New Forest Birding

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Thursday 16 January 

Passing through Burseldon on the country lane leading to Dodwell Lane and the M27 motorway, a Jay perched on a tree on the right-hand side of the road.  Then it was onwards on to the New Forest for an early afternoon visit to Blashford Lakes followed by Fritham and Eyeworth Pond on the way back to Warsash.  The early morning sunshine had gone giving a calm and cloudy afternoon, but not too cold and no rain.

Mainly Lapwing Vanellus vanellus with both Pintail Anas accuta and Wigeon Anas penelope

Arriving at the main Blashford reserve I started by visiting the Woodland Hide where I found Long-tailed, Coal, Blue and Great Tits along with Nuthatch, Robin and Blackbird.  Chaffinches and Dunnocks were foraging on the ground and then the arrival of a number of Siskin plus both Greenfinch and Chaffinch.  As I was about to depart a Great Spotted Woodpecker made a very brief visit to the feeder at the back.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Next a walk down to Ivy South Hide noting the few mallards on the scrape and once inside the hide a view of very many Wigeon along with a good number of Tufted Duck plus a few Shoveler and a pair of Gadwall. Over a score of resting Cormorant and  about a dozen Black-headed and a brace of Herring Gulls.  Just the one Great Crested Grebe at the back as a Kestrel flew past. 

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Making my way to the Ivy North Hide through the trees I stopped to check the large nest box and was able to confirm that the present resident Tawny Owl was enjoying its afternoon siesta.  As expected, this hide produced the many Teal on site along with more Shoveler, Wigeon and Cormorant.  A pair of Mute Swans and a Moorhen were working the left-hand channel.

Wigeon Anas penelope (male above, female below)

Moving over the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water was immediately confronted by many Coot and no shortage either of Wigeon.  Careful scoping soon produced Shoveler and Tufted Duck along with a few resting Pintail on the larger spit off to the right.  Also present on this green protrusion a good number of Lapwing, resting Pintails and Wigeon plus a quartet of Egyptian Geese.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

At the back of the water a good number of Canada Geese before finding the eight Greylag Geese much nearer to the hide.  Off to the left a single Little Egret up against the back which led to me finding the second, closer, male Goldeneye.  This individual then made it way across the water passing right in front of the hide and giving a good view.  Less than a dozen Mute Swans present and only one Great Crested Grebe seen but there were very many Lesser Black-backed and Great Black-backed Gulls.  Just a handful of Black-headed Gulls.  On the other hand, no shortage of Cormorants.  Perhaps the biggest surprise came when I saw the male Goosander drift into view near the above-mentioned spit but too distant for a half-decent photo record.

Male Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

As I made my departure from the car park a Blackbird presented itself and at the end of the road in Ibsley village a Jackdaw, Magpie, Pied Wagtail and a Mistle Thrush on the school playing field.

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Poor light upon arriving at Eyewater Pond having recorded Blackbird and Pied Wagtail as I passed through Fritham.  Just the eight Mallards seen but plenty of activity near the parking area where mainly Blue and Great Tits were taking advantage of the scattered seed.  Also enjoying the free meal a single Marsh Tit along with Robin, Dunnock and House Sparrow.   Small number of Chaffinches were also present and as I made my way up the hill from the pond I encountered both Woodpigeon and Collared Dove.

Great Tit Parus major (above) with Blue Tit P. caeruleus

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin.

Robin Erathicus rubecula

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

Female Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

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.