New forest Birding on Boxing Day

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Thursday 26 December

Probably best to describe the weather for my Boxing Day morning visit to Blashford Lakes in the New Forest as still, damp and cloudy.  Approaching the sight even a light mist which certainly restricted viewing when I arrived the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water at 9.40 as poor , if not difficult, nevermind think about using the camera.

Great Tit Parus major

Immediately obvious were the numerous Coot and Wigeon and looking closer through the gloom, using the scope, I was also able to pick out Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pintail, Shoveler and Gadwall.  Just the one Great Crested Grebe but a dozen Mute Swan and even as many Canada Geese at the back of the water.  very few gulls to be seen but I eventually found a handful of immature Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  At the very back of the water I was fortunate enough to pick out the standing Grey Heron.  A handful of Cormorant were resting on the perching post on the left of the small island in front of the hide and, finally, I found a male Goldeneye.  Just a shame that the murky weather prevented taking a photograph.

Male Wigeon Anas penelope

Female Wigeon Anas penelope

Moving across to the car park on the main reserve I noted a Carrion Crow and then straight to the Woodland Hide where, with already six birders in attendance, I still managed to find a seat in front of the opening window.  Already a steady stream of visiting Blue and Great Tits along with a quartet of Dunnock and a Robin feeding below the feeder.  A couple of Blackbirds flew across the front and came to feed in front of me and then the fun started.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

First a Tree-creeper was seen climbing up the tree to my left and then the visit of a small flock of Long-tailed Tits and whilst on the feeder joined by a visiting Coal Tit.  Only a few visits by the Nuthatch and it seemed to have its head permanently inside the feeder, so just a shot of its backside!

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Eventually, a pair of Goldfinches arrive and quickly followed by a handful of Siskins.  There were already visiting Chaffinches but this morning no sign of a Greenfinch.

Male Siskin Carduelis spinus (above) and Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Moving on down to the Ivy South Hide a passed a dozen Mallard on the scrape to my right and once inside the hide, with the mist now beginning to clear, many more Wigeon and Gadwall plus eighteen resting Cormorant. A Heron flew across the water and towards the back I could see more Tufted Duck along with quite a few immature Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  But just the one Black-headed Gull.

Immature Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus with
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo behind

My final walk was to the Ivy North Hide where, again, I found very many Wigeon along with some Gadwall and Cormorants.  Nearer to the hide over a score of Teal were observed.  And as I drove away from the main reserve towards Ibsley itself a dozen Jackdaws in the trees to my right.

Gadwall Anas strepera

Male Teal Anas crecca

A drive through a very busy country lane to Eyeworth and as I passed through Fritham a half-dozen Starlings on the wires and then to Eyeworth Pond to park I was able to count 45 Mallard on the water.  Even here a packed car park but, both sitting in the car and standing at the door, I was able to watch the busy feeding activity of the many small birds, plus a pair of Moorhen, that visited the food put down by visitors.  Many Blue and Great Tits but also a half-dozen Marsh Tits.  Foraging on the ground Dunnock, Robin and House Sparrows accompanied by visiting Blackbirds, Chaffinches and a Nuthatch.

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Great White Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Tree-creeper, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs (female above, male below)

Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Great Tit

Backside of a Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Male Siskin Carduelis spinus above and females below

Immature Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

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