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| Recently fledged Tawny Owl Strix aluco |
Friday 8 May
A later, 10.30 arrival at Fishlake Meadows to allow the light rain to clear and sky to brighten as the temperature began to rise to, hopefully, have a chance of seeing both Cuckoo and Hobby. However, upon arrival not a single space in the large car park so necessary to find a parking spot outside before setting off down the canal path. Lots of Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers along with Wren, Robin and Blackbird. Above me at east five Swifts and a handful of House Martins. Obviously, regular sightings of Woodpigeon and, in the far distance, Mute Swans on the water. Moving on down past the seat towards the first observation platform I also recorded both Sedge Warbler and Blackcap.
Not a single dog walker in sight but, it seemed, many birders about and I soon discovered why when informed that a Tawny Owl and its two fledged owlets was resting atop a large, well-leafed tree towards he end of the canal path. Meanwhile, a Marsh Harrier was quartering above the trees to my left and then I reached the "owl tree." No adult but one of the owlets was well exposed at the top of the tree and the second partly concealed about a metre below. Wonderful.
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| Recently fledged Tawny Owl Strix aluco |
No sooner underway again when I stopped by a couple of birders to also observe the resting female Cuckoo off to the left in a bare tree. By now I also had regular fly pasts of pairs of Greylag Geese and soon I was on the connecting path to the gate leading towards the screens. Here, a male Stonechat and the fist of the Carrion Crows seen during the morning. Only a few metres along the path to check the nearby water, which was devoid of bird life. On the other hand, a number of both Sedge and Reed Warblers recorded and a pair of Canada Geese flew over.
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| Female Cuckoo Cuculus canorus |
Time to make my way back to the car and as I returned to the canal path a cock Pheasant seen on both sides of the path. No sooner had I seen the first Magpie than five Dunnocks on the path in front of me and looking over to the distant water a passing Common Tern. Once back at the car I made the short trip round to the main road and its observation post in the trees to check the main water where I found no less than 33 Mute Swans plus Tufted Duck, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant and a trio of Lesser black-backed Gulls.
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| Cock Pheasant Phasianus colchicus |
I then carried on via Romsey to Testwood Lakes arriving at 12.45 for just over an hour's birding before returning home. At the large, almost bare, tree midway across the field from the Visitors centre I cam across a preening brown bird about four metres above the ground. What could it be be? Always "tucked up" as it continued to clean itself at first I thought Cetti's Warbler but a long way from water, Surely too small to be a Nightingale so what about a garden warbler as there were no distinguishing features of any kind other than a hint of a light-coloured upper breast/throat. Photographs take and I eventually decided it must be a Cetti's Warbler but ready now to receive alternative suggestions. Whilst preening, the bird was joined for a few minutes by a visiting Long-tailed Tit.
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| Could this be "just" a Cetti's Warbler Cettia cettia |
Taking the right-hand path to the screens I soon recoded Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Blackbird and upon arrival noted the Greylag Geese, three Little Egrets a Heron, Moorhen and a number of Lapwing. A Carrion Crow flew across the back of the lake.
Then it was back along the path and onwards towards the Sand Martin Hide finding, on the way, a Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Robin and Blue Tit. Off to my left as I approached the ancient hut a handful of Starlings and suddenly a departing Song Thrush. The last bird before the hide was a singing Chaffinch.
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| Distant Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius |
Once in the hide I was able to once again see the birds recorded from the screens and confirm the many Lapwing along with a couple of Common Tern and a single Black-headed Gull. A pair of Woodpigeon took of from the artificial sand martin bank and then, off to my right at the side of the water a Little Ringed Plover. A Pied Wagtail was flittering around the edges whilst on the pontoon the brooding Oystercatcher was joined by her mate. Finally, a trio of Sand Martins put in an appearance and a Jackdaw came to forage on the grass below the hide. All in all, a wonderful morning and a final tally of 46 species.
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| Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus |
Birds seen:
Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo, Tawny Owl, Swift, Sand Martin, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch.
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| Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus |
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| Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus |
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| Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelli |
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| Pied Wagtail with Oystercatcher |
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