This cracking photo of a Firecrest was taken by Pete Appleton.
This morning started bright, sunny and cold and the day finished with it being overcast, windy and threatening rain. Yet another big storm is on its way, Storm Darragh, which is set to hit the south-west of the country overnight and even the Government is actually taking this seriously! Both Blashford Lakes and Titchfield Haven will be shut over the weekend due to the storm. The only birding I did today was while working in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, but at least there was plenty to look at today.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
I managed to get up to 17 species here today that included a calling Firecrest. I usually hear or see one here most years and if I can recall, I think I have recorded at least four here this year. Up to two Cormorants were seen today, one in the morning and one in the afternoon and a pair of Brent Geese circled over Governor’s Green, but did not settle as they flew off back east. Finally, a pair of Jays were in the Sycamore trees again, searching for something to eat. It looks as though all the acorns in the Holm Oak have now gone and the Jays are searching much lower down in the ground vegetation.
The list of birds seen or heard today included the following:
Brent Goose x2
Cormorant x2
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Jay x2
Blue Tit
Wren
Robin
Blackbird
House Sparrow
Greenfinch
Firecrest
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Herring Gull
Black-headed Gull
Pied Wagtail
This Green Woodpecker was photographed in Southampton Cemetery by Rob Porter.
In Hampshire today, a female Velvet Scoter was off Hill Head, while two Red-necked Grebes were still around; one off Weston, Southampton and the second off Black Point, Hayling Island. Nationally, a Grey-headed Lapwing was at East Chevington, Northumberland. This bird should be wintering in south-east Asia but somehow, it has managed to fly across Europe to be here in the UK.
There was another stunning sunrise this morning as I made my way along the Southsea seafront and even though it was overcast, the stunning redness of the sun rising over the horizon was amazing over the flat calm sea. It was back to Pembroke Road this morning and although a tad chilly, there were a few birds of note this morning.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Brent Geese and a lone Herring Gull on the football fields at Eastney. Apparently, juvenile birds have been scarce this winter, but I found at least 10 among these birds.
A count of 12 species today at Pembroke Road that included a pair of Goldcrests flitting about the Holm Oak trees and then flying off north over the houses. The Jay was again showing well several times in the Sycamore trees near where I stood and they were occasionally calling throughout the afternoon. A good number of Herring Gulls were on Governor’s Green today, making the most of the grass being cut by the Council and finally, a Cormorant was seen flying southbound to either Curtain Moat or the Solent.
Later during the morning, I found three separate flocks of Brent Geese on my travels that included one flock on the football pitches at Eastney. I checked this one thoroughly with my binoculars in case there was a Red-breasted Goose hiding among them, for there were at least 500+ here grazing on the short grass. The second flock was in front of the old Royal Marine buildings near the seafront and a small number were on the Mini Golf-course where around a dozen were present.
More Brent Geese on the green in front of the old Royal Marine Barracks, Eastney.
In Hampshire today, up to three female type Black Redstarts were present around the Southsea Castle area and two Red-necked Grebes were also in Hampshire; one in Langstone Harbour and the second off Weston. Two female Scaup were also in Langstone Harbour which were seen from Milton Lakes.
I had most of the morning off today and so took the dogs for a much longer walk around Highland Road Cemetery. Another dry dawn this morning after the overnight rain produced a spectacular sunrise again and it was fairly mild too with temperatures around 10 degrees with a light westerly wind. A reasonably good total of 17 species of birds were recorded today that included both Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker and also the female Sparrowhawk showed well today.
Above, three of the four Brent Geese flying north over Southsea from the Cemy and below, the male Sparrowhawk giving me the 'evil eye'!
I was watching a flock of Long-tailed Tits flitting about the vegetation, waiting patiently for a decent opportunity to take a few photos of them when suddenly their alarm call went off and I caught something flying past me and land up in a tree. It was the male Sparrowhawk. In fact, after the bird flew off, it was seen again twice more during our walk.
