A good day for moths & birds.

Saturday 18th March 2023.

This Little Ringed Plover was one of a pair flying around the Tern Hide at Blashford Lakes this morning.

I think Spring has most definitely sprung today as temperatures climbed up to a balmy 16 degrees around midday when Andy and myself were birding over Blashford Lakes today. Not only did we have a plethora of bird ‘year-ticks’, but we also had a good selection of moths at both my house and Andy’s house too. You would not have believed it first thing this morning as it seemed too wet and miserable to check my moth box first thing this morning at 6.30am; but the wet weather eventually cleared up and it was a glorious day yet again in the New Forest region.

Above, my first Early Grey moth of the year by my moth box and below, a Beautiful Plume moth.

By my moth box, there were both Common Plume and a Beautiful Plume resting on the white sheet behind my box, but I left looking inside the box, because of the rain, till I got home from the New Forest later in the afternoon. There was nothing in the moth box again, but on the fence panel nearby, my first Early Grey moth of the year was perched, which most certainly put a big smile on my face.

Above, one of four Small Quaker and below, my first Twin-spot Quaker of the year was a nice surprise.

Above, one of two Chestnut moths.

Over at Andy’s house this morning, the egg trays around Andy’s moth box held up to 4 Small Quaker, 2 Chestnut, a Double-striped Pug and best of all, a Twin-spot Quaker. Nearby, perched on one of his greenhouses, a single Common Plume was sat, to round off an excellent number and variety of moths to his trap. Apart from the Common Plume, all the moths were new for the year. The male Blackcap that was heard singing nearby, actually came down to the tree near his back door and showed very well until flying off. What a great start to the day.

Another of the Little Ringed Plovers that was seen flying around by the Tern Hide.

Because of the rain, the proposed plan to go to Farlington Marshes evaporated and a morning in the Hides at Blashford Lake was far more favourable. So westbound along the M27 was made where we saw not only a female Sparrowhawk flying over the road, but also Andy’s first Green Woodpecker of the year! Also, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew south over the same motorway; all despite the rain falling all the way there to Blashford Lakes. The road through the New Forest, the B3078, produced sightings of at least two male Stonechats, several Skylarks and a couple of Curlews that flew over the road. But it was sad to see two idiot drivers overtaking me, despite doing the max 40 mph along the road and nearly double their speed. No wonder so many animals get killed on the road here.

One of three Red Kites that flew over Ibsley Water.

After grabbing some nosh at the Shell Garage on Salisbury Road, we parked up by the Tern Hide and almost immediately, we saw our first Little Ringed Plovers of the year; a pair that were circling the area calling at the same time. These birds spent the next couple of hours doing this although they did settle a few times in front of the Hide according to other birders. Andy still needed the Scaup for his year list and after checking most if not all the female Tufted Ducks, I eventually picked the bird up some distance away north of the Hide. Incidentally, we never bothered using the Hide and spent the next 4 hours viewing from the Viewing Platform instead, which turned out to be a very good idea.

One of two drake Goldeneye present this morning on Ibsley Water.

The female Scaup was sporting the large amount of white above the base of the bill, though it still looked rather small. At least 6 Goldeneye were still present including a gorgeous drake bird, which spent a lot of its time west of the Hide. All the usual wildfowl were present, though in much reduced numbers and even a drake Goosander flew in to land somewhere near the Goosander Hide. Surprisingly, I found the Black-necked Grebe swimming with two Great Crested Grebes out in the open and quickly put Andy and another birder who joined us, onto the bird. The Black-necked Grebe was not quite in summer plumage but a smart bird nonetheless.

Another shot of the drake Goldeneye.

Waders were in good numbers here too with a healthy number of Black-tailed Godwit seen mostly on one of the islands, including quite a few in full summer plumage. At least 10 Lapwing were noted on the islands, but as well as the Little Ringed Plovers seen throughout our stay there, I found a Ruff walking around one of the islands close to the northern end of Ibsley Water along with a Redshank. The Ruff was new for our year list too, which was totally unexpected and even a calling Curlew got in on the action as it flew north high over the water along with at least three Oystercatchers!

One of the islands on the west side of Ibsley Water held a good number of Black-tailed Godwit.

Always checking the raptors overhead, we had a nice variety here and in good numbers too with Common Buzzards easily outnumbering all other raptors. At least three Red Kites went over as did two sightings of a female Sparrowhawk and finally, a smart male Marsh Harrier flew east over Ibsley Water. An Osprey was reported flying north over Gosport this morning and with all these Alpine Swifts being reported nationally over the UK, we most certainly kept an eye open up above us.

