Pig Bush and Fishlake Meadows

Thursday 29 May 

Very windy and cloudy but just about dry as I set off for Pig Bush in the New Forest, relatively close to Lyndhurst, and out amongst the trees before 7.30 in my search for a first Common Redstart of the ear. Lots of Wrens and Robins and soon also many Blackbirds about before hearing my first Redstart.

A walk through the trees and out into the open then approaching the smaller, more tightly packed trees where I discovered Willow Warblers.  A cock Pheasant of to my right and a lone heron flew over which drew my attention to a number of Woodpigeons and a single Carrion Crow. A few hundred yards in front of me a Cuckoo was calling then a quick sighting as it moved across the heather and disappeared.

Distant  record shot of the male Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

Back into the tall, mature trees in front of the car park and, once again, the almost deafening sound of singing Wrens and Robins.  And this time not only Blackbirds but a couple of Song Thrushes.  Again, a few more redstarts before, around 8.30, I called it a day and made my way back to Romsey for a walk round the Fishlake Meadows reserve.

Setting off along the canal path at 9.15 now brighter but still very windy for the walk to the screens on the far side before returning to the car over two hours later.  Immediately Wren, Robin, Blackcap and Blackbird and as I looked up into the canopies my first Magpies, many Woodpigeon and a Carrion Crow.  Continuing on down along the canal very many Cetti's Warblers along with Chiffchaff and the first Reed Warbler and Whitethroat.  Looking across the reserve towards the water I could pick out a Cormorant, Mute Swans and a Common Tern.  (I had already noted both Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls from a hurried stop at the roadside viewing area.)

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Next up the first Sedge and Reed Warblers with a Collared Dove resting on top of the chimney of a house beyond the canal. Then on round the back to take the path to the screens with a trio of Mallard and a Little Egret on the small pond to the left.  The area in front of the right-hand screen was completely covered in tall reeds but it did not prevent the Water Rail from making itself known.  From the left-hand screen overlooking the water more Mallards but mainly Gadwall and a couple of Tufted Duck. Whilst approaching the screen I finally heard the Cuckoo then located the male atop a lone bare tree and able to obtain distant record shots.

Distant  record shot of the male Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

Back to the car with more of the same plus a second Cuckoo calling from the north of the reserve and a Dunnock foraging on the path in front of me.  At this part on the return journey, not only more Whitethroats but also Garden Warblers plus a lone Song Thrush and Redstart.  29 species here compared with only 11 in the New Forest itself albeit "Merlin" identified a further 8 species at the latter.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Water Rail, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Redstart, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch. 

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