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.
An adult Kittiwake flying close in was one of many seen today.
Storm Bert blew in this morning with strong gale force winds and heavy rain threatening a good day's birding. I, originally, was thinking of going to Blashford Lakes, near Fordingbridge, to hang around the Hides and most of all, out of the rain with both Geoff and Andy on tow, especially that a White-tailed Eagle has popped on Ibsley Water a few times this week and Bramblings have been seen in front of the Woodland Hide. But, discussing our options, we went for Gilkicker. True, the weather was not looking good and driving all that way on the accident proned M27 put me off driving to Blashford. A Leach’s Petrel would have been nice today, but during our 4.5hr seawatch at the Gilkicker Shelter, we were certainly kept on our toes with some nice sightings.
Gilkicker Shelter, Gosport:
Two juveniles and an adult Kittiwake flying along the shoreline.
It was most certainly a Kittiwake day with an amazing count of at least 85 birds seen in various sized flocks. Most were a third of the way out in the Solent battling against the strong south-easterly wind, while some of the flocks flew right along the shoreline and gave some amazing views. Juveniles easily outnumbered the adult birds, but a fine spectacle they provided during our time there. Yes, the wind was very blustery at times and I was getting colder during the last hour there, but I think I made the right decision on making our way home before the rain really set in.
Above and below, the ghostly sight of an adult winter Med Gull passing close by.
Above, up to three Brent Geese were seen with this one heading east and a pair headed west. Below, a juvenile Gannet heading east in front of the Isle of Wight Car Ferry.
Behind us, a large flock of around 150+ Starlings were swirling around or searching as one big flock in the field behind us, which kept us entertained during a lull in the seawatch. Though a few large Gulls, notably Herring and a few Great Black-backed Gulls, it was quiet on the field, though there were a few hardy Dog-walkers playing with their dogs which disturbed the birds there.
Above, more photos of the Kittiwakes passing through.
Over the rough sea, Gannets were trickling through and adult, sub-adult and juvenile birds all went through and to estimate how many, I would put it to around at least 40+ birds in all. A gorgeous adult winter plumage Mediterranean Gull flew past along the shoreline also heading east and a single female Red-breasted Merganser flew east low over the waves. Quickly seen through binoculars, I thought another close in pair of Kittiwakes went through east, but Geoff quickly got onto the birds and they both turned out to be an adult and a juvenile Little Gull! Fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ Andy Friend rang me from nearby Hill Head and said he didn't get onto the Little Gulls but had plenty of Kittiwakes going through. We also saw up to 3 Red-throated Divers, all single birds, flying east low over the sea, which is always a bonus. The first bird we saw actually landed on the sea, but subsequently got lost in the waves.
Above and below, up to 150+ Starlings were searching for food behind the shelter.
Above, Geoff struggling against the wind to get back to the shelter.
Our final notable sighting was a drake Common Scoter flying low over the sea, again heading eastbound; but as the weather deteriorated again, it was time to make our way back home. Another seawatch is planned for tomorrow and all ‘Lazee Birders’ are invited to attend here at the Gilkicker Shelter and with the storms set to continue tomorrow, who knows what may turn up. From the Milford Shelter, near the Hants/Dorset Border, a Leach’s Petrel was lingering off there, but not a great deal else of note apparently.
Highland Road Cemetery at dawn this morning while I was walking the dogs. Though not seen, Blackbird, Robin and a Wren were all heard calling in the dark.
Well, we have come to the end of the working week (nearly) and it has been a very, very cold week too. With the temperatures coming down to near freezing (even lower in the wind!), there is a rest-bite with wetter and milder weather coming in over the weekend with Storm Bert arriving. Yesterday, Southsea experienced around 2 hrs of snowfall, which is rare this far south in Hampshire. It laid on the cars for a while, but by midday it had all fizzled out, unlike other parts of the UK that had a few feet of snow! The cold weather has had a knock on effect with the bird sightings too, especially in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth. However, some of the ‘Lazee’s’ have ventured out into the cold and knocked off some excellent photos.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
A gloomy sky over Governor's Green and the Royal Garrison Church from Pembroke Road yesterday.