Andy in summer plumage! Yes, it was that warm from the Viewing Platform.

Passerines here included a few singing Chiffchaffs seen (my first singing Chiffs seen this year) nearby and several Reed Buntings also showed well by the Hide. Overhead, I heard the distinctive calls of Sand Martins and quickly got the guys onto the birds as they flew high south over our head, with at least three birds present. About an hour later, another 5 more birds flew south; yet another species added to our year list.

This Redwing showed well by the Blashford Lakes Centre car park. 

At least two Brimstone butterflies flew past us, though would not settle while we were watching the birds from the Viewing Platform, our first of the year too and also a probable Red Admiral belted past us, though far too quick to get a proper ID. Overhead, the midges had gained in number with some settling on my head and what with the heat of the sun (seriously, it was that warm!) I quickly went back to the car to get my hat! All the time we were there, we were getting updates on a female Surf Scoter that had been found this morning off the Jetty at Pennington Marshes. Though I had seen two of this species in Hampshire before, Andy has yet to add this species to his Hampshire list, but when we found out that the traffic lights within Lyndhurst were a nightmare, I gave going for the Scoter a miss.

Another photo of the Redwing.

Instead, we headed back towards Fordingbridge and back on the B3078 to hopefully view a possible Goshawk over the woodland to the north of the road. Despite a lengthy search, there were no Goshawk sightings, but we did see another pair of Red Kites and at least three Common Buzzards. A Woodlark flew over our heads, calling in doing so and headed off north over the heath, which was a nice addition to our day list. By 2pm, I called it a day and we headed back east to our respected homesteads.  Later this evening, I heard that an Alpine Swift had been seen at Swanage, Dorset and at least five birds around the Stanpit Marsh area this evening!!! Surely one will be seen in Hampshire tomorrow?  

My third and final photo of the Redwing. Such smart looking birds.

Wheatears at Eastney Outfall.

Friday 17th March 2023.

My first Wheatear of the year. Amazingly, this is the same date I saw my first one last year!

This afternoon, having read on the Hants Birding website that a pair of male Wheatears had been seen this morning just east of Southsea Castle; I just had to go and have a look if I could see the birds for myself. This morning's rain had departed and now it was bright sunshine with a clear blue sky overhead and so parking up near the Pyramids, I took a stroll to where the new Seawall Construction was taking place.

Above, the lone Sanderling on the Sewage Pipe. Below, another photo of the male Wheatear, whereas the second bird was seen on the perimeter fence.

Despite a good search on the beach and by the large rocks, there were no sign of any Wheatears, which was very disappointing. So I took a drive down to Southsea Common where a small flock of Brent Geese were the only birds of note. Next, I took a drive along the seafront to Eastney beach and tried my luck there. Nope. The only birds of note seen here were around a dozen Mediterranean Gulls resting on the shingle. So I gave it one more shot and tried my luck again around the Water Treatment Works by Eastney Outfall.

Above, the male Stonechat on the perimeter fence with Meadow Pipits. Below, one of the Meadow Pipits.

Yep, that meant driving very cautiously through the large car park and its notorious horrible potholes. After safely negotiating them, I parked up and quickly checked both the beach by the harbour entrance and also the field to the west of the car park. Again, no Wheatears at all, just the usual contingent of around 50+ Brent Geese loafing in the field. Then I caught sight of an interesting passerine perched on the perimeter fence way in the distance, of which I found out later, was a male Stonechat. But still, I had to go and check it and that's when I came across my first Wheatears of the year. Brilliant.

Above, there was a pair of Mediterranean Gulls on the beach by the car park, with this individual sporting a rather muddy beak! Below, not the sharpest photo I have ever taken of the male Stonechat!

I took the slightly muddy track around the south side of the Water Treatment Works and on the rocks way in front of me, up popped a male Wheatear. Quickly taking a few photos, I noticed a lot of passerines on the perimeter fence which turned out to be three Meadow Pipits, the male Stonechat I had seen earlier and another male Wheatear, though taking a photo with the sun behind them was never going to be easy. Well pleased with the Wheatear sightings, I checked the Sewage Pipe for anything of note and at the very end of the Pipe, there was a lone Sanderling. Apart from a Cormorant and a few Gulls, nothing was on the sea and so I made my way back to the car.

I put on the moth box last night seeing it was rather mild, though despite the wet weather this morning, I was rewarded with three moths: a Light Brown Apple Moth (above), a Double-striped Pug (below) and a Beautiful Plume, which was seen last night but had flown off by morning.

