A Birthday walk by the Harbour entrance.

Thursday 6th November 2025

A quiet hour spent at the Harbour entrance, Eastney.

I always try to keep up with tradition and go birding on my Birthday and today, I had the opportunity to take the dogs for a walk by the Harbour entrance at Eastney. The weather was occasionally bright and sunny, but there were a lot of clouds around and so it was a good opportunity to test my new camera again. But secondly, there was work to do and so it was back to Pembroke Road for my first shift of the day. Even before that, I had to check my Moth Box, which I put on for the first time this month overnight and I even managed to pick up a few moths too.

My Moth Box:

Only the one macro moth present this morning, a Double-striped Pug.

There were just 12 moths present this morning and considering I didn't have the white sheet up to attract more moths, I suppose that wasn't a bad total. Only one macro moth, a Double-striped Pug, was present, with the rest all being micro moths, though two of the Light Brown Apple Moths looked a bit ‘iffy’ and I just might get a second opinion on both of them later.

Rusty-dot Pearl were the most numerous species this morning.

The Moths present this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Double-striped Pug x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x6
	Beautiful Plume x1
	Light Brown Apple Moth x3
	Ruddy Streak x1

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

It was rather quiet this morning in Pembroke Road and if it wasn't for the Jays flying up and down the road and showing close to the roadside by Governor’s Green, it could have been very uneventful. Just 12 species were noted this morning, but of interest, a small group of three Blue Tits flying over, but another following was noticeably smaller and definitely had a stripe on the secondaries. A ‘crest’ I suspect, but without binoculars to hand, it will remain a mystery. Another bird had me scratching my head when I saw something resembling a Diver species heading fast westbound towards Portsmouth Harbour. Judging by the way it was flying (I only saw the back of it as it was flying away), I think it was a Red-throated Diver, but no way was I 100% sure to claim it. Two separate flocks of Siskin flew low over the road, all heading eastbound.

Harbour entrance, Eastney:

Up to four Sandwich Terns were flying up and down the shoreline within the Harbour entrance.

I arrived around the Harbour entrance around 9am after grabbing the dogs and taking them with me for a nice walk. It was relatively mild too and no need for a coat as we first walked to the spit by the Hayling Ferry Terminal. Several Black-headed and Herring Gulls were fluttering about by the shoreline, with someone throwing them bread and a Great Black-backed Gull loafing on the water and then I caught sight of a Shag flying through the Harbour entrance and out to sea.

Above, this Great Black-backed Gull was having a preen in the Harbour entrance. Below, this Harbour Seal popped out of the water briefly before swimming off out to sea.

Above, Turnstone's resting on one of the boats within Langstone Harbour. Below, a juvenile type Pied Wagtail by one of the main buildings.

From the Ferry Terminal, all was very quiet in the harbour, with just a few Turnstone resting on some of the boats and just Black-headed Gulls and a few Cormorants out in Lock Lake. A juvenile Pied Wagtail was on one of the buildings by the Car Park, but very little else of note. I was hoping for an Auk in the Harbour entrance, but there were no birds at all at the time bar the usual Gulls.

Above, a couple more Turnstone found this buoy a useful place to rest and below, this juvenile Shag was seen flying out of the harbour.

Above, a small group of Black-headed Gulls resting on one of the small boats with Lock Lake and below, this Robin nearly landed by my feet as it rested by the Cars.

We got back into the car and took the short drive to the big car park further south by Eastney Pier. The smell of ‘weed’ coming from a couple of youngsters in a car with its music turned up grabbed my attention at first (I cannot stand the smell of the stuff), but a group of juvenile Herring Gulls distracted me from those guys shortly afterwards and another opportunity to test the camera again. We took a walk to the Pier and came across a small group of four Sandwich Terns noisily fishing close to the shoreline. Several times they went up and down the Harbour entrance, though a lot of my photos were poor (something I have to sort out with the camera).

Above, another photo of the Harbour Seal and below, a small group of juvenile Herring Gulls in the big Car Park.

Above, a close up of one of the juvenile Herring Gulls and below, looking out into the Solent from Eastney.

Overhead, a couple of Meadow Pipits flew over as did a flocks of both Goldfinch and Greenfinch. I decided to take a walk along the perimeter fence where I then came across the largest flock of Collared Doves I have seen this year; at least 14 birds present! Up to 9 birds rested on the wires in front of me while more Greenfinches flew over my head.

Above, looking north from the Harbour entrance and below, Sea Radish was still in bloom.

Above and below, one of the four Sandwich Terns fishing.

Above and below, Collared Doves were abundant here with up to 14 birds counted.

Above, a male Greenfinch on the perimeter fence.

After spending a good hour here, we then made our way back to the car and homewards for a nice cup of coffee.

I found this Common Fern Moth perched on my back door late in the afternoon.

