Great Grey Shrike at Black Down.

Saturday 12th November 2022.

The Great Grey Shrike at Black Down today.

After yesterday's news of a Great Grey Shrike on Black Down, near Haslemere, I couldn't resist in trying my luck for the bird; however, it didn't totally go according to plan. I was sent the exact area where the bird was seen yesterday and so the Sat Nav on my mobile took us through a lot of minor roads once off the A3 northbound and through a lot of woodland; eventually parking up some 100 yards away to the entrance of Black Down.

Above, one of two Marsh Tits were seen near the entrance to Black Down. Below, a male Stonechat in the gloom within the thick fog.

Worse was to come as the whole of Black Down was enveloped in thick fog which didn't lift for at least 2 ½ hours as we joined several other birders searching in vain for the Shrike. The long achy walk up a hill did produce sightings of a couple of Marsh Tits, while both Redwing and Fieldfare were heard within the gloom of the fog, but not seen. We came across a couple of birders sitting on a bench and so joined them, hoping by luck that the Shrike just might pop onto one of the trees within the fog. A pair of Stonechats and a male Dartford Warbler entertained for a while nearby on the Gorse Bushes as we enjoyed a cup of coffee from Andy’s flask.

Above, Common Puffball and below, False Chanterelle toadstools. Though I was busy searching for the Shrike, at least a few Toadstools were on show on the heath.

Another despondent birder joined us and told us he had a flock of Brambling over his head earlier, but still no sign of the Shrike whatsoever. I suggested walking down the path he had come from and so made our way down hill and eventually took up residence on another comfy bench. From here, I found a group of Common Puffball toadstools near the bench, but little else of note during our time here. I then heard an odd whistle in the distance and wondered if one of the birders had found the Shrike, but with all the dog-walkers around blowing their respective dog whistles, we did not act on it. 

Above, a male Dartford Warbler in the fog and below, once the fog had lifted, these delightful birds showed well during our stay here. I must have heard at least four birds.

It turned out to be a big mistake as a birder who we had met earlier had told us that the bird had been seen where we originally were. It had perched on a top of a tree for at least ten minutes as the birder grabbed  a few photos of the Great Grey Shrike perched on a tree nearby, but it flew off and he wasn't sure in which direction it went. Another hour or so went past  and still no sign of the bird, though a few Redwing and several very large numbers of Wood Pigeons flew over. Both the Stonechats and Dartford Warblers showed very well at times and a buck Roe Deer was seen running down in the valley below. At least the fog was now starting to lift and I was amazed at how beautiful the scenery was as we seemed to be standing on a hill surrounded by some beautiful countryside.

Above, an appreciative crowd of birders were trying to locate the bird in all this scrub on Black Down and below, the Great Grey Shrike eventually showed very well to all of us. Phew!

We walked back down to the second bench and while I was watching down in the valley below after watching a pair of Bullfinches flying over, the shout went up that the Great Grey Shrike had been spotted. Rushing up a bit of hill, we joined another couple of birders who kindly pointed out where the bird was perched and sure enough, there it was on the edge of a dead tree and in this now superb light, what a bird! It performed superbly to the assembled crowd and flew from tree to tree and eventually flew over our heads and landed in trees to the east this time. I don't like to hang around too long around such an uncommon bird, leaving it to get on with its business and most certainly will not chase the bird to get more photos, like one individual did and so we made our way back to the car, which was thankfully downhill all the way there.

Just some of the photos I took of the Great Grey Shrike today.

Before dropping Andy off, we popped into the Bat & Ball pub for a quick beer and sat outside in the garden overlooking the countryside to the east. Yes, a bit of a breeze blowing, but with temperatures reaching 18 degrees for mid November, what on earth is going on! A Common Buzzard passed overhead and a Great Spotted Woodpecker literally flew over our heads and landed in nearby trees. The area brought back memories from long ago when a Woodchat Shrike was seen many years ago near here and a Montagu's Harrier on the same morning flying over the fields!

Above, the underside of the False Chantenelle toadstool and below, another photo of the Marsh Tit seen earlier in the day.

Some good birds seen in Hampshire today, with a Long-tailed Duck seen off Hayling Oysterbeds along with 2 Black-necked Grebes. Andy Friend had both Red-throated and Great Northern Diver off Broadmarsh, within Langstone Harbour this morning and a Short-eared Owl was seen at Southmoor by Graeme Loader. Well done guys.