In Hampshire today, the persistent southerlies have been helping migration as there was a sprinkling of migrants again that included a pair of Little Ringed Plovers and 10 Sand Martins on Testwood Lakes, several Wheatears and Chiffchaffs at various locations and a pair of Short-eared Owls on Farlington Marshes again. The long staying juvenile Iceland Gull is still present off Redbridge, Southampton. Nationally, it seems to be a good Spring for Alpine Swifts, for they  seem to be at many locations and even a Red-rumped Swallow was seen today. Eyes to the skies as they say.

A small fall of Chiffchaffs in the Cemy.

Thursday 16th March 2023.

The male Sparrowhawk high up in the Plane tree in Highland Road Cemetery this morning. It was seen well twice this morning.

On what was supposed to be a showery day here on the south coast, it turned out to be complete garbage again. I met up with a pal of mine for a coffee at the Coffee Cup cafe, on the seafront at Eastney early this morning and though there was some overhead cloud cover, it soon departed north (probably due to the breezy southerly wind) and bright sunshine and blue sky took its place! 

Above, Common Field Speedwell growing abundantly on the graves. Below, I have always wondered what this small plant was and this morning I finally got an answer from those plant buffs on Facebook. It is in fact Cutleaf Geranium.

While enjoying the coffee, I had a seat overlooking the beach and I got to see up to a dozen or so Mediterranean Gulls flying over in singles or small flocks. The Brent Geese were also on the move, with several small skeins flying east high over the beach. Had a great catch up with my mate who has just come back from Australia and was full of chat as always. We walked from my house to the Coffee Cup and back again, which put me in good stead for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery and so, once I got home, I grabbed my birding gear and took a leisurely stroll to my ‘local patch’. 

At least four Chiffchaffs were noted during this morning's walk around the Cemetery including a 'ringed' individual (second from top), though not close enough to get any numerals on the ring. 

Though there were no Wheatears seen on the beach while at the Coffee Cup earlier, there was always a chance of one lingering within the Cemetery. I have seen them here in past Springs, but not this morning. Instead, there must have been a small fall of Chiffchaffs this morning within the Cemetery and although none were heard singing, all were calling in different areas of the Cemetery. Lovely to see them flitting about the blossoming Cherry trees.

Both Blue (above) and Great Tits (below) were in good song this morning.

The male Sparrowhawk put in an appearance twice this morning; firstly over on the west side high up in one of the Lime Trees and then over in the north-east corner where it perched up high in the Plane tree of which I got some pretty nice photos of the bird. All the usual species were present and seeing 21 species this morning including a flyover Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit, boosted the numbers considerably. I did bump into a dog-walker who was walking her three children and told me that a pair of Green Woodpeckers were seen over in the north-east corner. I have not seen them this year and so I quickly took a walk over there, but, sadly, there was no sign of the birds.

Above, this Yellow-legged Mining Bee was attracted by the Daffodils over on the east side of the Cemetery and below, my first Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) was also seen nearby.

Still, a good hours birding there. Though the sun was out and once out of the breeze, it got quite warm which encouraged a few Hoverflies and Bees on the wing. Still no butterflies on the wing here, but I am sure it will not be long now before we get a few flying round.

The male Sparrowhawk in the Plane Tree this morning.

Birds seen or heard within the Cemy this morning included the following:

• Sparrowhawk (male)
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• House Sparrow
• Robin
• Starling
• Wren
• Chiffchaff
• Meadow Pipit
• Pied Wagtail
• Collared Dove
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Blackbird
• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Great Black-backed Gull
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit

Above, the male Sparrowhawk this time over on the west side of the Cemetery where first seen. Below, the Cemetery has just recently had the grass mown there.

Migrants arriving on the south coast.

Wednesday 15th March 2023.

One of the Mediterranean Gulls on Eastney Beach this afternoon.

Bird migration is most certainly on its way with sightings of Wheatears, Sand Martins and Little Ringed Plovers being reported at various south coast localities and so I thought I would go in search for a migrant along both Southsea and Eastney Beach this afternoon. A good southerly wind was blowing overnight and today and so it looked very promising for a migrant or two. Yesterday, a male Wheatear was found late afternoon on Farlington Marshes (see photo) and today, there were three birds at the same locality this morning (2 males and a female). Over in West Sussex, Medmerry RSPB Reserve hosted a pair of Little Ringed Plovers and a Wheatear this morning. Further afield, a Stone Curlew was found at Beddington Farmlands, near Croydon.

