Eyeworth and Blashord Lakes

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Friday 27 January

A little on the overcast side as, with friend Richard Osman, we set off for the New Forest.  No rain, very still and signs that the sun would break through once we had started birding.  With Richard new to our birding world I hope for a range of ducks with target bird for Eyeworth being the "flashy" Mandarin Duck and the hope that we would find Goldeneye along with Brambling and Siskin at Blashford. Well, I suppose 1 out of three is better than none out of three!

The big surprise at Eyeworth was nevermind no Mandarin, there was not even one of the usual score or more Mallard on site as a result of the water still being frozen solid; now that was certainly not expected, the temperature having risen in these past two or three days. However, with distant Carrion Crows and Woodpigeons resting in the tops of the bae trees opposite we did manage to find the usual crop of small birds.  Lovely, for a change, to see so many House Sparrows and a handful of Blackbirds rather than the usual one or less.  Lots of Blue and Great Tits plus a single Marsh Tit accompanied by a good number of Chaffinches before the lone Nuthatch arrived on site.  Similarly, no shortage of either Robin or Dunnock along with a couple of Pied Wagtail and a skating Moorhen.

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

So on to Blashford Lakes picking up both Magpie and Rook as we approached the last turn off the main road onto the site entrance.  Immediately it was evident that numbers on Ibsley Water seemed to be down on last week's visit albeit still many Coots to be seen.  Much fewer Tufted Duck on the open water but well over a hundred Pintail which was certainly the dominant species of the morning.  Still lots of Wigeon and a good number of Shoveler along with many Gadwall and a handful of Pochard.  Just the eight Canada Geese and neither Mute Swan nor Egyptian Goose.  Yes, plenty of Herring and a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls along with a dozen Cormorant but much searching to find the pair of Goosander.

Female Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Noting both Carrion Crow and Jackdaw as we moved across the road to the main reserve to discover that the preferred path from the entrance car park was closed due to the remaining ice.  Reaching Ivy North Hide we found the northern end still ice bound upon which rested scores of both Wigeon and Teal.  On the open water more of the same, but fewer in number, along with a few Herring Gulls, Cormorant and Gadwall. A Great White Egret flew past the pair of Mute Swans immediately in front of the hide and well-spotted by Richard.   On the far side a lone Green Sandpiper was foraging along the water's edge.

Male Gadwall Anas strepera

Moving off through the trees to the Woodland Hide we quickly encountered both Blackbird and Blue Tit and once inside the hide the immediate appearance of a Nuthatch.  Very many Blue and Great Tits but just the one, male, Siskin.  The usual supply of Chaffinches, Robins and Dunnocks but many more Blackbirds than usually seen here.  However, always good to see the arrival of those lovely little Long-tailed Tits.

Male Siskin Carduelis spinus

Finally, off down to the Ivy South Hide where the duck population was mainly the very large flock of Wigeon and much closer to the hide itself.  Also a good number of both Shoveler and Teal and then more Gadwall.  Just the one Great Crested Grebe observed and only a handful of Black-headed but a few more Herring Gulls.  Just before our departure a Heron flew over the reeds to our left and we also found a single male Pochard.  Meanwhile, on the trees to our left, resting Cormorants with more looking for resting places on the floating platforms.

Wigeon Anas penelope

Making our way back to the car we stopped to look at the Kingfisher well concealed in the branches of a low bush on the opposite side of the pool to our left and, calling in for a final look from the Woodland Hide, discovered a couple of foraging Redwing working their way through the ground leaves.  Even a ting Bank Vole had come out to see what all the activity was about as it made short, darted runs to where it might find food.

Spot the Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

No sooner had we left the main site than we found a large flock of passing Rooks and a couple more Magpies. Then, out of the New Forest and passing the flooded River Test, a Buzzard crossed the motorway and there were a few Starlings resting on the wires too our right, so giving a final total of 42 species of the morning.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Great White Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Siskin.

Female Blackbird Turdus merula

Long-tailed Tit 

This Robin Erithacus rubecula is checking all is OK above!

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