New Forest Birding

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

Wednesday 28 August

Arriving at Blashford Lakes in the New Forest slightly north of Ringwood just after 9 on a warm, sunny start to the day I went straight to the path along the northern shore of Rockford Lake in the hope of finding the recent Red-crested Pochard.  But it was not to be albeit I did see a number of Tufted Duck, Coot and a Great Crested Grebe.  As I was making my way there from the parked car I also recorded Robin, Jackdaw and Blackbird and on the return short walk added both Nuthatch and Woodpigeon. Then on to the Goosander Hide over looking Ibsley Water to join three other birders/photographers and during my stay encountered a Jay flying over the water and then a score or more Gadwall plus many Coot.  A Heron was resting to the right before overflying to the edge on the left and below me a couple of Sand Martins visiting the artificial colony.  Just outside the bay a Cormorant was resting on the "perching stick" and immediately to its right a sight of the long-staying Ruddy Shelduck (more often seen from the Tern Hide).

Distant record shot of Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

Moving round to the Tern Hide at the official car park I was immediately greeted by the scores of Coot all over the water.  Both the Cormorant and Ruddy Shelduck could still be seen in the same area and then a check to my immediate left produced a number of Tufted Duck whereas spread amongst the Coot were very many Great Crested Grebes.  To my right the small island was full of Egyptian Geese and then, on the extreme right shingle bank, a foraging Green Sandpiper. A total of 29 Mute Swans were counted and around the banks and islands at the far end numerous Egyptian Geese.  Indeed, the larger of the far islands also held a number of Cormorant and a score of Lapwing.  On the grassy bank to the far left a foraging Magpie led me to see the pair of Buzzards, presumably feeding on worms.  My next task was to scour the groups of Coot in the mid-distance to find the recently-arrived Black-necked Grebe in which I was successful.  But distance and the constant diving of the grebe prevented any chance of a reasonable photograph.

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

Moving over to the main reserve I started at the Woodland Hide but no feeders resulted in no birds to be seen.  All the feeders had been removed, presumably to encourage the birds to get used to finding their own food. Moving on the the Ivy South Hide I noted the Moorhen on the Silt Pond on the right but once inside very little to be seen.  The Cormorants in the nest atop a high tree to the left had still not fledges and apart from a Great Crested Grebe just  couple of juvenile Black-headed Gulls.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus with fish

Passing through the trees to access the Ivy North Hide all was quiet and the hide produced a handful of Mallard and a few more Coot. So, once again, back to the original sight overlooking Rockford Lake but still no sighting of the Red-crested Pochard.  I did, however, manage to add a Wren to the morning's sightings. Then off to Eyeworth noting the pair of Collared Doves as I departed.

Tufted Ducks Aythya fuligula

No sooner had I left the lakes to take the country route than a Stonechat crossed the road just after the ford to my left and ere long a party of feeding Linnets.  Half-way along the route a Meadow Pipit at the side of the road and then, approaching Fritham, a pair of Carrion Crows followed by a handful of Starlings.

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

As I approached Eyeworth Pond a pair of Barn Swallows above and a Magpie on the grass and then, once parked facing the water, a dozen Mallards happily accepting the food offered by visitors. Here, plenty of birds feeding on the provided seeds on fence post and gate.  First up a pair of Nuthatch and the constant arrival of a Marsh Tit.  Both Blue and Great Tits along with a Robin and a handful of House Sparrows.  Eventually a small number of Chaffinches arrived plus a Blackbird.  Taking time to check the back of the water I found a pair of Mandarin Duck in eclipse plumage and a Moorhen near the reedbed to the right.  having now recoded 40 species during the morning I mad my way home with a Woodpigeon watching my departure.

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata in eclipse plumage

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Mandarin Duck, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Wren, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

Blue Tits Parus caeruleus

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

 For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.