A Perusal for a R'Ouzel!

Saturday 14th October 2023.

Though distant and in shadow, the flash of those silvery wings helped pick out the Ring Ouzels on the north-west side of Butser Hill. They were exactly in the same place as last year and thankfully, in numbers again too. You can just see this bird on the edge of this berry laden bush.

Before I go on about the sightings today, I am going to say that I did take a lot of photos and due to the fact it really was a very bright sunny day, I am going to let the photos do the talking today. My choice of location today was going to be Butser Hill, where Andy and myself were successful in seeing at least four Ring Ouzels there last year and so, it was back there again for a second attempt to hopefully see one. Therefore, I picked up Geoff Farwell first and then up to Andy’s house for a quick check of the moth box over a nice cup of coffee.

Though low in numbers, some quality moths were present in and around Andy's moth box that included, from top to bottom, Green-brindled Crescent, Cypress Carpet and a Black Rustic.  

There were not many moths, but despite that, there were two species that climbed aboard my year list: a superb Green-brindled Crescent and a Cypress Carpet. There were also two other moths present, a Black Rustic and also my first Beautiful Plume for October. While checking the moths, both Redwing and Siskin were heard flying over, but both species eluded us in being seen.

Above, a Fox Moth caterpillar Geoff found on Butser Hill. Below, a Chiffchaff seen by the car park.

We arrived at Butser Hill around 9am and instead of being ripped off with their extortionate parking charges, we joined some chap some 200 yards before the entrance who was about to fly his drone over the countryside. He also agreed about the ridiculous parking charges and said that it was a nice walk to the car park anyway! On the way to the car park, we had sightings of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits over and in the adjacent bushes, a Goldcrest was calling, though it remained hidden. However, we did see a pair of Goldcrests as we made our way to the escarpment well north of the car park. A Chiffchaff was also seen flitting about the brambles and a flock of Chaffinches flew over.

Above, Skylark and below, a female Sparrowhawk over the Hill.

Above, the female Stonechat on the Hill and below, a rather distant juvenile Ring Ouzel.

Walking around the escarpment looking down into ‘Grandfathers Bottom’ (honestly, it's called that!!), both Siskins and Redpolls flew over, but they were difficult to see against the bright blue sky. More Skylarks flew over and even a Woodlark was heard, but two more were seen well during our time there. A female Stonechat was seen on a bramble and then our first Raven of the trip was seen flying towards us. After watching a small flock of Song Thrush flying south and a Blackbird flying over, I spotted our first Ring Ouzel of the morning. Though the area known as ‘Grandfathers Bottom’ was mostly in shadow, the silvery wings of the Ring Ouzel could easily be made out, but it was distant. However, another bird soon joined it and within five minutes, I counted at least four birds present, though I am sure there were more.    

Above, a Woodlark flying off into the distance and below, you can just make out one of the Ring Ouzels flying off above the bush.

Above, two of the four Ravens seen and below, a few Goldfinches on top of the Hill.

The footpath further north was bathed in sunshine and seeing it was so cold here (we were virtually in winter plumage now!), we didn't hesitate in making our way to the warmer sunshine. Overhead, the lone Raven was joined by another and then another pair joined the first two birds. Over the countryside below, our first Red Kite turned up and within minutes, a total of seven birds were seen flying together at one stage! Even Common Buzzards got in on the act, with at least two seen here. A Yellowhammer flew over behind us to climb onboard our impressive day list.

Above, one of the Ring Ouzel's perched on a small bush and below, One of the Red Kites flying over.

Above, three of the Red Kites together on the west side of the Hill and below, the two male Sparrowhawks on the north side of the Hill.

On the other side of the Hill, we enjoyed watching a pair of male Sparrowhawks tussling with one another and a female bird was seen a little later. We were hoping for more Ring Ouzels down on the slope below, but the best we could get were a Chiffchaff, more Meadow Pipits, several flocks of Linnet and a fine Common Buzzard sailing low overhead. The view from here was amazing and you could see for miles in the bright sunshine. You could even see Petersfield Lake in the distance! (see photo). OK, it was a bit of a walk back to the car, but it was a gorgeous day and a most enjoyable walk. Yes, it was teeming with dog-walkers, but at least the dogs behaved themselves today. Our next stop was going to be Portdown Hill for more possible Ring Ouzels.

The amazing view looking north from Butser Hill. Below, this Red Kite had something interesting in its talons.

Above, there are five Red Kites in this photo! Below, Andy bursts into song!

Parking up in the Route 66 Burger Van car park (their hot-dogs looked amazing!), we had lunch as I had bought my lunch earlier today. From here, another flock of three Siskins flew over, a Great Spotted Woodpecker seen flying high west, more Meadow Pipits and a large flock of Linnets. Not a bad start. We took the path behind Fort Widley and were treated to another female Sparrowhawk and at least two Chiffchaffs here. From the viewpoint looking south over the gorgeous countryside, we had sightings of 4 Skylarks heading west, a flock of around a dozen Goldfinch and a smaller flock of 6 Chaffinch heading south. A male Kestrel was hunting over the fields in front of us and a Common Buzzard was seen distantly over the countryside. A pair of Stonechats were also found down below in the fields, which was a bonus. Best of all, a Firecrest was first heard calling deep within a bramble and then seen flying off west and disappearing into another bramble.

Above, Petersfield Lake in the distance looking north from Butser Hill. Below, the two male Sparrowhawks from the Hill.

Above, Goldfinches on the Hill and below, a female Sparrowhawk flying over the Hill.

Sadly, no Ring Ouzels here today, but I bet they do turn up soon, especially with easterly winds next week. Other sightings here included a Stock Dove belting over the countryside and a large flock of Gulls following a ploughing tractor down in the fields below. There was a lovely Rainbow about a mile to the north as a rain shower was making its way east over the fields. Good numbers of Red Admiral butterflies were making their way south and over our heads and a superb Yellow Belle moth flew over our heads, but did not settle.

Above, a Common Buzzard sailed over our heads on the north side of Butser Hill and below, this male Kestrel was seen by Portsdown Hill.

As above.

To finish our day off, I thought we would try our luck with another look for the Long-tailed Blue butterflies that were last seen on Monday earlier this week. We even joined Hayling birder, Becky Ladd, who was waiting patiently for them to show in the sunshine, but the only butterflies seen were Red Admirals, one very late Holly Blue and one Painted Lady. A few bird sightings were noted that included three Common Buzzards south of where we were and a small flock of Long-tailed Tits came in along with a few Blue and Great Tits. We spent a good hour here, but no sign of the Long-tailed Blue’s today and so it was back in the car to our respective homes. Oh, by the way, it was Geoff who came up with todays’ snappy title.

Above, the Butser Hill Common Buzzard again and below, the male Kestrel below in the field on Portsdown Hill.

Above, this Rainbow came into view when a passing shower headed east over the countryside and below, a female Common Darter dragonfly on Portsdown Hill.

Above, a Painted Lady butterfly showed well in the sunshine on Portsdown Hill and below, Farlington Marshes in the distance from the same location.