Above, the Green Woodpecker showed well and below, one of the dozen or so Long-tailed Tits by the footpath.
The Green Woodpecker showed well too, this time half way up a small tree as I filmed it preening itself. The Great Spotted Woodpecker, however, was not as cooperative and was heard only somewhere over on the west side of the Cemy. The Long-tailed Tit flock, which contained at least a dozen birds, also had among them a pair of Goldcrests and a Blue Tit, though both species were difficult to see. Earlier, a small flock of 4 Brent Geese flew northbound high over the Cemy when we entered the site, probably having come off the greens by the sea front.
Above, a Long-tailed Tit and below, the Green Woodpecker.
As always, my ‘local patch’ always produces something good to look at, even in Winter, where to be honest, anything can turn up; but it is always nice to see the common birds go about their business here.
The Green Woodpecker preening this morning in the Cemetery.
The birds seen or heard in the Cemetery this morning included the following:
Herring Gull
Brent Goose
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Collared Dove
Blue Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Goldcrest
Blackbird
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Green Woodpecker
Sparrowhawk (male)
Carrion Crow
Jay
Magpie
Robin
Wren
I just love the way the sun reflects on the early morning clouds.
These roosting Dunlin and Ringed Plover were 'digiscoped' on Black Point. Can you find the Grey Plover among them?
This morning, there was a choice in going down to the soggy Farlington Marshes or the much more amiable Black Point in search for a Red-necked Grebe to add to our year list. Yesterday, a Red-necked Grebe was still present late afternoon and so I took the gamble in driving both Andy Fisher and Geoff Farwell down to Sandy Point and walking the couple of hundred yards north to view from the Hayling Island Sailing Club on Black Point. Unfortunately for us, the murky overcast conditions lingered well into midday, but as we left the island, the clouds had parted to reveal a blue sky and sunny conditions. However, it was very mild today and at least it was dry.
The Moth Box:
My first Feathered Thorn moth of the year.
I have not had my Moth Box on over the past couple of weeks as the weather has been either freezing cold or raining. Ok, we have had a few good days and I shall put it on over the coming weeks; but for now, Andy had his Moth Box overnight and up to four moths were present. Two of the moths were new for the year that included a Feathered Thorn and a Winter Moth. A probable November Moth was also present near the Moth Trap and a micro of which Obsidentify believed to be a 100% Azalea Leaf Miner! Still, to get any moths this time of year is a challenge, especially in my Southsea Moth Box; so I was more than pleased with Andy's haul.
Above, a probable November Moth and below, a Winter Moth. The latter was also my first of the year.
Chichester Harbour & Sandy Point, Hayling Island:
Sanderling by the shoreline in front of the Dunlin and Ringed Plovers at Black Point wader roost.
The walk to Black Point was pleasant enough and one could see it was high tide on arrival to the harbour entrance from Seafarer Walk. The footpath held a calling Goldcrest, but little else of note as we strolled merrily onto our quest. By the main road leading to the Sailing Club, a pair of Great Crested Grebes swam and fished in the calm water within the adjacent creek and then Andy saw a Kingfisher perched distantly on a railing by the edge of the creek. I later managed to get a few photos and even some film footage of this delightful bird, though it always remained distant. A Harbour Seal popped its head up briefly in the harbour entrance.
Above, Oystercatchers resting on the island at Black Point and below, the Kingfisher by the creek.
On reaching Black Point, we kept our distance due to the large wader roost present on the soft sand. Another birder was present along with his well behaved dog, who told us he was a fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ by the name of Andy Scarborough. Here, we encountered at least around 800+ Dunlin and 150+ Ringed Plover; with smaller numbers of Sanderling (100+), Grey Plover (30+) and Knot (10+) and provided spectacular views of them swirling around over the sandy point only to settle down again. A scan over Chichester Harbour to the north, I picked up at least 4 Sandwich Terns fishing or resting on distant buoys. A few Great Crested Grebes were swimming in the harbour, but it wasn't till we carefully climbed the sandbank, slowly so as to not disturb the waders and search the other side of the harbour.
