A superb Tawny Owl on such a wet day.

Saturday 5th November 2022.

The Tawny Owl showed well for us this morning at Mark Ash Wood.

I knew it was going to be a wet day and so Blashford Lakes and the Hides was on the menu, but first, Mark Ash Wood for the Tawny Owl. One of the ‘Lazee Birders’ found the Tawny Owl back in its old tree within Mark Ash Wood yesterday and posted a nice photo of the bird. Having not seen this species last year, I was hoping we got there early enough before some other birders got there first. Sadly, the Tawny Owls suffered from a lot of disturbance from some thoughtless birders and abandoned the tree for a few years. So, hopefully, the news of this bird will be kept a lot quieter.

Above, the only moth seen this morning was this Double-striped Pug. Below, does this man look as though he has just seen a Tawny Owl?

Though I put my moth box on last night, sporting its brand new ‘extremely bright’ bulb, the only moth I could see on the white sheet was a Double-striped Pug (my first moth for November) but the rain was falling and it was not worth opening the box to check the egg trays without getting everything wet. So I left it for now and hoped Andy had some moths from his moth box. On the way up to Cowplain, there were sightings of a hovering Kestrel over Milton Lakes (while driving up the Eastern Road), a flock of Brent Geese flying towards the College fields and a Little Grebe on Hilsea Creek!

Above, Trembling Crust fungi growing on a fallen tree and below, the very poisonous Toadstools, Funeral Bell growing on the same tree in Mark Ash Wood.

Annoyingly, Andy’s moth box attracted NOTHING! Not a sausage (or moth)! So we hastily made our way in the heavy rain to Mark Ash Wood, within the New Forest. While driving up to Bolderwood, I noticed a lot of Toadstools growing by the side of the road and realised I will be in for a good Fungi treat today. We made our way slowly through the woodland, driving slowly because of the wet road and eventually pulled into the lay by within Mark Ash Wood. Walking down to the usual spot, we looked left and thankfully, the adult Tawny Owl was sitting there within its usual tree, which put a huge smile on our faces. What a cracking bird as I knocked off quite a few photos of this beautiful Owl (my 219th species for the year).

Above, the tall Stubby Brittlegill toadstools were growing by the side of the road at Mark Ash Wood and below, the rare Wrinkled Peach fungi growing behind the Park Centre.

Spending a little time there to not disturb the bird, we slowly made our way back to the car, but not before checking out some of the fungi growing in the area that included Trembling Crust and the very poisonous Funeral Bell that was growing on a large fallen tree. Because of the weather, Blashford Lake was going to be my next destination and I took the road past Milkham Inclosure to Linwood and Rockford. Before leaving Mark Ash Wood, I saw some huge Toadstools and quickly pulled over. These were to be Stubby Brittlegill with about 6 individuals by the side of the road.

Above, a Haresfoot toadstool growing behind the Park Centre and below, Turkey-tail fungi growing on a log near the Woodland Hide.  

We eventually got to the Park Centre at Blashford Lakes and had a good chat with the staff there of which one of the new guys was an expert on Fungi! He then showed me a very rare fungi called Wrinkled Peach growing on a tree branch and nearby, he pointed out the remains of a Haresfoot. We had a good chat about some of the local specialities within the area and then I wandered off to check if any moths were around the building from the overnight security lights. There wasn't! Grumble! So, Andy and myself made our way to the Woodland Hide where we enjoyed good views of Nuthatch, Coal Tit and a few finches. There were some Siskin high up in the trees, but none ventured down to the feeders while we were there.

Above, a Nuthatch in front of the Woodland Hide and below, a Coal Tit also from the Woodland Hide.

Our next destination was the Ivy South Hide and on the way there, we discovered Large Funnel Toadstools along the sodden footpath. From the Hide, there were a good number of ducks present on the water that included Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard and Tufted Duck, with several Great Crested Grebes present, but no rarer wildfowl. I checked the reedbeds opposite thoroughly for a possible Bittern, but the best I could find was a Kingfisher perched on a reed stem, while another individual flew past the Hide just in front of us. Apart from the Cormorants and a lone Lesser Black-backed Gull, not a great deal else and so the Tern Hide was next.

Above, Large Funnel toadstools growing along the path to the Ivy South Hide. Below, a small flock of Gadwall flying over the water from the same Hide.  

On entry to the Tern Hide, we were warmly welcomed by four of the ‘Lazee Birders’, Andy Friend, Kev, Simon and Andy Tew who were all on an outing to Blashford Lakes today. Another ‘Lazee’, Pete Appleton popped in too as we spent the next hour or so enjoying the birds from the Tern Hide. There was quite a selection on nice birds present here this morning included a an adult Yellow-legged Gull with the Herring and Lesser Black-backs at the far end of Ibsley Water, while both a pair of Goosander and a female type Goldeneye (our first of the season) were seen well. 

Above, the drake Goosander on Ibsley Water. Below, a Great Crested Grebe on Ibsley Water.

Waders included singles of Lapwing, Common Sandpiper and Turnstone (not sure I have ever seen a Turnstone here) and at least one Great White Egret was seen nearby. A Grey Wagtail entertained the guys as it walked slowly along the foreshore in front of the Hide and raptors present included a superb Red Kite sailing overhead and a pair of Common Buzzards feeding on some carrion on one of the islands. The only Geese present here were a pair of Egyptian Geese, but as Winter approaches, I am sure the number of Geese will steadily increase.

Above, the Great White Egret on Ibsley Water. There was a second bird that flew over and headed off east. Below, this preening Great Crested Grebe was in front of the Ivy South Hide. 

As it was nearing 1pm, I was hoping to see my Dad later this afternoon and so the guys suggested trying Kingfisher Lake to see if the Ferruginous Duck had returned. I never got to see this bird last Winter and as the guys had a ladder in the boot of their car, it seemed like a good idea and so we followed them. Sadly, there was no sign of the duck and so made our way back home, reflecting on a superb morning's birding, despite the wet weather. Some cracking birds and Toadstools and even a ‘year-tick’ for my bird year list. Andy is now just 9 species away from the 200. Can he get there?   

The last word goes to the superb Tawny Owl within Mark Ash Wood.