A quick update despite having flu.

Friday 10th January 2025.

The drake Lesser Scaup on one of the smaller lakes at Blashford. Photo by Andy Friend.

I thought I would update what has been going on in the birding world here on the south coast and there has been more very rare birds turning up in Hampshire. Unfortunately, I have contracted Flu from my beloved wife and have been off work since Wednesday when I suddenly felt bloody awful and went downhill. Annoyingly, I cannot carry out my two jobs, but my two employers have been more than sympathetic.

A Barn Owl poking its head out of this old tree stump. Photo by Matt Parkes.

This week, amazingly, a drake Lesser Scaup had been found on one of the smaller pools at Blashford Lakes. I have not seen this species in Hampshire and only have ever seen two in my lifetime. I believe one was here a few years ago, also in one of the smaller pools on Blashford Lakes. Again, I don't know all the details on where exactly it is, but I know someone who does. However, I cannot see me birding over the weekend as I still feel totally drained of energy

Lovely close up of a Sparrowhawk. Photo by Andy Tew.

In Hampshire, the Lesser Yellowlegs was still present on Fishtail Lagoon and interestingly, a ringtail Hen-Harrier was over the heath at Woolmer Forest. The three Scaup are still present this morning on Milton Lakes.

A blast from the past. I took my grandchild Isabelle to see the Little Owl at Fort Cumberland around three years ago. The Little Owls eventually got kicked out by a Barn Owl!