Ring-billed Gull on Ibsley Water.

Saturday 29th January 2022.

The Peregrine in front of the Tern Hide at Blashford Lakes this afternoon.

A Yellow-browed Warbler had been present for most of the week at a site near Hook-with-Warsash, but our luck wasn't in as there was no sign of the bird in windy conditions early first thing. Andy and I managed to get down to the site, close to the Warsash Maritime Academy, around 9.30am and we eventually found the area in which to search as we came across Graeme Loader yet again! He had already been here for an hour, but there was no sign of the bird as we decided to watch and wait by a sheltered area, some fifty yards from the sea.

The Chiffchaff at Hook-with-Warsash which was sporting a ring.  

From here, we were lucky enough to see our first Firecrest of the year, skulking quietly among the Ivy growing on some of the trees. It was heard to call several times deep within cover. There were a few Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits on show, the latter species is what the Yellow-browed Warbler was mostly being seen with, but, again, the bird did not appear. There was a brief chance when a ‘Phyllosc’ warbler species popped up, but it was a Chiffchaff of which it was also sporting a ring on its left leg. Graeme had earlier seen a pair of Bullfinch, but there was no sign of them for us either. 

The sun did come out a few times, lighting up the Forest occasionally.

One of the Ravens flying over Bolderwood.

After a good hour or so, we decided to make tracks and head to the New Forest. My next target species was Hawfinch and Bolderwood was where we were heading. The car park at this site was unbelievably near full, but we managed to squeeze my car in and then slowly make our way to the Holly Clump opposite. The adjacent large green by the car park held a small flock of around 7 Meadow Pipits, with a few Chaffinch and Pied Wagtail along with them. I have seen Hawfinches on this stretch of grass in the past, but no sign of any today. We had no success in finding any Hawfinches among the Holly Trees, but we did see a pair of Ravens flying low overhead and a pair of Bullfinches in one of the trees.

Meadow Pipits, Chaffinch and Pied Wagtail on the green by the car park.

Meadow Pipit.

Marks Ash Wood wasn't too far away and so taking a drive through the woodland, we parked up and took a slow stroll within the woodland. As well as good numbers of Chaffinch within the woods, we did have a nice flock of Brambling in the treetops. They had just flown in and I managed to grab a few photos of the birds, including a nice male bird. A Marsh Tit was notable, seen feeding on a seed head and two Treecreepers were also seen. Despite taking a good walk, again, no Hawfinches were present.

A Marsh Tit within Marks Ash Wood.

A male Brambling in Mark Ash Wood.

After grabbing some lunch from the garage of Blashford, we made our way to the Tern Hide as Birdguides informed me that the adult Ring-billed Gull had turned up in front of the Lapwing Hide at Blashford Lakes. From the Tern Hide, Andy caught sight of his first Peregrine of the year and fortunate for me and the rest of those within the Hide, the male bird landed on a post in front of the Hide. A real cracking individual too. I was somewhat very busy going through the large Gull flocks (mostly Herring, Lesser Black-backed, Black-headed and Common Gulls), but the Ring-billed Gull proved difficult to find. Meanwhile, a female Goosander flew past the Hide and a few Goldeneye were seen on the choppy water. The wind was quite strong here too and the light was not all that great either. A Green Sandpiper flying past the Hide was a bonus and several Egyptian Geese were seen over the west side of Ibsley Water.

Mr Andrew Fisher checking out the woodland. 

There were a couple of birders present to my left and one of them gave the shout that the female Red-crested Pochard that had been present a few weeks back, was now in flight and heading west over the lake. I did manage to get onto the bird, though to be honest, it was mostly a silhouette  flying away from us and so I had to take the word of this chap. It got better as the same guy then picked up the adult Ring-billed Gull among a small group of Common Gulls and getting onto the bird, I could see the subtle differences between that species and the Common Gull, though viewing the dark ring on the bill proved difficult due to the light conditions. Nevertheless, this was my 3rd ‘year-tick’ of the day and a good one to have on my year list.

What a beauty. The Peregrine perched for a good ten minutes in front of the Tern Hide before flying off north.

Pleased with the Gull, I then decided to call it a day. It was now 3pm and so I said to Andy that it was time to go. Climbing back into the car, we had to head to Ringwood to rejoin the A31 due to the fact that the Ringwood to Fordingbridge was closed to northbound traffic. Why, not a clue, but driving through the Forest home was not an option, unfortunately. Another good day birding and this time next year, I should be hopefully enjoying the delights of North Norfolk.