrowhawk flying over Governor's Green heading north. Below, one of the footpaths leading back to Pembroke Road. Plenty of vegetation here for any passing migrant to hide in. So looking forward to this Spring here.
Above, Starlings on one of the lights above Curtain Moat.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
As mentioned, after parking up in Pembroke Road, I took a stroll with both my binoculars and camera to the area of Curtain Moat. A female Sparrowhawk flew overhead heading north high over Governor’s Green, followed by a squadron of wary Starlings in tow. A good start to my morning walk here and soon afterwards, two Meadow Pipits flew high over heading westbound. Nothing was swimming on the Moat and casting an eye over a very still Solent, nothing of note was passing by. There were quite a few dog-walkers here this morning and so anything of note might have been flushed as I made my way back to the car. There were no Brent Geese on Governor’s Green at first, just the usual Wood Pigeons, but they did return around 8.30am when 9 birds flew in, circled the area and then flew off again. However, four birds did return and settled on the damp grass just before I left on my first shift here. Other birds of note were a flock of 6 Cormorants all flying in a line heading east overhead and a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls heading south over Governor’s Green. 20 species were seen here in all this morning and this afternoon, I my second shift at Pembroke Road, a Jay was added to my day total when I saw it fly up to some of the roadside trees adjacent to Governor's Green, thus making it my highest ever total at this site.
A male Dartford Warbler at Wareham Forest last week. Photo by Emma Parkes.
In Hampshire this morning, a Red-necked Grebe was seen off Butts Lagoon, Pennington Marshes along with 3 Slavonian Grebes present there. Birding pal, Geoff Farwell took as stroll around Bramdean Common, near Alresford in north Hampshire where he recorded the following sightings: 9 singing Firecrest, 3 singing Woodlark, 2 Marsh Tit, 5 singing Chiffchaff, 26 Siskin, 2 Raven, 2 Common Buzzard and a Red Kite.
This Wren was in full song when I found it over on the north-east side of the Cemetery.
My dogs got their walk late this afternoon over Highland Road Cemetery again and though there was nothing too exciting around there, it was a pleasant walk with plenty to see again and a very mild, still temperature at 4.30pm. Though it was overcast, the cloud was high and therefore quite bright in the Cemetery. Thankfully, not too many dog-walkers this afternoon and it was noticeable that a lot of the trees were budding already, especially the Lime and Horse Chestnut trees.
Above Common Groundsel was found this afternoon on my walk around the Cemetery. Below, one of several Starlings around the rooftops by the adjacent houses. This one was in full song.
Above, a pair of Collared Doves on one of the adjacent rooftops and below, this male Greenfinch was in full song high up in one of the Lime trees.
Above, spot the Goldcrest! They don't hang around long and so trying to get a photo with my Bridge Camera is never easy. Below, a view of the south of the Cemetery looking west.
Above, there were a good number of Blackbirds seen here this afternoon including this female bird. below, leaves are starting to come out on some of the trees.
Sadly, no migrant birds to report today, but a pair of Goldcrests were seen in one of the small ornamental Conifers on the south side of the Cemetery, though very hard to get a photo. They both flew east over to the Lime trees, where I managed to grab a photo of one of the birds. A male Sparrowhawk drifted over the west side of the Cemetery, heading northbound with purpose it seemed, scattering all the local Gulls and Pigeons.
A few more plants were in flower I noticed, that included Daisies, Red Dead-nettle and a lot more Dandelions than usual. Common Groundsel is now starting to grow too, an important food source when they start to seed for the local Goldfinches. No insects were seen, though I expect it was a bit late in the day for them. I shall have my moth box on again overnight and hopefully, it will remain mild and dry? Just 17 species recorded today, but plenty of birds in song. I was up at the unearthly hour of 4.30am this morning and even in the dark at 5am, there were a few Blackbirds singing around the back gardens!
The birds seen or heard this afternoon in the Cemetery included the following:
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Collared Dove
House Sparrow
Starling
Robin
Wren
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Goldcrest (pair)
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Blackbird
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Sparrowhawk (male)
Horse Chestnut leaves are coming out now.
