New Forest Birding

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret

 Friday 18 March

A beautiful clear and sunny start to the day so off to the New Forest after breakfast for a morning at Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway - and yes, we did travel the railway circuit upon arrival.  Very enjoyable walking around and background of singing birds but only a handful sighted, mainly Great and Blue Tits along with Blackbird plus both Carrion Crow and Wood Pigeon.  However, towards the end of our walk round the gardens were fortunate enough to see a circling Buzzard.

Departing the gardens we drove south to the nearby Solent coast at Lepe where the tide was full in and most of the very many Black-headed Gulls resting in the adjacent inland pools.  However, checking carefully we found a nearby Redshank and a little further away towards the main pool a single Little Egret and a couple of Shelduck.  Moving  a short distance tot he west we were able to pull off the road and observe the score or more Brent Geese and here, amongst the Black-headed we also found a handful of Mediterranean Gulls.  A Little Egret made a short flight around the sheltered water and behind us both Chaffinch and Magpie were noted.  Time to enjoy the scenery and views across the Solent to the close Isle of Wight before driving to the north of the Forest to pay a short visit to Blashford Lakes.

Arriving at Blashford Lakes we started at the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water. A good number of Back-headed present but also Common, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls.  Hiding behind a group of gulls we found an Oystercatcher and a few Teal.  On the water itself mainly Tufted Ducks and Coots along  with maybe as many as ten Great Crested Grebes.  Towards the back of this large lake we then found a good-sized flock of Shoveler along with a small number of resting Cormorants and a handful of Mute Swans.  Small numbers of Wigeon were also found towards the back.  Scanning with the scope we also recorded a pair of Egyptian Geese.

Male Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Moving over the Visitors centre car park we made our way o the Ivy North Hide.  No shortage of Great Tits seen and heard along with both Blue and Long-tailed Tits.  From the hide mainly Wigeon and Great Crested Grebes plus a pair of Mute Swans and a pen sitting on her nest just below the hide.  In the distance a number of Cormorants and very many Black-headed Gulls.

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret

Walking through the trees to wards the Woodland Hide we heard both Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers and had a close visit from a friendly Dunnock.  A couple of Blackbirds and then safely ensconced in the hide to observe the small birds making use of the feeders.  Lots of Chaffinches and both Blue and Great Tits before the Goldfinches appeared.  Whilst we had expected many Chaffinches it was a lovely surprise to see a good number of Bramblings with the males beginning to show their black birds as they completed their pre-breeding moult.  In addition, many male Reed Buntings and a visit for one of the local Lesser Redpoll plus the, it seems, ever present Siskins.

Male Brambling Fringilla montifringilla

Moving on to the Ivy South Hide we had more Blackbirds and Chiffchaff along with a Robin. But, passing the small water to our right, we stopped to watch the resting Kingfisher before it flashed away.  Once inside the hide we had very close views of the many Black-headed and a few Herring Gulls.  Great Crested Grebes and a pair of Mute Swans were also present as was the main flock of Wigeon.  Finally, a pair of Gadwall to our left before finding the solitary Magpie and, just at that moment, the Kingfisher flew right in front of us in the hide, landed ion a tree less than five metres away and then returned from whence it had come at a fast rate of knots.

Our Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

It was as we made our way back to the car park that we found our first Moorhen of the day and leaving the site encountered a half-dozen Jackdaws.  A most worthwhile and enjoyable 80 minutes.

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Goldfinch, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Reed Bunting.

Two males and a female Siskin Carduelis spinus

Male Chaffinches Fringilla coelebs

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Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

 17 March 2022

With the sun shining down in an almost clear sky and little, if any, wind by 11.30 I was at Bridge Street car park in Titchfield ready for a walk alongside the old, narrow canal as far as the floods and beyond with the canal to my right and Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve on my left.  Lovely sunshine but almost straight into my face so very likely that the best birding would be on the return walk.

As I left the car park a couple f squawking Magpies flew over and a very noisy Green Woodpecker was going at it "hammer and Tongs" with its yaffling from the adjacent small spinney.  Once through the entrance gate and on the path itself. a number of Wood Pigeons noted along with the very many Black-headed Gulls in, around and over the floods to my left.  very quickly both Coots and Lapwing were noted followed by a range of ducks including Teal, Mallard and Wigeon.  Great delight to watch the circling Buzzard above my head which put just about everything up into the sky and then the resulting sighting of Herring Gull, Carrion Crow and Shoveler.

