Yet another still, quiet day that was first overcast and then late in the afternoon, it became sunny with a gorgeous sunset to round off another day. My moth box attracted a lot of moths for this time of year (because it is so mild), which included an Angle Shades, 6 Double-striped Pug, 8 Light Brown Apple Moths, 4 Common Plume and a solitary Blastobasis lacticollela. While checking the moth box, a Redwing was heard to fly over in the dark.
The micro moth Blastobasis lacticolella.
On my travels today, Portsdown Hill provided two raptor species. At least two Kestrels were seen at different times of the day and a Red Kite was sailing low over the road near the Burger Van, heading south towards Cosham. As I was making my way to Bedhampton across the same Hill, I noticed a Curlew flying south, having probably been feeding in the nearby fields. Over at The Oaks Crematorium, I had a job to do at 4pm and during a half hour period, I watched a Song Thrush flying high overhead with two Blackbirds into the neighbouring woodland. A small flock of three Long-tailed Tits were flying from tree to tree behind the main chapel and in the woodland nearby, I could hear a Great Spotted Woodpecker calling as was a Firecrest and Marsh Tit.
The Oak Bush Cricket at Portchester Crematorium this morning.
Back at the Portchester Crematorium earlier today, a check for moths around the back of the Crem revealed one Double-striped Pug, several Common Plume and just the one Beautiful Plume. I did find, however, a smart Oak Bush Cricket perched on the door frame at the South Chapel exit.
The trees within the Crematorium are starting to take colour now that late Autumn has arrived.
In Hampshire today, Hayling Island still hosted the 7 Snow Buntings at Gunner Point and a Red-necked Grebe was found on the sea from Shearwater Court. The Great Grey Shrike was still present again at Backley Common. Up to 10 Purple Sandpipers are now at Southsea Castle.
The Speckled Bush Cricket I found at The Oaks Crematorium today.
Though mostly overcast the last few days, it has been exceptionally mild with midday temperatures around 15 degrees, though the gloom and doom merchants from the Met Office have us to believe a nasty cold snap is imminent! We shall see. I have been putting my moth box out again overnight and this morning's catch revealed a few moths: 2 Double-striped Pugs, 4 Light Brown Apple Moths and just the one Common Plume. It is back on tonight, so I just might catch something more unusual I hope.
Yesterday, while driving about during my work time, I had a few notable sightings including a pair of female Sparrowhawks flying together over the M275 heading east towards Tipner Lake. The usual two Common Buzzards were perched on the lamp posts on the same stretch of road and a Kestrel was seen briefly flying over the top of Portsdown Hill. While working over The Oaks Crematorium, a small flock of 4 Mistle Thrushes flew out of the woodland beside the car park and then headed off north and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling loudly in the neighbouring woodland and seen all too briefly.
One of two Double-striped Pug moths seen by my moth box today.
Today, I was working over The Oaks Crematorium again and at least two very high flying Song Thrushes were seen heading north, which were probably migrant birds. A flock of 8 Goldfinch were seen flying over the car park and in both woodlands beside the car park, there was a Nuthatch in each wood calling loudly. Though there were no moths around the Book of Remembrance building, I did find a very late Speckled Bush Cricket perched on the main glass door of the Crematorium.
Though Andy did not have his moth box on at Cowplain Marsh last Saturday, this White-shouldered House Moth was perched on the wall inside his kitchen!
The only other notable sighting today was of a Grey Wagtail flying over the road and buildings in the village of Denmead. There are now up to 7 Snow Buntings at Gunner Point, Hayling Island; the largest total for this species in Hampshire for many a year. A Black Redstart has been seen in Buckland, Portsmouth this week and a Slavonian Grebe was on the calm waters of the Solent seen from Hill Head. I had a report from a friend of mine that a Short-eared Owl was seen at dusk at Milton Lakes earlier this week. Might be worth a visit one evening.
A Common Snipe in front of the Spurgin Hide this morning.
It is the last of my day’s off and my, that has gone quick! Being just two species away from the magic 200 species for the year was too close for comfort and with a few species that could possibly be ‘ticked’ off today and the weather looking good, it was a ‘no brainer’ for me to grab my target with both hands! A quick check on Birdguides revealed that the two female Velvet Scoters were still in Chichester Harbour, viewed from the end of Ellanor Lane in West Wittering. But was the Jack Snipe still from the Spurgen Hide on Titchfield Haven?
