A 'lifer' moth & a trip to Acres Down.

Saturday 3rd February 2024.

Though a grey day, the views here are still spectacular at Acres Down.

And so it was the annual trip down to the New Forest at Acres Down for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but deep down, judging by the overcast and drizzly weather conditions, I knew it was going to be a ‘no show’. A small hopeful crowd had gathered by the usual tree, but there was no sign or sound of the bird all morning according to some of the birders we met. But on a positive side, this part of the New Forest still held some excellent birds as we still notched up another 5 new ‘year-ticks’ on our trip here.

If there was one moth I wanted to see, it was this superb Spring Usher. I have never been lucky enough to pick one up by the moth trap and today, by Andy's moth box, one was perched on the outside wall. Well chuffed.

Earlier this morning, back at Andy Fisher’s garden, his moth trap had attracted my first ever Spring Usher moth! Punching the air in absolute delight, I have always wanted to see one of these moths, especially because some ‘moth-ers’ were already trapping these moths already in Hampshire. Sadly, it was the only moth present, but what a stunner and while enjoying a cup of coffee in the garden with Geoff and Andy, a Siskin flew over and a Coal Tit flew in briefly and then flew off across the road. There is always something to see in his garden.

Not the most sharpest of photos in the poor light today, but this male Brambling was one of several seen high up in the trees in the woodland at Acres Down. Below, this Song Thrush was singing all the time we were there within the woodland.

Though we spent a good four to five hours at Acres Down, we certainly had a good variety of birds to see. Yes, it was overcast all day, but the woods were alive with birds. Among the many Chaffinches here (probably 200+), we found at least a dozen Bramblings high up in the trees, though they proved very difficult to photograph in the poor light. Our first Hawfinches of the year also showed well throughout the day, with some calling and even singing high up in the trees and while walking to the ‘LSW’ tree, a Common Crossbill flew high over the woods, calling in doing so. Three ‘year-ticks’ in the space of around 10 minutes was a good start to the day here. I had got some ‘gen’ regarding a Tawny Owl site close to where we were, but it turned out the Owl was not in the tree this morning, which was disappointing, but a good variety of birds were about to keep us entertained included Marsh Tit, Long-tailed Tits, Nuthatches, Siskins and even a few Redpolls high up in the trees.

Above, one of at least three Woodlark out over the heath near the woodland. This individual was flying around our heads while enjoying a spot of lunch. Below, a large number of Wood Pigeons were in the trees seen from the raptor watch-point. But they soon scattered when a passing Goshawk went sailing through. Though Goshawks are amazing raptors, the population of both Sparrowhawk and Hobby have dropped considerably as these large raptors are increasing in number. 

After a couple of hours in the woodland, we decided to make our way over to the raptor viewpoint where we encountered at least three Woodlarks (our first of the year). A few Meadow Pipits flew up as did a pair of Mistle Thrushes and over to the south, a large flock of Redwing were seen flying across the heath. There were large numbers of Wood Pigeons perched on the top of the trees down below and eventually, I caught sight of a large raptor heading fast over the top of the woodland and quickly identified the bird as a male Goshawk (our fifth ‘year-tick’ of the day). The bird scattered all the Wood Pigeons as the raptor flew fast and then low into the woodland and out of view. Soon after, a pair of Common Buzzards got up and soared around together and even the male bird was doing a bit of displaying. At least 8 Common Crossbills flew over during our time there as well as a flock of Goldfinch. After enjoying our lunch with a Woodlark flying and singing overhead, we made our way back into the woodland for another try for the ‘LSW’.

Above, a Hawfinch in the woodland at Acres Down. Good numbers were seen here flitting about in the trees and overhead.

Sadly, no sign of the star Woodpecker, but a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over and landed nearby along with more sightings of Hawfinches, Bramblings and the more common woodland species and seeing we nearly got all of our 6 target species today; as Meatloaf ‘nearly’ sang, ‘five out of six ain't bad!’