Moving on I soon added Carrion Crow along with many Great Tits.  However, as on my previous visits this month, no sign of the Barn Owl at its traditional roosting/nest site.  On the far end of the first lake I found both Shelduck and Cormorant along with a number of Canada Geese.  meanwhile, in the field beyond the canal, not only Black-headed Gulls foraging in the grass but also a good number of Jackdaws.  Back across into the reserve and the next lake which held at least an hundred Black-headed along with at least one Mediterranean Gull.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

Moving to the right exit over the bridge I cam across a pair of Mute Swans in the field to the left along with a single Cattle Egret. This individual seems to have spent the whole winter here so possibly, just possibly, the chance that we might soon have a breeding pair nearer than the present colony at relatively nearby Langstone Harbour.  This nearby water also produced a pair of Gadwall.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Time to check out the trees either side of the path and ere long I had recorded Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit, Robin and Greenfinch.  A Blackbird was foraging in the undergrowth on the far side of the canal as a lone Moorhen worked its way downstream in front of me.  In the fields behind the mournful call of a Pheasant.

Hastily departing Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Making my way back checking the various waters I also managed to add a female Pintail, pair of skulking Black-tailed Godwits and the Chiffchaffs were in full voice to welcome the warmer weather.  And still back home by just after 1pm.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Greenfinch.

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Hayling Island Oysterbeds

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

 Sunday 13 March

A couple of hours this morning walking the "Billy Tail" from the main access bridge to Hayling Island as far as the second car park. The early morning sunshine had disappeared to be replaced by dull, overcast skies and a very cold breeze. We should have joined the organised meeting with the Hampshire Ornithological Society but they were starting on the far side of the bridge including the walk to said bridge. With jenny not really up to a long walk we parked at the first car park immediately over the bridge and took time to check out the bird life on the mudflats in front of us. A Mute Swan was working its way towards us and no shortage of Black-headed along with a few Herring Gulls. Whilst we saw Redshank and Oystercatcher, the main wader occupants were Black-tailed Godwits and all appeared to be rapidly moving into their summer breeding plumage. The last species seen at this site was the first of half a dozen Little Egrets.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa coming into breeding plummage

The muddy pool behind the track held more Black-headed Gulls along with a couple of Redshank and a pair of resting Mallard. Then, looking out to the main water of Langstone Harbour we were able to follow a pair of Red-breasted Merganser as they swam and dived not so far off the shoreline. meanwhile, in the field behind the hedge we recorded a pair of Magpie along with Blackbirds and both Carrion Crow and Wood Pigeons.

Continuing on to the oysterbeds no sign of any duck species but we did add more Redshanks before finding Curlew, Greenshank and a trio of Turnstone. Before reaching the noisy main roosting/nesting area of the resident Mediterranean Gulls we also found more Little Egrets and a lone Grey Plover. In the pool behind the Mediterranean Gulls a trio of Little Grebe were busy diving for food whilst there was a continuous cheeping of House Sparrows in the neighbouring bushes.

Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus  with Oystercatchers  Haematopus ostralegus (below) and a Black-headed Gull Larus ridibunus (above)

Making our way back along the main trail we picked up Great Tit, Wren and Robin plus a singing Chiffchaff and then, below a pair of Carrion Crows in a distant tall tree a single, resting Buzzard. In front of us a quartet of Jackdaws exited the bushes and flew across the path. Just when we thought we had seen everything a look out to the main water produced a pair of Great Crested Grebe to take the morning's tally up to 29 species.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

With time to spare, and having stopped to have a few words with the members of HOS who had now arrived on the island, we decided to drive home via Fareham so that we might make a quick stop at the pair of pools know as Newland Lakes.  At least half a dozen anglers well ensconced around the waters which produced Mallard, Coot, Wood Pigeon, Goldfinches, Moorhen, Blackbird, carrion Crow and a single Black-headed Gull so increasing the morning's tally to 32 species. 

