New Forest Birding

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Friday 13 November

Beautiful, sunny day from dawn to dusk - but very cold even with extra layers on! Collected by friend Richard Osman around 8.30 and straight down the M27 and on to Ringwood before reaching Blashford Lakes at 9.25.  Just over the hour in Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water produced 26 species starting with lots of Tufted Ducks and Coots. As we scanned the water we noted scores of resting Cormorants and then gradually identified the ducks including Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Wigeon and Common Pochard.  Just the two Goldeneye, both females, and then a few Great Crested Grebes along with a small number of Mute Swans.  At the very back of the water  at least four Heron and a single Moorhen and Richard managed to locate both the single Great White Egret and small flock of resting Lapwing.

Female Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

A pair of Egyptian Geese few away from the water at the far end a couple of Magpies were foraging amongst the Cormorants.  Also at the very back, a single Avocet was noted.  Carrion Crows on the land to the right and then both a Grey and a Pied Wagtail immediately in front of the hide. Before leaving the hide we also added a Herring Gull.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

On the concrete area to the right of the hide small birds including Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock and a single Song Thrush were busy foraging amongst the edges and weeds.

Then it was over to the main reserve to check the smaller lakes and woodlands.  Mainly Gadwall and Coot along with a female Red-crested Pochard on Ivy North whilst on Ivy South we had both Lesser black-backed and a Herring Gull.  Also more Gadwall, Tufted Ducks and a handful of Pochard on this water.  It was also at Ivy North Hide that we found a Cetti's Warbler below the hid and a pair of visiting Reed Buntings to the reeds in front.  But, perhaps best of all, not only a Kingfisher on the Scrape but a second perching happily in a dead tree next to the hide.  Just a shame it was being silhouetted by the sun.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

The walk around the woods and in the Woodland Hide produced Blue and Great Tits, Blackbirds,  Robins and a good number of Chaffinches.  On the boardwalk beyond Ivy South Hide we also had a departing Jay.

Robin Erathatacus rubecula

But by 12.30 we were ready to move on after having had a light snack and recorded Jackdaw, Rock Doves and a Woodpigeon as we set off to Cadman's Pool near Fritham.

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Thirty minutes were spent at Cadman's Pool where we recorded lots of Mallard and three Canada Geese along with smaller birds amongst the trees, such as Robin, Blackbird, Chaffinches, Pied Wagtail and a Song Thrush upon departure.  However, not to be outshone by the above, a male Goosander was on the water and skulking under the islands' trees no less than ten Madarin Duck.  Maybe even more under the dense cover.

Male Goosander Mergus merganser

Our final stop was in Fritham at the Royal Oak where we partook of the local beverage and had a rest before starting off back to Warsash.  First a slow drive past the common where we found more Song Thrushes and Blackbirds along with both a Mistle Thrush and a single Redwing.  A Stonechat was perched atop a bush and a number of Robins also seen. Moving down the narrow lane we came across a resting Buzzard atop an electricity pole and Starlings in the trees to the side.  Passing through the few houses we also noted a good-sized flock of House Sparrows on the hedge top.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Then, whilst sitting in the garden to drink our pints with Carrion Crows, Woodpigeons and Magpies in the neighbouring field, our attention was drawn to the small birds that alighted in the large tree to our immediate left.  First a Goldfinch quickly followed by both a Meadow Pipit, with two others on the ground below and, finally, a Firecrest.  What a way to end the visit  - but then we came across a pair of Collared Doves as we drove off up the hill to bring the morning's final tally to a wonderful 51 species.

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Mandarin Duck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Sleeping Gadwall Anas strepera

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Common Pochard Aythya ferina

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

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