Wood Warbler and Goshawks in the New Forest.

Saturday 20th May 2023.

The Wood Warbler at Bolderwood, which showed very well to us.

I had a choice of several areas on where to go this morning with a few birds to add to my year list on offer that included a Wood Warbler at Bolderwood, Spotted Flycatcher at The Paddocks at Northney and possible Turtle Dove at Charlton. Even Acres Down, in the New Forest, was tempting for both Honey Buzzard and Goshawk. But before the big decision was made, my first port of call was Andy’s moth box at Cowplain Marsh (Andy’s back garden!).

Above, an Orange Footman moth and below, a Least Black Arches moth.

Above, a Common Marbled Carpet was also new for the year and below, another photo of the superb Wood Warbler that was full of song this morning.

Among the few moths present, there were three new moths added to my year list: Least Black Arches, Common Marbled Carpet and best of all, an Orange Footman. Andy’s garden has produced some amazing moths over the years, so I am always excited to check the moth box out when I arrive over a hot coffee and hilarious banter with Mr Fisher. Moths present in Andy’s garden included the following:

• 1 Common Marbled Carpet (NFY)
• 1 Least Black Arches (NFY)
• 1 Orange Footman (NFY)
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 2 Eudonia angustea
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth

I was well pleased with that little lot and so I made a decision to head to Bolderwood for our first port of call today. Apparently, we were told by the ‘Lazee Birders’, that the area we were looking at last week was wrong for a sighting of the Wood Warblers, for they were singing in a different area of Bolderwood. I shall not give the exact location of where we looked, but I will say that we saw just the one male bird seen singing high up in the Silver Birches. There is something magical about this species of bird and to be so close to it while it is singing is something to behold. However, trying to photograph the bird was going to be a challenge.

Two more photos of the Wood Warbler with the bottom photo showing the rings on its leg.

There was a bit of a wind blowing and with the tops of the trees swaying in the wind and with the zoom of my camera playing up, I was lucky to get some of the photos that I did manage. The bird did not linger in one spot long and so I was pleased with some of my photos. Later in the day, we met up with fellow ‘Lazee Birder’, Gary Fennemore, who told us that the bird we saw had rings on its leg and sure enough, while checking my photos of the bird, it was sporting both a yellow and blue ring! While making our way to the site, we had a close view of a Firecrest and also a Siskin flew high over the car park.

Above, a singing Willow Warbler showing well at Acres Down and below, one of many Common Buzzards showing well drifting low over the trees also at Acres Down.

On our way back to the car, I decided to head off to Acres Down for some Raptor viewing and of course, there is always plenty to see there and so it went on to prove. The Farm Shop was closed, which was disappointing and so we drove on to the Car Park which was fortunately, quiet for this time of day. Making our way to the usual viewpoint overlooking the top of the woods, we had a good variety of birds along the way that included a singing Willow Warbler, a pair of Woodlarks, a Cuckoo and a very brief view of a Wheatear that simply disappeared into the nearby vegetation. On reaching the viewpoint, we met up with fellow ‘Lazee’, Garry Fennemore who sensibly brought along a deck chair to sit in and view. There was also another experienced birder present with him (who apparently does guided tours through the Forest) and was also an expert on Raptor ID. Already the guys had seen Goshawks and many Buzzards over the woods, but no sign of any Honey Buzzards yet.     

Above, a male Goshawk high over the woodland and below, a female Goshawk flying past us.

Down below, both Tree Pipit and Redstart were singing, but it was only the former that was seen displaying down in the valley below. During our 3 hours there, we had several sightings of Hawfinches flying through and Meadow Pipits were also displaying nearby. A lone Swift flew north over the woodland as did a small flock of 4 Swallows and a Cuckoo perched in a tree down in the valley below for around half an hour, showing well through the scope.

Above, a Meadow Pipit showing well by the Viewpoint and below, a Woodlark dropped in near us as well.

Though we never got to see any Honey Buzzards today, we had many sightings of Goshawks with both male and female birds seen many times over the woodland. These were our first of the year and this site has to be one of the premier sites in the New Forest. Andy found a Hobby flying low over the trees as we watched it soar over the woods and then disappear north. At least three Red Kites were seen and one flew right over our heads. On the subject of Honey Buzzard, I did see one bird that looked good for it and even through the scope I was pretty convinced it was one. However, after trying to point it out to the other guys, I lost the bird and so will remain a mystery on its ID.

Above, a Red Kite cruising low overhead and below, the panoramic view of the woodland at Acres Down. 

By 1pm, I decided to call it a day here and walking back to the car park with Gary, we discussed all our sightings of late including his trips abroad. Thankfully, the Farm Shop was open as we had a quick binge to ease our thirst and hunger. Earlier in the day, a fluorescent green large beetle flew around us, but it wouldn't settle and low and behold, there was one perched on the frame of the door of the Farm Shop! It was a Rose Chafer beetle, but my photo of it through my mobile  was bloody awful. There were quite a few Brimstone butterflies on the wing over the heath as Common Heath moths, but none settled for a photo.

Above, I think this is a Marsh Click Beetle that I found in grassland at Charlton this afternoon. Below, I am waiting for a possible ID on this Beetle that Andy found on Acres Down.

On the way back home, I thought we would try our luck again for the Turtle Doves at Charlton, but yet again, there was no sight or sound of them. On a brighter note, there was a good supporting cast that included a pair of Ravens overhead; Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, a couple of Buzzards and at least 3 Swallows. Andy spotted a small butterfly which I identified as our first Dingy Skipper of the year. So it wasn’t all bad.

Birds-foot Trefoil.

The Spotted Flycatchers were still at The Paddocks on Northney today and this evening, two Temminck’s Stints were found on the Lake at Farlington Marshes along with the Curlew Sandpiper still; the latter was also seen by Andy yesterday evening who is desperately trying to catch me up in species seen this year, lol! Another great days birding with superb company.