A busy day over flooded Blashford Lakes.

Saturday 9th December 2023.

Rainbows appearing in front of the Goosander Hide provided more entertainment.

The weather forecast today was not looking good for the morning, with persistent rain all morning, but there was light at the end of the tunnel with sunshine arriving around midday. Thankfully, it arrived before midday. It was going to be a choice between the Hides at Titchfield Haven (to keep out of the rain) or the Hides at Blashford Lakes. I opted for the latter. After picking up Geoff Farwell, we got to Andy Fisher's house a little after 8am and while enjoying a cup of coffee, we checked the moth box and came up trumps with my first Mottled Umber moth of the year. I have not put my moth box on this month due to the very wet conditions of late, so this moth was a real bonus.

Above, the Mottled Umber moth by Andy's moth box. Below, a Dunnock sat close to where we stood by Eyeworth Pond.

Above, a pair of Mandarin ducks on Eyeworth Pond were one of at least 8 birds present. Below, we found a small flock of thrushes on the grass in Fritham that included these Redwing and a few Blackbirds and Song Thrushes.

Ellingham Drove was starting to flood when we arrived at Blashford Lakes. 

As we made our way along the B3078, I asked the guys if they fancy looking at Eyeworth Pond first of all and so we drove down to the small car park. From here, there were no Goosanders seen, but at least 3, possibly 4 pairs of Mandarin Ducks on the Pond and a flock of Mallards swimming on there too. Overhead, a large flock of Redwing flew over and all the usual small passerines were flitting about around the car park.

Above, a Cormorant flew past the Goosander Hide and below, there were many wildfowl present on Ibsley Water including this female Pochard near the Hide.

Above and below, at least two Great White Egrets graced Ibsley Water.

Several Grey Herons were viewable from the Goosander Hide including this much closer individual.

After Andy grabbed some lunch from the nearby garage, we made our way down Ellingham Drove to first try the Tern Hide, but the car park was closed due to flooding (which is a common event here if there has been heavy rain). Ellingham Drove road was partially flooded too and we had to drive very carefully along the road. I managed to park up by the gate leading to both the Goosander and Lapwing Hides and then we made our way to the first Hide. Fortunately, the rain had stopped on our journey here, but it eventually came back along with some very attractive rainbows when the sun came out! Along the footpath, a flock of around 20+ Siskins flew over and a herd of Fallow Deer were seen that included an albino Doe among the herd.

Above, one of the drake Goosanders passing over Ibsley Water and below, this small platform held a deer carcass to attract the larger raptors to feast on. It only attracted Magpies while we were there!

Above, a Common Buzzard flew over the Goosander Hide and below, as did this Red Kite.

This male Marsh Harrier came close enough for a photo while the two females were a little more distant.

We spent the next couple of hours within this Hide and saw a good selection of birds from here that included up to two Great White Egrets, a flyby Kingfisher and at least 4 Goosanders that included three drakes. At least three Goldeneye were present, though distant, including a drake while overhead, raptors flying over included up to three Marsh Harriers (male & 2 females), a Red Kite and a Common Buzzard. A pair of Ravens were also seen among the Harriers. All the usual wildfowl were present including Pintail, Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Pochard, but most were quite distant throughout our stay in the Hide. 

Above, a female Goldeneye came close enough to the Goosander Hide for a photo and below, the flooded Carr near the Woodland Hide. I have never seen the water level here so high before.

Above, one of the Treecreepers near the Woodland Hide and below, Cormorants resting in the trees seen from the Ivy South Hide.

A female Gadwall flying towards the Ivy South Hide.

By the time we got back to the car, Ellingham Drove road was flooded and cars passed very carefully along the road. Driving extremely carefully, we made our way to the Centre car park. Around the Woodland Hide, we had a couple of Treecreepers showing reasonably well and a much more elusive Great Spotted Woodpecker, but what stole the show was the flooding going on within the woodland. The river that runs through the reserve between the main lakes had burst its banks and if there was more rain on the way, I expect the water level to flood the main footpath. For now though, we made our way to the Ivy South Hide and from there, we had another Kingfisher sighting, a few Goosanders flying over and a Green Sandpiper over on the far side of Ivy Lake. The lake itself was alive with wildfowl with all the aforementioned ducks present as well as a large contingent of Cormorants using the trees nearby.

Above and below, I was surprised by these photos of a Kingfisher passing in front of the Ivy South Hide came out.

Above, a mixture of Shoveler, Wigeon, Gadwall and Mallard on Ivy Lake. Below, a few Wigeon coming into land among the duck.

A pair of Gadwall sat in front of the Ivy South Hide in the sunshine.

And so, another great day’s birding, despite the poor weather this morning, but by the time we left the Goosander Hide, the sun came out and a blue sky dominated, though the wind most certainly picked up. On the drive back through the Forest along the B3078, a Raven flew low over the road and a female Merlin was seen flying over the heath as we made our way to the M27. Four more Common Buzzards were seen on the drive back from the motorway to round off another successful day. Final word goes to the superb video Andy sent me this morning of which I sent to ‘Lazee Birder’ Andy Friend. It went viral!!! (see below).  

And now for you fellow Lazee's......................