Martin Down & Blashford Lakes.

Saturday 15th February 2025.

There was a glorious sunrise over Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea, this morning. However, it soon gave way to rain! 

I fancied somewhere different today and with my ever growing year list, I thought I would take a gamble and meet up with both Emma & Matt Parkes at Martin Down; a cracking area on the Hampshire / Wiltshire border. The weather was going to play a strong part today for there was a 30% chance of rain in that particular area and sure enough, it virtually rained all the way there after I had picked up both Geoff and Andy.

Andy’s Moth Box had attracted just the one moth again and yet another Acleris notana / ferrugana micro moth for the third week running. Surely, something must turn out different from this species? Enjoying a cup of coffee in Andy's garden, we were treated to good views of Goldfinches, Chaffinches and even a Coal Tit popped in too. 

The micro moth, Acleris notana / ferrugana. These have to be dissected to ascertain their true ID.

Martin Down, Hants / Wiltshire border:

Skylarks were abundant in the area including this singing bird on the ground! 

The rain was still coming down when we arrived at the car park, but was slowly easing up by the time both Matt & Emma arrived. On our way here, we saw at least two Common Buzzards perched by the roadside on Telegraph poles and also two Little Egrets near a stream as we passed through the village of Martin.

Above, this was the best I could do when trying to photograph the Stonechats. Below, this Common Buzzard was quite showy. One of around four birds seen here today.

Once we got all togged up against the weather, we made our way onto the Down and it didn't take long to pick up my first ‘year-tick’ of the day when I heard the distinctive noise of very fast whirring wings. Quickly looking north, a pair of Grey Partridge flew low and fast heading north across the scrubby grass and then quickly disappeared too! A very good start to our trip here. All was eerily quiet at first, with hardly any birds calling bar a few Meadow Pipits going over.

Above, Andy, Geoff and Emma on the main footpath and a lovely view of the fields over Martin Down. Below, we finally caught up with a Corn Bunting.

As we passed the large Blackthorn bushes heading east, we caught sight of a Kestrel perched up distantly on one of the small trees. As we moved further along, we caught sight of a small passerine perched on a bush and it was our first male Yellowhammer of the day and was joined by a female bird (Andy’s second ‘year-tick’ of the day!). Up to three male Stonechats then were seen and though they all posed well for those with a fast focusing camera, my efforts were in vain. Bugger! Eventually, the sound of Skylarks filled the air as we saw at least 20 birds in the area, including some that were actually singing on the ground! But where were the Corn Buntings?

Above, this Corn Bunting was giving Emma the runaround and below, five Roe Deer ran across a neighbouring field to the south of Martin Down.

Above, the colourful Brown-lipped Snail near the Blackthorn bushes and below, a map of the area within the car park. Most useful. 

Way in the distance to the north, I caught sight of a very large flock of thrushes which I can only assume were Redwing, with at least 60+ birds spread out over a big distance and then they flew off into the gloom. Yes, it was still spitting with rain and visibility wasn't all that good on the horizon. We decided to eventually circle back to the car park, but on the way there, more good birds arrived. At least four Common Buzzards were in the area and also a Red Kite sailing over the fields to the north. While watching a Buzzard, probably looking for earthworms in a neighbouring field, I found another small flock of 8 Redwings searching for food near the Buzzard. But they all seemed to get along nicely. Another large flock of birds flew up to the north and these were much larger than the last big flock we had seen earlier. They were in fact Golden Plovers, with at least 150+ birds circling high over the fields and yet another ‘year-tick’ for Andy! It got better when I distinctly heard a Corn Bunting singing somewhere and it didn't take too long to pick out the bird sitting on top of a small bush some distance away. My second ‘year-tick’ of the day! In fact, a little later, we went on to see two more birds, both together perched on a tall bramble.

This Red Kite sailed over our heads near the Blackthorn Bushes.

A couple of Ravens were seen over the fields and near back where the Blackthorn bushes were, there was a good number of thrushes to be seen that included a Mistle Thrush, two singing Song Thrushes, several Redwing and at least 6 Blackbirds. Another pair of Grey Partridge was flushed and flew off over the tussocky grass and this time, Geoff managed to see the birds having ‘dipped’ on them earlier in the day here. Pleased with our sightings, we slowly made our way back to the car but not before a pair of ladies within the car park told us that a Chicken had ran and hid in the brambles here. I personally didn't see it, but it was calling frequently!

Blashford Lakes, Blashford:

A pair of Goldeneye in front of the Tern Hide.

After Martin Down, we tried unsuccessfully to park somewhere near Wyke Down, which isn't too far away for possible Short-eared Owl and Hen-harriers, but we simply couldn't find a decent location to park. Maybe next time. Instead, we took the country route down many one-track roads to Blashford Lakes instead.

Above and below, this was the nearest the Black-necked Grebe was seen in front of the Tern Hide.

Above, a pair of Oystercatchers joined a flock of Wigeon on a small island in front of the Hide. Below, we found lots of Scarlet Elf Cap fungi growing throughout the woods.

The weather was much brighter now as we made our way to the Tern Hide. One of the wintering Black-necked Grebes was still showing very well and among the many Pintail, Teal and Tufted Ducks present, I counted up to 10 Goldeneye still present here, that included four drakes. A lone Egyptian Goose was seen over on the east bank and a Common Buzzard was seen plucking feathers off a dead Gull also on the east bank. After 45 minutes or so, we took a walk to the Ivy North Hide where we had sightings of Andy’s first Green Sandpiper of the year and also a Kingfisher perched near the Sandpiper where the screen was opposite. A few Cetti’s Warblers were playing hide and seek within the reedbed in front of us and large numbers of Teal on the water also contained a Little Grebe that was in near summer plumage and also a Great Crested Grebe that was in full summer plumage! A Little Egret popped by briefly and a pair of Common Buzzards drifted over the trees in the distance. Yet another winter when no Bitterns were seen in front of the Hide, sadly, but maybe we might get lucky at Fishlake Meadows in the coming months?

Can you spot the Kingfisher and Green Sandpiper in this photo? Below, this Robin was enjoying the sunflower hearts by the Woodland Hide.

Above, good numbers of Siskin were by the Woodland Hide and below, a close up of a Jay on the feeders.

From the Woodland Hide, though there were no Bramblings or Redpolls on show, we did have good views of the Siskins and other birds including a showy Jay on the feeders. Coal and Blue Tits were showing well as per usual here and it's nice to see the male Chaffinches looking smart in the spring plumage. The surrounding woodland was smothered in Scarlet Elf Cap fungi and looked so colourful against the leaf litter. It was now nearing 4pm and we still had to get back to the Tern Hide car park before they shut the gates at 4.30pm. Despite the weather, it was a good day where I picked up two more species to add to my year list and Andy finished the day with EIGHT more that included a male Bullfinch when we made our way to the car! Jammy sod!   

This male Merlin was seen by Matt & Emma on their way back through the New Forest at Telegraph Hill. Photo by Emma Parkes.