New Forest Birding

Juvenile Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

Sunday 14 January

Collected friend Richard Osman at 9 o'clock and we headed over to the New Forest for a day's good birding in dry, cold weather but no frost.  Broken cloud and the Sun trying to break through and by early afternoon almost clear blue skies and lovely sunshine as the day grew warmer but, at the same time, suggesting it might be a heavy frost come nightfall.  Our first port of call was the delightful Blashford Lakes where we met up with fifteen fellow members of the Hampshire Ornithological Society (HOS) for a four-hour guided tour led by the ever cheerful and knowledgeable Ian Packer.  But having arrived with fifteen minutes to spare chance to take a quick look over Ibsley Water from the meeting place outside the Tern Hide. Scores of Shoveler and lots of Mallard and Tufted Duck but also noted a Goldeneye, Mallard, many Coots and Pintails as well as a few  Pochard.

Tufted Ducks Aythya fuligula

Time for the off as we headed across the road and on down to the Ivy South Hide noting Kestrel, Jackdaw and Carrion Crow as we departed.  Stopping at the tall Alders near the entrance to the Woodland Hide we recorded a number of Siskin in the trees along with both Goldfinch and a Nuthatch. Blue Tits were also well represented along with both Robin and Blackbird, a lone Dunnock and a few Chaffinches. Once at the hide a wealth of birdlife on the water in front including many Wigeon, Shoveler, Mallard and Gadwall.  A lone Great Crested Grebe was seen as were a half-dozen resting Cormorants.  More Pochard and also a number of Teal and a few Pintail but very few Black-headed Gulls. 

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Next it was back to the Woodland Hide to enjoy the close proximity of a range of small birds as they came to the feeders.  Very many Blue Tits and Chaffinches plus a few Siskin, Goldfinch and Great Tits.  Lovely to see both Nuthatch and Long-tailed Tit at close quarters along with a couple of Robin, a quartet of Dunlin and both Blackbird and Song Thrush.  However, perhaps the greatest pleasure was seeing the two Goldcrest foraging in front of us.

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Moving on through the wood to the Ivy North Hide we soon found more of the same, in terms of ducks, along with a Moorhen, Coots and a passing Herring Gull.  It was as we moved on to take the path through the woods and across the road for the path to the Goosander Hide that we had  our biggest surprise of the morning.  One of the members had gone on ahead and come across a juvenile Sparrowhawk resting on the grass below a slight rise.  Time for all of us to quietly approach and get excellent views, including use of telescopes, to take in the sighting before the raptor eventually moved off and we continued our walk, and noticing the nearby Jay.

Juvenile Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

Not just Woodpigeons in the woods but we also stopped to admire the soaring Buzzard above us. having crossed the road the small pond just inside held a pair of Mallards and then we settled in at the Goosander Hide to both study the birds and have our picnic lunch.  Very close to us a number of both Tufted Duck and Pintail but also a close, feeding male Goldeneye. Two Herons could be seen as well as many Coot.  On the main water very many ducks represented by all those previously mentioned plus forty Greylag Geese in the distance along with a patrolling Fox on the very far bank.   Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming behind us and a Peregrine Falcon, seen by many, flew high overhead.  Meanwhile, on the far side we were all able to watch the quartering Marsh Harrier.

Male Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

As we made our way back to the road and then on to the original car park, the little pool near the exit now held, in addition to the pair of Mallard, a pair of Goosander.  Having arrived first back at the Tern Hide I was able to set up the scope and by the time the remainder of the party arrived I had located a very distant Black-necked Grebe which everybody was able to also find and enjoy. Just the one Lesser Black-back Gull noted but another Great Crested Grebe and Goldeneye.

Male Godeneye Bucephala clangula

Come 2pm Richard and I made our farewell to the rest of the group so that we could drive on round to the Linbrook East water in search of the recently visiting Ring-necked Gull.  Unfortunately, we were unable to locate the bird it, apparently, having fled the coop and back to whence it had come from. However, in addition to the pair of Mute Swans, Moorhens, Woodpigeons and a few Blackbirds, Robins and Blue Tits there were other ducks on the water.  Almost a score of Tufted Duck plus a few Wigeon, Mallard and Gadwall.  Not so much the single Great Crested Grebe but the lone Egyptian Goose off to the right revealed when taking a closer look at the photograph of the area whilst searching for the Ring-necked Duck!

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca with Tufted Ducks 

Tome to move on whilst still plenty of bright sunshine and clear blue skies as we headed off inland to Fritham, noticing the handful of House Sparrows feeding in the garden opposite our parked car. There were also a few Starlings on the filed opposite the left-turn back to Blashford Lakes.  Arriving at Eyeworth Pond we immediately recorded a Pied Wagtail along with the score plus of Mallards on the water.  Once the dog walkers had moved on the small birds returned to the feeding area and we soon recorded a Coal Tit along with Marsh, Blue and Great Tits.  

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

A good supply of both Chaffinches and Robins and then the visit from both Nuthatch and Dunnock.  Just a single Heron resting in the long grass at the back to our right.  A couple of Moorhen paddled across and after much searching we finally found three Mandarin Ducks resting in their usual tree-covered island, albeit well concealed on this occasion.

One male and two female Mandarin Ducks Aix galericulata

Time to head up the road for a little liquid refreshment before heading home having had a good day's bird and in excellent company.

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mandarin Duck, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Male Godeneye Bucephala clangula

Juvenile Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

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