Blashford Lakes and Eyeworth

Male Mandarin Duck Aix galeiclata

Sunday 5 November 

A beautiful sunny start to the day with hardly a small cloud in the clear blue sky.  Just a cold breeze in exposed areas so off to the New Forest for a few hours at Blashford Lakes before returning home via Eyeworth Pond in Fritham.  Imagine my surprise and disappointment to arrive in time for the opening of gates at Blashford only to discover that the main car[ark in front of the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water was locked as a result to severe flooding over the past few days.  Not to worry, I continued on along the road to park before taking the short walk to the Goosander Hide overlooking the far eastern end of the water.  As soon as I took the turning to the hide I stopped to watch the family of feeding Long-tailed Tits.  Only a handful of Coot and Tufted Duck along with a single Heron on the near water with most birds gathered on the far side, albeit only one distant island in view.  A pair of Egyptian Geese few over to join their fellow species and a Great Crested Grebe was feeding nearer. More Coots and Tufted Ducks on the main water along with a pair of Mute Swans.  On the far side a small flock of Pochard and both Cormorants and Lesser Black-backed Gulls noted on and near the island.  As a small bonus a Magpie was seen flying into the trees on the far side.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo drying itself in the bright sunshine

So, back to the main reserve and its car park which enabled a circular walk starting at the Ivy North Hide.  Difficult to identify the birds to the right with a powerful sun shining into my eyes but suffice to say a number of gadwalls and the occasional Coot and Cormorant out in front. With plenty of Robins singing away I mad my way through the trees to the Woodland Hide finding a few Chiffchaffs on the way.  Once inside the hide, a better view of the visiting Nuthatch to the feeders that I had noticed from outside.  Mainly female Chaffinches on show but regular sightings of both Blue and Great Tit before the appearance of a few Greenfinches and a solitary Goldfinch.  The Coal Tit feeding on the feeder to the right of the hide was a delight to observe and then both Dunnock and Robin foraging on the ground along with a pair of Bank Voles.

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Making my way down to the Ivy South Hide I stopped to count the visiting Mallards on the pool to my right.  Once in the hide the sight of scores of Gadwalls and Wigeon along with a few Cormorant, a Great Crested Grebe and a trio of Black-headed Gulls.  Above the trees on the far side I watched, along with other birders in the hide, the pair of circling Buzzards and , a little later, a passing Red Kite.  Very many Woodpigeon flew across the back as did a handful of Carrion Crows.

Gadwall Anas strepera

Driving via Fordingbridge back through the New Forest to Fritham I could not but notice the extensive flooding around the hamlet of Ibsey and, indeed on the outskirts of Fordingbridge itself.  Blackbirds and Magpies as I made my way to Eyebrook Pond where many cars were parked, their occupant having gone hiking in the forest.  Welcomed by a lone Moorhen I soon noted the resident Mallards whilst smaller birds were feeding on the birdseed left atop a gate to the woods.  At least two Marsh Tits to start me off and quickly followed by a few Blue Tits, a pair of Long-tailed Tits and a Nuthatch. 

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

Meanwhile, on the far side of the water, I found a resting Heron and then, almost out of nowhere, a pair of drake Mandarin Ducks appeared. No sooner had I thought about moving on than a (true) pair of mandarins appeared from behind the reeds and started to swim down the back of the pond.  Time to head off home as the first Chaffinch put in an appearance and then a handful of Starlings as I reached the top of the hill and passed the local pub.  An excellent result for a less than twenty minute visit.

Male Mandarin Ducks Aix galericulata

Male and female Mandarins

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mandarin Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Female Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Male (drake) Mandarin Ducks Aix galericulata  with drake Mallard Anas platyrhyynchos

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Wigeon Anas penelope

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