New Forest Birding

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Wednesday 6 November

Another overcast, dull day as I set off for the new forest but the heavy, congested traffic on the M27 towards Southampton meant that I decided to miss out on Normandy Lagoon and drive straight to Pennigton Marshes to the south of Lymington on the Solent coast.  Arriving at ten o'clock I immediately recorded many Carrion Crows and a few Herring Gulls long with a large flock of Canada Geese accompanied by many Lapwing. parking the car at the end of Lower Pennington Lane I walked on down to the fresh water lake but only found a few Coot and a Great Crested Grebe.  Back to the car, noting the Blackbird that crossed the track, to collect the scope then a clockwise circuit of the local area.

The first pool on the left held a pair of Greylag Geese and the next a pair of Teal and a handful of Mallard. On the opposite side of the path, the main Pennington Lagoon held a number of Shoveler along with a few Mallard, Teal and Pintails.  A Heron was close by observing the activity along with a Little Egret to its left as a Marsh Harrier drifted over the back of the water.

Pintail Anas acuta

Up on to the sea wall and a short diversion as I walked away to the left and on a small spit in front found a score of Brent Geese along with a handful of Oystercatchers and a lone Curlew.  A single Redshank was feeding on the shore line and on the wall below me ten foraging Turnstone.  On the lagoon on the landward side of the sea wall another Little Egret and a single Greenshank. A Kingfisher dashed across the lagoon as I mad my way back to the main lagoon.

Distant record shot of Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Once at the water far more Tufted Ducks along with both Gadwall and Pintail whilst a Cormorant made its way eastwards above the Solent. Moving on along to Butts Lagoon another heron and more Mallards and Coots.  meanwhile, on the opposite of the creek's opening, a large roost of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a number of Wigeon.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

I was surprised to see so few birds on the Fishtail Lagoon and not a single Shelduck nor Avocet.  However, many Wigeon and Teal plus many Shoveler and a few Mallard.  More Little Egrets and another, single, Greylag Goose.  Amongst the resting Lesser-Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls were noted.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Making my way back to the car I was accompanied by a calling Cetti's Warbler and then eight Goldfinches feeding on the thistles in front of me.  Apart from a couple of Blackbirds, a Dunnock also put in a very brief appearance as it crossed the path in front of me and the last species recorded before setting off was a Woodpigeon.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Next came the longish drive over to Blashford Lakes where I arrive at the car park in front of the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water at nearly half past twelve. Lots of Coots on the water along with very many Wigeon and more birds nearer the hide than usual.  Towards the back the very many Shoveler and in between a mix of Mallard, Gadwall and mainly Tufted Ducks.  To the right a resting Heron and about a dozen Mute Swans spread out along the back of the water.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Using the scope I soon found the lone Great White Egret just beyond the island in front of the hide and off to the left a large resting flock of mainly Lesser Black-backed but also a few Black-headed Gulls.  Also present, as expected, a number of Great Crested Grebes and the few Egyptian Geese recorded were all on the water rather the islands. And, eventually, I found the long-staying female Red-crested Pochard but no sign of the female Maccoa Duck that had also appeared at about the same time.

Female Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina

So over to the main reserve an straight to the Woodland Hide having recorded Nuthatch and both Blue and Great Tits on the way. Once inside all three were seen again along with a Coal Tit, Chaffinches, Goldfinches and Greenfinches.  Feeding on the ground both Dunnock and Blackbird with Robins also in attendance.

A charming group of Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Just about to move on from the main reserve having found nothing different at either Ivy South or Ivy North Hides save for a couple of Great Crested Grebes and over twenty Cormorant at the former, I manage to record a Carrion Crow, Chiffchaff and a couple of Woodpigeon.  Then leaving the immediate area to drive back to the main road to Fordingbridge, a Wren on a wall at the side of the road and, passing through the Forest near Fritham, a small flock of Starling.

Coal Tit Parus ater

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great  back-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Female Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis with Coal Tit Parus ater

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