Above, the Bandstand field by Southsea Castle still in developement.

Above, a lone Black-headed Gull (left) with two Med Gulls. Below, adult Med Gull (left) with another Black-headed Gull on Eastney Beach.

Sadly, despite a good search along both beaches, there was no sign of any Wheatears on the beach nor over by Eastney Point. I kicked off by having a look for the Purple Sandpipers at Southsea Castle and although the Sea Defence Development is not too far from completion, I think there was too much disturbance going on and I could not find a single bird. In fact, apart from House Sparrows, Starlings and Wood Pigeons, I virtually saw bugger all, except for a distant Oystercatcher flying east!

Above, one of the Med Gulls settled on the beach close to where I stood. Below, one of eight Greenfinches by the edge of the Water Treatment Works, Eastney Point.

So I turned my attention to the beach at Eastney where I pulled the car over and checked the Gull flocks first of all. Among them, I found at least three Mediterranean Gulls among the Black-headed Gulls and I simply could not resist in getting some nice photos of the Meds, especially now they are in full summer dress. A good scan up and down the beach produced no Wheatears and so I took one last gamble and made my way to the Water Treatment Work at Eastney Outfall.

Above, some of the 70+ Brent Geese that were feeding in the field near the car park by Eastney Point. Below, a Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) that was perched on my kitchen back door last Sunday! 

The car park there is fraught with danger with monstrous pot-holes and so gingerly, I took the car to the far end of the car park, parked up and took a stroll over to the field near by. Yet again, a good search over the grass and scrub produced no Wheatears, but a large flock of feeding Brent Geese (approximately 70+ birds in total) were  present as was a small flock of 8 Greenfinch by the perimeter fence. The rain started to fall a little heavier now and so after checking the empty harbour entrance, I made my way back home.

Above, the male Wheatear on Farlington Marshes early evening yesterday. Photo by Ollie Crabbe.

Above, a Corn Bunting and below, a male Yellowhammer. Both seen and photographed at Toyd Down by Andy Tew.

   

More from Blashford from last Saturday.

Monday 13th March 2023.

Male and female Siskin and a male Greenfinch on the feeder in front of the Woodland Hide, Blashford, last Saturday.

I happened to take a lot of photos when I was over Blashford Lakes last Saturday and so I thought I would put the remaining photos on tonight on my blog. Yesterday, it was confirmed by a well known regular to Blashford Lakes that a female Scaup was present, which really got the brain matter thinking. I remember seeing a female Tufted Duck from the Tern Hide, that was swimming over on the northern end of Ibsley Water and remarked to both Andy Fisher and Pete Appleton, who were present at the time, that this particular female Tufted Duck had a lot of white above the base of the bill, but I dismissed it as a female Tufted Duck, though I did have my suspicions that it most certainly could of been a female Scaup.

Above, one of the Nuthatches feeding on the feeder again in front of the Woodland Hide, Blashford. Below, a male Grey Wagtail in front of the Tern Hide.

Above, this drake Pochard slowly swam in front of the Tern Hide. Below, this superb female Marsh Harrier sailed over the Goosander Hide.

Above, this Wren was slightly obscured by a branch, but most certainly packed in a loud song by the Goosander Hide. Below, Lords & Ladies plants were starting to poke out of the leaf litter along the footpaths of Blashford Lakes. This plant was featured on the new David Attenborough programme, Wild Isles and I discovered via the programme that they actually trap insects! 

So, I have already apologised to Andy and told him that it was going to go on my year list, which now stands at 145 species for the year (and all seen in Hampshire!). I did not go birding yesterday or today, though I did see and pointed out to my Granddaughter and her mother, an adult Mediterranean Gull flying along the shoreline of Southsea beach this afternoon, as we made our way to the Coffee Cup cafe along the promenade.

Above, one of the two Lesser Redpolls seen in front of the Woodland Hide last Saturday morning. This one is a female bird. Below, a female Goldeneye that swam close to the Tern Hide earlier in the morning. Both photos by Pete Appleton.

Above, the Great Grey Shrike seen near Denny Wood and Shatterford Car Park. Thankfully, both Andy and myself saw the bird, albeit extremely distantly, when we were there last month. Photo by Graeme Loader.

The female Scaup was still present today along with a couple of Sand Martins reported as well and for those who wanted to seriously boost their year list, a female Ring-necked Duck was found on Wellington Park near Reading yesterday and still present today. It is right on the border of north Hampshire and though a bit expensive to get in there to view the bird, HOS members were getting a good discount.