Purple Sandpipers back at Southsea Castle.

Friday 11th November 2022.

Five of the eight Purple Sandpipers on the rocks in front of Southsea Castle this morning.

I took a drive south down to Southsea Castle around midday to check on how the sea-defences are getting on and whether or not the Purple Sandpipers are taking a dislike to all the building work going on. Earlier today, Andy Friend had four Purple Sandpipers on the rocks there, so I thought I would give it a try myself. 

Above, a few Robins were 'ticking' around the Castle and area. Below, a bemused Fox wondering how to get back to land?

I parked up in the big car park behind the D-Day museum and made my way up the Castle embankment to walk along the top of the path overlooking all the building work. There was bright sunshine here today, though a south south-westerly wind was blowing in off the Solent, but it wasn't too bad and still relatively mild for this time of year. I scanned the new rock layout before me, but couldn't locate the Sandpipers and so I took a walk further east past the Castle and noticed something sat on the tall pile of rocks just offshore. It was a dog Fox standing on the rocks and probably cut off from the shoreline from the high tide. Then I found another one fast asleep further to the east! However, still no sign of the Sandpipers.

One moribund Fox. At least the sea will not get this high in the future......or will it?

So, I retraced my steps and looked west further up the new rock formation and directly in front of the new wall being built, there were the Purple Sandpipers. I counted a maximum of 8 birds, but one soon disappeared, probably further west behind the wall, while the others sat on the rocks, occasionally getting splashed by the incoming waves. Though they were not a ‘year-tick’, it is always nice to see the returning birds coming back to this location on the south coast. Building the sea defences here will not be completed too well into 2023, so I hope they do not get disturbed too much during that time.

Above, seven of the eight Purple Sandpipers. The regular Spitfire on manoeuvres over the Solent again.

I checked around the Bandstand and the Castle for a possible Black Redstart, but no sign of any this morning. They were reported here last weekend, but it was probably a lot quieter then. A few Pied Wagtails and a Robin were seen and a Wren was heard singing on the construction site! A check over the Solent for anything of note revealed only a flock of 10 Brent Geese heading east low over the water. 

The Southsea Bandstand is now surrounded by Building material and Portacabins!

News and a photograph of a Great Grey Shrike flashed up on the 'Lazee Birder' Whatsapp site late morning, with a bird seen at Black Down, Haslemere. I was hoping one might be found this Winter and so I could be going for this bird tomorrow. Other sightings today included a Velvet Scoter in the Solent viewed from the Chilling Cliffs along with a flock of 22 Eider. Yet another very rare moth has turned up, this time on the Isle of Wight, with the discovery of a Diasemiopsis ramburialis, which is mainly seen in southern Europe and the Tropics.    

Angle Shades in the moth box.

Thursday 10th November 2022.

An Angle Shades was a pleasant surprise this morning.

I knew there was to be no rain overnight and so I put the moth box on and was rewarded with 13 moths of 6 species this morning. Macro moths are always at a premium around my garden at this time of year, so Angle Shades moth was a nice surprise. Most likely to be a late migrant moth, like the two Rusty-dot Pearl and therefore I wonder if any more migrant moths are still coming through on these mild south-westerly winds? 

 

One of two Rusty-dot Pearl. 

Moths present this morning included the following:

• 1 Angle Shades
• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Beautiful Plume
• 3 Common Plume
• 2 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 5 Light Brown Apple Moth  
• 1 Blastobasis adustella

Beautiful Plume.

While checking the moths, I could hear Redwing overhead and looking up, a pair literally dropped right out of the sky and landed in my neighbours tree at the back of the garden! They remained there for about 10 minutes, calling loudly all the time and then eventually both flew off south bound. Were they taking evasive action from a raptors or simply having a rest; I think the latter was most likely the cause, but lovely to see them anyway. A few Blue Tits popped in for a feed on the sunflower hearts while both Wren and Robin were both heard nearby. 

Little Gulls off Hayling Island.

Tuesday 8th November 2022.

The adult Little Gull in the harbour entrance from the Lifeboat Station, Hayling Island, this morning. 