Sadly, the cold weather has reduced the bird sightings here with the maximum seen being around 12 species and this morning, just 9 species were seen. Even the Jays have been scarce this week with one seen on Wednesday by the roadside as I was making my way home from a first shift and one was seen this morning flitting about the Housing Estate north off Pembroke Road. A vocal Pied Wagtail was on one of the rooftops nearby as I arrived first thing this morning here, but soon flew off northbound over the rooftops. I was so cold this morning that I struggled to concentrate on any birds flying over. Hopefully, it might be better later today?
Yes, it actually snowed in Southsea briefly yesterday. This was from my garden. Below, one of the 16 Purple Sandpipers seen this week on the rocks below Southsea Castle. Photo by Rob Porter.
This Purple Sandpiper at Southsea Castle this week was photographed by James Cutting.
Out and about in Southsea, I found a flock of some 100+ Brent Geese on a field within Eastney and below, this dog Fox was being fed in the gardens of a Retirement Home.
A juvenile Ring Ouzel was a surprise find in someones garden recently for Pete Appleton. Photo by Pete Appleton.
Another week has begun and it was back to Pembroke Road in Old Portsmouth yet again. There was the threat of rain this morning with a few spots coming down when I walked the dogs earlier, but it wasn't till the afternoon that the weather front moved in and persistent, but not too heavy, rain came in and remained for the rest of the day.
Pete Appleton also recently took this superb photo of a Rock Pipit.
As soon as I arrived in Pembroke Road and got myself settled for another hour here, the morning could not have kicked off any finer when I saw a male Peregrine flying low overhead, heading towards the seafront. During my hour here, I picked up 15 species of birds and one more on my afternoon shift, a Pied Wagtail. The Jays showed well again on the opposite side of the road, with one searching the ground for acorns. A Goldcrest was heard calling in the nearby Holm Oaks, but I never got to see the bird this time.
Peregrine male
Feral Pigeon
Wood Pigeon
Magpie
Jay x2
Carrion Crow
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Starling
House Sparrow
Robin
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Goldcrest
Pied Wagtail
This Spoonbill was over at Pennington Marshes. Photo by Rob Porter.
In Hampshire today, easily the bird of the day was the Hoopoe seen in Nursling, Southampton; but it seems by only one lucky observer as the bird promptly disappeared despite much searching. A large flock of 'presumed' wild Barnacle Geese were seen flying off Farlington Marshes, then Hill Head and finally seen drifting up the Southampton water heading westbound. Five Purple Sandpipers were seen on the rocks at Southsea Castle and finally, a Long-tailed Duck was off Fishtail Lagoon, Pennington Marshes.
The female type Long-tailed Duck by Pennington Marshes. Photo by Chris Roughley.
The seed put out for the birds included this Marsh Tit at Eyeworth Pond.
I had a lovely afternoon with my family, including our granddaughter Isabelle, in the New Forest this afternoon; first taking them to Eyeworth Pond in Fritham and then on for a lovely pub lunch at the Old Beams Inn at Ibsley. The weather was much better than yesterday with a lot of sunshine and blue sky above, but still fairly cool at 10 degrees Centigrade.
Above, a Robin greeted us first by the Car Park and below, a Marsh Tit feeding on the seed with a Moorhen below!
Above, just Mallards on Eyeworth Pond and below, a few Chaffinches also searching for the seed.
Of course, I took my binoculars and camera with me and as always, there were a variety of birds here. Someone had put out a lot of bird seed on the road beam near the Pond, which attracted good numbers of passerines that included Robins, Great, Blue, Coal and Marsh Tits along with Chaffinches and even a male Pied Wagtail dropped in too to pick off any spilt seed. However, it was unusual to see Moorhens next to Marsh Tits in the same field of view!
A selection of birds feeding on the seed by Eyeworth Pond. From top to bottom: Marsh Tit, Robin, Marsh Tit, Pied Wagtail, Marsh Tit, Great Tit and Blue Tit.
From the Pond, there were a number of Mallard present, but despite a good search around the area, there were no signs of any Mandarin ducks this time. A Nuthatch flew over the Pond into the neighbouring wood and a Treecreeper was heard nearby from the Car Park. Eyeworth Wood was very quiet, though Becky and myself watched a small flock of Long-tailed Tits in the trees above as we made our way back to the car. I think Isabelle thoroughly enjoyed herself today with her father walking in the woods and to finish off with a Sunday roast in a lovely country pub rounded our trip off nicely.
And to round things off, a delicious Sunday Lunch in the Old Beams Inn.
