The singing Willow Warbler just south of the Pond.
My last day off before work and after checking the moths, it was up to Cowplain to pick Andy up (he had the day off) and head north to Woolmer Pond. This morning's weather forecast predicted a few showers around the south coast and of course, I got caught in a big one this afternoon when I went out with Sinead and Isabelle to Thorney Island! At least it wasn't cold and a bit of rain did not really hurt anyone.
This Garden Carpet moth was my first of the year and quickly joined by a second in Andy's garden.
Kicking off with my moth trap this morning, there was another moth that was new for the year - a Garden Carpet. Again, a very common moth in my garden and no doubt will see many more as the year progresses, but it is always nice to get my first one of the year. A total of 16 moths of 6 species this morning including the following:
1 Garden Carpet
2 Brimstone Moth
5 Double-striped Pug
2 White-shouldered House Moth
1 Light Brown Apple Moth
6 Common Plume
At Cowplain Marsh this morning, Andy’s moth only attracted two moths: a Garden Carpet and a Double-striped Pug. Not a great deal flying over his house as I drank my coffee and soon we were off north to Woolmer Pond. It felt like another Saturday all over again and there were hardly any cars in the small car park which was a bonus. The clouds had gathered overhead, but there was a bit of sunshine and being here, I was hoping we might catch up with our first Garden Warbler and Redstart of the year. Sadly, it wasn’t to be, but some lucky bugger somehow saw 5 Redstarts here today. Though I was sure I heard one behind the Cottage garden, we failed to find or even hear one during our trip here!
Another shot of the Willow Warbler at Woolmer Pond this morning.
The male Siskin at the southern end of the Pond.
Nevertheless, it didn't take Andy long to notch up his first Willow Warbler sighting of the year, with a singing bird high in the trees to the south of the Pond. A pair of Siskins showed well for us here too, with the male displaying occasionally. Good numbers of Chiffchaffs were singing and plenty were seen on our trip around the area including through the Woolmer Forest bridle path. A lone Red Kite drifted low north across the Pond and a pair of Goldcrests were seen exploring the trees for insects close to the main footpath. The Cottage garden was rather quiet, though both Coal and Long-tailed Tit showed well and a few Linnets and Chaffinches were noted. Alas, no Redstart again.
The Silver Birch trees that are now in leaf look stunning in the sunshine.
The only Red Kite seen here today at Woolmer Pond.
Making our way to the Forest, a pair of Lapwing showed well on the ground near the main footpath and a male Pied Wagtail dropped in and landed nearby, carefully scrutinised in case it was a White Wagtail. There was no sign of any Tree Pipits in the area, but they began to appear once we exited the Forest. In fact, at least three could be heard singing and one showed relatively well on the top of a Conifer; Andy’s second ‘year-tick’ of the year. The Cuckoo was heard somewhere distantly, but failed to show this time, but we had more luck with a couple of Woodlark close to the main footpath. I did also hear a singing Dartford Warbler, but I failed to locate the bird out on the heath. A tractor was cutting up the ground beside the main footpath here, something to do with the Amphibian Society I believe! The sky overhead now threatened rain and so we made our way back to the Cottage again for a second bite in finding a Redstart, but no diamonds there either. We did have a nice male Stonechat instead and a Common Buzzard flying past us. Apart from the Lapwing, no waders again on the Pond, but it did hold a handful of Tufted Duck again along with the usual Geese.
A few Lapwing were about on the site today.
Chiffchaff were abundant around the Pond and even noted in the Forest as we walked through.
Before dropping Andy off home, we paid a visit to the sleepy village of East Meon for there is a good number of House Martins that nest in the village most years. We parked up and sat on the small village lawn bench and waited patiently for anything to show. We did have a Swallow overhead a few times and a Red Kite drifted high over the village, but no sign of any House Martins to add to our year list. Haroo! Never mind, they will be seen eventually.
A pair of Goldcrests showed well in the trees beside the Pond.
A Woodlark in the heath area behind the Forest.
After dropping Andy off, I made my way home to relax for a bit and then drove over to Sinead’s house to pick both her and Isabelle up for a walk down the west side of Thorney Island. Fortunately for them, I had an umbrella in the back of the car as the heavens opened as soon as we arrived. I took a gamble and we made our way along the footpath to the harbour wall. From the footpath, we clocked the singing Sedge Warbler Andy and I saw on Saturday in exactly the same bramble as last time. Cetti’s Warblers exploded into song along the path and even showed quite well at times, while Chiffchaffs sang close by.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker high up in a Silver Birch near the Forest.
The male Stonechat not too far away from the Cottage.
Walking down towards the Little Deeps, I pointed out a female Marsh Harrier quartering the reedbeds to the ladies. A singing Reed Warbler was very elusive again, keeping deep down in cover of the reeds as was a second bird on the south side of the Little Deeps! Very frustrating! The rain started to come down a bit heavy at times and Sinead asked if we could go back to the car, of which I agreed. No point taking a risk and getting completely soaked. However, it did stop on our way back as we got sightings of both a Common Whitethroat and also a female Blackcap along the footpath back to the car. On arrival to the site, I heard a singing Lesser Whitethroat opposite the car park, but too deep in cover to go and search for it.
Tufted Duck on the Pond today, but not a great deal else.
A Common Whitethroat on Thorney Island this afternoon, along the track leading to the seawall.
The elusive Cetti's Warbler showing well this time along the pathway at Thorney Island.
Isabelle was trying to get used to her binoculars I had bought her a while ago, but saw the male Kestrel hovering south of the footpath. Several Med Gulls flew overhead, mewing loudly as they passed overhead and a lovely pair of Swallows showed well hunting for insects low down over the pathway to the north. There was also a brief sighting of a Bullfinch as it flew out of a tree to land in trees over the other side of the road near the small car park. Such a shame about the weather, but we did see a nice variety of birds on our short journey here this afternoon. Below, the singing Willow Warbler at Woolmer Pond this morning.
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