Longparish, Hampshire

Red Kite Milvus milvus

Saturday 6 July

Only the five of us for today's field meeting of the Hampshire Ornithological Society (HOS) at Longparish, in the north of the county to explore the country lanes and River Test with its many minor tributaries, led by club member and local birder, Geoff Sharp.  A few very light, short showers at the start of the 4 mile walk so wet weather gear on from the start and very windy.  Fortunately, the showers quickly cleared away and did not return until the end of the walk and the continuous high hedges and roadside trees gave plenty of shelter from the wind.  all in all, a very pleasant morning in good company and almost 40 species recorded.

Besides the River Test

As soon as we arrived we continued to be in the presence of Woodpigeons and passing the local church encountered a field holding up to a dozen Rook, a trio of Carrion Crows and the first of a few local Jackdaw.  Also in the field the first of four Blackbirds noted on our walk. A good number of Greenfinches a few Chiffchaff were calling as we approached the Test and came across the first of three Herons.  Also present a lone Mallard.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

A Herring Gull flew over before we continued on to check out the trout pool and came across more Greenfinch and a couple of Goldfinch in the nearby trees and hedgerow plus a hurriedly departing Starling.  A Goldcrest put in a brief appearance before the local Spotted Flycatcher arrived for a short break.

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Across the road time to check out the water and adjoining meadow.  Lots of resting Greylag and Canada Geese and on the water Mallards, a pair of Tufted Duck and Gadwall, five Coot and the resting Heron.  A couple of Pied Wagtails were working the bank and a lone Lesser Black-backed Gull made a very brief stop on the water.  Then, off to the side on the far left we found a Little Egret and the first Barn Swallow of the morning flew low over the meadow.

Greylag Geese Anser anser with Canada Goose in background

Continuing on along the narrow lane once we had crossed the ford, a quintet of Collared Doves as we passed the farm and a Kestrel resting on the wires behind.  looking back towards the river we saw our first Red Kite drifting over the trees and a couple of the group noticed the brief appearance of a Cormorant as it passed behind the trees.

Red Kite Milvus milvus

Taking a left turn to an even narrower lane that took us over and around the minor tributaries of the Test, we came across a pair of Mute Swans with their three young cygnets..  A Moorhen scrambled across the the road and back into the water and ere long we were at a beautiful riverside setting just before the old, recently restored, mill.  A Buzzard landed in a large, bare tree in front of us before taking off once it noticed the approaching company.  Also over the water a dozen feeding Common Swifts and almost a score of House Martins accompanied by a handful of Barn Swallows.  A Cetti's Warbler was singing along with nearby Chaffinches and Chiffchaffs.

Pen Mute Swan Cygnus olor with her 3 cygnets

Cob Mute Swan at front

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

And so back o the village itself where Barry found the pair of Egyptian Geese feeding at the feet of a grazing horse.  Robin and House Sparrows noted in the gardens and, approaching out starting point, a pair of Red Kites overhead.  And with the cars in sight of us the next shower commenced!

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Common Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Red Kite Milvus milvus

Tributary from the trout pond

Mainly Canada Geese Branta canadensis plus a few Greylag Geese Anser anser at the trout pond

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