New Forest Birding

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea with 2 Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegypytiaca

Sunday 4 August

Another very pleasant day so off early to join the HOS meeting at Appleshade Wood, Linwood in the New Forest.  But, first, a fifteen minute stop at Eyeworth Pond on the way where I found 12 Mallard on the water and a small mix of Marsh, Blue and Great Tits along with a few House Sparrows and Chaffinches.  A moulting Robin put in an appearance as did both Nuthatch and Moorhen.  Approaching the pond I also recorded Woodpigeon, Magpie, Starling and Collared Dove.

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

So on to the car park at Appleshade Wood where I was in time to join the other twelve members of HOS led by local birder and fellow member, Tina Vaughan as we walked a clockwise circuit of just on three miles. As we set off we all heard/saw the Jay and other members heard both Goldcrest and Nuthatch.   An early stop to check the forest trees produced a couple of Long-tailed and a Great Tit plus a departing Blackbird.  These were quickly followed by our first Tree-creeper.

Continuing on we added woodpigeon, and Robin along with a couple of Chaffinches plus another Tree-creeper.  Two Spotted Flycatchers were a great sighting and at just about the highest point on the walk we came across a trio of Meadow Pipits.   At this point we also saw a pair of circling Buzzards to add to the earlier brief sighting of an individual raptor. 

Buzzard Buteo buteo

A couple of Song Thrushes were seen by all and a few heard both Stock Dove and Nuthatch. Another short stop also produced a few Blue Tit along with another Tree-creeper. I think most heard the short drumming of a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a few of us also noted the pair of Goldfinch. For me, the bird of the walk was the Grey Wagtail that visited the small pond for less than a minute but, I think, seen by most members if not all.  In addition, I think Tina had also recorded the calls of both a Wren and a Stock Dove to give a total of just over 20 species for the walk which was most enjoyable in delightful company and offering magnificent vistas over the nearby New Forest.

Having completed our walk by noon, being so close I drove onto Blashford Lakes arriving fifteen minutes later and able to spend ninety minutes checking out the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water and the three hides on the man reserve itself. No sooner inside the Tern Hide and I was greeted by scores, possibly a hundred even, of Egyptian Geese along with nineteen Mute Swans. Also on the water a large number of Herring and a handful of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. In addition, many Coots to be seen.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

Ruddy Shelduck and Egyptian Geese resting on the small island

Along with the Egyptian Geese on the water a I found a trio of Greylag and a similar number of Canada Geese.  Also a number of Great Crested Grebes including youngsters still in the "humbug" stage of their first moult. Five Tufted Duck were also noted. On the nearby island shore and in front of the hide bot a Pied Wagtail and a couple of Lapwing.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Then, revisiting the small island to take a closer look at the "strange" small goose, I realised I was looking at a Ruddy Shelduck.  The bird spent much time preening but did lift its head occasionally and finally moved out onto the water.  Also on the island a pair of well-grown chicks from the parent Common Terns that were keeping a close eye on their off-spring.

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

Time to move across the road and very little noted at the South Ivy Hide but walking to the hide from the first car park I did record a Jay and then a Garden Warbler foraging in a tree as I approached the hide. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming to my right and on the way to the Woodland Hide both Woodpigeon and Blackbird were noted.

Once inside the hide very little activity other than the frequent visits to the feeders by both the small number of Blue and Great Tits. Just the one Dunnock seen and only a trio of Chaffinches.

So onto the South Ivy Hide which, again, produced very little . A handful of Black-headed Gulls and at least a quartet of fishing Common Terns.  However, the Cormorant nest atop the trees to the left now contained three well-grown youngsters as well as the watchful parents.

The Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo family at nest

Making my way back towards the car I found a Robin quickly followed by a very songful Blackcap.  Near the main reception, as well as Blue and Great Tits a Nuthatch was making full use of the feeder. Finally, walking along the narrow path to my car I cam across a very active and noisy Willow Warbler.

Moulting Robin Erithacus rubecula

Having returned home, I was most surprised on updating my records to discover that I had actually seen 43 species during the morning.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Tree-creeper, Jay, Magpie, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch.

Coot Fulica atra

Ruddy Shelduck and Egyptian Geese

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

Mute Swans Cygnus olor with both Egyptian Goose and Greylag Goose Anser anser

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