Blashford Lakes & RSPB Ham Wall

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegytiaca

Sunday 31 August 

A leisurely drive westwards to Minehead, Somerset to attend my Best Man's funeral the following day so time for a couple of rest points.  First a little under two hours at Blashford Lakes in the New Forest than on to RSPB Ham Wall on the Somerset Levels for a sit in the car eating my lunch for an hour and waiting for the rain to stop followed by an 80 minute damp walk along the main track and to the Tor Hide.

Most of the raft of 50 Great Crested Grebes Podiceps cristatus

Al least the Blashford Lakes visit was undertaken in the dry, albeit the gentle rain arrived as I was about to depart.  As I approached Ibsley Water a Blackbird and handful of Jackdaw and the water provided the expected high numbers of both Greylag Geese and Great Crested Grebes although well outnumbered by the 70 plus Egyptian Geese.  Also present many gulls included, mainly Lesser Black-backed but also both Herring and Black-headed Gulls. A dozen Cormorant and probably the same number of Lapwing but, again, scores of Coots.  Feeding over the water a good number of Sand Martin but very few ducks with just a handful of Mallard, a couple of Tufted Ducks and a female Shoveler. But I did find a single, distant Heron at the back of the water.

But the prize sighting was the juvenile Black Tern resting a long while on a stunted post mid-way back in front of the hide.

Distant juvenile Black Tern Childoniuas niger

Moving across to the main reserve all was damp and very quiet.  Moving through the trees towards the path to Ivy North Hide a Green Woodpecker, Robin and Song Thrush but only very distant ducks in the shaded area. Still no feeders in use as a result of the nearby, long-tern Avian Flu problem but from the Woodland Hide I could see the resting Roe Deer "hiding" in the large bush near the feeder post.

Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus

So on to Ivy South Hide, along with a couple of Cormorant and a Black-headed Gull I found the visiting Red-crested Pochard. Finally, as I left the site to start on the next leg of my journey down to Somerset a score or more Rooks in the trees as I hit the main road.

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina

Arriving at RSPB Ham Wall and enjoying my hour's rest in the car waiting for the rain to stop, I finally started my exploration just on 2 o'clock with a walk along the main track to the First Viewing Point.  A number of Mute Swans on the way along with a couple of Mallard and plenty of Gadwall.  Barn Swallows were over the water and upon arrival and a handful of resting Cormorants plus a Black-headed Gull. Lots of feeding Sand Martins, a few Coot and a single Great White Egret at the back.

Great White Egret Ardea alba

Crossing the track I took a look at the waters on the other side and noted a number of Great Crested Grebe plus a single Moorhen.  A Dunnock was on the fence by the entrance gate but disappeared into the brambles before I could get a decent photograph. Once at the end of the path and in the Tor Hide I found not only a Heron and many more Gadwall but a Water Rail that wandered into sight in front of the tall reeds.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

A little light rain as I continued on down the main track to the Second Viewing Point where I found four more Great White Egrets and three Herons along with Coots, Gadwall and a passing Marsh Harrier. Off to the side both a Magpie and couple of Carrion Crows.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 

Then it was back to the car and the Sun now shining brightly but, as I was passing, a quick stop ty RSPB Greylake where I found Blue Tits and House Sparrows on the feeder in the car park but very little else as the marshy area with the tall trees.  A Carrion Crow resting atop a tree and a umber of Barn Swallows feeding over the area but also a Cetti's Warbler in the nearby ditch and a distant Buzzard and couple of flying Great White Egrets in the far distance.

RSPB Greylake

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Great White Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Moorhen, Water Rail, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black Tern, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow.

Gadwall Anas strepera

Mute Swan Cygnus olor with two cygnets

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Just about find the Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

RSPB Ham Wall

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