Blashford Lakes

Sand Martin Riparia riparia

Friday 12 July

With Richard Osman off to Blashford Lakes for the morning arriving at 9.45 where we started in the main reserve on the basis that if the expected rain arrived we might well be across the road inside the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water.  In the event, not only no rain but quite warm and very pleasant most of he time.  So, an enjoyable four hours which also gave time to visit the Goosander Hide next to the artificial Sand Martin nesting colony before making a stop at the "George" in Fordingbridge alongside the Hampshire Avon for a quick drink before continuing back to Warsash. 

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Leaving the car at the outer car park to walk to Ivy North Hide, arriving at the last junction in front of the meadow and looking left both Buzzard and Red Kite circling over the trees to my left.  Then as I turned towards the hide itself, a Cormorant flew over  whilst, around me, both Blue Tits and Chiffchaff plus a passing Magpie.  Once inside the hide at least thirty Mallards and the occasional Black-headed and Herring Gulls.  Reed Warblers in the reeds below the hide and a Moorhen made a very brief appearance as it crossed the gap in the reeds at the water's edge. Finally a fishing Common Tern in front of me before we set off towards the Woodland Hide.

Greenfinches Carduelis chloris with Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs (below left) and Great Tit Parus major (centre right)

Moving through the trees we encountered our first Great Spotted Woodpecker of the morning plus more Blue and Great Tits along with a Robin.  Once ensconced in hide numerous Blue and Great Tits on the feeders, including many young, and a family of two adults and two well-grown young Dunnocks on the ground where they were joined by a male Blackbird.  Lots of Greenfinches and Chaffinches about but only a couple of Goldfinches although we did have a visit from both a Nuthatch and a Jay. A pair of Collared Doves visited the feeding area and as we left more Woodpigeon sightings.

Jay Garrulus glandarius

Making our way to the Ivy South Hide we stopped to try and find the two calling Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the tree tops but only a fleeting glimpse of one as it moved above us across the path. Very little to be seen from the hide other than a few Black-headed Gulls, some still with growing chicks, and a couple of Common Tern.  On the other hand, the bare tree to our left which normally holds resting Cormorants now had an occupied nest right at the top of said tree.

Nesting Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

back to the car and across the road to park in front of the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water. What initially looked like a handful of Egyptian Geese turned out to be in excess of 110 individuals as we found small groups at the water's edge all round the Water plus a large resting group on the higher land to our right.  

Feeding/resting Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

Further away  there were scores of both Greylag and Canada Geese on the open water along with a number of Mute Swans and Coots.  About five Great Crested Grebes were recorded, and the same number of Cormorants, along with a handful of Tufted Duck. No shortage of nearby Black-headed Gulls but away on the islands to our far left scores of both Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  Even a couple of Common Terns put in an appearance.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

With no sign of the local breeding Sand Martins we moved round to the Goosander Hide next to the artificial-created breeding bank.  On the way to the hide a we passed by the tall trees we recorded both Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff plus more Blackbirds.  Once inside the hide just the odd Black-headed Gull and Mallard on the water but the the appearance of the massed ranks of breeding Sand Martins as they ebbed to and from their nesting burrows. A calling Sedge Warbler finally put in a brief appearance and a Carrion Crow passed overhead.

Sand Martins Riparia riparia around their nesting site

Time to head off home but first a stop at the "George" next to the river bridge in nearby Fordingbridge for a quick drink.  Sitting on the terrace we watched the scores of Mallards being fed by visitors on the opposite bank and then, overhead, a score of jackdaw and even more Starlings above the roofs on the opposite side of the river.  Finally, a Kingfisher flashed down the (Hampshire) River Avon as it headed southwards.  Drink up and time to make our way back to Warsash via one of the more scenic routes through the New Forest.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Red Kite, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sand Martin, House Martin, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Male Blackbird Turdus merula

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca with a few Coot Fulica atra

The Sand Martins Riparia riparia:

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