Above, Andy walking down the footpath leading to the harbour entrance and below, a Kingfisher seen distantly in the creek, which was well found by Andy.
Above, one of the Great Crested Grebes in the Creek and below, waders gather in the roost at Black Point.
From here, I scanned the harbour thoroughly, though with a large number of sailing craft on the water, it was going to be a challenge. But the challenge paid off when I found the Red-necked Grebe fishing distantly north-east in the harbour. Quickly getting the guys onto the bird (Andy Scarborough now joined us), I was in no doubt it was the bird we were looking for, but at first, it proved to be very difficult to locate while it was fishing. Eventually, the bird caught a fish as we watched it devour it and then went about preening and giving good views to nail the ID once and for all.
Above, one of the Great Crested Grebes in the Creek and below, Sanderlings along the shoreline at Black Point.
Above and below, waders at Black Point.
Behind the bird, a Great Northern Diver was seen briefly, but we got good views of the bird later on from the RNLI Station and concluded it was a juvenile bird, judging on how pale the bird was. A further four more Great Northern Divers were seen in the harbour on the ebbing tide later in the afternoon. Happy with our sightings, we slowly made our way back to the RNLI station briefly for a coffee and then back to the car. On our way back, a surprise sighting of a pair of calling Ring-necked Parakeets were seen as they circled high overhead and then flew off north-east. Local birder Andy Johnson had a flock of 7 birds here recently and more seen earlier in the year. Could they be breeding on the island? To round off our day here, we heard a Water Rail calling on the reserve adjacent to where I parked.
Above, the sound of calling waders is something to enjoy while being by their roost and below, Andy doing his best Sanderling impression!
Above, a pair of Ring-necked Parakeets flew over our heads at Sandy Point.
I had to get back to my wife early today and so I dropped the guys off at their respective homes and made my way back to sunny Southsea. Both Geoff and Andy met up again later in the afternoon at Farlington Marshes in hope of seeing a Short-eared Owl, but they had no luck there. Instead, Geoff recorded the following sightings there: 20 Avocets, 29 Grey Lag Geese, Stonechat, 2 Common Buzzards and a Marsh Harrier. Sadly, the whole reedbed now looks doomed due to the incompetence of the Sluice Gates from earlier this year; though on a positive side, the work is starting soon to mend the Gates. Finally!
Above, the waders at Black Point and below, the Kingfisher by the adjacent Creek.
Another beautiful dawn over Southsea this morning.
Another gorgeous start to the day and not too cold either. I kicked off my day by taking my dogs for their early morning walk and the sun was yet to rise in the east, the light coming over Highland Road Cemetery was stunning to say the least. The silhouette of a Grey Heron flying east and being hassled by Gulls was seen while walking the dogs.
Above, the beautiful sunrise this morning over Southsea and below, two Spiders, Lace Weaver (left) and the oddly named Missing Sector Orb-weaver.
Fifteen species were recorded at Pembroke Road today that included a pair of Jays in the Sycamore trees and a lone Brent Goose flying northbound. However, it was a pair of Spiders that caught my attention today, when a Lace Weaver (the larger of the two spiders) and a Missing Sector Orb-weaver looked as though they were going to have a tussle; but they both eventually went their own way. They were on the house by the main road as I watched them for around 5 minutes.
Two colourful ducks that frequent Hampshire in the Winter. Above, a drake Red-breasted Merganser and below, a drake Goosander. Both photos by Rob Porter.
In Hampshire today, a Red-necked Grebe was off Farlington Marshes this morning, seen in Russell’s Lake within Langstone Harbour while another bird was seen off Black Point, Hayling Island, again along with 3 Great Northern Divers and 18 Avocet seen. A Black-necked Grebe and a Great Northern Diver were seen in Portsmouth Harbour this afternoon.
