Lesser Redpoll at Blashford Lakes.

Saturday 11th March 2023

The female Marsh Harrier hunting near the Goosander Hide at Blashford Lakes.

Blashford Lakes was on the itinerary today for we had an outside chance of an early Sand Martin or Little Ringed Plover on the reserve, plus a host of other possible birds to add to our year list. The weather was going to play a big part because it did not look all that great around the Fordingbridge area according to the Weather App on my mobile. Nevertheless, we took a gamble and I think it rather paid off.

Above, Snowdrops showing well by the car park at the Reserve Centre. Below, a few Primroses were in bloom as well.

I had my moth box on overnight and caught absolutely bugger all again and even Andy’s moth trap drew a blank also. What a total waste of expensive electricity that was; but if you don't try, then the outcome is gunge anyway! Overnight temperatures didn't help either, with it being just above freezing. However, it wasn't all that miserable in Andy’s garden (‘Cowplain Marsh’), as a male Blackcap put in an appearance and several very showy Dunnocks sang their hearts out in both his front and back garden.    

Above, Scarlet Elf Cap fungus was growing abundantly within the woodland at Blashford Lakes. Below, the rare Wild Daffodils near the Reserve Centre.

Taking the long trip west along the M27, a male Sparrowhawk was seen flying low over the motorway before we took the Lyndhurst turn off to head across the New Forest towards Fordingbridge. We kicked off by checking the Woodland Hide for Lesser Redpoll, a species yet to be added to our year list and after around 20 minutes or so, Andy spotted a superb male bird on one of the feeders. There was no-one in the Hide on our arrival, so I had the luxury of the only window you can open in here to photograph the birds coming in.

Above and below, male and female Siskins were abundant throughout the woodland.

There was a good variety using the feeders that included 30+ Siskins coming in to feed and I even filmed a male bird singing right in front of me. Superb. The Siskins were joined by Chaffinches, Greenfinch and Goldfinches plus also Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits in relatively good numbers. Even a male Reed Bunting came in to feed, but mostly picked off the spilt seed on the ground along with at least 5 Dunnocks. This time last year, Bramblings were in good numbers here in front of the Hide, but it has been a poor Winter for this species for some unknown reason. Fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ Pete Appleton joined us within the Hide and after a good 30 minutes or so, Andy decided to make our way to the Ivy North Hide for a possible Water Rail lurking around.

Above, at least three Nuthatches came down to feed including a 'ringed' bird. Below, also Long-tailed Tits showed very well in front of both the Woodland and Goosander Hide. On the subject of 'rings', I photographed at least three different birds sporting leg rings. Apparently, they do a lot of 'ringing' here at this site. 

The walk there produced sightings of more Siskins, Treecreeper and Redwing, but spending just 15 minutes in the Ivy North Hide produced nothing within the reedbeds, which was disappointing. So, after Pete had told us earlier that he had a couple of Water Pipits from the Tern Hide earlier this morning, we headed off there. While walking back through the woodland, a Common Buzzard flew through the woods, but too quick for a decent photo. Again, there was no-one in the Tern Hide and so we got about searching for anything of note. Wildfowl numbers have greatly reduced, but there were at least 6 Goldeneye present, including a drake bird, but they always remained distant. Other wildfowl included Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Wigeon and a few Gadwall. 

Above, this male Reed Bunting came down to feed below the feeder in front of the Woodland Hide. Below, Siskins were also feeding below the feeder including a 'ringed' male bird.

A small flock of Lapwing were on one of the islands and other waders present included a single Oystercatcher and Redwing on the islands. Always keeping an eye out for the Water Pipits, we noticed a large flock of both Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits out of one of the windows to our right, mostly feeding on the scrubby area upon the spits and among them, there was also a good sprinkling of Reed Buntings. Pete Appleton eventually joined us and while chatting to him, I spotted one of the Water Pipits searching for food on the shoreline on one of the spits. Right in front of us, a pair of Grey Wagtails dropped in and showed very well in front of the Hide as did a few Pied Wagtails. Way in the distance to the north, I saw a Red Kite sailing high over the treeline, but no other raptors during our stay in the Tern Hide. Some more birders arrived in the Hide and one young lady found some Goosanders in front of the Goosander Hide! I quickly got  onto the birds, three ‘redheads’, though her father (I assume?), found a drake, though I never saw that bird. They eventually flew off heading south-west. 

Above, the female Grey Wagtail in front of the Tern Hide and below, a male Pied Wagtail also popped in.

Our next stop was to go to the Goosander Hide and on the way there, I noticed a lot of plants sprouting up which turned out to be Lords & Ladies plants (thanks to the Facebook Wild flowers site). Earlier, we had seen the Wild Daffodils, Primrose and the Snowdrops all in bloom near the Woodland Hide and even the fungus Scarlet Elf Cap was showing well along the main footpath.

Above, the Chiffchaff that was flitting about the brambles by the Goosander Hide. Below, Andy spotted the paler of the two Water Pipits perched in the brambles. 

From the Goosander Hide, a female Marsh Harrier made several passes in front of us and the Pied Wagtail / Meadow Pipit flock showed very well to the left of the Hide. When the Harrier flew low over, you could see how many birds were actually on the ground when flushed by the raptor. While Andy popped out the Hide for a cigarette, I found a Chiffchaff flitting about in the brambles above the Sand Martin nest holes, which Andy eventually saw too. He then found something interesting that turned out to be the much brighter paler second Water Pipit that was perched on a bramble. Excellent. Andy was on a roll as he also found a pair of male Stonechats on the grassy embankment behind the Pipit!

Above and below, the female Marsh Harrier flying over the Goosander Hide.

We gave Ibsley Water a good scan for any Hirundines but drew a blank and as it was nearing 2pm, I decided to call it a day and make our way back to the car. A couple of Redwing flew out of cover and one landed high up in a tree. A pair of Roe Deer were also flushed close to the footpath and looked at us totally bemused as we walked on. A good variety of birds today and another ‘year-tick’ in the bag too. 

A singing male Siskin in front of the Woodland Hide.