Black Redstarts by my house!

Wednesday 5th November 2025.

A grey overcast start to the day with heavy cloud, but very mild with temperatures around 15 degrees centigrade and a light southerly wind. It was back to Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth this morning and there were a few birds of note to add to my day list here. The Boat-tailed Grackle is still at Calshot Spit by the boatyard and will probably be still there for the rest of the week if the visiting birds are still feeding it! I have not been putting my Moth Box on of late due to the fact it is getting rather late, but I have read on the Hants Moths Facebook page that some guys are still getting a variety of moths; so I just might have a try tonight.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Governor's Green with the Royal Garrison Church in the background.

I clocked up 15 species here this morning on my first shift in Pembroke Road where the main sightings were a flock of 20 Siskins flying low east over the Holm Oaks and a single bird about 10 minutes later flying into a nearby garden. At least two Jays were flying back and forth to the Holm Oaks or further along down the road.

All the usual species were around and Governor’s Green held at least a dozen Herring Gulls searching for food on the wet grass.

On my second shift in Pembroke Road, the Jays yet again showed really well; with one bird perched on a neighbouring gate opposite where I stood, though a dog-walker flushed the bird as it flew off into the Holm Oaks. I also had an all too brief sighting of a male Sparrowhawk diving into the neighbouring garden, but I didn't see it fly out and so assume it flew off over Governor's Green or actually caught something?

This female type Black Redstart was in Gosport recently. Photo by Emma Parkes.

When I arrived home, my Window Cleaner was carrying out his business on my windows and stopping for a quick chat, I saw a small passerine land on the rooftop opposite my house. I then noticed the bird was quivering its tail. I was in no doubt that it was a female/immature type Black Redstart and then a second bird joined it. Both birds showed for all of 30 seconds and both flew off east over the houses. That was the third Black Redstart I have seen in my road this year, having seen one in early Spring.

In Hampshire today:

The very friendly Boat-tailed Grackle at Calshot Spit. Photo by Rob Porter.

In Hampshire, a Scaup was found this morning between Long and the Binness Islands within Langstone Harbour. Yesterday, the Great Grey Shrike was still present around the Wood Fidley area of the New Forest and over at Winchester College Water Meadows, at least 5 Brambling and a Jack Snipe were seen. The Boat-tailed Grackle was still at Calshot Spit and up to 5 Glossy Ibis were on the Bridge Street Floods by Titchfield Village.

Purple Sandpipers 'snapped up' with my new camera.

Tuesday 4th November 2025.

Two of the four Purple Sandpipers at Southsea Castle this morning.

I had the opportunity today to try out my new camera, the Nikon P950 Bridge Camera, down at Southsea Castle to see the returning Purple Sandpipers, though I had to admit, I was fortunate to see the birds. The weather was overcast this morning as I returned to Pembroke Road after the Autumn School break. There was a possibility of drizzly rain this morning, but that didn't happen and though there was a breezy onshore wind, it was pleasant enough to take a walk on the new promenade in front of Southsea Castle.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

There were just 11 bird species recorded this morning on my first shift here in Pembroke Road and probably the pick of a small bunch were the Jays. I counted at least 5 here this morning, chasing each other through the Holm Oaks along the roadside. I am not sure I have ever seen so many here at this site, but five, possibly six birds is quite some number here. Governor's Green held a good number of Herring Gulls with a mixture of both adults and juveniles present searching for food on the wet grass.

Behind me, there were several Garden Spiders still, hanging in their webs between the Bushes, but little else of note this morning.

The afternoon shift was fairly quiet, but a pair of Greenfinches flying over were added to my day total.

Southsea Castle, Southsea:

Southsea Castle.

Now it was time to really test my new camera and having watched a good tutorial on YouTube last night, I had all the settings saved on my camera. The tide was high within the Solent and a little choppy too; but how will the camera cope with the light? It was still overcast here at just after 9am and where were the Sandpipers? So I walked east first of all up to the big rocky spit, taking in a passing Oystercatcher that landed further up the beach with the many Gulls and also a small group of three Brent Geese heading east. Black-headed Gulls were flying around nearby with some on the water that made a good study to test the camera.

Above, looking south-west over the Solent and below, the birds can easily be missed as they huddle up on the rocks at high tide. I had to stand on the seawall to get these shots.

Above, some of my favourite photos of the Purple Sandpipers this morning.

There was no sign of the Purple Sandpipers by the time I got up to the Rocky Spit and so I turned round and walked west, past the Castle and headed westbound along the promenade. If it wasn't for the fact that a couple of birds flew up briefly and then back onto the rocks, I probably would have missed seeing them. So I had to climb and stand on the seawall and look down to find a small group of four birds together resting while the tide was high. I had the camera on fast shutter speed and managed to grab a lot of nice photos of the bird and the zoom on the camera is something else. I was well impressed. The camera roughly weighs around two pounds and though heavier than my Panasonic Bridge Camera, it was still not too heavy.

