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.     

Midweek Update.

Thursday 27th January 2022.

These Catkins growing by the Oaks Crematorium. Because of our very mild winter, these are showing all over the woodlands in the South. 

A bit of a late midweek roundup for my blog with sightings seen from Tuesday onwards this week. It has been a rather overcast week so far and temperatures about normal for this time of year. Hardly any wind here on the south coast and no rain whatsoever.  I have been quite busy at work and mostly driving in places like The Oaks Crematorium, Portchester Crematorium and over Portsdown Hill; although yesterday, my work colleague and myself had to go to Grayshott in Surrey to carry out one of our work duties.

This White-shouldered House Moth was perched on the wall in our warm living room!

On Tuesday, I had an incredible number of Redwing flying over The Oaks Crematorium with large flock after flock over a ten minute period at midday. I had a count of at least 200+ birds pouring through the woodland and most heading north-west over the car park; by far the largest number I have seen this winter. Some rested in the nearby woodland and the gorgeous sub-song of the species was heard clearly by the edge of the car park. Other birds seen during my hour-long stay here included a Nuthatch, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Jays and a Mistle Thrush. A male Kestrel was seen flying up from the ground and landing in trees behind the Crematorium and on the way to The Oaks, I spotted two Common Buzzards perched on roadside trees while I was driving along.

Yesterday was much quieter, but I was much busier, though I did see good numbers of both Kestrel and Common Buzzard along the A3. The only other bird of note was a very brief Grey Wagtail over the Crookhorn area. Today, The Oaks provided the majority of sightings that included several views of a Great Spotted Woodpeckers and even the Green Woodpecker was finally seen here, after several times I had only heard the bird. It was feeding around the south of the grounds, behind the small pond. A few Redwing were seen at the top of the trees within the woodland as well as a lone Song Thrush and a Mistle Thrush. Of course, there were a few Blackbirds present too, but no sign of any Fieldfares picked up here yet. Finally, a Marsh Tit was heard calling on the edge of the woodland, but no sighting today.

The Little Bunting seen 5 years ago on Portsdown Hill. Photo by Bart Ives.

In Hampshire today, the Yellow-browed Warbler was present again at Hook-with-Warsash and a Firecrest was seen with it also. The Bittern was showing well from the Ivy North Hide, Blashford Lakes and off Hill Head the four Velvet Scoter were still present and a Red-throated Diver was also offshore. Nearly 5 years ago today, I saw my first Hampshire Little Bunting on Portsdown Hill with Birding pal, John Goodall; many years later from my first ever one in West Sussex. Thankfully, it lingered into the weekend for many of us to enjoy, but my sighting was very brief as it popped up on a small branch and then soon flitted off into the fields. I have been lucky enough to have seen several more over the years since including the two birds on Thursley Common last year. Cracking little birds.

Working over Selsey today.

Monday 24th January 2022.

Local birder, Christine Whiffen nailed this superb photo of the Spotshank at Nore Barn recently.

It’s back to work (groan!) again today after a nice three day break and my jobs today took me to Selsey, in West Sussex, for a change. The weather was overcast and cold again and it looks as though this is going to be the norm for the rest of the week. Still, better than rain all day. I didn't do any birding yesterday due to the fact, my wife and I had a nice cooked breakfast at the Southsea Beach Cafe (a few Herring and Black-headed Gulls loafing on the calm sea) in the morning and then household chores for the rest of the day.

My friend Alta, who resides in South Africa, sent me another moth for my to try and identify. Thankfully, there is a Facebook site that helps identify such moths and one chap came up with this species: Parachalciope mahura. A very striking moth indeed.

My journey to Selsey produced several Common Buzzards perched on roadside trees along Selsey Road, Donnington and even a Long-tailed Tit flew across the road! There have been some interesting birds of note recently including a return visit of the Richard's Pipit at Wildmoor, Basingstoke and the adult Ring-billed Gull was in this afternoon's roost on Ibsley Water, Blashford Lakes. The Yellow-browed Warbler is still at Hook-with-Warsash and a Glossy Ibis was seen flying over the M27 in Bursledon, Southampton and another in the north of the county, at Church Norton.

My wife, while tidying up one of our spare bedrooms, found the remains of this Bright-line Brown-eye moth. 

Birding pal, Geoff Farwell, has sent me via text, his sightings over the weekend where on Saturday, he took a stroll over Longwood Warren where he had the following: 2 Corn Buntings, 7 Yellowhammer, 130 Skylark, 25 Fieldfare, 160 Linnets, 3 Stonechat, a single Brambling, 1,700 Wood Pigeons, 86 Stock Doves, Raven, 8 Red Kite and 16 Common Buzzards. On Sunday, he went to the Chidden area and had 195 Fieldfare, Marsh Tit, 5 Red Kites, 3 Common Buzzards, a Raven and 300 Rooks! I am catching up with last week’s Winter Watch and so far, it has been superb and with four more shows this week, I have something to look forward to and not those bloody awful soaps my wife wants to watch! Finally, I would like to thank both Alta and Christine Whiffen for their photos today. 

Virtually ten years ago to the day, I took this photo of the adult Ring-billed Gull at Walpole Lake, Gosport. This bird regularly for many years, return to the same lake and would help guarantee us 'listers' to make a pilgrimage down to this part of Gosport. Currently, it looks like the one on Blashford Lakes is now the most regular bird in Hampshire.