Acres Down and Blashford Lakes

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Monday 29 January

A very dull day for my morning visit to the New Forest and got worse once west of Southampton as the low mist looked more like fog!  Passing over the Test Flood Meadows on the M27 on both the outward and return drives I could not but be aware of the congregation (sometimes also known as a "wedge")  of Little Egrets, at least a dozen or more. Once on site at Acres Down close to the two favoured trees I was all set to await the arrival of a resident Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.  However, like the other half-dozen birders in the area, I was to be disappointed yet again.  Another day perhaps and, hopefully, in better weather with a little more light on the scene.  On the other hand there were many Robins, Blue Tits and Chaffinches in the immediate area along with a few Blackbirds and Great Tits.  Overhead a dozen Woodpigeon and even a calling Nuthatch.  According to "Merlin" both Brambling and Siskin were in the vicinity but neither seen nor heard by myself and neighbouring birders.

Great Tit Parus major

So on down to Blashford Lakes, which was equally dull and foggy, and straight to the Woodland Hide. Plenty of Dunnock and Chaffinches and on the feeders Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Siskin,  Working the ground below a quartet of Dunnock and a couple of Blackbirds plus at least three Robins.  Finally, a single Long-tailed Tit was recorded on the feeder.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Continuing on down to the Ivy South Hide there were nine Mallard on the pool to my right and once inside the hide no shortage of Wigeon on the lake.  Much searching finally produced a couple of Gadwall, male Pintail , Great Crested Grebe and a Coot along with three resting Cormorant and a few Black-headed Gulls.

Siskins Carduelis spinus

Male Siskin Carduelis spinus

Female Siskin Carduelis spinus

The North Ivy Hide produced a few Gadwall and Wigeon but mainly Teal so straight over the road to Ibsley Water.  Here the water was packed with duck and very few Coot and Cormorant showing. Mainly Pintail and Shoveler but also many Tufted Duck along with good numbers of both Mallard and Gadwall. However, there was also a close, single Oystercatcher and a more distant Mute Swan.

The final journey hone took me through the back of the reserve where the small hamlet produced a Rook, Carrion Crow and Jackdaw all sharing the same tree.  A small flock of Starling flew into the horse paddock and also revealed the trio of perched Woodpigeon.

Robin Erathicus rubecula

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Coot, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin.

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris with Goldfinch C.carduelis

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