Above, one of many Black-headed Gulls offshore from the Promenade. Below, the Promenade looking west in front of the Castle.

Above, a mixture of Gulls over the shoreline near South Parade Pier and below, a 1st winter Black-headed Gull flying over a juvenile Herring Gull offshore.

Above, the 1st winter Black-headed Gull over the sea and below, the Promenade looking east to the Spit.

I was pleased to see the Purple Sandpipers and when the light is much better, I hope to get some more photos of the delightful waders during the coming Winter. Not a great deal else here to be seen, with mostly Gulls passing by, but I could not find anything of note on the sea or any lingering Black Redstarts on the Castle. 

Above, my new Nikon P950 Bridge Camera and below, last night I set it to Moon mode and took a photo of the Moon itself.

The Boat-tailed Grackle was still at Calshot Spit this morning and will no doubt attract many more birders down there to hopefully add to their year and life lists, plus a supporting cast of an albino Starling and a Red-throated Diver. I am in two minds whether I really want to go down there, but if the Great Grey Shrike (was still there this morning) hangs around at Shatterford in the New Forest; I just might.

A quiet, but pleasant walk around the Cemy.

Sunday 2nd November 2025.

This Jay showed well between the gravestones, burying acorns in the tall grass.

After last night's heavy rain that went into the early hours of this morning, the rain eventually departed to the east and bright sunshine took its place. There were a few ominous clouds around when I took the dogs for their walk this morning, but thankfully, it remained dry this morning and into the afternoon. I took the dogs back over the Cemetery this morning, before me and the family spent the afternoon at Whiteley, shopping. 

The Great Grey Shrike was seen again this morning. Photo by Emma Parkes.

However, in Hampshire, the Great Grey Shrike appeared again in the New Forest and this time it was between Shatterford and Denny Wood, where Emma and Matt Parkes briefly connected with the bird and Emma managed to grab a record shot of this gorgeous bird. Then news came in of a probable Grey-tailed Grackle being found at Calshot Spit. This North American bird, if it is truly a wild bird, was probably ship-assisted and after one was found on the Azores earlier this year, its credentials of being ‘tickable’ is still out there. It certainly attracted a lot of ‘Twitchers’ and ‘Lazee’s’ for this potential Hampshire ‘tick’.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

Wood Pigeons were abundant within the Cemy and overhead, several large flocks were moving too; most heading westbound.

It was back over the Highland Road Cemetery this morning with my dogs and I virtually had the whole place to myself bar a couple of dog-walkers. Though there was nothing to report on the Hants Birding website this morning, it was still a pleasant walk although very few birds were singing or calling. I did notch up 18 bird species during my 45 minutes here that included a pair of Jays, a calling Chiffchaff, Skylark and Meadow Pipit and most of the usual birds to find here for this time of year.

The Jay showed well as I was making my way out of the Cemy and below, the Green Alkanet plant was still in flower.

Above, one of at least 10 Magpie's seen here today. They seemed to be having a battle with several Carrion Crows and very noisy too. Below, a large clump of Honey Fungus growing in the southern end of the Cemy.

Above, there was a lot of Common Groundsel growing abundantly around the Cemy and below, Wood Pigeons catching the early morning sunshine high up in the Lime Trees.

There were few toadstools on show today, but I found a few growing by the footpath. However, the App I am using to help ID these gave conflicting views on what species they were. Hopefully, the guys on the Facebook page might help. We shall see.

The bird species seen here this morning included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Blackbird
• Meadow Pipit
• Siskin
• Skylark
• Chiffchaff
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Goldfinch
• Wren
• Starling
• Robin
• Carrion Crow
• Jay
• Magpie 

There were not many plants flowering in the Cemy, but the likes of Common Groundsel, Yarrow and Smooth Sow-thistle were abundant still and a single bloom of Green Alkanet was still growing and flowering by the Mausoleum. I couldn't find hardly any insects around the sweet smelling Ivy Plants, though the odd Bumblebee passed over me a couple of times. Most of the deciduous trees have now lost their leaves and the remaining trees holding onto their last of their leaves were shining yellows and golds in the bright sunshine. Beautiful.

The probable Boat-tailed Grackle at Calshot Spit this afternoon. Film footage by Simon Colenutt.

Another Great Grey Shrike 'dip'!

Saturday 1st November 2025.

The actual Great Grey Shrike at Pig Bush early this morning. Photo by Graeme Loader.