The Turnstone by the small harbour at Hill Head are always showy birds.
The only answer to that question was to take a drive down to the reserve and check for myself. Yes, reluctantly, I paid the two quid parking fee at Hill Head and paid the additional £6 entrance fee in the main building before I parked the car by the reserve entrance and made my way slowly to the Spurgin Hide. There was not a breath of wind here and one could pick out both Chiffchaffs and Cetti’s Warbler scurrying about in the reedbeds, calling in doing so.
Sanderling on the beach off Hill Head.
The female Pied Wagtailon the beach at Hill Head.
A large flock of Long-tailed Tits flew out of the bushes along the footpath, with a few Great and Blue Tits among them, but nothing more unusual like a Firecrest. As I neared the Spurgin Hide, I could see someone already in there and hopefully, that person might be on the Jack Snipe. I said Hello but got no response from the three birders already there. I put that down to either bloody ignorance or they were all deaf! Anyway, they looked all intent on studying something in the nearby reeds and sure enough, there was the Jack Snipe. Or so I thought!
This evening, I put some photos of the bird on the Facebook Hampshire Birds and it didn't take long for some people to question the identity of the bird. In fact, it had me questioning myself on the identity and then checking myself on YouTube some of the videos of the bird feeding, I had then had to accept, the bird I was looking at and indeed the others in the Hide at the time, was a Common Snipe! Call it what you like, but my credibility seemed to fly out the window, but hey, the best of us all make mistakes and in a way, one learns from them. I have to admit, I did think the bill was quite long and the flanks did not seem dark enough on this bird, but when I saw the bird 'bobbing' while it was feeding, then that swayed me entirely over to Jack Snipe. However, Common Snipe do this as well, though I don't think I have ever seen one do that in my defence.
A Common Snipe doing a damn good impression of a Jack Snipe.
Video footage of the 'bobbing' Common Snipe this morning in front of the Spurgin Hide.
Other birds noted here included a male Stonechat perched on a reed stem and a very brief view of a running Water Rail running between the reeds. Both Gadwall and Teal swam on the water and both Little Egret and Grey Heron were seen in front of the Hide. Happy in the knowledge that I had grabbed my 199th species for the year, I made my way out of the Hide and back to the car.
One of the Great Crested Grebes offshore this morning at Hill Head.
Making my way back to the car along the footpath, a couple of moths grabbed my attention and even though I followed them through my binoculars, hoping they might land, they both disappeared into thin air, or so it seemed! Bugger! Another flock of Long-tailed Tits flew out of the bushes and a Cetti’s Warbler showed very well along the footpath too. Even a Common Snipe got in on the act as it flew low overhead and then flew back to probable the South Scrape.
A mixed flock of waders over the Solent this morning.
The Brent Geese off Hill Head before the tide moved them on westwards.
When I reached the car, I checked the very calm Solent for anything of note. The large flock of Brent Geese seen earlier had dispersed to the west and a large mixed flock of Sanderling, Ringed Plover and Dunlin were circling low over the water. A lone Great Crested Grebe was fishing on the sea, a Rock Pipit flew overhead and a female Pied Wagtail was searching for food on the beach, but nothing else on the Solent. My next stop was the long drive to this Ellanore Drive over on West Wittering.
One of the two female Velvet Scoters in Chichester Harbour.
When I reached the end of Ellanore Drive, it was high tide within Chichester Harbour and in front of me on the small islands, a good gathering of waders was present including Oystercatchers, Dunlin and a few Turnstone. I quickly swept the harbour for the Scoter and my first attempt only picked up three Great Crested Grebes. The water was dead calm and so my chances were good in seeing the birds if they were there and on my second attempt, the two female Velvet Scoters showed very well having been fishing and now sailed quietly on the flat calm water. Their distinctive head pattern easily tells it apart from the Common Scoter.
Oystercatchers and other waders gathering on the small islands from the end of Ellanor Drive. The Velvet Scoters were close to the yellow buoy you can see in the background.
