New forest Birding

 Sunday 1 February

A wet start to the day when I set off for the New Forest with birding friend Richard Osborn at 830.  Continuing rain until we reached Normandy Marsh when the rain eased up and finally stopped as we pulled up alongside the gate at the last bend in Normandy Lane.  Approaching the final destination we had already recorded Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Blue Tit and Carrion Crow.  In the penultimate field before the marsh, we came across a field holding very many Canada Geese, a  dozen Curlew, couple of Pied Wagtails, Herring Gull and a Pheasant.

Avocets Recurvirstra avosetta

Not only dry but even some sunshine as we started our walk along the side of Acre Pond where we recorded a number of Redshank, single Greenshank, Mallards, Cormorant and a Little Egret.  A couple of Great Tit in the trees and a half-dozen House Sparrows foraging on the weeds in the neighbouring ditch.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Once on the sea wall around Normandy Lagoon we were able to spend some time finding the great variety of species including very many Lapwing, Teal, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Shelduck and Tufted Duck. Almost a score of Avocet and in the distance we could make out five Spoonbill and a few Cormorants.  Hidden on the far side a lone Heron and then a pair of Mute Swans flew over.  However, our first sighting, immediately below us excluding the Little Egret, was a Meadow Pipit and hen, just to our right, a female Reed Bunting.

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

Moving on down to the outer wall we were able to locate a Great Crested Grebe on the Solent and a resting Great Black-backed Gull on the outermost island with more Oystercatchers and Cormorants.

Back on the lagoon Richard managed to find the lone Little Grebe as we made our way back and below us a handful of Turnstone.  before eventually coming across the male Stonechat we spent some time admiring the resting flock of over a thousand Dunlin and also accompanied by scores of Ringed Plovers.  Even a single Greenshank and a few Redshanks.  And walking the middle grassy island a couple of Pied Wagtails.

Female Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Passing back by Acre Pond to the car, where we found a couple of Blue Tits, a Heron posing near the path before moving slightly further away as we approached.  And so on with the short drive round to Pennington Marsh, having first enjoyed a short coffee break.

Heron Ardea cinerea

Approaching the marsh proper a Jay crossed the road in front of us and then a short stop to check the small flock of Canada Geese in the field to our right where we also found a single White-fronted Goose.  Also noted the first of the Carrion Crows. Stopping at the gate on the last bend in Pennington Lane chance to take note of the hundreds of Lapwing roosting in the flooded meadow.  A trio of Magpies to our left but checking the water many Wigeon along with Shoveler, Teal, and Mallard.  A couple of Shelduck further out and as a large of flock of Starlings arrived to join the feeding Lapwings then a chance to take a look at the small islands in front of us.  Not only Lapwing but behind a handful of Pintail we located 33 Golden Plover.  On the far side a resting Buzzard, until it decided it was time to take a leisurely flight along the trees at the back before disappearing behind them.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

Moving on down to the car park at the ned of the lane we then checked the fields adjacent to the caravan site and found a large flock of roosting Oystercatchers along with a few Curlew, and a lone Brent Goose. Whist there a chance to check the nearby fresh water lake where we found we found a single Herring Gull and scores of Coots on the far bank.  Just as we were departing a single Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over the water.

Time to start the walk across the grass towards Fishtail Lagoon accompanied by sightings of Blackbirds and Robins. But noting the mass of Lapwing in the air to our right to turn to discover the reason. Soon it became obvious as we saw a pair of Carrion Crows harry the passing Raven until the latter decided it was time to take rest at the top of a distant large tree.

Onwards down towards the lagoon with many Wigeon, Shoveler and Teal on show as well as at least three Greylag and many Canada Geese.  Scores of resting Shelduck and Black-headed Gulls on the dividing strips across the water.  Once on the bottom path alongside the water we watched a single Great Black-backed Gull glide over us and land at the water's edge but then discovered the forward part of the path was completely flooded following all the present and recent rain so we had to withdraw our steps.

Then came a walk across the grass overlooking Butts Lagoon , where we noted more Coots on the water and to our right a lovely Song Thrush.  Hardly further on than in the bushes and hedges below next to the water we found another Song Thrush and a pair of Greenfinches. More Robins and a Dunnock as we made our way to the track leading down to Pennington Lagoon but, again, the flooded path made us turn round and head back towards the car.  A Little Egret flew by and stopping at the small pools on the way back we found more Canada Geese plus Shelduck, Wigeon, Curlew and a Moorhen. All packed away and ready to start on the return journey when a Heron flew over and the rain returned, albeit we had had dry, and often sunny, weather for the past three and a half hours. Good birding in good company.

Dunlin Calidris alpina with the odd Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula (at very top)

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, White-fronted Goose, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Back-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria with Pintail Anas acuta (front) and Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Pintail Anas acuta with lone Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Redshank Tringa totanus

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus (Note Curlews at front)

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