New Forest Birding

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Wednesday 20 November

A rather late departure for the New Forest as I had a 9.so hearing appointment and road works near Lymington meant that Richard Osman and I did not arrive at Normandy Lagoon on the Solent coast opposite the Isle of Wight until 11.40. On the the hand, a perfect day for birding (and the only one this week) with a dazzlingly bright sun and hardly a hint of cloud in the clear blue sky.  But it was cold with a starting temperature of zero, as in OC, albeit quickly warming up to a maximum of about 8C.

Blackbird, Dunnock and a couple of Mute Swans on 8 Acre Pond as we approached Normandy Lagoon then a couple of Redshank working the water's edge on the sea wall.  A Magpie flew over the neighbouring garden and back on the lake a handful of Little Grebe and the first Little Egret of the day. A Buzzard circled over the trees as we continued along with a passing Carrion Crow overhead.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (left and lower)

Arriving at the main water we stopped to check the inland area and quickly noted the large number of both Lapwing and Wigeon on the islands. To the back  resting flock of Canada Geese then the search for what might be different.  And just beyond the Canada Geese we found our only Turnstone at this site.  A pair of Spoonbills feeding almost in font of us drew our attention and two more were noted.  Lots of Teal in the nearest water and at the back of this pool a lone Curlew and a Greenshank.as  a pair of Pintails drifted away.

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia (right) with mainly Lapwing Vanellus vanellus and Teal Anas crecca

Further away to the right a large number of resting Cormorants and the occasional Black-headed Gull flying over. This area also provided the small number of Tufted Duck and then a couple of resting Herring Gulls.  Just the two Shelduck noted but once at the first corner chance to stop and admire the large, probably well in excess of 300, Dunlins. Checking out the nearby island we found a couple of Ringed Plover and then, at last, the first sighting of Spotted Redshanks with three feeding close to one of the Spoonbills.  No sooner the first seen and we had a fourth and even nearer to us.

Spoonbill with 3 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

From the long sea wall we were able to look back at the massed flocks of Dunlin and then also a Little Grebe and the next two target birds with both a male Goosander and a Red-breasted Merganser fishing close together between us and Tern Island. 

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator

Time to make our way back to the car for part two of day's birding with a male Stonechat happy to pose for us not more than three metres distant.

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Arriving at Lower Pennington Lane to park the car at 1.15 pm we immediately noted the many Canada Geese and in front of them a large scattering of Lapwing and about 350 resting Golden Plover. A few Woodpigeon were feeding on the nearby grass and then the first of a number of small flocks of Brent Geese arrived to feed towards the back of the meadow.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

Deciding to take an anti-clockwise circuit of the immediate area we stopped to check the water to our right and the northern end of Fishtail Lagoon produced more Canada Geese and a good number of teal.  A Linnet quickly followed by a Pied Wagtail flew over us and then we were able to check out the rest of the damp area before concentrating on the water.  mainly Shoveler near us along with a distant Heron and a single Cormorant.  nearby a small group of Herring Gulls and a handful of Redshank.  A little to the right a pair of Oystercatchers and then, in the bushes next to us, the arrival of both a Chaffinch and a Great Tit.

Common Redshank Tringa totanus

We enjoyed a short lunch break sitting on  bench overlooking Butts Lagoon to the south where we noted a pair of Mute Swans and a half-dozen Mallard. Moving on down to the steps up to the sea wall another Carrion Crow overhead and once on the top a lone Dunnock in the nearby bushes to our left. A Marsh Harrier flew over the Old Tip behind us towards Fishtail Lagoon but checking the water we were unable to  find the reported visiting Long-tailed Duck.  (It seemed to have moved on but was recorded as returning around 2.30 pm.) Butts Lagoon then produced a pair of Gadwall.  Once on the sea wall at Butts Lagoon we noted the group of 18 Turnstones foraging on the sea side of the wall and further along an even larger group were resting at the end of the pier. 

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Once past the lagoon and overlooking the next lagoon we recorded many more Shoveler along with a few Mallard and Pintail. At the back of the water a few Coot and then near the far end a small island and whilst checking the Shovelers and Pintails we also found a quartet of feeding Snipe.

Snipe Gallinago  gallinago (top right)

Mote Wigeon and Teal to the eastern side of the path along with a quartet of Little Egrets as we made our way back to the car along with a distant Heron. A quartet of Starlings flew over and with many Woodpigeon noted on the fields to our right and we were soon seeing the massed Lapwings and distant Canada Geese along with a good number of Brent Geese.  A Robin pose in a tree watching our progress.  However, the Golden Plover had moved on to pastures new.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Now well after 2.30 as we set off through the New Forest for a short stop at Blashford Lakes on our way home. Approaching our destination we passed small flock of feeding Rooks to our right and then arrived outside the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water at 3.20pm. For our thirty minute stay we had the hide mainly to ourselves and quickly noted the many Coot and Wigeon as, by now, the light started to rapidly disappear.  A number of Mute Swans at the back along with a single Heron and many Tufted Duck nearer to us.  Lots of Cormorants and an island full of Lesser Black-backed plus a handful of Great Black-backed and a smaller number of Black-headed Gulls.

Record shot of the female Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina (right) in the fading light

Much nearer to us we found a pair of Goldeneye then both Mallard and Gadwall.  The scope enabled us to find the long-staying female Red Crested Pochard but not the Maccoa Duck.  Just the one Great Crested Grebe seen but we did have both single Egyptian and Greylag Geese towards the back left of the water. Then surprise, surprise as Black-necked Grebe was found towards the Cormorant's favourite perch in front of us and no sooner seen than both a Goosander and a Red-breasted Merganser also passed by giving us a good view albeit the light was rapidly fading.

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator

Just time to take the car across to the main reserve car park and a quick walk down to the Woodland Hide where in the disappearing light we managed to catch the late feeders.  Mainly Blue but also Great Tits along with both a Goldfinch and a few Chaffinches. On the ground both Dunnock and Blackbird but the bonus was seeing the disappearing Jay at the back as we arrived in the hide itself.  And so ended a perfect birding day in great company and a finally tally of 58 species.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Snipe, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Curlew Numenius aquata (above) with Magpie Pica pica and Lapwing Vanelus vanelus

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

A few of the hundreds of Dunlin Calidris alpina

Male Pintail Anas acuta

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator

Ringed Plover Pluvialis hiaticula

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia (right) with mainly Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Spoonbill with 3 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

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