New Forest Birding

Wednesday 5 February 

A little sunshine but still cold as I set off for Blashford Lakes in the New Forest arriving at 9.40 due to the mass of traffic on the M27. Once in the Tern Hide it was immediately apparent the increase in duck numbers on Ibsley Water with many score of Wigeon along with scores of both Pintail and Shoveler.  Still plenty of Tufted Duck but just a couple of Gadwall, small groups of Mallard and a handful of Teal.  Only two Great Crested Grebes noted but there two male Goldeneye, a Black-necked Grebe and a female Goosander. Lots of Canada Geese at the back of he water with a small number of Cormorant but just the one juvenile Mute Swan now almost completely moulted.  A couple of Egyptian Geese also on the water close to the island in front of the hide.

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula with female Goosander Mergus mergaser in background

Moving over the main reserve just a smaller number of birds making use of the feeders at the Woodland Hide consisting mainly of Blue Tits and Chaffinches.  Also present the occasional Greenfinch and Goldfinch plus a few Great Tits, Siskins and a couple of Long-tailed Tits.  On the round Robin, Blackbird and Dunnock picking up the spillages.

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Moving down to Ivy South Hide provided yet more Wigeon plus a Moorhen whereas Ivy North Hide had the main Teal flock along with a Water Rail. As I made my way to the far end of the reserve I also added both Woodpigeon and a number of Jackdaw.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

As I approached Cadnam Pool, near Fritham, on the way back I passed a couple of Mistle Thrushes on the ground and once at the water was able to find mainly Mallard but also two pairs of Mandarin Duck along with the long-staying Muscovy Duck and a couple of Canada Geese.  In the neighbouring trees a number of Chaffinches plus many Blue Tits along with both Robin and a single Coal Tit.  A Nuthatch also joined in the feeding fest.  The close by Janesmoor Pool held a true pair of Goosander.

Goosander Mergus merganser  (female above, male below)

Continuing on back to Southampton, a stop was made at the Old Cemetery to try and locate the visiting Hawfinches but no luck on this occasion.  Plenty of Magpies, Jackdaws and Carrion Crows along with Blackbird, Song Thrush and Blue Tit but no Hawfinches to be seen.

My final stop was at Bittern Triangle close to the River Itchen.  A short stay to let me walk down to the riverside park and dully find eight Black Swans along with a few Mute Swans.  No shortage of Black-headed Gulls and Rock Doves as a number of small family groups were bust feeding the birds.  Also noted a trio of Mallard plus a handful of Herring Gulls.  All in all a very rewarding morning producing 44 species.

Male (?) Black Swan Cygnus atratus

Female (?) Black Swan Cygnus atratus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Black Swan, Egyptian Goose, Muscovy Duck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Mandarin Duck, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin.

Male Siskin Carduelis spinus

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Gadwall Anas strepera

Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata

Female Goosander Mergus mergaser

Sunbathing Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo

Distant Jay Garrulus glandarius

Well-hidden Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Mainly Pintail Anas acuta

Teal Anas crecca

Wigeon Anas penelope

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