New Forest Birding

Thursday 26 June

Will it, won't it rain?  That was the question this morning as I set of early for the New Forest to cover Blashford Lakes,  Cadnam Pool and Eyworth Pond beneath a very dull and cloudy sky.  Yes, one or two light spots whilst in the hide at Blashford Lakes Ibsley Water but, otherwise, it the rain held off and the sun came out as I drove back to Warsash following a very successful morning where I managed to add a Ruddy Shelduck to the the year list.

Greylag Goose Anser anser surrounded by Coots Fulica atra and a few Egyptian Geese Apolpochen egyptiaca

Straight to the Goosander Hide on the eastern side of Ibsley Water where the breeding Sand Martins were busy feeding over the water and making regular return visits to the nesting bank below the hide.  But on the walk from road to hide I managed to encounter both Blackbird and Song Thrush along with a Robin and couple of Dunnocks.  Also from the hide I could see many Coot and Egyptian Geese along with a few Mallards and a pair of Tufted Ducks. 

A few of the many Egyptian Geese Apolpochen egyptiaca

A quartet of Great Crested Grebes were also noted on the adjacent water and on the main lake a pair of Mute Swans plus many Greylag Geese. Then, just beyond the Sand Martin's nesting bank, a Common Sandpiper preening then relaxing for its morning sleep on a fallen log.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Back to the car to relate in the main car ark in front of the Tern Hide, recording a few Chiffchaff on the walk, I soon appreciated the sheer number of Egyptian Geese to be seen counting at least 140 along with the 90 Greylag Geese plus Coots. I was also impressed to seethe number of Great Crested Grebes.  In addition to the score of Sand Martins at least a half-dozen Barn Swallows plus very many gulls, mainly Lesser Black-backed but also a few Herring and a good number of Black-headed Gulls.  At the back of the Water, on the bank, at least forty Canada Geese.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

Behind me a Woodpigeon had taken to the air and the nearby brambles produced a Garden Warbler and more Blackbirds.  At the water's edge a couple of Pied Wagtails and Lapwing before finding a magpie on the bank off to my left.  No better view from this hide compared to the very distant sighting on an island way off to the left of the Ruddy Shelduck that has been present for the past three days.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Observation completed so off to the main reserve in the woods on the opposite side of the road.  Lots of calling but very little to be seen and with now many months since the feeders were put into use, smaller birds were conspicuous by their absence. A Wren and a few Blackbirds but little else until a handful of Reed Warblers noticed in the reed of Ivy Lake along with a couple of Chiffchaffs.

Record shot of the Jay Garrulus glandarius

Still a lone Heron on the scrape accompanied by a couple mallards and then a Jay flew across in front of me on the walk back from Ivy South Hide and just a record shot of it resting in the shady tree to me left.

Heron Ardea cinerea

Making my way back though the country lane to Cadnam Pond I stopped at Ibsley hamlet to watch the Mistle Thrush on the school field.  Also on the field both a Starling and a Song Thrush with a pair of House Sparrows on the grass verge in front, whilst on the neighbouring roof tops a dozen Rock Doves and a Collared Dove plus a dozen Carrion Crows in the Deer paddock.

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus with hungry mouths to feed

Once at Cadnam Pond scores of Mallards including many young plus the same situation with the local Canada Geese.  But, yet again, a dog off leash and being allowed to chase into the water after the birds plus the long-staying Muscovy Duck which paddled quickly away to take shelter under the fallen branches off the island. (And I did tell the dog owner what I thought of him and his out of control animal!)

Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata

Finally, round the corner to Eyeworth Pool passing Starlings, Barn Swallows and Blackbirds on the way. More than two score of Mallards out of the water and on the track being fed by a visiting party of ladies.  Also taking advantage of the food, a pair of Moorhen with their three well-grown youngsters and and many House Sparrows along with a half-dozen Chaffinches and a single Great Tit.  Whilst the Blackbird was feeding on the gate rail, a lone Nuthatch made a quick dash for some food then it was time to start the return journey home with the sight of both Magpie and Woodpigeon as I drove through neighbouring Fritham.

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

One of the three young Moorhens

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Ruddy Shelduck, Muscovy Duck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant,  Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Hull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock,  Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Egyptian Goose Apolpochen egyptiaca

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Great Tit Parus major

Male Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

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