Having seen the Velvet Scoters, I was wanting to go and view the 3 Glossy Ibis in the nearby fields off Redland Lane, but according to Birdguides, they had gone east and probably over to Medmerry RSPB Reserve. However, when I got back home, they did return to the same field. Never mind, that was a very good morning’s birding. And now I have to wait a little longer to claim my 200th species and with news of the returning Ferruginous Duck back on Kingfisher Lake at Blashford, maybe I can celebrate then? Today, there are now FIVE Snow Buntings on the beach near Sinah, Hayling Island although the Warsash bird was not seen this morning.
A cold start to the morning as I went outside into the garden to check my moth box. It was much milder last night, which resulted in a plethora of Light Brown Apple Moths and a cracking probable November Moth. I did a check on the moth box last night and found 2 Light Brown Apple Moth, a Common Plume and a Double-striped Pug and this morning, the numbers had greatly increased.
One of the more strikingly marked Light Brown Apple Moths.
Up to 16 Light Brown Apple Moths, of various guises, were counted along with 4 Common Plume moths this morning. There was also a small micro moth, Monopsis crocicapitella (though I cannot rule out M. obviella yet) one one of the egg trays. The probable November Moth is always a problem to ID. This species can so easily be confused with two other Epirrita species at this time of year: Pale November Moth and Autumnal Moth and the only way to tell them apart accurately, is by dissection of the genitalia (again, no thanks!); finally, two Double-striped Moths were resting on the fence panel near the box; so all in all, quite a good morning regarding the moths.
A probable Monopsis crocicapitella micro moth.
While checking the moth box last night, I heard a couple of Redwings flying high over and this morning, the Grey Wagtail was heard calling again nearby and another bird calling repeatedly somewhere south of my garden, was reminiscent of a Black Redstart! Now, that would be a very nice garden ‘tick’!
This female Sparrowhawk showed well as it soared overhead over the Cemetery this morning.
Scruff got another walk and this time, Highland Road Cemetery beckoned. It was bright and sunny and to be honest, for this time of year, quite mild. My walk at my ‘local patch’ produced a good total of 17 species this morning, with ten species seen within 10 minutes of walking from north to south. OK, they were all common species, but as I have written before, in ten or twenty years time, will these species still be on our doorstep?
The only butterfly seen in the Cemetery this morning, the Red Admiral.
Among the good variety both heard and seen, the female Sparrowhawk ‘grabbed the biscuit’ or so to speak. I don't often get reasonable flight shots with my Bridge Camera, but this one I have put on my blog is not too bad. The bird drifted in from the south and circled the Cemy until heading off north. The Jays put on a great show today with some nice close photos obtained as they perched on various gravestones. I would estimate that there must have been at least 6 birds involved today, numbers obviously swollen by the birds from the Continent seeking a warmer climate.
The Jays showed very well today and if I was to be honest, a typical daily sighting at present.
I kept an eye out for a Black Redstart lurking about the gravestones, but there was no sign of any today. A few have been seen in Portsmouth, notably one female type near the Dockyard, though I guess a lot more could be nearby. As mentioned, all the common birds were noted today, but it's time the winter thrushes came in and maybe a Firecrest or two?
The Common Banded Hoverfly were abundant today.
Tapered Drone Fly.
The sunny weather brought out the insects still with the Ivy attracting the delicate Common Banded Hoverfly Syrphus ribesii,the chunky Tapered Drone Fly Eristalis pertinax and also the Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus. Common Wasps also took a great liking to the flowering Ivy while over on the other side of the Cemetery, the northern end, I found good numbers of Harlequin Ladybirds of various colours sunning themselves on the large leaves. Just the one butterfly seen today within the Cemy, a Red Admiral sunning itself on a gravestone.
Another photo of the handsome Jay.
When Scruff and I got home, the Ivy in my garden held another Red Admiral as well as the above Hoverflies already mentioned. Always entertaining, these can keep you spellbound for quite some time as they go about their business. Hence why I refuse to get rid of the Ivy growing on my fence. A lot of gardeners start pruning their gardens to a bare minimum at this time of year, but I am more than happy to let the leaves fall when nature dictates.
And another!
