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| Common Tern Sterna hirundo |
Wednesday 27 May
The present heatwave with temperatures in the low thirties continues and this morning a visit to Martin Down, north-west of Ringwood and on the Hampshire-Wiltshire border, in the hope that I might come across the visiting Turtle dove on its annual summer site. No need to rush off early, just as well as there was a hold-up on the Ringwood-Fordingbridge road, so on site just before 10.30 having recorded both Red-legged Partridge and Barn Swallow as I approached and a Collared Dove upon arrival.
Leaving the car park to walk up the same track that I took on last year's HOS meet at the same sight able to note Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw and Magpie along with Robin and Whitethroat. Continuing on up the hill alongside the hedges and a few small trees, I then added both Chaffinch and Chiffchaff whilst hight above the singing Skylarks. As last year, I made my way through the internal path through the spinney rather than continue onto the bottom of the hill and quickly recorded both Blackcap and Wren.
About two thirds of the way through the spinney I stopped as a Cuckoo called very loudly from close buy, almost on top me. A second Cuckoo the appeared to respond from further away to the south. But, most rewarding and strange at the same time, a sudden loud churring from a nearby Nightjar, almost as a protest of being awoke form its usual daytime sleep. With a smile on my face and feeling really pleased I continued on till the end and returned to the track on the northern side of the spinney. Then, about half-way, the bird I had been hoping for as a Turtle Dove announced its presence.
Back to the car so that I could get a small rest before making my way home with a call in at Blashford Lakes on the way, when starting to drive off a pair of Pied Wagtails on the road in front of me, along with more Blackbirds and Woodpigeons.
Within thirty minutes I was parked up in front of the Tern Hide at Blashford Lakes and looking forward to seeing what might be about. Lots of empty water with most of the birds at the back and western side. Mainly Lesser Black-backed Gulls with a few Cormorants and Egyptian Geese along with a handful of Mute Swans. I did see a fishing Common Tern but another was much closer to me sitting in the hide. Also near at hand many more Egyptian Geese along with a few Mallard and a single Lapwing. Lots of Coots about and a pair of Pied Wagtails working the water line below me.
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| Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca |
Further out a flock of at least twenty Great Crested Grebes with a few more not so far distant and then, scoping the western bank, I even found a pair of Greylag amongst the Egyptian Geese. Both Carrion Crow and Jackdaw flew across the water close by and, as to be expected, a number of feeding Sand Martins from the nearby artificial nesting bank.
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| Grey Heron Ardea cinerea |
Moving across to the main reserve a walk through the trees to the Ivy South Hide produced Robin and Chiffchaff with a lone Heron at the back of the scrape. On the water itself a selection of nesting Black-headed Gulls on both floats and rafts plus a Common Tern on a stick immediately in front of the hide. A very distant Moorhen was noted and in the reeds to the left of the hide a number of singing Reed Warblers.
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| Nesting Black-headed Gull Larus ridibunbdus |
Making my way back to the Woodland Hide I came across a Song Thrush plus Wren and Blackcap in the centre of the wood. And a pleasant surprise to find Stock Dove as my final bird of the morning.
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| Song Thrush Turdus philomelos |
Birds seen:
Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Skylark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Nightjar, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch.
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| Common Tern Sterna hirundo |
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