Old Winchester Hill & the Pub!

Saturday 24th September 2022.

The panoramic gorgeous view from one of the viewpoints on Old Winchester Hill looking west.

Today will be remembered for the sheer numbers of House Martins that flew over Old Winchester Hill today. Around the south side of the Fort, there was simply a constant stream of these birds going over the hill and heading off west and considering how scarce they have been throughout the Spring and Summer, we estimated that something like roughly 700+ birds per hour were passing through! An incredible birding spectacle. Yes, there were a few Swallows mixed in with them and several juvenile House Martins were noted too, but what a sight.

From top to bottom: another superb view from Old Winchester Hill, Rose-bay Willow-herb that is nearly going to seed and bottom photo of 'Old Grandfathers Beard' or Travelers Joy as it is also known.

Even though the wind was coming from the north and quite breezy at times on the opposite side of the Fort, it was no problem for this delightful piebald coloured birds and the sunny weather helped too, for plenty of insects around to pick off while on their journey. Once we reached the car park, there was already plenty to look at as a few Chiffchaffs, Goldcrest and Blue Tits were in the vegetation by the car park. There was only one car within the car park, but when we left, it was packed! 

From top to bottom: Red Kite, Common Buzzard and a female Kestrel.

Not only Hirundines were in amazing numbers, but there was a good number of Meadow Pipits passing through as well, with at least 100+ per hour going through in various sized flocks. I was really hoping for a bit of ‘Visible Migration’ at this high location and we were rewarded with a single Tree pipit passing overhead as well as at least 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Pied Wagtails, several Skylarks, Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrushes and good numbers of Linnets heading over.

From top to bottom: Meadow Pipits, female Kestrel and House Martin.

We had 5 species of raptor on our trip here this morning and kicked off nicely with a Red Kite drifting away from us near the fields and a second individual further to the south over the field and being followed by a Common Buzzard; one of at least 5 Common Buzzards seen in various locations around Old Winchester Hill. Best of all was the female Peregrine that belted over the valley looking east from the bench by the Fort entrance. The Kestrels here, with at least three birds hunting, showed extremely well and allowed me to take some superb photos of them hovering close to the main footpath around the Fort. To round off the raptor sightings, I spotted something getting mobbed some distance away back over the Fort area and it turned out to be a female Sparrowhawk dodging the attentions of a Crow!

Photos from top to bottom: female Peregrine, male Stonechat and a female Kestrel.

Around the south side of the Fort, we found at least 6 Stonechats and 2 Whinchats down the south slope and several Yellowhammers flew in and landed on the wire fence to add to our good selection of sightings this morning. A brief sighting of a male Blackcap flying into one of the small bushes by the Fort path was noted and a second bird, a female, was seen on the way back to the car park. I was surprised at how few Blackcaps were actually here this morning. Again, on the way back, the House Martins were still pouring through, but as we neared the car park, we noticed a lot more Swallows were coming through now and low against the ground too.

Photos from top to bottom: male Stonechat, pair of Whinchats and a House Martin.

We made full use of most of the benches here, simply to take in the superb view and note what was passing through which also included a few Butterflies on the wing now that it had warmed up. Pick of the bunch was easily the Clouded Yellow that simply would not stop, but it did pass us a few times before flying off. Andy also spotted a Small Copper sunning itself on the ground, but it proved too elusive for me to grab a photo. A male Common Blue butterfly was much more obliging as it fed on a small plant near our bench. A cracking morning here with so much to look at and it didn't end there either!

Photos from top to bottom: female Stonechat, a male Common Blue butterfly and an enormous Parasol Mushroom. 

After enjoying our pub lunch last weekend at the Chairmakers, I suggested a quick beer at the George and Falcon pub in nearby Warnford, which was greeted with a big 'Huzzah' from Andy. Sitting outside in the pub garden by the River Meon, we had some great sightings of both birds and insects and although I never took my camera with me (should have done, really!)I did manage a photo of a Red-legged Sheildbug on the bench we were sitting on! So, while enjoying our delicious pint and a packet of Cheese & Onion crisps, we had sightings of Grey Wagtail (several times on the small River), a Firecrest, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Mute Swan and 2 Moorhens! Now that's what you call birding! There were also some notable insects too including a couple of Speckled Wood butterflies, a Common Darter dragonfly and a Hornet-mimic Hoverfly! What more could you ask for? We even had a small flock of Long-tailed Tits by the car park. 

Photos from top to bottom: a pair of House Martins going over the brow of the Fort, female Kestrel, Whinchat, Meadow Pipit and finally, the Red-legged Shieldbug on our bench at the pub!