When I saw on the ‘Lazee Birders’ Whatsapp that at least 12 Little Gulls had been seen from the Lifeboat Station at the harbour entrance on Hayling Island, I simply could not resist in trying for my 220th species for the year. Though I had a busy day ahead of me, I still was in a position of shelving it all for a few hours; but would I get a severe soaking in the squally heavy showers forecast for the whole day? 

Above, this Sandwich Tern flew close to the shoreline whilst walking up to the Lifeboat Station. Below, a lone Ringed Plover resting on the shingle by the harbour entrance.

The answer to the above questions were both yes as I managed to get onto an adult and juvenile Little Gull in the harbour entrance and avoid the worst of the dreadful weather. Fellow ‘Lazee Birders’ Garry Fennemore and Becky Ladd were both present by the Lifeboat Station when I arrived and later joined by Andy Tew, as we sat comfortably out of the worst of the wind and rain. Gary explained that he had 6 Little Gulls flying out from the harbour to the Solent along with a couple of Great Northern Divers earlier this morning and Becky had 6 more birds and with the two we saw together, up to 14 birds seen altogether is some total for this time of year.

Some of the best of my photos of the adult Little Gull this morning. 

Apparently, there was one in exactly the same spot yesterday, a juvenile bird and we concluded that these new birds today must have taken shelter from the worst of the weather overnight nearby. I watched a couple of Sandwich Terns passing close to the shoreline heading out to the Solent when I made my way to the Lifeboat Station and a further 6 more birds were seen during the couple of hours I was there. While watching the adult Little Gull, I noticed a Great Northern Diver flying west low over the water behind the Gull, but it soon disappeared. Good numbers of waders were flying over the harbour entrance including Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Turnstone and of course, Sanderling; the latter happily walking and resting close to where we sat on the shoreline.

Sanderling flying over the harbour entrance and on the shore in front of us.

Gary picked up a distant Fulmar way out in the Solent and I managed to quickly get onto it, though it kept banking and disappearing from view most of the time. This was Andy Tew’s first of the year, so he was excited to get this on his Hampshire list for the year. Before Andy arrived, a 1st winter Little Gull suddenly joined the adult bird literally from nowhere and showed very well at times, though I sadly did not get a photo of the bird. Both birds soon flew off strongly out over the Solent in a south-easterly direction. 

Above, another flight shot of the Sanderling and below, another Sandwich Tern negotiating the stormy weather within the harbour entrance.

The strong blustery south-westerly wind did not let up and when I eventually got home, the news of at least 4 Leach's Petrels, pale phase Long-tailed Skua off Milford and a Grey Phalarope on Ibsley Water, Blashford Lakes had me getting itchy feet, but I have things to do and so hats off to the finders anyway. This wind has most certainly brought in the goodies!

Film footage of the adult and 1st winter Little Gull in the harbour entrance at Hayling Island this morning.

Just four moths this morning.

Monday 7th November 2022.

Just a few brave moths were present this morning including this Double-striped Pug.

Rain, rain and more rain as we go into another wet week. Yesterday, on my Birthday, there was no birding at all as my family had other plans (I did see 3 Goldfinch flying over the garden!), but I did put my moth box on overnight and the total catch was just FOUR moths. Well, at least it was dry while I was checking them out, just before another deluge came down. I shall top up the bird feeders sometime today, which just might attract something unusual.

My first Tachystola acroxantha of the month. I think they can be seen all year round now down this area.

The moths present this morning included:

• 1 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Tachystola acroxantha
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl

Light Brown Apple Moth.

I am glad to hear that the Purple Sandpipers are back at Southsea Castle despite all the work going on there to boost up the Sea Defences from the Council. Four birds are currently present there, which, hopefully, will increase over the coming months, but it will depend on how much disturbance they endure. Black Redstarts have been noted over the past few days there too with a single female bird seen yesterday by the Bandstand. Hats off to the brave birders who ventured down there in that grim weather yesterday. Up to 3 Yellow-legged Gulls were picked up at Ibsley Water yesterday and a Little Gull on Sturt Pond, Milford on sea; a species that I have not seen this year. A few Arctic Skua passed through Selsey Bill yesterday and on the day before, a Sooty Shearwater went through along with a Long-tailed Duck and several more Skua’s.

This Red Kite sailed over Ibsley Water, Blashford Lakes, while I was there in the Tern Hide with all the other 'Lazee Birders'. Photo by Pete Appleton. 

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.