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Red-breasted Merganser, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Roosting Buzzard Buteo buteo

Curlew Numenius arquata

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

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Langford Lakes, Wiltshire

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

Friday 11 March 

Off to see son, grand-daughters and great grandchildren for the day in Calne, Wiltshire which, with only the slightest of deviations, took us along the A36 north-west of Salisbury allowing Jenny and I to call in at Langford Lakes where for the past week it seems a White-tailed Eagle has been a daily sighting.  Unfortunately, our visit coincided with the return of the rains so although we were on site by 9.30 it was a very miserable and depressing start to the day.  Needless to say, no sight of the eagle but we did tarry a while and in our wet twenty-five minutes manged to record 17 Species.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

Fortunately there were two hides overlooking the respective waters on either side of the road.  The northern lake produced Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Tufted Duck and a score or more resting Wood Pigeons where the opposite lake had both the Black-headed Gulls and Canada Geese. From the former hide we watched a couple of Chiffchaff and there were a few Blackbirds searching for the early worm or two.  Near the Visitors Centre calling Wren, Blue Tit and Long-tailed Tit. Making our way back to the car we also encountered Carrion Crow, Magpie and a sodden male Pheasant.  Then both Mallard and Rook to see us on our way to Calne.

Male (Cock) Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Wren, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow.

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Hamble River, warsash

Heron Ardea cinerea

Thursday 10 March

Time to get out and get some fresh air whilst still dry and reasonably calm, albeit a little on the cold side.  My walk up river was timed to coincide with the approaching high tide in the hope that the feeding birds at the water's edge would be pushed up towards the riverside path.  A male House Sparrow to see me on my way and arriving at the water's edge just after 12.30 I was greeted on the first mud flat by a handful of Brent Geese along with a pair of both Teal and Shelduck along with Oystercatcher, Redshank, Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit.  Needless to say there were also a few Black-headed Gulls.

Female and male Teal Anas crecca

Passing the ferry landing stage I was aware that there was a Mute Swan coming down river towards me and more Teal along with a larger number of Wigeon feeding at the water's edge plus more Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits.  A Carrion Crow flew past and to my right a pair of Herring Gulls with a couple of Little Grebe on the main river.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Moving on upstream observing the small groups of Wigeon I came across a score or more Grey Plover resting at the far water's edge and to my right, in the conservation area, a lone Greenshank.  On this occasion very few birds in the area, jus a dozen Black-headed Gulls.  Turning to start my return journey, however, I did notice the newly-arrived Heron.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

The return journey, whilst providing plenty of Black-headed Gulls, Black-tailed Godwits, Brent Geese, Wigeon and Teal, did confirm that numbers had somewhat reduced in the past week. A single Magpie was seen at the back towards the houses and on the shoreline a couple of Dunlin.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

However, it was not until I was back at the end of the riverside walk and about to take the hedged pathway back to the main road that  finally found a solitary Little Egret in the meadow to the landside and a trio of Turnstone on the rapidly reducing mudflat. The hedgerow itself produced both Chiffchaff and a Wood Pigeon to give a total of 22 species for the 3 1/2 km walk.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone,  Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (above and below)

Oystercatcher Haementopus ostralegus

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Testwood Lakes, Totton

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Wednesday 9 March

A relatively early morning visit to a new site on the western outskirts of Southampton; Testwood Lakea at Totton.  Arriving at 9.30 it was dry of somewhat cold and a good breeze blowing.  The skies had clouded over but were to clear as soon as I left the site after less than two hours.  Lovely site with, on the whole, gravelled pathways, well maintained but a great shortage of bird life other than on the "The Scrapes" to the north.

Woodland walk at Testwood lakes

Parking at the entrance car park and walking north to the Visitors Centre I had a couple of Blackbirds before checking out Testwood Lake which produced a number of Black-headed Gulls along with both Coot and Great Crested Grebe.  A Carrion Crow flew away to the left and there were numerous calling Robins and they appeared at regular intervals throughout the clockwise circular walk of the site. Checking the northern end of the lake I also found both a departing Cormorant and a couple of Canada Geese.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Once across the meadow beyond the Visitors Centre I encountered a couple of Chiffchaff followed by a Magpie then a pair of Long-tailed Tits.  So to the Sand Martin Hide which gave both ground and elevated views over the Scrapes.  At least a couple of score of Wigeon along with a good number of Mallard plus Teal, Tufted Duck and Shoveler.  Just the one resting Heron and a handful of Coots.  However, it was the score of Lapwings that caught my attention.  Meanwhile there were also very many Wood Pigeons resting/feeding on the grassy banks.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

A Great Tit as I left the hide but, other than a pair of Coots, Meadow Lake was completely bird free until I found a handful of Canada Geese at the very back slowly making their way south accompanied buy a lone Greylag Goose as they passed the resting Cormorant.  

