Tidgrove Warren Farm, Overton

Red Kite Milvus milvus

Saturday 7 June

Collecting Richard Osman just after 8 we drove to the north of Hampshire to visit Tidgrove Farm just outside the large village of Overton and a little west of Basingstoke.  Here we found forty cars waiting for us in a field next to the farm centre and joined about sixty birders under the leadership of HOS President, Keith Betton for a walk round the former farm which over the past thirty years has been converted from an arable farm into a marvellous 70 acre natural habitat for wildlife and flora.  The present owner, the farm having been in the same family for a hundred years, Raleigh Place welcomed we members from a number of local birding societies (and introduced us to what and how the land had been adapted) before we split up into five groups to walk the and in a range of directions in search of the, at least three (or was it five?) breeding pairs of Stone Curlews plus breeding Lapwing, Red Kite, Barn Owl, Corn Bunting and many others.  Indeed, the farm, probably, holds the highest number of breeding Stone Curlew in Hampshire and is now, possibly, the most important site in the country for this iconic bird.

Once former arable farming and now converted for natural wildlife including Stone Curlew habitats

During the introductory talk alongside one of the three newly-constructed lakes on the land, both Buzzard and a couple of Red Kites were noted above us and as we set off to climb the fist hill on this chalk downland a hovering Kestrel and a couple of Goldfinches.  From half-way up we were able to look back to the field used for car parking and see how the land had been prepared to encourage breeding Stone Curlew.  Ere long we had all had our first sighting of the birds by using the many scopes, including mine, that had been brought to the site. And to the right of the area we were scoping I even found a single Red-legged Partridge.

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus

Having split into our groups we made our way along the created tracks on the grassland and were able to appreciate the magnificent work that had been done to create this wonderful wildlife habitat.  Always a Woodpigeon or two to be seen but now we were hearing and seeing many Yellowhammers plus the singing and very occasional sighting of a Willow Warbler.  A Lapwing took to the air having been roused by a passing Red Kite and then the first of many Blackbirds plus a Robin. Having seen a flying Stone Curlew pass from left to right as we approached the path down to another, smaller, lake a Raven was seen flying in the opposite direction.  Chaffinches noted on this downward path and then on the horizon in from a tall tree holding a further four Ravens.  At the shallow lake a Mallard flew over and we recorded both Garden Warbler and Skylark.

Distant Ravens Corvus corax

So on to the site of the former hunting lodge built for King Henry II where we met up with the other small groups. In the middle of the archaeological site a Brown Hare which then entertained me as it seemed to run round the centre piece as if taking part ion a 400m race!  Also at this point where we all spent much time, owner Raleigh Plaice gave us a brief history of what had been discovered here with work undertaken by Southampton University.  But, also, still chance to find another pair of Stone Curlew and have more than  handful of Red Kites and a couple of Buzzards above us.  All became clear as we started on our homeward walk when we found the tractor ploughing a field and so providing plentiful food for the scavengers.  In addition to the raptors we also saw a couple of Carrion Crows.  

Brown Hare Lepus europaeus

Approaching the main house and lake we started, a Moorhen made a hasty departure form our side of the water and Greenfinches noted near the building and a number of House Martins above. After final farewells to friends we made our way back to the car to set off for home and hardly back on the main road before a pair of Linnets crossed in front of us and a Moorhen wandered along the grassy edge. reaching Overton we came across the field full of Jackdaws opposite the church where I has seen an individual on the outward journey.  A fabulous morning in great birding company and an absolute privilege to visit Tidgrove Farm and see the fabulous Stone Curlews at relatively close quarters.  And the wet weather stayed away until we reach home with Richard getting and early shower as he opened the door whereas I had to wait a couple of hours before the thunderstorm and heavy rains appeared!

Remains of King Henry VII's hunting lodge

NOTE:

A separate article will follow re the history of Tidgrove Farm and its historical importance

Birds seen:

Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Stone Curlew, Lapwing, Woodpigeon, House Martin, Skylark, Robin, Blackbird, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer.

Distant record shots of the Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus

Red Kite Milvus milvus

Brown Hare Lepus europaeus

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