New Forest Birding

Friday 09 May

Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus and Common Terns Sterna hirundo on Tern Island.

Away early and arrived Normandy Lagoon on the Solent coast south of Lymington and overlooking the Isle of Wight by 8.30 on  bright, sunny start to the day but a cold breeze keeping the early morning temperature down in single figures, and especially noticed once on the sea wall. A Dunnock on the path as I approached the sea wall and although not the winter numbers the sight of a few newly hatched chicks along with the adult Avocets confirmed that the breeding season was well under way. In addition to the many Avocets, it would also appear that the local Shelducks, Black-headed Gulls, Lapwing, Oystercatchers, Redshanks and both Common and Little Terns were all also well occupied in either brooding or preparing to nest.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

I had hoped to see/confirm that the arrival of one of last year's breeding Roseate Terns had also arrived buy, sadly, no sign during the two hours I was present albeit the one bird seen later in the day.  It looks like another visit later in the month when, hopefully, its partner will also have returned.  That said, Common Terns could be counted by the many core and at least two pairs of Little Tern.

Little Tern Sterna albifrons

Also present on the water a handful of Little Egrets, probably the same number of Mallard and a few more Tufted Duck.  Only a few Canada Geese present and just the single Mute Swan.  As for waders, a couple of Ringed Plover before finding the resting group of about forty Dunlin albeit a handful foraging at the water's edge. But, best of all, a Curlew Sandpiper was feeding at the edge of the nearest sandy island as I looked across to the tern's breeding island. A single Turnstone put in a brief appearance and as walking around the lagoon I came across both a male Stonechat and two pairs of Linnets, both carrying nesting material.  In addition, a couple of Pied Wagtails were wandering around "Tern Island."

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

A Barn Swallow flew overhead and I was in time to see the single Mediterranean Gull land on the island to join many Black-headed and a couple of Herring Gulls as well as the Common Tern colony.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus

Making my way back to the car I stopped to check the Solent's edge beyond the grassy islands and found not only resting gulls but a couple of both Cormorants and Eider Ducks.  The yacht club pool held a handful of Canada Geese but nothing else but I did pick up Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon Chiffchaff, Wren, Chaffinch, Robin, Blackbird and magpie before my eventual departure.

Heading north through the New Forest I arrived at Blashford Lakes and found almost no birds at all.  Certainly, in the woodland and Ivy Lake just a couple of Cormorants at the latter and a few small birds in the trees; namely Chiffchaff, Robin, Wren, lots of singing Blackcaps, Woodpigeon and a Song Thrush.

But I had started at the Tern Hide where I was greeted by most of the local Jackdaws busy foraging around the shores.  On the water mainly Black-headed Gulls and Tufted Duck but also a good number of Great Crested Grebes.  A pair of Greylag Geese were making their way across the water from the the small island in front of the hide and that led to me seeing the pair of Egyptian Geese.  A number of Lapwing at the right-hand edge and a little further away I found a Common Sandpiper and a couple of Oystercatchers.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula

Very few Mallards to be seen and at the far side a couple of Cormorants.  Both Dunnock and Blackbird were seen in the vegetation to the left of the hide and further away I found a couple Herring Gulls.  Also lovely to see the pair of Common Terns and a nearby Black-headed Gull.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Taking a walk to the nearby raised viewing point a Carrion Crow flew across and once on site found both Garden Warbler and Reed Bunting.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Eider Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Little Tern, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Acocets Recurvirostra avosetta with youngster above

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Redshank Tringa totanus

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Roosting Dunlin Calidris alpina

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

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