Saturday 23rd March 2024.
Well, it was out and about again today with both Geoff Farwell and Andy Fisher, where we went to Old Winchester Hill, the small hamlet of Coombe and then down the Canal Path at Titchfield for possible migrants. The day kicked off with Andy’s moth box and ended with another look for Little Owls at South Boarhunt. The weather was rather kind to us, though a freezing westerly gave it a real chilly feeling and we even got caught in a heavy hailstone shower. The weather forecast for next week says it's going to be a very cold week; something to not look forward to! Both Andy and I grabbed another ‘year-tick’ each, although we were both hoping for a lot more.
Andy’s Moth Box, Cowplain Marsh:
As expected, there were not many moths in and around Andy’s moth box with a clear, dry start to the morning, with a very cold wind. The only moths present were 2 Hebrew Characters and a White-shouldered House Moth; though it was better than nothing. After drawing a blank again earlier this week, I didn’t bother last night. Hopefully, April will be a lot better. While checking the moths, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard ‘drumming’ nearby and both Dunnock and Coal Tit were singing in his garden.
Old Winchester Hill, nr East Meon:
As soon as we arrived at the car park at Old Winchester Hill, believe it or not, I got my one and only ‘year-tick’ of the day without getting out of the car!! A pair of Bullfinches were searching for food by the brambles adjacent to the car park and showed well, but flew off before I had a chance to grab a photo. I was now equal with Andy on 145 species in Hampshire for the year, but that wouldn’t last throughout the day. A Chiffchaff was in full song within the car park too, but this bird we did not see, but we did see and hear several others within the site. We did find a cracking male Firecrest singing just before we hit the track to the Fort and a singing Chiffchaff showed well there too. Overhead, both Red Kite and Common Buzzard were in good numbers and a male Kestrel was seen hunting a couple of times on our walk around the site. A single Raven was seen while sitting on the bench by the Fort entrance, flitting in and out of a flock of Jackdaws. A large flock of Mediterranean Gulls were seen flying north over the sheep fields, their calls echoing across the countryside. Earlier today, a regular birder here had found at least 7 Wheatears here in the Fort area, but they had all disappeared when we walked around the Fort, much to Andy’s frustration. We were hoping for a Ring Ouzel down on the south slope, but no diamonds I’m afraid (though a male Blackbird had us going for a minute!). That wind most certainly cut through you and we were glad to get to the other side of the Fort. Amazingly, not one Yellowhammer was seen or heard here; normally a regular sighting at this site and I still need it for a ‘year-tick’!
Coombe:
On the off chance, I took a gamble to try our luck for the Little Owls in the hamlet of Coombe, but there was no sign again. Despite a good search (at a distance, of course), the best we saw were 3 Mistle Thrush, a Kestrel and a very pale Common Buzzard sitting distantly on a post. A few Red Kites flew over and many more Common Buzzards were seen sailing high over the surrounding hills. After having lunch within the car, we made our way south, through the rain, down to the Canal Path at Titchfield for possible migrants. Yesterday, a large number of Sand Martins were seen over Posbrook Floods and a Little Ringed Plover had been seen during the week also.
Canal Path, Titchfield:
The rain had finally stopped and so we got out of the car and made our way south down the Canal Path where we first saw the regular Barn Owl in its usual tree to the west of the footpath. A good start. Out on the Bridge Street Floods, there was no sign of any Little Ringed Povers, but two Black-tailed Godwit (one in summer plumage), a single Snipe and a couple of Lapwings were the only waders by the water there. There were plenty of wildfowl including Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon and Pintail present, but no sign of any Garganey here. A couple of Lesser Back-backed Gulls joined the other Gulls and nearby, a pair of Stonechats were flitting about in the tall grass and weeds. Mediterranean Gulls were flying over our heads, calling frequently and a Common Buzzard drifted slowly over as well. There were plenty of singing Chiffchaffs along the Canal Path and several calling Cetti’s Warblers, but no sign of any Willow Warblers yet. It was going to be good for raptors here as further along the footpath, from the comfort of a nice bench overlooking the fields and distant reedbeds, we watched both a male and female Marsh Harrier go about their business. I found a female Peregrine soaring high over the reserve to add to our raptor tally today (six, including the Barn Owl). It was on our way back that Geoff and I heard the distinctive song of a Blackcap and then I spotted it on a bush and Andy had his ‘year-tick’ at last. Finally, from the Bridge, Andy saw a Water Vole swimming in the river and a second individual swam north up the river too; our first of the year. Sadly, no Hirundines over the respective ‘floods’ today, but I am sure it will not be long before we see them soon.
Manor Farm, South Boarhunt:
It was nearing 4pm when we reached the car park and also got caught in a very heavy Hailstone shower! Thankfully, it didn't last too long as we made our way to our final destination of the day, Manor Farm in South Boarhunt. To cut to the chase, we also dipped on the Little Owls there too, but we did see another Red Kite soaring overhead and several Red-legged Partridges out in the fields and also on the Farm grounds itself. A Firecrest was calling behind us in the Churchyard and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen briefly flying behind the Barns. I suppose we should have stayed until dusk, but it was so cold that I decided to call it a day. I shall try again another time soon. A couple of Roe Deer ventured out into a nearby field to round off a cold, but good days birding.