In Hampshire today, the 4 Snow Buntings entertained the crowd on the beach near Sinah on Hayling Island and the bird at Warsash remained faithful as well. The Great Grey Shrike at Backley Bottom was still present in its usual haunt. A showy Jack Snipe also entertained the public by the Spurgin Hide on Titchfield Haven, a species I hope to see this year. Medmerry had a good day with a ringtail Hen-Harrier, 3 Glossy Ibis (which eventually settled in a field at West Wittering), Spoonbill and a Merlin. I have always said that this area is too underrated and needs more birders to cover the area properly.
A Winter's day, in a deep and dark November..........
The Great Grey Shrike remained distant at all times hence the record shot photos of the bird.
It was into the New Forest today in search of the Great Grey Shrike at Backley Bottom, which was not too far from Picket Post along the A31. So nearly missing the turn off for parking in the lay-by the A31, we then climbed over the fence, walked under the underpass and eventually got our bearings correct to join several other birders in search of this elusive Shrike.
A female Stonechat on the heath.
Andy standing inside a Toadstool fairy ring! Enough said!
The New Forest is a hot spot for this species, with possibly 3 to 4 birds settled here each winter, but because their hunting range covers a huge area, we were in no doubt it wasn't going to be easy to locate the bird. The weather was a little indifferent with a bit of blue sky and sunshine trying to break through a lot of heavy cloud and the blustery westerly breeze certainly made the trip a tad cold at times. If we never had a good hike across the heath, it could have really been a cold trip.
A Redwing in the trees near the small bridge.
The Raven passing overhead while we were all watching the Shrike.
After a few false alarms, we found the area where the Shrike had been seen last this morning, roughly a mile or so south from where we parked the car and thankfully, someone to our left some distance away was waving at us, for he had refound the Great Grey Shrike. We soon caught up with him and I got the briefest of views (approximately 5 seconds worth!) of the bird distantly perched around 300 yards away on a dead tree bough on the edge of the woodland, then it flew off into the wood, with poor Andy getting no view whatsoever!
Another couple of distant photos of the Great Grey Shrike.
We patiently waited for around half an hour and then the bird reappeared and showed very well, albeit distantly, for the small crowd gathered with us. Yes, it was distant, but I had my scope with me and we got reasonable views of the bird perched high up in a tall dead bough of an old Silver Birch. There it remained till we left around 15 minutes later (it started to get quite cold standing there in that wind!), thoroughly happy with an early Birthday present from the birding Gods! Yes, I always go birding on my birthday where possible. We never got to see a Great Grey Shrike last year and though distant, this bird surely made up for that.
Another photo of the Redwing by the bridge. Plenty more flew overhead this morning.
The female Stonechat on the heath.
There was a good supporting cast here today also at Backley Bottom, which included at least three Stonechats on the heath (2 females and a male bird). Overhead, we had large flocks of Fieldfares and Redwing going over as well as a flock of 20+ Crossbills heading north as did a flock of around 30+ Siskin. While waiting for the Shrike to reappear, a Raven passed overhead heading south and a Water Rail was heard to call near the small bridge! I didn’t expect that! A few Dartford Warblers were heard somewhere on the heath, but no sightings of any this morning.
Turkeytail Fungus growing on this old log.
I am not sure what species of Toadstool this is, but I shall endeavour to find out later.
The Great Grey Shrike was my 198th species for the year and to grab the 200th species is now a very distinct possibility; even maybe in November. Andy, sadly is lagging behind with 179 species for the year and has gone off to Thorney Island for the afternoon to hopefully grab a few more ‘year-ticks’! Worth keeping an eye out for Short-eared Owls there.
The stunning view from Old Winchester Hill. This is one of the views from the footpath leading to the Fort.
It was a beautiful crisp day with near unbroken sunshine and virtually no wind whatsoever. It must have been very cold last night with my moth box only attracting just a Light Brown Apple Moth. Boo! I suppose with it being so cold, I was probably lucky to get that. This morning, I got on with a lot of household chores before I headed off out; less to do over the weekend.
A Wild Marjoram plant which attracted a Tapered Drone Hovefly on the hill.
Wild Basil growing abundantly on the hill.
Checking the usual websites and even Birdguides, I noticed there were now TWO Snow Buntings at East Head! So where had the other one been hiding? The bird at on the beach near Warsash was still performing well to the admiring crowds and the Great Grey Shrike (tomorrow’s target?) was still present at Backley Bottom, New Forest. Even the female Velvet Scoters were seen in Chichester Harbour again!