Fairly quiet in Hampshire today, though a Red-necked Grebe off Keyhaven Marshes today was a good find and it was joined by at least 6 Slavonian Grebes and 32 Eider! The long staying drake Scaup was still present on nearby Fishtail Lagoon as well and one lucky chap had a Swallow fly north over the reserve. There were plenty of Wheatear reports also today that included 5 birds on Farlington Marshes.
This Stock Dove was one of a pair sat happily on the 'Lesser Spotted Woodpecker' tree in the woodland of Acres Down. Unfortunately, most of my photos today were all 'digiscoped'; but at least I managed some photos. Phew!
Yet another good day’s birding with pals Geoff Farwell and Andy Fisher that took us to three different locations today: Acres Down, Blashford Lakes and Bratley Plain; all around the New Forest area. I was still not decided on whether to go up to the north of the County and try my luck for Stone Curlew at a site we know or back into the New Forest for another try for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker; but when I noticed how sunny and with a blue sky overhead, I decided on the latter. However, it didn’t go totally to plan as one hoped for. I had left my camera and binoculars back at home! Doh! Whether it's Alzheimer's kicking in or simple forgetfulness, who knows; but I just hope it's the latter!
Thankfully, Andy's moth box provided the moth entertainment, with four more moth 'year-ticks' seen this morning. From top to bottom: Small Quaker, Early Grey, Early Thorn and Brindled Pug.
The Moth Boxes:
Both Andy and myself had put the moth boxes on overnight in our respective gardens and it was Andy’s moth box that provided all the goodies this morning. All mine produced was one weak looking Beautiful Plume and a large Crane Fly for my efforts, whereas Mr Fishers produced the following: 3 Small Quaker, 1 Early Grey, 1 Early Thorn, 1 Brindled Pug and 2 Common Plume; the first four moths mentioned being new for the year. The last Early Thorn I had seen was several years ago when I used to check the moths at Portchester Crematorium. There was also a deceased Herald moth of which looked as though it had been caught in a spider's web and fell prey to the spider. Grumble! What a great start to the day. So, after putting the moth box away, there was no time to lose as we made our way to the superb site of Acres Down.
The One Show TV presenter Mike Dilger (right) waited patiently for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker to show along with one of the film crew in the woodland at Acres Down.
Acres Down, New Forest:
The weather was looking glorious all the way to the site, with a clear blue sky overhead, though it did start to cloud up a little, but still quite a bit of sunshine. The signs were good for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker to appear, for overcast conditions does not seem favourable for the bird to start ‘drumming’ it seems. We were in for a bit of a surprise when we arrived at the birds favourite tree in the woodland as there was not only several birders present there already (the car park was near full on arrival), but, believe it or not, a BBC film crew with the Ecologist and TV presenter Mike Dilger, his wife and son and four film crew all present; hoping to grab some film footage of the LSW! It turns out he was a really nice chap to talk to and knowledgeable as well as we waited patiently for the bird to show.
The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker did eventually show, a male bird, but before it did, nearly two hours later after our arrival, we enjoyed sightings of a pair of Stock Doves perched in the ‘pecker’ tree, both Common Buzzard and a Kestrel flying high over the woodland, 3 Crossbills, Redwing, Grey Wagtails, Siskins and both Firecrest and Brambling calling in the woodland. Again, it took nearly two hours for the shout went up that the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was in its usual tree, but we had to move further round to get a glimpse of the bird. Sadly, no photos for me of the bird, but we did get to see it high up in the tree before it disappeared back into the woodland. We had heard the bird ‘drumming’ about an hour before somewhere deep in the woods behind us, but it was a ‘no show’. Mr Dilger got the film footage of the bird they wanted and eventually went on their way with the film crew back to the car park, very happy indeed. However, we lingered here another thirty minutes or so and were eventually rewarded with superb views of the male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the same tree. Geoff had recognised the bird's call, which wasn't far away and then I saw it fly into its favourite tree where it showed very well. It then flew off into a nearby tree where we watched it briefly, then fly off deeper into the woodland. Our quest had been successful and so we made our way back to the car, but not before watching a large flock of Siskins just above our heads feeding on the fruits of a Silver Birch. Both Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker were both heard during our time in the woodland, but no sightings of both birds today.