With a Great Grey Shrike at Pig Bush over the past few days, it was a ‘no-brainer’ to go down there today and hopefully see this superb Winter visitor to the UK. It was a very poor year in 2024 for this species in Hampshire and the UK generally, but this year is making up for that with birds seen at Woolmer, Thursley Common and now here in the New Forest. How many more are there that have not been found in the New Forest yet? However, despite our best efforts, the bird eluded us today despite being seen by several observers early this morning and we got a good soaking for our efforts too. Sadly, as some respected birder I know said, it had been similar to a ‘Benny Hill’ sketch with thoughtless ‘toggers’ chasing the bird to get their ‘money’ shot of the poor bird over the past few days. Same goes for the Red-tailed / Isabelline Shrike at Wood Mill Nature Reserve today, where a couple of idiots were chasing this bird until they were told to behave themselves and leave the bird alone.

Pig Bush, New Forest:

Geoff kindly picked me up at my house this morning and along with Andy, we all agreed that we were going to the New Forest to hopefully see the Great Grey Shrike. Fellow birder Graeme Loader had done an early morning trip there and successfully saw the bird and got excellent photos of the Shrike (NOTE: TO ALL ‘TOGGERS’ :  he didn't have to chase the bird either as it flew to a nearby bush in front of him).

Above, one of the Stonechats that kept us entertained; a female bird on the heath. Below, oh dear!

We arrived around 9.30am and made our way from the Pig Bush Car Park where there were at least 30 birders spread out all around the heath in search of the Shrike. Most waited patiently from where they stood as we got a good vantage point and waited. During our time there, we had sightings of a group of four Stonechats over the heath and at least two Dartford Warblers; one of which was definitely a female bird. Overhead, a few Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were seen and a couple of Siskins were heard flying over also. A Wren was scolding somewhere in the heather and a Blackbird flew out of a Gorse bush and quickly disappeared.

One of a few birds seen today, this Raven was one of three birds.

Some young lad, who caught several trains to be here from Hertfordshire (!), latched onto us and low and behold, he was carrying a camera that I had ordered and arrived in the post this morning; a Nikon P950 Bridge Camera. So I had the opportunity to take a good look at it and also judge its weight. It is my birthday present (next week) from Becky. of which I am so very grateful. I have had my Panasonic Lumix now for around 15 years and it has been temperamental in trying to open over the past year and so I finally 'bit the bullet' and decided to upgrade. The young lad who joined us asked me what he had photographed earlier and showed me the back of his camera of which it turned out to be a Goshawk. He was chuffed to bits. A ‘lifer’ for him! 

More birders staking out for the Shrike in the sunshine and below,  heavy showers over Pig Push. 

It was sunshine and showers throughout the morning, but later in the afternoon, when we tried our luck over by Shatterford Car Park, the rain settled in for the rest of the afternoon and so completely drenched,  we made our way back home. The Shrike was reported on Birdguides that it was seen near the Bridge over the Shatterford side of the railway line around 1.30pm, but we didn't even see any birds while we were there! Back over at the Pig Bush area, we also saw three Ravens together over the woodland in the distance until they all split up and one flew over our heads. A Common Buzzard flew over and quickly disappeared over the woodland and a Kestrel was seen several times hunting over the nearby heath.

And now for some complete nonsense!

Another fellow birder briefly joined us, James Cutting, who was with his son and told us that he found a dead juvenile Merlin on the footpath. As Geoff said, juveniles are very susceptible to weather if they cannot hunt and mortality is high in young birds if they cannot hunt successfully. James said that there seemed to be no foul play with the bird, but a sad sight nonetheless. After a quick chat, he went off to Henfield to see the Isabelline / Red-tailed Shrike instead.

Above, there were a few Toadstools on show on the heath that included the large Brown Birch Bolete (above) and The Prince (below).

Though a bird sightings were few and far between and with no Great Grey Shrike on show, I was keeping my eye out on the fungi that was growing on the heath and around where the few trees there were on the heath and found the likes of Brown Birch Bolete, Brown Rim-roll and one species called The Prince; a species that looked very similar to a Field Mushroom. I, for one, will not eat any toadstools or mushrooms unless they come out of Tesco’s! Along the footpath, Geoff found a Devils Coachman Beetle and a Red Admiral flew over the heath at speed; all when the sun was actually out!

Above, Geoff found this Devils Coachman beetle on the footpath and below, one of the five Black Redstarts which had caught a Painted Lady butterfly over in Gosport. Photo by Emma Parkes.

OK, that's the second Great Grey Shrike we have ‘dipped’ over the past month, but we will try again if the bird lingers. But as Andy said, despite the Shrike ‘no-show’, the three of us still had a good day and what an absolute pleasure in not having to drive too. As mentioned earlier, James connected with the Isabelline / Red-tailed Shirke at Wood Mill and our other friends, Matt and Emma Parkes, went for the Black Redstarts in Gosport and successfully encountered up to FIVE female/immature birds there!

The Isabelle / Red-tailed Shrike at Wood Mill. Film footage by James Cutting.