One of many Common Buzzards soaring overhead today.
I decided to take Scruff for a good walk around Old Winchester Hill and arriving just after midday, we had a good 3 hour walk around one of my favourite places in Hampshire. There wasn't a cloud in the sky when I arrived and so photographing birds in the bright sunshine should be pretty good. I noticed the warden (or someone pretending to be for he looked so young!) was sitting in his Land Rover having lunch by the round Info building near the main entrance.
Above and below, I found this Roesel's Bush Cricket on the footpath.
Passing him, I took in the superb view looking west over the countryside and the Fort to the south west. Buzzards were calling down below in the valley and one individual sailed high overhead; one of many this morning. Walking along the perimeter fence, I noticed several flowers still in bloom along the footpath including Wild Basil and Wild Marjoram, of which attracted a few insects (see photo). Also Yarrow and a few Hawkbeards were also springing out of the withering/seeding remains of the summer's plants. I also found on the footpath, with my ‘bionic’ eyesight, a superb little Roesel’s Bush Cricket, of which I picked up carefully and took a few photos of it in my hand.
Looking east into the valley below from the Fort area.
And now looking north from the entrance of the Fort. A large bank of cloud on the horizon was making its way towards us and after an hour, it had arrived but patchy with lots more sunshine. Bliss.
Carrying on, a Marsh Tit was heard calling near the roadside and was seen briefly flying between bushes and trees; though I got a much better view of it on the way back to the car on my return journey. On the subject of insects again, a Red Admiral was fluttering high up above me and didn’t seem to be going anywhere until it eventually flew off. A Nuthatch flew from the roadside trees and landed in vegetation by the footpath and out of view before calling loudly deep within the bushes.
My poor photo of passing Fieldfare's going overhead heading north over the Hill.
Walking along the footpath to the Fort, over the fields there was a large flock of Skylarks fluttering about in one big flock. I counted at least 40 birds among these, but I expect there were many more including the ones flying overhead, including one singing bird! The stubble fields to the south also attracted a lot of Corvids and Wood Pigeons and eventually, all took flight, but what put them up never revealed itself. On reaching the Fort entrance, I picked out a male Stonechat perched on the wires by where they grow the Hops opposite the Fort. Two more birds were seen, both females this time and posed nicely in the sunshine. A few Linnets came in to rest and then flew off again as did a small flock of Goldfinch. Best of all were my first Fieldfare's of the season. I heard their distinctive call at first as they passed overhead, with at least 30 birds in the flock. Sadly, my photos of them were rather poor and so Scruff and I carried on and rounded the Fort, carefully keeping Scruff on his lead close to me so as to not frighten the many Sheep here.
Above photos, top is a female Stonechat and then two photos of the male Stonechat near the Fort.
I could of simply sat here for at least an hour in this gorgeous sunshine looking over the distant fields, but I knew that time was against me and so i made my way around the Fort, flushing a couple of Meadow Pipits as I passed and enjoying a superb distant Red Kite flapping lazily high over the countryside heading north. A lone male Goldcrest was exploring the small bushes along the footpath until flying off south down the hill.
I could not resist taking a photo of the Wild Clematis vitalba (or affectionately known as Old Grandfathers Beard), which was growing abundantly along the hedgerows and out in the Hop Field opposite the Fort.
The resident Sheep keeping a wary eye on both Scruff and myself as we walked by along the Fort.
The Green Woodpecker that showed well in the woodland below the Fort.
Looking down into the woodland below, a Green Woodpecker was seen flying into the trees and perching nicely for me to take a photo or two. It eventually flew off low north over the fields to the north. A swirling flock of Jackdaws took flight as a Common Buzzard sailed overhead, quickly escorting the raptor on. My first Yellowhammer of the day, a nice male bird, flew past overhead and headed off south as I made my way back to the car. Another Red Kite sailed overhead in the clear blue sky as I neared the car park and this time, I was quite pleased with my photo of the bird.
One of the Red Kites flying over the fields below the Fort.
This individual was sailing overhead near the car park before I left.
What a beauty.
Well, that was a nice three hours of birding and a nice variety of both plants and with a few insects to look at too, a splendid afternoon. What does my day hold in store tomorrow?