Above, Pintail on the spit in front of the Tern Hide and below, both Pintail, Shoveler and Wigeon from the same spit.
Above, an Egyptian Goose joins the wildfowl and below, a Black-headed Gull nearing full summer plumage in front of the Tern Hide.
Above, good numbers of both Shoveler and Pintail in front of the Tern Hide still remain. Below, some film footage of the above activity.
Blashford Lakes, Blashford:
Andy wanted more ‘year-ticks’ and therefore I thought Ibsley Water would be a good place for possible Sand Martin and Little Ringed Plover and so we made our way to Blashford Lakes. The Tern Hide was empty of birders, but Ibsley Water was empty of migrants! Sadly, no Sand Martins or Little Ringed Plovers were seen during our couple of hours here (though two Little Ringed Plovers were reported on Birdguides later in the evening here! Fume!).While having our lunch in the Hide, there was still a lot of wildfowl to go through with plenty of Pintail, Wigeon and Shoveler the main birds and smaller numbers of Tufted Duck, Mallard, Teal, a few Pochard and at least three Goldeneye on the water (three female birds and a drake). After lunch, we decided to view from the Viewpoint overlooking Ibsley Water and the Tern Hide and from here, we had sightings of both Red Kite and Common Buzzard drifting over the fields and trees plus a pair of Great White Egrets slowly flying south over the reserve. A lot of Dunnocks and Long-tailed Tits were flitting around the brambles around us and at least two Chiffchaffs were seen singing in the distant trees. A male Reed Bunting flew over our heads as we soon decided to call it a day here and try our luck with the Ivy North Hide for possible Bittern.
Again, the Hide was empty as we sat comfortably to view the reedbed in front of us and also the lake. Sadly, no sign whatsoever of any Bitterns (two were seen here recently), but a Grey Heron caused some brief excitement when it flew out of the reeds. A showy vocal Cetti’s Warbler was flitting about in front of the Hide within the reedbed and a Water Rail called occasionally. The lake had all its usual wildfowl present, but nothing out of the ordinary and in the distance, both Common Buzzard and Red Kite could be seen over the distant woodland. Andy had checked his mobile for any interesting bird sightings and a report went up on the Hants Birding website that a possible Siberian Stonechat had been seen again on Bratley Plain, near Bolderwood. So off we went! When we left the Hide, I checked out the Scarlet Elf Cap fungi that Andy had seen earlier and was abundant along the edge of the footpath, growing under the brambles and leaf litter. As we were just about to leave the car park at the reserve Centre, a Kingfisher flew out in front of us and then flew up the small river just before the reserve exit!
A male Wheatear at Hook-with-Warsash Nature Reserve today. Photo by Emma Parkes.
Bratley Plain, New Forest.
Geoff had mentioned earlier that rain was coming in from the west later in the afternoon and it sure looked dark on our arrival at the car park at Bratley Plain. After searching the surrounding heath for any signs of birdlife, we first found a pair of Mistle Thrushes that promptly flew off into the distance; but after 15 minutes or so, I soon found a pair of Stonechats of which one, a female bird, certainly looked very pale. Still cursing about not having my camera with me, I checked out all the relevant details of this interesting female bird, which certainly looked paler and sporting quite an orangy chest; but we concluded it must be an odd coloured female Stonechat and most certainly paired up with a male bird close by. I can certainly see why ‘Siberian Stonechat’ was mentioned though not confirmed. Though a false alarm for another potential ‘year-tick’, the rain had started to fall and so we made our way back to the car and to our respective homes. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was Geoff’s first sighting for 18 years apparently, while earlier, Mike Dilger told us it was his first sighting of this species for 25 years!! The New Forest is the largest stronghold in the UK for this species, holding around 200 pairs out of the 1000 pairs known in the UK. I was glad to see that both Emma and Matt Parkes caught up with their first Wheatears of the year at Hook-with-Warsash site today. Great photos again Emma.