Canada Geese Branta canadensis accompanied by a Greylag Goose Anser anser as they pass the Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

The return walk took me past the southern end of the Scrape providing a closer look at some of the Lapwings and also produced a single Oystercather. Walking alongside the adjacent River Blackwater I was able to locate a male Pheasant in the first field and the second produced a couple of both Greylag and Canada Geese.  Finally, as I turned left a the bottom of the main lake to make my way back to the car a single Moorhen.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

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Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa

 

Wednesday 9 March

Sounds like a great day's birding by the Arboleas Birding Gropup up at the Rambla de Almanzora and Vera Player.  Lovely to read about all the returning summer visitors, none as yet seen by me over here in Hampshire.  Paricularly liked the sightings of Wood Sandpiper and water Pipit.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 9th March

As I was waiting at the Ballabona services on the A7/E15 south of Huercal Overa,  What should fly over but my first Red Rumped Swallow of the year.  Juda arrived shortly afterwards and we made our way to the ford on the Rambla de Almanzora.  From the track we saw Black Winged Stilt, Shoveler, Little Ringed Plover and a Meadow Pipit.  We parked on the embankment to wait for the others to arrive.  We added Mallard, Magpie, Collared Dove, a single Barn Swallow and Goldfinch.  But the stars were two Red Billed Chough flying up the rambla.  We were joined by Peter, Val, Alan, Trevor, Bill and his wife, Jennifer.  They had seen a Marsh Harrier near the bourgenvilla roundabout.  A quick scan over the rambla added Moorhen and Greenfinch.  We then drove round to the pools area further up towards Cuevas, Juda spotting some Grey Heron by the large sewage works pool on the way. 

Mrs Shelduck Tadorna tadorna (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

At the crossover point we saw White Wagtail, Black Winged Stilt and Green Sandpiper.  We carried on  along the opposite embankment, stopping at the various shallow pool areas.  The next stop added Greenshank, Teal and Shelduck.  Bill had spotted a Wood Sandpiper and a Ringed Plover.  Alan & co saw a Black Redstart.  He then spotted a bright Yellow Wagtail, another first for the year.  There was a small group of Dunlin as well as Spotless Starlings.  Alan found a Water Pipit.  Right before we turned around we found 10 Moorhen.  En route to Villaricos for coffee Juda and I had a Woodpigeon whilst Alan saw a Jackdaw.

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We drove down to the beach.  There were a few Cormorants on the harbour rocks plus a Grey Heron.  I spotted a Gannet out to sea.  Alan then found some Sanderling and Turnstone on nearer rocks.  He spotted a pair of very distant raptor soaring over the hills. We suspect they were possibly Booted Eagles.  He then found about 12 Red Billed Chough flight displaying over another peak.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved onto the embankment overlooking the estuary.  There was a Little Egret, Grey Heron, Coot, a couple of Greater Flamingos and a Grey Plover.  There were a few Cormorants resting on a sandbar together with sleeping Audouin's Gulls and a small flock of Mediterranean Gulls.  These were later joined by 30+ more.  Bill added a Kentish Plover.  Alan found some Little Stint.  A Blackbird was seen. I added a Hoopoe as we made our way to the dual carriageway opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.

Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

The usual suspects were here; Shoveler, Teal, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Black Headed Gulls, Shelduck and Black Winged Stilts. There were30 Greater Flamingos. I found an Avocet. Alan added White Headed Duck and Common Pochard.  Bill did well to spot a landing Black Tailed Godwit, but Jennifer did better in spotting a Purple Swamphen.  A distant group of hirundines was seen.  House Martins.  We moved round to the elevated viewing platform near the AquaParc.  We only added Gadwall, but we saw more Shoveler, Common Pochard and White Headed Duck.  There was a large raft of more Mediterranean Gulls.

Female White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We ended up with 56 species.  Great weather, birding and company.

The news about Tony is encouraging.  Val is hoping he'll be out of hospital in the next few days.  We wish them both well.

Regards,

Dave

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