New Forest Birding; the first 2025 Outing.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

 Friday 3 January

The first birding visit of 2025 and what a way to start the new year. A full day in the New Forest based mainly on the marshes adjacent to the Solent at Lymington followed by a drive over to Blashford Lakes for the afternoon finally produced 64 species for us and not  single House Sparrow nor Starling seen.   Collecting friend Richard Osman from his home at 8, we were on site at Normandy Lagoon by 9am and the frosty temperature still recording a miserly 2C.  However, in full sunshine, no breeze and not a cloud in the clear blue sky, it promised to be a wonderful day and so it turned out.  Indeed, come late morning the temperature had risen to a magnificent 4C but the warm sunshine (and plenty of layers) gave the feeling of nearer 10 C!

Teal Anas crecca with Spotted Redshank in background

The visit to Normand Lagoon produced 32 species starting with Blackbird, Long-tailed and Blue Tits with very many Teal, Pintail and Wigeon on the water along with Shelduck, Shoveler and Tufted Duck.  Approaching the water we had close sightings of both Robin and Stonechat.  Lots of Lapwing present but just a few Common Redshank a Greenshank and the odd Turnstone.  On the other hand, lovely to see the pair of Spotted Redshank closed to the track feeding amongst a few Teal.  Just a single Little Egret and Little Grebe but a handful of Cormorants sheltering on the lagoon.  Not too many Brent Geese on the water but very active and constantly moving around.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia with Teal Anas crecca

Whilst there were fourteen sleeping Avocets, the eight Spoonbill had left to the east to rest on the outer harbour whilst most of the Oystercatchers and a single Grey Plover were on a grassy island just into the Solent proper.  A Marsh Harrier drifted over from the east high over the trees at the back of the lagoon and, in turn, led to the sighting of both a Heron and the pair of Mute Swans. Making our way back to the car, we also noted a Pied Wagtail, Coot and more Stonechats along with a Song Thrush once on the road.

Distant Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

Moving on to the nearby Pennington Marshes we were immediately welcomed by large numbers of Canada and Brent Geese plus many Lapwing on the flooded, and mainly frozen, meadow. At the roadside a handful of Blue and Great Tits plus a couple of Woodpigeon. taking the anti-clockwise circuit we soon stopped to study the occupants of Fishlake Lagoon from the north as a Magpie flew across on front of us. Lots of Wigeon and Teal and no shortage of Pintail as we then found both Mallard and Shoveler. A Little Grebe was bust fishing in the main water along with many resting Black-headed Gulls. Ere long we also noted both the Shelduck and many Coot with a couple of Little Egrets at the back of the lagoon.

Mainly Lapwing  Vanellus vanellus with a few Teal Anas crecca

At this point a retreating birder informed us about the immature White-tailed Eagles that were roosting on the distant pine bushes on the horizon, probably at least 400 metres away. Whilst two were showing well, albeit more like silhouettes, there had originally been three plus a Marsh Harrier resting on the other side of the bush.  Record photographs taken, we move of to the sea wall noting both Robin and Dunlin on the way. m At the same time, a large flock of Canada Geese flew overhead making a most impressive sight.

Record shot of distant resting White-tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla

Once on the seawall we made our way westwards where, in the distance, we could see a number of gathered birders who, with luck, might have found the visiting Lesser Yellowlegs.  It was at this pint that, having left the rucksack in the car and just carrying the camera along with scope, I discovered that the battery had exhausted itself and certainly not helped by the very cold weather.  Looking back at Fishlake Lagoon, the islands in front of u held a number of Oystercatchers plus more Black-headed and a Great Black-backed Gull along with Redshanks, Shelduck, Shoveler and Pintails.  Reaching the birders mentioned above they were now all dispersing but with a few moving on another twenty metres or so where we discovered that the Lesser Yellowlegs had been relocated but very much at the back of a pool beyond a small group of trees and tall grasses growing around the water.  However, a little patience and the bird put in the very occasional appearance and we managed to catch a brief glimpse of the visiting wader.

Pintail Anas acuta

Returning along the track towards Butts Lagoon we had a Lesser Black-backed Gull fly over and then once at the lagoon identified a number of Gadwall before stopping at the sea corner of the lagoon for some light refreshments.  Whilst seated on the bench leisurely drinking the coffee provided by Richard, a lone Spoonbill flew over from the east and looking eastwards along the sea wall we could see a quartet of foraging Turnstones at the sea's edge.   Time to move on and at the centre of Pennington Lagoon, apart from the Heron and many Teal, Pintail and Shoveler, we found a quartet of feeding Snipe at the edge of a grassy mound.

Part of the large Canada Geese Branta canadensis flock passing over

On the open sea near to the pier before we turned inland and back to the car park, two flocks of Wigeon plus at least five Great Crested Grebe.  But, having convinced myself that I had also seen a Red-breasted Merganser, I searched the nearby water waiting for the divers to reappear and, sure enough, a trio of these lovely water birds.  So back to the car and time to move on and as we approached the last stretch before the gate, looking up a flock of around 250 Golden Plover were moving and swirling across the sky above.

Female Siskin Carduelis spinus

Time for the forty minute drive inland to Blashford Lakes, a little north of Ringwood, and visit both the Wooded area and Ibsley Water.  Having noted the Magpie as we entered the reserve, first to he Woodland Hide which, on this occasion, was in a very poor condition with the opening window slot already occupied and the remaining fixed windows very much "blogged" up on the outside so giving virtually no clear view at all.  However, we did manage to record Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits, plus Siskin, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Nuthatch.  On the ground Dunnock, Robin and Blackbird.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Taking our leave to head down to the Ivy South Hide we stopped at the end of the path to simple look over the fence to the wooded area behind and, in addition to the above birds seen more clearly, we also found a very close Goldcrest and couple of Tree-creepers.  Passing the Scrape on the right we found a bout ten Mallard and once in the South Ivy Hide a number of Wigeon, Pintail and Tufted Duck on the water.  A Kingfisher flashed past the hide, but missed by Richard, and then we made our way back through the trees to the Ivy North Hide where Richard saw the Moorhen that I missed.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

So, over to the Tern Hide and check out Ibsley Water. Not so many Coot on this occasions but hundreds of Lesser Black-backed plus a few Herring and Black-headed Gulls.  No shortage of Pintail and Wigeon but just the one Great Crested Grebe seen.  In addition, a few Mallard and Gadwall and right at the back a lone Greylag Goose.  A few Cormorant but a score or more Mute Swan and the we found both Heron and a Great White Egret off to the far back right of the hide.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

With the sun going down we made our departure and managed to find both Jackdaw and Pied wagtail at the end of the road before taking the scenic route to Fritham for a a farewell drink on the way home.  But still time to pop down to nearby Eyeworth Pond where the Blue and Great Tits were still feeding along with Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Pied Wagtail and a number of Chaffinch - not to mention ten Grey Squirrels which seemed to be very busy devouring all the food left by passing birders!  Much of the shaded pond was still frozen but a dozen Mallard noted on the more open part of the water.

So ended a marvellous opening to the birding year in great company and perfect weather, even if somewhat on the cold side.

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Great White Egret, Spoonbill,  White-tailed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Lesser Yellowlegs, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull,  Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Tree-creeper, Magpie Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Siskin.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Frozen Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Redshank Tringa totanus (left) with Greenshank

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus with Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta (right) and Teal A. crecca (front left)

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