Blashford Lakes and Eyeworth Pond, New Forest

 Wednesday 2 August

A mixture of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls along with Egyptian Geese and Mute Swans

It should have been a casual walk along either the Solent shore or up the Hamble River but with high tide within two hours and rain promised sooner than later, I opted to take friend Richard Osman over to Blashford Lakes where, at least, if necessary we would the advantage of the hide for our observations. It proved to be a wise decision as the light rain had started before we even reached our destination. Not quite as bad as last Sunday but distinctly short on light, especially as most of the bid life was, once again, at the back of Ibsley Water as seen from the Tern Hide.

Immediately very manty Coots to be seen and scores of Barn Swallows feeding low over the water and accompanied by a handful of House Martins.  The Mute Swans stood out due to their colour and a count of over a score was recoded.  A good number of resting Cormorants and eventually a quartet of Tufted Duck were noted.  Whilst checking this area with the scope we discovered that most of the Great Crested Grebes, another count of a score plus, were gathered together on the far right of the water.

Female Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Before taking a closer look at the two larger islands at the back with their numerous gulls, I had noted a handful of Egyptian Geese so decided to make a specific count start on the banks to my left and following the edges and islands all the way round rather surprised to find as many as 113 individuals including very many juveniles.  A lone Common Sandpiper was seen on the island with the majority of gulls.  Also present on the edges a pair of Greylag and the nine Canada Geese were gathered together on a bank just beyond the water's edge to our left.

Whilst checking the gravel shore at the very back of the water I succeeded in finding the visiting Ruddy Shelduck and this time in full view showing its distinctive white head. Also present nearby a couple of Coot and a foraging Magpie.

What should have been a record shot of the visiting Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea!

Looking to the nearby bank to the right of the hide we came across a lone Heron and then a pair of Woodpigeon.  But time to make a move and with the rain now quite heavy we decided to head over to Eyeworth Pond in Fritham rather than walk through the trees to the Woodland Hide which, no doubt, would have produced very many tits and finches.  And as we made our departure we managed to add a handful of both Jackdaws and Rooks.

Still a light rain when we reached Eyeworth Pond so we simply turned the car round to face the water and enjoyed watching the feeding birds immediately in front of us which were, presumably, feeding on seed left by a previous visitor.  very many Chaffinches but also a couple of Goldfinch before trying to count the any Blue and Great Tits, mainly juveniles.  Just the one Robin and Blackbird but also a half-dozen House Sparrows.  Then, joy of joy, the arrival of a Marsh Tit to light up the gloomy weather. At the other side of the water atop a dead tree Richard also found a pair of resting Woodpigeons. Finally, mainly youngsters amongst the dozen Mallards in view.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Coot, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Robin, Blackbird, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Chaffinch, Goldfinch.

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