One of the Purple Sandpipers at Southsea Castle. Photo by Ollie Crabbe.
While walking the dogs at 7am this morning, I couldn't resist taking a photo of the dawn over Highland Road Cemetery.
Personally, it has been an extremely difficult week of which birding and the like has taken second choice. Currently, I have a poisoned finger, which typing my blog up proved very difficult; but I felt with all the sightings this week locally in Hampshire, I thought it was time to update the blog. The weather has been all over the place this week and even this morning, it was an icy start to the day after all the rain we have had. The flooding in the UK has been horrendous, but we have had it not as bad here down in Southsea.
The Red-necked Grebe off Hill Head. Photo by Christine Whiffen.
One species I have not seen for a few years now is the Red-necked Grebe and there have been three birds seen locally including one off Weston, Southampton and another off Hill Head. Then another was found off Black Point, Hayling Island! The question is, will any be still around by the weekend? So, while everyone was looking for one of these birds, Jason Crook found a flock of five Whooper Swans on the mudflats in Langstone Harbour but eventually flew off westbound at 3.46pm.
Above, the herd of Whooper Swans in Langstone Harbour this afternoon. Photo by Jason Crook. Below, one of the birds heading west. Photo by Ollie Crabbe.
It has been rather quiet here at Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth; though I think the weather has a lot to do with that. I managed to get up to 13 species seen or heard this morning with the Jay being the most notable bird again.
A 'Blast from the past'. This Spotted Sandpiper was at Lower Brook, Romsey, 15 years ago this very week.
Though it was very tempting to go back down to Gilkicker again this morning as Storm Bert is not quite done yet, I had too many chores to do with my wife and so I walked the dogs around Highland Road Cemetery early this morning. It was overcast but dry as we did our usual circuit around the Cemy, but I was getting updates by the ‘Lazee’s’ on what was going past Gilkicker and nearby watchpoints.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
Above, a showy Wood Pigeon close to the main footpath and below, these two Magpies were part of a group of six birds together exploring the thick grass.
Gulls were flying overhead constantly including this Herring Gull.
Though it was very windy within the Cemetery (of which I kept an eye out for falling branches!), there were a few notable sightings as we slowly walked around. A Jay flew in and landed close by on a Gravestone, but flew off before I could get a photo of it. Three species of Gull flew over that included Herring, Black-headed and a single Great Black-backed Gull. It wouldn't have surprised me if a Kittiwake went over with so many flying through the Solent. Geoff saw one yesterday flying inland at Gilkicker! There were no Woodpeckers seen or heard this morning, despite most of the taller trees now void of leaves, but a Pied Wagtail flew over and both a Redwing and a Greenfinch were heard only.
Above, over in the north-east corner, this small Sycamore glowed brightly with its yellow leaves underneath the huge Oak tree. Below, sadly, human pollution is not only in rivers and nearly everywhere you look, but even in the actual trees! Isn't it time these balloons were banned from being released outdoors?
The only insects seen was a single Buff-tailed Bumblebee flying low over the tall grass. Yet again, though there weren't too many birds on show this morning, I still enjoyed looking at the picturesque sight of all the colours of the leaves that were either in the trees or on the ground.
This Great Black-backed Gull along with a Herring Gull was heading south over the rooftops.
Many Kittiwakes were passing Gilkicker again this morning along with a Velvet Scoter. Also three adult Little Gulls there and a first winter off Hill Head. A Little Auk was off the Milford Shelter this morning, a species I have not seen for many years now. I am sure there are more good birds to follow today.
It actually got even better for those sea-watching today. A Leach's Petrel was seen along with 220+ Kittiwake, 7 Little Gulls and 2 Great Northern Divers from Gilkicker Shelter; but not only did the Milford Shelter have a Little Auk this morning, but both a Sooty and a Cory's Shearwater entertained the crowd there.
One of the seven Little Gulls seen today from the Gilkicker shelter. Photo by Andy Friend.
